Photo Studios for Rent in Washington, DC

Tagvenue does not rest when it comes to venue search. That’s exactly why you will find so many locations to rent on our platform, and if you decide to come back in the future, you’re bound to find even more. You’re here because you’ve come to find the perfect photo studio, probably one ideal for your next photo shoot. Well, you’re not going to be disappointed, since that is exactly what we’ve prepared for you. Keep scrolling to find out all the what’s, where’s and how’s of studio photography.

Types of studio photography

• Are you aiming to do some fashion photography? Maybe you want to open the next fashion house headquarters just like Washington D.C.’s Anthropologie and Nordstrom? Dream big and let nobody stop you. Fashion photography is the perfect way to show off yours, or someone else’s creations. Practice your skills in a studio, and throw something great into your portfolio. Fashion photography will let you practice with colors, lighting and afterwards you can make your pictures even more unique by polishing up your Photoshop and Lightroom skills. We sincerely recommend checking out this Joanna Kustra color-grading tutorial, which is going to help you understand the play of colors in your photo shoot. 
• Are you shooting editorial? Editorial photography differs from fashion photography, although to the average person all of these styles might seem quite similar or even the same. However, editorial photo shoots focus more on the storytelling side of photography. The editorial photographer has a theme or a story in mind when taking the photos. So if you have something that you would like to tell through your photography, editorial is the style you want to aim for. The main point here is to collect all the information for the type of story you want to tell. Is it going to be someone’s life journey (are you taking photos of someone who’s known for something)? Or will the topic be ecology, history or travel? You can really take any idea and shoot it in a studio, providing you use the correct props, colors and lighting. With photography tricks, and enough skills, you will be able to tell any story you wish through your photos.
• Is a product going to be the subject of your shoot? Then commercial photography is what you should be focused on. Commercial photography focuses strictly on the object that you will be shooting. Perhaps you’re going to take photos for a certain campaign, or you have a job to do for a company. Commercial photography can be used for catalog shoots, but it doesn’t have to be limited to products. You can actually use commercial photography for employees as well. The photos could advertise the people who work for you. Your photos can be featured in a variety of settings, including but not limited to: books, reports and advertisements. It is wise to know what environment your photos will be mainly shot for, and to get to know your target audience.

Ok, so we have the different types of studio photography down. Have you decided yet which style is best suited for your upcoming photo shoot? If you do, then perhaps you’re wondering what studios we have to offer you today. Thankfully, Washington, D.C. does think of its fellow photographers and has prepared spaces perfect to meet your needs. The locations are spread out all over the city, so you’re bound to find a venue which will not have you running to the other side of town if you don’t feel like it. Check out our recommendations below, and explore our site for other great photo studio locations as well.

Photo Studios around Washington, DC 

Could any of these photo studios be your next choice? Check out:

• Studio A in DC Studios at Photogroup, a huge 2000 square feet open space. It is ideal for photoshoots which could include larger groups of models, as well as different backdrop options. In a studio as big as this, you are able to shoot more freely, because you’re not limited to a small space. The venue offers a kitchen, which is a perfect break room option for resting between shots. The studio also offers equipment rental. On a similar note, you might also be interested in Studio B located in the same venue. Both Studios have high ceilings, open windows and cyc walls. Prepare to find the venue in Silver Spring, the price starting at $135 rental fee per hour.
• Entire Studio at Vanaheim Studio, a more enclosed space, fully equipped with lights and backdrops. The studio is very well shielded from natural light, so you mostly have professional lighting to use in your photos. The studio offers indoor as well as outdoor shooting options. This venue is ideal for any type of photography, so put your skills to the test. Prepare for rental fees, which start from $45 per hour. Find this affordable location at Falls Church.
• Entire Studio at Dudley Digital Works. If the previous studios didn’t do it for you, then this one surely will. This studio is a film and photography heaven, perfect for those big projects we all love so much. A huge cyclorama, and a green screen facility makes for a very comfortable studio experience. Shoot campaigns, fashion shoots, editorials and many more. Transform the studio's backdrop into anything your imagination desires. With Dudley Digital Works, your photos are bound to make everyone’s jaw drop. Find the studio at Falls Church. Prepare for a rental fee of $950 per day. 

Do you have your eye on something yet? Click onto Tagvenue’s search engine, and filter out the venues which you’re interested in. Now, have you thought about what you should look out for when renting a photo studio? No worries, we got you covered here too.

What to think about when renting a photo studio?

There are many things that you should think about when renting a photo studio. From equipment and insurance, to the date, time, capacity and more. Make sure not to miss any points, and do some additional research just in case, because photo studio rental can be a bit of a pickle. 

• Location - have you thought through where you would like to be located for the photo shoot? Is it important where the venue is? In some circumstances, it might not be a dominant factor. However, you might have to carry heavy equipment, or perhaps your crew is coming from out of town. Will you need to go somewhere important directly after the shoot? If the answer is yes, then the location might be one of the more important booking aspects. Apart from that, make sure to check with the crew if the location also suits them. Have the most important people, like the directors of the shoot, accept the venue choice before you book.

