Finding the right photo studio in London can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of spaces scattered across the city—from converted railway arches in South London to sleek loft studios in Shoreditch—knowing where to start isn’t always obvious. That’s where Locations Direct comes in. We help photographers and filmmakers find and hire photoshoot studios across London, whether you’re searching in Hackney, exploring options around the South Bank, or need something central.

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Photoshoot studios in London: quick overview

A photo studio is essentially a controlled environment designed for capturing stunning images. Unlike shooting on location, a studio gives you complete control over lighting, backdrops, and atmosphere. These spaces are used by everyone from fashion brands shooting lookbooks to content creators producing e-commerce imagery, portrait photographers working with private clients, and agencies delivering commercial campaigns. London remains a global hub for this kind of work, with its concentration of creative talent, brand headquarters, and production infrastructure making it a natural home for top photo studios.

To give you a sense of what happens in these spaces: a fashion brand might book a daylight studio in Shoreditch for a relaxed editorial shoot, a corporate team could hire a minimal space in the City for professional headshots, or an e-commerce business might use a fully equipped Hackney studio to capture product detail shots all week. The variety is genuinely impressive.

Locations Direct isn’t a single studio—we’re a location agency that specialises in finding the right studio space for each creative project. We maintain relationships with studio owners across London, which means we can quickly match your brief to the best available options, saving you hours of searching and emailing. Think of us as your shortcut to the spaces that actually suit your vision.

Types of photoshoot studios in London

London offers everything from compact portrait suites to 3,000 sq ft drive-in studios, and Locations Direct works across all of them. Understanding the different types helps you narrow down what you actually need for your shoot.

Daylight studios are among the most sought-after spaces in the city, particularly in areas like Shoreditch and Hackney where large industrial windows flood interiors with natural light. These are ideal for fashion editorials, lifestyle content, and any photography that benefits from soft, diffused illumination. Many professional photographers prefer daylight studios for their authentic atmosphere and the way natural light flatters skin tones. You’ll typically find these spaces ranging from 400 to 1,200 sq ft, often with white-painted walls and polished concrete floors.

Blackout studios offer the opposite—complete control. With no natural light whatsoever, these spaces let you build your lighting setup from scratch, making them essential for beauty campaigns, product work, and video shoots requiring precise, repeatable conditions. South London is home to several excellent blackout arch studios, often converted from railway arches, providing high ceilings and industrial character alongside total light control.

Lifestyle studios blend elements of both, featuring styled interiors with furniture, kitchen areas, and living spaces. These are particularly useful for brands wanting an “at home” aesthetic without the unpredictability of a real residential location. You’ll find lifestyle sets across East London that work brilliantly for fashion shoots, branded content, and social media campaigns.

Cyclorama and cove studios feature curved walls that eliminate the join between floor and wall, creating that seamless “infinity” background beloved in commercial photography. A 5-metre cove in a Shoreditch studio can accommodate full-body fashion work or group shots, while smaller coves suit product and portrait sessions. These studios typically range from 1,500 to 3,000 sq ft.

Small portrait studios in areas like Camden or Islington offer 250-400 sq ft of focused space—perfect for headshots, beauty photography, or solo content creators who don’t need room for a large team. They’re often more affordable and can be booked by the hour, making them accessible for photographers at every level.

Large production stages with drive-in access exist across East London, some exceeding 2,500 sq ft with high ceilings suitable for car photography, set builds, and major commercial productions. These spaces accommodate substantial crews and often include loading bays for equipment vans.

How to choose the right photoshoot studio

The right studio depends on your brief, crew size, budget, and lighting needs. Getting this balance right from the start saves time and money—and that’s exactly what Locations Direct helps you do quickly.

Size and layout matter more than you might think. A 400 sq ft studio in Hackney works brilliantly for a three-person portrait team, but a full fashion campaign with stylist, hair stylists, makeup artist, photographer, assistant, and client might need 2,700 sq ft in Shoreditch with a 5-metre cove. Consider not just your shooting area but space for clothes rails, a client lounge, and equipment storage.

Natural light versus blackout is a fundamental choice. If your unique style relies on soft window light, prioritise daylight studios and check orientation—north-facing windows give consistent, even illumination throughout the day. If you need total control for continuous lights or flash setups, blackout is essential.

Power and load-in access often get overlooked until shoot day. Large studios should offer at least 20A circuits to prevent tripped breakers when running multiple strobes. If you’re bringing heavy lighting equipment or set pieces, check for lift access, loading bays, and parking for vans.

Sound considerations become critical for video shoots. Most studios in busy London areas have some ambient noise, but purpose-built spaces often include acoustic treatment. If you’re recording dialogue or voiceover, ask specifically about sound isolation.

