Photo Studios for Rent in Toronto

If you are looking to organize a photo shoot in Toronto, finding the perfect photo studio to fit your vision is a key step in the process. To make your job easier, we’ve found the best spaces in town so you can pick and choose faster than ever before. However, when making your final choice, there are many factors that you should consider before making your final pick: 

• Where is the photo studio located? You should make it as easy as possible for you and your models or staff to get to the studio. Especially if you are shooting something for a client. After all, why make them come all the way across the town? Additionally, this can be a great opportunity to discover new photo studios that you might not have found otherwise.

• What is your budget? Photography studios come in all sorts of different price ranges. Those that have a well-established name or brand will have a higher price tag than smaller independent spaces, however, the amount of space and equipment to your disposal will make a difference too. The studio’s location is also an important factor here - spaces found in the outskirts of Toronto are usually cheaper than their downtown counterparts.

• What equipment do you need? This is an important point to consider if you are just starting out in professional photography. Investing in expensive equipment is not always a possibility for everyone, which is why many photo studios offer studio gear as part of the rental package or for extra hire. This usually includes such things as backgrounds of different colours, tripods and lights, however, some spaces may have a wider selection of equipment for you to pick from.

• How much space do you need? The scale of your production will determine whether you’re after a large warehouse, or a smaller studio. Even if you don’t have assistants and crew to worry about, certain types of shoots demand different amounts of space. For example, if you have arranged a group photo shoot with a large family, they will need a lot of room to move around and position themselves in the shot. And you have to take all the gear, lights and props into consideration, too.

• Do you need any professional help? Many fantastic photographers, lighting technicians and models are available to assist you with your photo shoot. There are many ways you can find them - look through local advertising services, browse various social media, or simply ask your venue manager if they have specialists you need on-site.

A simple and quick guide to studio lighting

The field of studio lighting comes not only with a ton of new information but also with specific technical vernacular. For you to ask the studio manager for what you need, you should have at least basic knowledge of the names of the many types of light and be aware of what they are used for. However, as with any jargon, some words can be used differently and interchangeably from person to person and as soon as you start using the words casually, you will also figure out which terms work best for you.

Different types of lights that are used in photo studios:

Strobe lights - These are the most commonly used lights in photo studios, as their purpose is to simulate a classic camera flash. However, unlike standard on-camera flashes, strobe lights (or monolights) are much brighter, powerful and shorter. Their output is anywhere from 100 to 1000 watts. They are adjustable depending on the distance you need for your shoot.

Continuous light - Continuous light is a powerful source of light that does not flash. This type of lighting is most frequently used for video, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t add it to your photoshoot equipment. It makes a great combination with strobe lights and is actually the best light to experiment with if you’re a beginner or are working with models that aren’t professionally trained, as the light won’t overwhelm them with a burst of light. 

Speedlight - This type of light is a smaller and more portable lighting option, however, it may not be enough of a light source on its own when you’re shooting in a photo studio. It is usually attached to the hot shoe of your camera and can be used on its own for a specific effect or in combination with other lights.

So which lighting option is the best for studio photography?

In general, it very much depends on the vision you are going for. For beginners, it is often enough to have a speedlight, as it has a similar effect as a strobe light and can also be set up as an off-camera light. However, the strobe light is still the most common type of light for photo shoots, and you will usually require two sources of light at each side of the camera to eradicate harsh shadows.

Basic types of modifiers you can use to manipulate light:

Softboxes - This type of modifier offers easy manipulation as well as great directionality, so it is great for both beginners and professionals. There are many sizes of softboxes, so you can pick one according to your needs. There are also different shapes of softboxes such as strip boxes and octaboxes, that are used for different occasions.

Umbrellas - This modifier looks exactly what it sounds like - an umbrella mounted on top of a strobe light. As light is fired into the modifier, it is reflected back to your subject in a larger and softer manner. Nevertheless, as common as they are, umbrellas are actually not very easy to control.

Translucent umbrellas - This type of modifier diffuses the light from the strobe through a special material. However, the light it produces doesn’t have directionality, unlike the classic umbrella modifier. 

Reflectors - This modifier is designed to reflect light, which is especially useful if you only have one source of light. They will help you essentially mimic a second source of light without you having to actually set up one.

Which light modifiers are the best to use in a photo studio?

At the end of the day, the type of light modifier you want to use will mostly depend on the type of photo shoot you’re planning. If you are just starting out, softboxes will be your best friends, as they are easy to direct, use and prevent light spillage. Reflectors are another type of modifier that should be included in your equipment, as they are easily portable and provide great assistance in creating a second, and softer, light source.

