The pros and cons of building a DIY photography space or renting a professional studio

Attention Photographers! Do you struggle to figure out where to shoot?

Generally, there are two types of spaces where you can do your photoshoot: a professional studio space or a Do It Yourself (DIY) space. Both of these options have their benefits and drawbacks.

The main factors to consider are cost and time. Ask yourself these questions:

  • How much will it cost to rent the space?
  • How much will it cost to rent or purchase necessary equipment?
  • Is there a time limit for the space in question?
two men working camera
man filming woman

DIY spaces are most common among newer photographers. They are typically at free or inexpensive locations that do not have a time limit for sessions. This is a blessing and a curse, as there is a fine line between having ample time to shoot and spending more time than you are charging for. Increased time also lends to increased opportunities for distraction or perfectionism.

The DIY space is sounding like an ideal location, right? Inexpensive and all the time in the world! But what if you need quality lighting? Or a traffic-free space? Or backdrops?

It comes down to RESOURCES. You may be saving money in terms of location, but when you factor in additional costs, it may be more cost-efficient to rent a professional studio space that provides quality equipment. Whether you’re shooting portraits or products, a professional photography studio would have the resources to accommodate your needs.

In short, though DIY spaces seem like the smartest move, you have to factor in all the potential costs. You may consider an upfront cost to rent a professional studio space to be daunting, but it could cost less than renting or purchasing necessary equipment on your own.

If you’re looking for a space to do your photoshoot but are unsure about where to start, then we can help! Our studio space includes:

  • Professional Lighting
  • Make-Up and Hair Stations
  • Multi-Color Backdrops
  • Wind
  • MachinesSkylights
  • Fog Machines
  • …and much more!
photo setup