How to Prepare for Your First Photography Studio Rental

Your first studio rental can go one of two ways: you walk in prepared, nail the shoot, and wonder why you didn't rent a studio sooner — or you spend the first hour figuring out equipment you've never touched, run out of time, and leave with half the shots you planned.

The difference is preparation. Here's how to make your first rental a success.

Before You Book: Know What You Need

Don't browse studio listings randomly. Define your shoot requirements first, then match a space to them.

What are you shooting? Headshots need less space than full-length fashion. Product work needs a table, not a 2,000 sq ft loft. Family portraits need room for a group to spread out. The type of shoot determines the size, equipment, and features you need.

How many people? Count everyone: subjects, assistants, makeup artists, clients observing. A studio comfortable for two people gets cramped fast with a crew of six. Most studio listings mention a recommended capacity — take it seriously.

What equipment is included? This is where first-time renters get burned. "Fully equipped studio" could mean Profoto lights with 10 modifiers or two budget strobes with no stands. Get the specific equipment list before you book. If the studio provides lights you've never used, factor in 20–30 minutes to familiarize yourself.

What do YOU need to bring? Camera, lenses, memory cards, and batteries are obvious. But also think about: tether cable (if the studio doesn't provide one), gaffer tape for marking floor positions, your own modifiers if the studio's selection is limited, and props or wardrobe.

One Week Before the Shoot

Scout the studio. Visit in person if you can. If not, request a video tour or look for walkthrough videos online. Pay attention to the shooting space dimensions, natural light sources (if any), power outlet locations, and the general vibe of the space.

Plan your shot list. Write down every shot you need, in order. Include the lighting setup, backdrop, and any props for each shot. A detailed shot list keeps you on track and prevents the "what should we do next?" gap that eats your rental time.

Create a lighting plan. For each shot on your list, sketch or note the light positions. If you've never used the studio's specific lights, watch a YouTube tutorial on that brand's system. Godox, Profoto, and Elinchrom all have different interfaces for adjusting power, modeling light, and channel settings.

Communicate with your subjects. Send them the studio address, parking info, what to wear, and what time to arrive. Tell them to arrive 15 minutes before the session starts. If they need to bring outfit changes, wardrobe options, or props, confirm this in writing.

The Day Before

Charge everything. Camera batteries (at least two, fully charged), flash triggers, and any portable lighting. Plug in your laptop if you're shooting tethered. There's no excuse for dead batteries in a studio.

Pack your gear bag the night before. Use a checklist:

• Camera body + backup if you have one
• Lenses (the two or three you'll actually use)
• Memory cards (formatted and empty)
• Battery charger + extra batteries
• Flash trigger/receiver
• Tether cable (if shooting tethered)
• Gaffer tape
• Lens cloth
• Shot list (printed)
• Gray card for custom white balance
• Props, wardrobe, accessories as needed

Format your memory cards. Do this the night before, not at the studio. Copy any old images to your computer first. Starting the shoot with clean, formatted cards means no risk of running out of space.

Arrival: The First 30 Minutes

Get to the studio 30 minutes before your subject arrives. Use this time efficiently.

Minutes 0–10: Orientation. Walk the space. Find the bathrooms, the thermostat, the changing area, and the power outlets. Turn on all the lights. Check that the equipment listed on the booking actually exists and works. If something's missing or broken, contact the studio owner immediately.

Minutes 10–20: Set up your first lighting arrangement. Position your key light, fill, and any background lights for your first shot. Fire a few test frames. Check your exposure, white balance, and framing. Adjust before your subject walks in.

Minutes 20–30: Final prep. Set up your tethering station if using one. Tape down any cables that cross walkways. Lay out your props and wardrobe. Queue up your music playlist. When your subject arrives, you should be ready to start shooting within 5 minutes.

During the Shoot: Time Management

Your biggest enemy is time. A 2-hour rental goes fast when you're changing setups and directing subjects.

Stick to your shot list. Creative tangents are tempting ("let's try one more thing with this cool light pattern"), but they eat time meant for your planned shots. Get the must-haves first. If you have time left over, then experiment.

Limit setup changes. Each lighting/backdrop change costs 10–15 minutes. In a 2-hour session, that means you can realistically do 3–4 distinct setups. Plan accordingly. Don't try to execute 8 different looks in 2 hours — you'll rush everything and nail nothing.

Check images on your laptop or the studio's monitor. Zoom to 100% on a few frames per setup to confirm focus is sharp and exposure is right. It takes 30 seconds and saves you from discovering that your entire shoot is slightly out of focus.

Watch the clock. Set a timer on your phone for 15 minutes before your rental ends. Use those last 15 minutes for your final planned shots, not cleanup. Some studios charge steep overtime rates — $1.5–2x the hourly rate is standard for going past your window.

After the Shoot

Clean up. Return the studio to how you found it. Roll up seamless paper, reset light positions, sweep the floor if you made a mess. Studio owners notice, and it affects whether you get favorable treatment on future bookings.

Return equipment properly. If you moved C-stands, put them back. If you adjusted strobe power, reset to default. Don't leave lights on — they overheat and the studio owner gets stuck with the electricity bill.

Back up your images immediately. Before you leave the studio (or the parking lot), copy your files to a portable drive or start a cloud upload. Cards can corrupt. Drives can fail. Two copies in two locations before you go to bed.

Leave a review. If the studio was good, say so. A specific, honest review helps the studio owner and helps other photographers find the right space. Mention what worked well and anything future renters should know.

Your first studio rental is a learning experience regardless. But with solid preparation, it becomes a productive one — and the start of a studio shooting habit that levels up your work.