How to work with professional models

If you want to take your photography career to the next level, you will need to start working with the professionals. Many of the major gigs including product, fashion and commercial photo shoots will involve being a part of a large production team, along with one or more models. Even if you’re a family or portrait photographer, organising a shoot with a model may be a nice contribution to your portfolio - a chance to show your potential clients what you’re capable of. While the specifics of collaborating with model may change depending on who you’re working with, we made you a list of best tips to find, approach, and work with some of the best models in Toronto and beyond:

• Build your contact list. If you’re only just starting out, you won’t have the notoriety of a professional photographer. But you can change that in many ways! First of all, you can work as an assistant for a commercial or fashion photographer. That way you’ll be able to learn everything about working as a photographer in this type of setting, along with some tips and tricks to make your photos even better. You can also become a part of a proper photo crew, where you will be able to establish your own network of people you have worked with. Also, you can just try to approach make-up artists and models on social media.

• Start a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of your best photos stored in one place, like a website or your social media page. With it, you give yourself a chance to either be noticed by independent models and influencers, or ask people you want to work with to check out your photos. If you need some material, you can ask your friends if they would be interested in doing a model photo shoot for your portfolio. This will give you an opportunity to practice carrying out this kind of shoot, and try to take the best photos you can.

• Schedule a studio. Inviting models to a legitimate photo studio will make you seem more like a professional, and encourage models to collaborate with you. When looking for a studio for fashion photography with a model, you should look for a space with a nice studio backdrop, a versatile lighting system, and a separate changing room for the model. If the venue is in a well connected area of Toronto, like the West Queen West, that makes it even better.

• Plan the shoot. No model will want to work with you if your photo shoot lacks a plan or purpose. You should start working on this even before you reach out to a model. We recommend you start with a mood board. A mood board is a collection of photos and general ideas you want to explore during the session. Then you will have to get to the specific photos you want to take. Have a description of what you expect every picture to look like, and the emotions it is supposed to convey. It’s not a bad idea to consult with the model beforehand, as they have a good idea of what elements work well for them specifically.

• Find a model. When you have everything set up and ready, it’s finally time to schedule a session with a model. There are many ways you can go about it. First, there are modelling agencies. You can find many virtual agencies nowadays, but you can also opt for one that works locally. They have a list of professional models working with them, and they will schedule a session with the best match for your shoot for a fee. Another way to go about this is to look for models that are also looking to enhance their portfolio with great pictures. This type of arrangement is called “time for portfolio” (or “TFP”) and usually involves no costs from either side.

• Get started. Now that you have all the pieces that make a successful modelling shoot, it’s time to get into the studio and start the shoot. For working with models, communication is key. Make sure they’re comfortable around you and they have everything they need to perform. Show them every shot you take, and exchange ideas often - you are working together, after all. After you get out of the studio, thank them for their work, and give them a recommendation if you enjoy the results.

Photo Studios in Toronto FAQ

How much does it cost to rent a photo studio in Toronto?

Rental prices for photo studios in Toronto depend on the size of the space and the length of the rental Usually, the cost starts at around $250 to $800 per day. The rates for a half-day can go from anywhere around $145 to $220. Some studios even offer a per hour rate, which usually fluctuates between $30 and $60. (All data from Tagvenue.)

Which districts in Toronto have the best photo studios?

Toronto is home to a variety of photography studios, and you can definitely find a few in each district. Some of the most popular ones are located Downtown, for example in Corktown, Regents Park or the Fashion District. On the Eastside, you can check out venues in Leslieville or East Danforth, while on the Westside you shouldn’t miss out on spots in Liberty Village or Carleton Village. Midtown and York are also trendy parts of Toronto, so you shouldn’t miss out on photography studios in Davisville Village or the Caledonia-Fairbank district. With such a wide selection, you can be sure to find a studio that fits your requirements and is easily accessible.

What equipment can I usually find in a photo studio?

Each studio offers a slightly different selection of equipment, so make sure to check what is included in the price and what you might need to rent for an extra fee before you book your desired space. Normally, the backdrop or props come with the rented space, along with the WiFi and basic on-site facilities. Some venues also offer their own professional studio lights and reflectors, as well as tripods. Overall, the rule of thumb is to double-check which equipment you lack and need to have for your photoshoot and enquire your venue manager about it.

Which photo studios are the best in town?

Here are some of our favourite photo studios in Toronto:

F.A.M. Base Collective, is dedicated to establishing a safe space for independent creatives to work and connect.

Coalition Music, a studio located in a historical building with an abundance of natural light and a cyclorama wall.

Borada Photography, a versatile space for video and photo shoots.

Blue Phoenix Studios, offering a variety of props and lighting included in the rental fee.

Studio Cozy, a highly accessible space packed with a ton of useful equipment and backgrounds on-site.