About London Photography Studios
When it comes to photo shoots, London’s a clear favorite for photographers across the globe. From famous clocks to royal palaces and iconic '60s bands, it's easy to see why so many people flock from far and wide to get a snap of the UK capital’s unique and iconic landmarks for their next project.
Plus, if you didn’t already know, London is the fashion capital and home to many big designer brands like Burberry, Stella McCartney, and Alexander McQueen. This makes it a creative hub for a variety of photo studios in London, including product, fashion, and commercial photography.
Whether you’re looking for white walls, high ceilings or exposed brick to lead a fashion shoot of your own, London has no shortage of unique, classic, and quirky studios to choose from. Plus, with a unique, deep-rooted history, there are many lens-worthy backdrops to pick from, too!
Best Photo Studios in London
After selecting your photography studio, you’ll likely be in the market for all the equipment and services to complement your photoshoot. Some photography studios offer props and backgrounds for an additional cost to help get you started.
But if you’re shooting for a niche product or service, you’ll likely need to use external companies to get what you’re looking for. Here are some services many consider a must for a professional photo shoot.
Professional Photographers
Unless you have a keen eye for photography, years of experience, and a high-quality camera, you’ll probably want to hire the help of a professional photographer. Not only will they have their own set of cameras and lenses (saving you at least £5,000 on these alone), but they’ll also come with a host of skills that will bring your pictures to life and reduce headaches for you. Great photography is an art after all!
Costume Design Company
If you’re using models and don’t have your costumes to hand, it might be worth employing the services of a professional costume design company. This can be especially helpful if you’re shooting for niche products and services to accurately capture the look or theme of your brand. Many are available for a variety of projects on short or long-term contracts. If you’re on a smaller budget, you could also consider using a costume rental company which can be significantly cheaper.
Prop Companies
Additional props may be necessary if your chosen photography studio space has very little or no onsite furniture that meets your needs. If you do find yourself needing props or furniture in particular styles or colors for your next studio hire, talk to a prop rental service. Well-known companies like Modern Props have over 40 years of experience supplying props and furniture to a variety of UK companies for photoshoots, TV adverts, and more. They supply to all London photography studios, a corporate event or your next event!
Photo Studio Companies in London
A popular destination for photography, London city is visited by many for its engagement photos, fashion photography, commercial photography, and more. Here are some of the best companies currently operating in London:
Lux Studio
Based in East London, Lux Studio is perfect for helping to bring your creative goals to life. They've also partnered with many big brands like Magnum Ice Cream, Omega, and Elemis, so they're a hot pick for companies in need of memorable, edgy, or elegant product photography and e-commerce shoots.
Mavro Studios
Mavro Studios can help you establish your brand visually with an array of different choices including both photo and video options. It has been used by celebrities and companies around the world and offers four studio options including an all-black studio, an all-white studio, and a green room.
Pros and Cons of Using a Photo Studio in London
Despite having many pros for photo studio hire, London has some cons, too. Here are some things you should take into account when planning a photography shoot here:
Advantages
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High-quality levels of service
London is known for its high-quality standards of service and customer care so you’ll likely leave your photographic studio shoot happy with your experience. Plus, being one of the most famous cities in the world, London is home to some of the best professional photographer s on the scene, including fashion shoots, product launches, and commercial photography.
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Pricing to fit many budgets
There are loads of photography studio options in London and its surrounding areas that offer a top-quality service and the perfect venue for a variety of prices. This makes finding a London photographic studio that's within budget and ticks all the boxes easy. Prices normally start from around £25 per hour, getting more expensive the closer into London city you go.
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Companies that fit most needs and niches
London is the Babel of the modern world, housing up to 270 different nationalities and a massive 300 languages. Being so rich in cultural diversity, it’s easy to find companies that cater to every niche with the perfect space from Canary Wharf to Notting Hill. So more often than not, you’ll find an amazing space to facilitate your creative process.
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Great transport links
London has one of the best public transport systems in the world and the best in Europe. So getting to your photographic studio space by bus, train, tube or cab is relatively straightforward. There’s also plenty of photographic studios out of the city to chose from.
Disadvantages
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Expensive
Being the capital of the UK, London is known to be particularly pricey. Not only does this affect the cost of photo studio hire and equipment, but also extras like travel and lunch. The average cost of a basic lunch here is £6.60. When planning your trip, it's sensible to factor more than studio hire into your spending costs before your next shoot.
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Hire costs for using Royal Park
Unlike some of the other city landmarks, if you wish to use Royal Park, you’ll have to apply for a permit first through the park’s office. These can cost more than other studio hire fee and only allow sessions of up to one hour at a time, possibly making your photoshoot feel a little rushed.
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Confusing for new visitors
If you don’t know the area or are used to a more grid-like road layout like New York’s, it can be pretty difficult to find your way around. Whilst there are many London city maps to help you find your location, roads are marked with names and not numbers, plus many roads bend, it can be a little confusing.
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Confusing driving rules
Driving in London can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with its numerous driving laws. Parking signs, double lines, and bus lanes frequently catch out drivers new to London. It's best to do your research so you’re not caught out and rushing to get to your creative space. Or, you could hop in one of the iconic black cabs or a taxi and let a local professional worry about confusing road rules and getting you to your photographic studio hire on time!
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Public transport options can be busy
Anyone who’s ever tried to catch a bus, train, or tube at the height of the rush hour in central London will concur that traveling can be hectic. That’s why it's best to avoid any London tube stations before 9 am or between 4 pm and 7 pm during the week to get to your photo studio rental. You can also make a saving of around 50% in travel costs by using an Oyster card or your contactless bank card.
Famous Photo Studio Locations in London
Based in the heart of North London, this all-in-one studio space is ideal for both photo and video shoots and can accommodate up to 50 people. You’ll have access to two studio spaces, an infinity cove, and a dressing room, so you can set up and prepare for your shoot at the venue. It's also got lots of natural light, continuous lighting options, and a high ceiling—a must for any quality photography session!
Abbey Road Photo Shoot
By far the most famous crossing in the world, visiting Abbey Road is popular destination if you’re a Beatles fan and want to recreate a little British pop history of your own. This prime location works particularly well for fashion shoots, video shoots or simply a fun post for your Instagram page.
Neal’s Yard, London WC2H
Packed full of color and complete with traditional cobble paving, Neal’s Yard is a great place for all types of product launches, an event or fashion photography. It’s also a great place for shopping for natural and organic cosmetics if you’re a fan of the well-known health and beauty brand.
Hyde Park
Close to the world-famous Buckingham Palace, you’ll find this Royal Park packed full of photographic space, beauty and history. Hyde Park is one of eight Royal Parks dotted around the UK capital and a historical location for many protests in the UK. Complete with swan-filled ponds, breathtaking gardens, and a stunning collection of natural backdrops, it's a popular choice for many fashion shoots, wedding pre-shoots, and engagement photos. It's also the perfect location for a picnic or afternoon stroll during the long UK summer, so you’ll want to pack a lunch!
