With a rich ethnic, religious, and linguistic heritage, Ottawa is not only the capital of Canada but also a cultural center. Boasting dozens of stunning natural landmarks alongside impressive architectural achievements, it's no surprise that Ottawa draws in millions of tourists every year.
Whether you're looking for a compact, intimate studio or an elegant space with high ceilings and wooden accents, if you're looking for indoor venues, Giggster's got you covered. Book a venue in Nepean, minutes away from the Ottawa International Airport, or travel to Downtown Ottawa and explore the unique architecture and public spaces available at the iconic ByWard Market.
Browse all the amazing spaces on the Giggster app and filter the options by amenities, extra features like lighting rigs and fog machines, or price. Book the most breathtaking venue with Giggster, give it your personal touches, and let the cameras roll!
Explore the beauty of Gothic-Revival architecture in Ottawa and elevate it for your video shoot. Book the most inspiring venues with Giggster and make your video shoot a memorable experience!
Looking for an industrial feel for your video shoot? Choose a fully equipped modern kitchen, complete with a sleek finish, minimalistic decor, and a neutral color palette.
A wonderfully cozy space with exposed bricks and beautiful wood finishes close to Ottawa's most iconic landmarks? Repurpose this meeting room into the perfect video shoot location!
Book an Afro-Bohemian-inspired creative space through the Giggster app and explore this colorful aesthetic. Make an impact with this remarkable style!
Planning a photo shoot with specialized equipment? Choose a video studio with professional lighting rigs, fog machines, and paper backdrops. Make it a special shoot!
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From fully equipped kitchens, elegant studios, and dazzling spaces to compact venues close to the ByWard Market, Giggster's curated selection of 64 fantastic locations ensures you'll have a lot of variety to make your dream video shoot a reality.
Hassle-Free Booking: Giggster's easy-to-use mobile app makes booking a venue a walk in the park. Narrow your search based on your budget, amenities, or venue capacity. Find the most stunning venues in Ottawa starting at just $30/hour.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Reschedule your booking for free with Giggster's free cancellation policy. Reserve your locale knowing there are free cancellations for bookings canceled within 24 hours of confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the event.
Platform Protections: If you feel inclined, you can opt-in for an additional insurance package that covers damages and liabilities. Keep in mind this is entirely optional and available on amazing venues like Spacious Industrial Lounge.
Are you planning a video shoot in gorgeous Ottawa? Before falling in love with a venue, make sure to consider the pros and cons of doing your photo and video shoot in Ottawa.
Advantages
With so many things to do, you'll never get bored of Ottawa. Visit Parliament Hill and its more than 20 monuments and statues, ride a boat down the Rideau Canal or Dow's Lake, visit Major's Hill Park's luscious greenery, or check out the stunning Prince of Wales Falls. History lovers will enjoy the Canadian Museum of History.
Ottawa is the perfect location for all types of outdoor photo shoots. In Ottawa, you'll experience all four seasons beautifully.
Ottawa is a very walkable city. Neither you nor anyone on your photo shoot team will have trouble getting to the venue. Whether biking or using public transport, factor in how easy it is to get around when choosing a city for your video shoot!
Disadvantages
Based on a comparison between average housing prices and median income, Ottawa is ranked as one of the most unaffordable cities in North America. As a local, this could mean a higher percentual investment of your income in just booking a venue. Luckily, with Giggster, you can filter the options and find the best venue for your budget.
As the capital city of Canada, Ottawa draws in a lot of demand for renting and buying properties. Time your booking for the offseason, and you can save a considerable amount!
If you need consistent weather for your outdoor photo or video shoot, Ottawa won't do it for you.
You've decided on the theme for your shoot and are almost done with pre-production: it's time to start looking at venues. But what venue will make your idea a reality? If you're close to Ottawa, look for a historic building, stop by the Ottawa River for some scenic shots, or check Giggster's list of the 64 most popular locations and get the cameras rolling!
Creative Spaces – A Modern Vibe. Book a home space with fully equipped kitchens and living rooms with ample natural lighting, or white rooms with professional ceiling-mounted lighting rigs, fog machines, and gorgeous wooden floors. From Nepean to Little Italy, you can find the best Ottawa photography location with Giggster.
Meeting Rooms – Warm and Inviting. Looking for a cozy space with soaring ceilings, elegant wooden accents, and a stunning exposed-brick finish? Book a dazzling space facing the iconic ByWard Market and the surrounding area and turn it into a great location for your photo and video shoot! Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the National Gallery of Canada for additional inspiration!
Inspiring Spaces – Afro-Bohemian. Elevate your photo or video shoot in a fully equipped Afro-Bohemian creative space close to Vanier, or host a small gathering with friends. Explore the colorful mix of African aesthetics with bohemian decor to highlight nature and textures—make it a one-of-a-kind video shoot!
Compact Studios – The Perfect Background. For podcasts, videos, or photo shoots requiring a more intimate space, a compact studio would be your best bet. With Giggster, you can find the most stunning small studios with professional lighting equipment, blackout curtains, gorgeous paper backdrops, and more.
It's finally time to start planning your video shoot. From the project scope to the local permits, here are some key steps to planning a smooth and successful video and photo shoot.
Define the Scope of Your Project – A clear budget will make it easier to plan ahead. Before pre-production begins, you should have the answer to questions like how much you're going to spend and what the objective is. Are you looking to record a short film or maybe a high-quality ad for television productions? This is the time to budget for pre-production, production, and post-production.
Pick the Right Venue – Depending on the type of video, you may need an outdoor venue or a venue with large windows and lots of natural lighting. Maybe you need professional sound systems and fog machines. Browse our 64 locations on Giggster and find the right venue for your shoot.
Negotiate with the Owner – Decide whether you're better off with a per-hour or a per-day agreement. If you need multiple locations or rooms, consider a multi-room studio in certain locations and make the most of every day.
Check Permits and Equipment – In Ottawa, many video shoot studios come with lighting rigs, sound systems, and other specialized video equipment. Double-check these before the big day so there are no surprises. You'll also need to familiarize yourself with local permit requirements.
Planning your first video shoot can be very demanding. There are many moving parts, and between pre-production, production, and post-production, costs can quickly get out of hand if you're not careful. The best way to save money is to stay within a strict budget set at the beginning. Here are some other ways to reduce unnecessary expenses.
Are you getting the most out of the venue?
Before deciding on a venue, read the fine print and check exactly what amenities they offer. It's no good to pay for amenities you won't use or equipment you don't actually need. Consider using your equipment instead of renting from the venue owner. Consider renting instead of buying if you're not planning to use that equipment again. Finally, try to negotiate with the owner. Most are willing to reach a compromise.
What's the best time to book a venue?
The best time to book a video studio in Ottawa is during the offseason, between March and May, and between September and October when flights and venue demand are at their lowest—that's when you'll find the hidden gems. That is if you're looking for an indoor video studio. If you're looking for an outdoor studio, you won't have as much flexibility due to Ottawa's unpredictable weather.
Secure the permits early on.
Ottawa is considered a film-friendly city, but you'll still have the proper permits before rolling the cameras. Permits are issued by the local province, city, or park. In most cases, you'll have to submit a permit application and provide details of the filming activity—especially if it's outdoors and impedes traffic in any way. File it at least five days in advance, and you'll avoid rush fees.
On Giggster, you can explore a curated list of beautiful venues, from compact studios with professional lighting to stylish high-ceilinged spaces with mesmerizing natural light. Narrow your search from the Giggster app and find the best venue for your budget in the most unique Ottawa locations.