Proximity to transport affects everything from crew call times to client convenience. Studios near Overground or Tube stations (Liverpool Street, Hackney Central, Elephant & Castle) make life easier for everyone involved.

Think carefully about ceiling heights—10-15 feet is ideal for overhead lighting setups without spill or hotspots. Consider background options too: some studios offer Colorama paper rolls in multiple colours, others have textured brick walls or lifestyle sets with furniture ready to use. Amenities like dedicated makeup rooms, changing areas, kitchens, and client lounges can transform a long shoot day from stressful to manageable.

When you contact Locations Direct, share a clear brief: your shot list, reference images, preferred dates, and approximate crew number. With these details, we can shortlist 3-5 precise studio options in under 24 hours.

What to know before you book a photo shoot studio

Preparation before booking avoids surprises on shoot day. A few checks upfront can save significant stress later.

Start with availability and timing. Confirm exact dates and times, and understand what happens if you run over. Overtime rates can add up quickly—some studios charge 1.5x their hourly rate after standard hours end. Weekend pricing often differs from weekday rates, sometimes by 20-30%, so factor this into your planning.

Clarify whether you need exclusive access or if the studio offers shared spaces where another shoot might be happening in an adjacent room. For quieter work or client-sensitive projects, exclusive hire matters.

Practical logistics deserve attention: is there parking for vans? A loading bay for large sets? Lift access for heavy kit? Some studios have restrictions on smoke machines, paint, animals, or loud music—discovering these on the day of your photoshoot is never ideal.

Ask what’s included in the hire. Some studio offers basic lighting and grip as standard; others are dry hire only, meaning you bring everything. Check on backdrops, makeup stations, Wi-Fi, sound systems, and whether cleaning fees apply at the end.

We always recommend requesting a tech pack or floor plan from the studio. Being able to visualise the layout before you arrive helps you plan your session more effectively. Locations Direct can provide these for any studio we represent.

Photoshoot studio hire prices in London

Let’s talk numbers. Typical London studio rates start around £40-60 + VAT per hour for smaller spaces (under 400 sq ft), rise to £350-650 + VAT per day for mid-size studios, and reach £800-3,000+ for large commercial stages with full facilities.

Prices vary by location, size, natural daylight, and whether equipment is included. A 300 sq ft portrait studio in Camberwell might cost half what a comparable space in Shoreditch commands. Studios with extensive lighting kits included typically charge more than dry-hire spaces.

Extra costs to budget for include:

• Lighting kit hire (£50-200/day depending on spec)
• Digital operator or studio assistant (£150-300/day)
• Set build and strike time
• Colorama use (often £20-40 per metre)
• Catering and hospitality
• Overtime beyond standard hours
• End-of-day cleaning (£50-100)

Locations Direct can benchmark pricing across multiple studios, flagging good-value options and package deals. Rather than contacting ten venues individually, you get a curated shortlist with transparent pricing and honest comparisons.

Ways to save on photoshoot studio hire

Flexible timing often reduces costs significantly. Midweek bookings (Tuesday-Thursday) are typically 10-20% cheaper than Fridays or weekends. Off-peak hours and shoulder months outside peak campaign seasons (avoiding September-November and February-March) can yield better rates.

Consider slightly less central areas for better space-to-price ratios. Studios in London Fields, Camberwell, or Tottenham offer comparable quality to prime Shoreditch spaces at friendlier prices. You might get an extra 500 sq ft for the same budget.

Bundling multiple shoot days through Locations Direct can help negotiate package prices with studio owners. If you know you’ll need a studio twice a month, booking several dates together often unlocks discounts that aren’t available for single hires.

Be realistic about equipment needs. Hiring only the lighting and grip you truly need keeps costs down. If the studio offers inclusive equipment packages, check whether they actually suit your requirements—paying for gear you won’t use is money wasted.

Popular London areas for photoshoot studios

London’s creative neighbourhoods each have a distinct character that influences the feel of your shoot. Understanding these clusters helps you choose a location that matches both your practical needs and creative vision.

Shoreditch and Hoxton remain the epicentre of London’s photography scene. You’ll find daylight studios with industrial windows, minimalist white spaces, and converted warehouses favoured by fashion and urban brands. Transport links are excellent—Hoxton Overground and Liverpool Street mainline are both within walking distance. The area’s concentration of cafes, prop houses, and hire shops makes it practical for productions that need last-minute supplies.

Hackney and London Fields offer fantastic warehouse studios and lifestyle sets, often with more space for the same money as Shoreditch. The area has a relaxed, creative atmosphere that many photographers find conducive to good work. Hackney Central Overground connects easily to the wider network, and there’s no shortage of excellent coffee nearby.

