Renting from a Studio Share has been a complete blessing for me! I have been with a Studio Share for a little over a year now, and I will admit it does have its ups and downs, but for the most part it really has help my business. I love having a studio, it has made my work look amazing, and just being able to offer a space to shoot in for my clients is a great feeling!
If you’ve never used a Studio Share, I’ve taken some time to answer some frequently asked questions:
What is the difference between renting a studio and renting a Studio Share?
Renting a studio at times has a higher price tag than renting a Studio Share. For me, renting from a Studio Share is not as expensive as getting my own space. However, it can be if you get more than 1 full time membership at a time.
Studios also come empty, where you do not have any equipment and have to purchase all the equipment in order to have a successful studio space. The good thing about a Studio Share is that it already comes with lighting, backdrops, furniture, props, and/or etc.
This for me was a big deal, because not only could I not afford my own space by myself, I also couldn’t afford all the equipment, props, furniture, backdrops, paper rolls, and/or etc. So, sharing a studio space and renting from someone who already had everything at the tips of my fingers was key for me. I looked at one more space other than Studio Share, and that space didn’t come with furniture and props for sessions. The space only had backdrops and maybe a few chairs, and lighting. The owner of the Studio Share is very on top of everything, and she had a consultation with me before I signed the papers. She was very upfront with me as well as professional. The spaces, pricing, and overall look of the studios, along with being able to meet with her, sold me on the spaces I rent from.
You may bring your own backdrops, but you have to ask the owner if you may leave them. Most of the time she will let you, but if you leave them in the space that allows other photographers to use them as well. I believe you may bring furniture, but you are not allowed to leave it there as there isn’t space for left furniture.
If you use a Studio Share, how is it determined which photographers get to use the studio and when. Do you have a set day/time schedule?
I do not determine who uses the studio space. That is done online and by what type of membership you have. Full time photographers are allowed to book 1 block on a weekend per month in advance, the rest may book 2 weeks or less in advance, and weekdays are first come first serve. As stated, that is all done online.
This is the part that is hard for me. I wish I could rent my own space, because not everyone is as much as a clean freak as I am. However, I just pick up after myself and really try not to worry about what everyone else is doing, unless it effects my time in the studio. However, the owner of the space is very on it when it comes to things not being what they should be within the studio spaces.
What if I rent the space and nobody books sessions?
For me, this part was something I felt was going to be difficult. How was I supposed to know if having a studio would really benefit me? Connie Phillips with Indy Studio Share assured me that “Once people see that you have a studio within your work, they will come to you!” Wow, was she right! At first, I just called in friends into the studio to model for me, so I could show that I had a new amazing space, and eventually business just started flowing in.
Hello! I am Rachel Moore and I am a boudoir photographer in Indianapolis, Indiana. I really love helping women, men, and couples feel sexy, confident and empowered. I love seeing them in love with their images and sometimes see beauty that they have not seen prior to the experience. That truly brings me joy as an artist.