Canberra has three great studio spots to choose from that can handle just about any job. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what the best photography studios in Canberra offer, their equipment and their pricing as well as what to prioritise when choosing which studio to hire.
Offshoot Studio (Formerly FT Studio)
Offshoot is the biggest Canberra studio space and you definitely get more bang for your buck per square metre than anywhere else. Located in Beard, 15 minutes from the CBD, Offshoot has two versatile studio spaces available for hire, one for videography or photography and one for podcasting.
Space 1 is the larger of the two at a massive 126 square metres, with 6m high ceilings and a 3.6m wide roller door. It’s a blank canvas with all the space to create. It has exposed concrete walls from floor to ceiling setting the perfect backdrop for photography, videography, or workshops. If you’re planning a music video, product shoot, or high-end ad, this is the place to do it. They have plenty of equipment on hand to make it happen, including a wide range of lighting, props, and a wall-mounted backdrop.
Space 2 is smaller, but still mighty. It’s a sound-controlled podcast studio that can fit up to six guests and two producers. With professional-grade video and audio production equipment gear on hand, it’s great for podcasts, voice-overs, and video interviews. It’s also equipped with all the lighting you need for your project to look professional – and for you to look fantastic!
Amenities include:
- Makeup area
- Multiple backdrops to choose from
- Accessible bathroom with shower
- Kitchenette with a fridge and a microwave
- Shared lounge area
- Off-street parking
- Changing room
- Loading dock
- Extra hireable equipment
Pricing is straightforward, with options for hourly, half-day, and full-day bookings. Space 1 starts at $120 per hour on weekdays, while Space 2 begins at 50 per hour. They also offer after-hours, public holiday, and weekend rates.
Lonsdale St Studio Canberra
Lonsdale St Studio, located in Braddon right next door to Civic Pub, is another highly polished studio with multiple creative spaces for hire.
Studio A is their largest dedicated studio space, at 66 square metres. Its mean use case is livestreaming, webinars with multiple guests, and video production. It comes fitted with built-in lights, a white cyclorama, and a black curtain.
Studio B, which is 36 square metres, is also geared towards webinars and video production, with studio lights, pull-down backdrops, and a green screen cyclorama. Lastly, Studio C (19.5 square metres) is best suited for voiceovers and podcasting. It’s fully soundproofed and includes a voice-over recording booth, three built-in cameras, and top-of-the-range podcasting equipment.
Lonsdale St Studio also has a green room available for hire. You can use it as a makeup and wardrobe workstation or just a private space to kick back between takes. It has complimentary NBN, a bar fridge with refreshments, and a kitchenette.
Studio A, the largest, starts at $200 per hour, with half-day bookings at $695 and full-day at $895. Studio B, more compact, begins at $150 per hour, $395 for a half day, and $595 for a full day. Studio C caters to podcasters at $195 per podcast, while vodcasting starts at $395 per video. You can add the Green Room to your booking starting from $90.
Ready Set Snap
Ready Set Snap in Mitchell is a new player on the scene and we’re excited to see what’s to come. The studio is designed for content creation to suit both professional photographers and influencers.
The studio features high ceilings and lots of light, with various backdrops and props for different projects, from fashion shoots to product photos. There’s also an event space for workshops, launch parties, and networking events. The studio includes dressing rooms, make-up areas, and a lounge, with fast Wi-Fi available throughout.
Ready Set Snap also provides equipment like backdrops and props. Their goal is to cater to both experienced professionals and newcomers, with a space designed to support different creative projects.
Ready Set Snap charges $120 for a one-hour booking, $240 for two hours and $360 for three hours. If you need more time, they offer half-day bookings at $430 and full-day bookings at $800. These rates give you the flexibility to book how much time you need for any project.
What To Look For When Hiring a Studio Space for Hire in Canberra
Picking the right studio that suits the niche requirements for your project can be make or break. Booking a studio space even for just an hour is an investment, so take the time to read reviews, go through the website, and ask questions
Here are some things you need to make sure to consider before pulling the trigger on a studio booking:
Size
Studio spaces can range anywhere from the size of your bedroom to the size of a warehouse. Not every shoot will need a massive amount of space, and not every shoot is possible in a small space. Take the time to consider the amount of space you need – if you’re bringing a lot of equipment and props, how many people are coming to the shoot, and, most importantly, what kind of shots you want to take. Just taking headshots? Any size space will do. For anything commercial or editorial, you’ll need something bigger.
Lighting
As any photographer or videographer knows, getting the lighting just right can make or break a shoot. Most Canberra studios offer some lighting equipment, usually soft boxes and LED panels. Some have more advanced setups with strobe lights and modifiers. Be sure to ask the studio what’s included and what costs extra.
It’s also important to check if the studio has natural or artificial lighting, or even better, the option to switch between the two. Natural light is great if you’re after a softer and more organic look, but you’ll be at the mercy of the weather and time of day. Using artificial lighting is more reliable and can be manipulated in a studio setting to look like natural light or to be dramatically different from it. This gives you control over the outcome of your photos and videos.
Backdrops
A good range of backdrops gives you options and as much creative freedom as possible. Look for studios that at least offer the classic options: white, black, and grey. If they offer colourful or textured backdrops, even better! You should also ask if they have both paper and fabric options.
Parking
Canberra traffic can be tricky. Studios with on-site parking can save you a lot of time and stress you don’t need on the day of your shoot. If the studio you want to book doesn’t offer parking, ask about nearby parking lots or street parking availability.
Price
Rates in Canberra typically run from $150 per hour. Some offer half-day or full-day rates which can save money on longer shoots. Ask about any hidden fees for equipment or running overtime on your booking.
Sound
if you’re recording audio for live streaming, a podcast, or webinars, sound-proofing should be one of your biggest considerations when choosing a studio for hire. There’s nothing more frustrating than going home to edit your recordings and realising your mics picked up a lot of background noise.
Make sure the studio you book is soundproof or acoustically treated and ask about how much sound is likely to leak in. Often, it’s noise from a busy street or other guests of the studio you have to worry about. This can be more of a concern with options close to the CBD than quieter areas like Fyshwick, Mitchell, or Beard.
If you’re relying on in-house audio equipment like a microphone or podcast recorder, it’s also important to do your research and make sure what they have available suits your production needs and will give you good audio quality.
While asking the studio space about sound levels is always a good idea, it’s even better if they have an audio-quality sample for you to check out. This will give you extra peace of mind and you’ll know what to expect on the day.
Staff
Having tech help on hand can be really useful. Some local studios have staff available to help set up lights or troubleshoot any equipment issues. You never when this might just save the day. Other studios might just leave you to your own devices, which can be a good thing too. It’s good to know what kind of support you’ll have before you book.
Amenities
If you’re planning a shoot with lots of moving parts, choosing a studio with facilities that can accommodate that can make a big difference. Common studio facilities include green rooms, a kitchenette, facilities to get changed, makeup areas and a space to relax.
Location
While Canberra isn’t a huge city, where your studio is located can affect your shoot. Studios in Canberra City and surrounds might be more conveniently located and easy to access, but parking can be tricky. More out of the way our studio spaces in Canberra spots often have more space and easier access, which can be great for bigger projects.
Happy Shooting!
So there you have it – a rundown of some great studio spaces right here in Canberra. Whether you’re looking for a big production setup or just a quiet spot for your podcast, there’s something for everyone. Each studio has its benefits, so it’s worth checking them out to see which one fits your project best.
Whatever you’re working on – whether it’s a fashion shoot, a corporate video, or your next social media campaign – I hope you find the perfect studio for your needs. Good luck with your next photoshoot, and have fun creating!