• Date - when would you like to book the photo studio? When it comes to deciding on the day of the week, it’s important to ask yourself some questions. Is the shoot a part of a work campaign, or is it a part of a study course, or simply for fun? Because while booking a location in the middle of the week for work will probably be ok, it also may not be. Double check with all the attendees what their availability is. 

• Crew - who do you need for the photo shoot? Make sure you have enough people to help, models, back-up models if necessary, etc. It’s good to have a main director and a lighting director. One will take care of the shoot, and the other will manage the equipment, which is the second most important part when shooting. Don’t forget about a stylist and a make-up artist. Think about how many models you need, and prepare a casting call if you have to. Always have someone as a back-up in case they fail to show up. When it comes to the crew, we also suggest having a contract written up before you work, so you don’t get any nasty surprises with people bailing at the last minute. A contract keeps the work in place, whether these people are your friends, or not.

• Equipment - what will you require for the shoot? When renting a studio, many times you will have some equipment included in the price of the venue. Sometimes this is not the case, but you might be able to rent the equipment inside the venue for a small fee. Remember that you should have access to cameras, lights and light moderators, cables, reflectors, etc. Some studios may provide you with software for the shoot, but don’t rely on them completely. For things like editing software, a computer, memory cards, you should have invested in them beforehand.

• Insurance - a crucial piece of advice from us - always be insured. Insurance will cover any damage you and your venue guests could potentially cause. When it comes to photography equipment, this is no joke. Equipment costs hundreds and even thousands of dollars. The venue rentals themselves can cost quite a lot of money, and fixing them can break the bank. Have one less thing to worry about, and cross off the list the dark thought of covering any enormous costs.  

• Props - apart from camera equipment, you will also need the props for the actual photoshoot. Make sure you have everything with you the day before the shoot. If you’re changing the backdrops or have prepared particular costumes, then this all needs to be set up in one place. Don’t have different people bringing in bits and pieces, because it’s more than likely that someone is going to forget something. And usually it’s one of the things that make-or-break the shoot. You’ve paid so much money for this rental, don’t regret it through such small, silly mistakes. If you have the ability to take as many things as you wish (if the transport allows it), then we suggest taking more than you need. You can always take it away, but you might not be able to go back for a certain item if it’s missing.

• Additional facilities - these come last, because they might not be necessary, but a good thing to have nonetheless. If you’re starting a shoot at 9am and finishing at 6pm (most studios work at such hours), then a kitchen could be a nice touch to the project. You’ll be able to have a break or grab something to eat or drink. Don’t underestimate that, because after the whole day you’re going to be exhausted. Plus, bringing in your own food or drink into the studio is a big no-no. Other than that, think if you need any extra accessibility inside the venue. Don’t forget to ask the host if there are any additional costs alongside the facilities. 

Do you feel ready to book the perfect photo studio now? With our amazing suggestions, tips and know-how’s you’ll be able to conduct quite a solid shoot. Check out the FAQ for any additional info, and go explore and book one of the best photo studios that Washington, D.C. has to offer today!

Photo Studios in Washington, DC FAQ

What’s the price range for photo studios in Washington, D.C.?

The rental fee for the photo studios starts at around $40 and ends at roughly $250 per hour. The price depends on a number of factors, such as the location of the studio, the equipment which is inside, as well as additional facilities. These can include additional rooms in the studio, parking, wheelchair access, etc. (All data from Tagvenue.com)

How many people can I bring to a photo studio in Washington, D.C.?

Typical photo studios will not have a very big capacity. You can expect enough space for up to 30 people standing in the bigger venue spaces. It is recommended that you don’t bring a lot of people to the photo studio, as they will cause a disturbance during your shoot. Opt for a max of 10 people, which includes the models, photographers, lighting directors and any managers you should have during the shoot. Avoid bringing friends or family members, don’t forget that the more people you bring, the more likely it is that something could be damaged during the shoot.

Should I have insurance when renting a photo studio in Washington, D.C.?

Absolutely yes! As we mentioned before, you never know when something can go wrong. A lamp can be broken, a circuit burnt or a prop can go missing. You won’t see the end of paying off debt if you’re not careful enough. So get yourself properly insured. Remember, even if you feel that you won’t cause any damage, you also have to watch out for other people. At the end of the day, the lease is under your name. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

What time should I rent a photo studio in Washington, D.C.?

Honestly, it depends on what type of photo shoot you are planning to have. If you’re having a daylight photo shoot, preferably 6pm is not going to be the best time to come in. We recommend starting in early hours anyway, so that you have the whole day to shoot, work and edit. If it turns out that you have to go overtime, then it shouldn’t be too much of a problem because you didn’t start at the last minute.