South London (Camberwell, Peckham, Bermondsey) is home to brilliant blackout arch studios—those converted railway arches providing dramatic height and industrial atmosphere. Prices tend to be more affordable than north of the river, and transport has improved massively with the Overground extensions. Elephant & Castle provides Northern and Bakerloo line access.

Central London and Soho suit corporate and advertising work where clients expect easy access and a prestigious address. Studios here are generally smaller and pricier, but proximity to agency offices and production companies makes them convenient for meetings and approvals during the shoot.

Locations Direct maintains an active, curated list of studios in each of these clusters. When you tell us your preferred area—or if you’re flexible—we can quickly match the right space to your brief.

Using Locations Direct to find and book photoshoot studios

Locations Direct specialises in sourcing and booking film and photoshoot locations, including studios, across London and beyond. We’re not just a directory—we’re an active partner in your search process.

The usual workflow is straightforward. You send us your brief (dates, budget, style references, crew size), and we shortlist studios that match. We send options with images, floor plans, and rates—typically within 24 hours. If you’d like to view spaces in person, we arrange viewings. Once you’ve chosen, we handle booking paperwork and liaise with the studio on your behalf.

Our experience in both film and stills means we anticipate real production needs. We think about power loads, load-in routes, client areas, and contingency plans. We know which studios have the best facilities and which have quirks worth knowing about.

Alternatively, if time and budget are a restraint - you can use our direct booking platform for fast and affordable photo studio hire. Simply message the studio though our online platform for fast responces, competitive rates and streamlined booking process. Often allowing for same day bookings and instant access to studio owners.

We maintain long-term relationships with studio owners, which helps with availability, fair pricing, and quick answers to technical questions. When a studio trusts us, they often prioritise our clients—especially useful during busy periods.

We work with everyone from solo photographers booking a half-day portrait session to agencies running multi-day brand campaigns. The process remains straightforward and transparent regardless of scale.

What information to share with Locations Direct

To help us find the best options quickly, include these details in your first email or call:

• Preferred dates (and any flexibility)
• Approximate budget (even a rough range helps)
• Number of people on set (crew, clients, talent)
• Stills, video, or both
• Desired look (industrial, minimal, lifestyle, daylight, blackout)
• Special requirements (drive-in access, sound isolation, specific backdrops)

Attaching a simple shot list or mood board—even a Pinterest link—helps enormously. We can match the studio’s architecture, light, and textures to your creative concept far more accurately when we understand your vision.

If you have rough equipment needs (continuous LED vs flash, 3-phase power requirements, audio recording), share these too. It allows us to filter for technically suitable studios from the start.

For larger productions, contact us early. We can pencil options before they’re snapped up, coordinate multiple studios if your schedule demands it, and negotiate multi-day packages that deliver better value than single bookings.

FAQs about photoshoot studios in London

What are typical London studio opening hours? Most studios operate 8am-6pm as standard, with options for earlier or later access by arrangement. Extended hours usually incur overtime charges. Some studios offer 24-hour access for productions requiring overnight work.

How far in advance should I book? For popular studios, 2-4 weeks ahead is sensible during busy periods. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible—Locations Direct can often find availability at short notice because we know which spaces have gaps in their schedule.

What’s the cancellation policy? This varies by studio. Most require 48-72 hours notice for full refunds, with partial refunds or credits for later cancellations. We always clarify terms before confirming your booking.

Do studios provide photographers? Most studios are hire-only—you bring your own photographer and team. However, Locations Direct can recommend trusted photographers, hair stylists, and crew if you need introductions. We’ve worked with many professionals across London and can point you toward people who suit your project.

What’s usually included in standard studio hire? Typically: the space, basic grip (stands, sandbags), Wi-Fi, a changing area, and access to kitchen facilities. Lighting kits, specific backdrops, assistants, and catering are usually add-ons. Always confirm what’s included before booking.

Are London studios suitable for beginners? Absolutely. Many London studios are beginner-friendly, with helpful hosts and straightforward setups. Locations Direct can suggest spaces with on-site support or simple configurations that don’t overwhelm first-time users. Everyone starts somewhere, and the right accommodating environment makes a real difference to confidence.

Can I visit a studio before booking? Yes—viewings are usually possible and we encourage them for larger bookings. We can arrange visits and often accompany you to answer questions about how the space might work for your shoot.

Lets work together!

Whether you’re planning a quiet portrait session or a week-long campaign, finding the right photoshoot studio shouldn’t be complicated. Locations Direct takes pride in matching photographers and filmmakers with spaces that genuinely work—saving you time, avoiding surprises, and helping you capture exactly what you’re after.

Ready to explore your options? Get in touch with your brief and we’ll deliver a shortlist of fantastic studios within 24 hours. Let us handle the search so you can focus on the creative work that matters.

Search our database of studios here.