FAQs

 

I’m not a professional photographer. Is this still a space I can use?

Yes! While this space is designed to be useful for professionals, we’ve also worked hard to make the space user-friendly, even for someone who just got a camera or will be using a smart phone.

Do you allow boudoir?

Yes! For private reservations, boudoir is permitted in the “Mood Room” or backdrop areas, but not in the “Light Room.” Boudoir sessions must be designated as so at the time of booking (we’ll make sure you have privacy!). Extra check-out duties are required within your reservation time including changing any bedding that was used and wiping down hard seat surfaces and mirrors. By completing these tasks during your reservation, we are able to host boudoir sessions at no extra cost while keeping a hygienic space that everyone can feel safe in.

I need to photograph a family of 6, including a couple teens. Is this a good space for bigger families?

Our family spaces would be best suited for smaller families with young kids, not bigger groups or extended families. For bigger indoor family photo opportunities, we recommend the following:

Lightbox - a natural light photography studio with high ceilings and more open space for families with older kids or smaller extended family sessions

Eurasia Coffee’s Fireside Gallery - a coffee shop with spaces available for private reservations. The Fireside Gallery has plenty of natural light, as well as couches and chairs for posing larger groups.

I’ve been rained out for my session today/tomorrow. Can I book a last minute reservation?

We close online booking 30 hours prior to the reservation time. Since we are a small family without any employees, this allows us some extra time to plan and arrange activities and outings with our daughter. If you want to reach out via email and see if we have availability for a last minute session that isn’t on the calendar, email melissa@studioshare417.com and we’ll let you know if we can accommodate you.

I’m new to taking pictures inside. What lens should I bring?

For a full frame camera, I’d recommend a 35mm (or one in that range) as your best bet. That focal length should allow you to get a small group picture as well as closeups. A 50mm should work just fine, too.

If you’re on a crop sensor camera, I’d recommend a 24mm or 35mm (or a lens in that range).

I shoot mostly outside. What’s the lighting like in the studio?

The lighting varies between rooms. The “Light Room” is natural light and bright, so it’s not much different than shooting outside. The “Mood Room” and Small Backdrop Room use artificial light, but both are very cool, daylight toned LED lights, so they tend to shoot cool/blue and are easy to work with. The center area backdrop space is a warmer area. If you choose not to bring your own lighting in that space and shoot with our overhead lights, you’ll want to adjust your white balance or cool down the picture when you edit. This area is also a bit darker than the other rooms.

Do you do tours? Can I come look around?

If you missed our Open House and want to have a look around, we can arrange a free tour on Monday-Thursday mornings, pending availability on the schedule. Tours are for new clients only.

What happens if I arrive early or go past my reservation time?

Clients may not enter the studio until 2 minutes prior to their reservation. You are welcome to unload any items outside by the door while you wait. Because we book clients back to back, previous clients need to be able to complete their sessions without interruption.

It is important that you plan for all take-down and clean-up to occur during your reservation time. All areas must be tidy, arranged as they were at check-in, and vacant of people and belongings at the end of the reservation window. Occasionally, if a session is not scheduled directly after your reservation, we may permit you to extend your reservation at an extra cost. However, we cannot guarantee this opportunity will be available, so it’s important that all clients and their guests plan ahead for a timely session.

If you are a photographer, I recommend allowing a small window for preparation and check-out. For example, if your reservation time begins at 3:30 but you need to set things up before they arrive, you could have the client wait to arrive until 3:40. If you need extra time to clean up at the end, I recommend allowing a cushion at the end, too. If your reservation ends at 4:25 you could finish and dismiss your client at 4:15 so you have time to focus on check-out.

Will the staff be around while I use the studio?

Our staff will welcome you, show you around, and then let you do your thing while we stick to the “employees only” portion of the studio. If you want/need assistance, we are happy to help. However, we want this to be a space in which you can be comfortable without feeling like someone is hovering over you (that’s awkward). We will pop in to give you a 5/10 minute warning so you can wrap up the final shots and make sure everything has been put back as you found it before your reservation is over. For boudoir sessions, we’ll give a knock at the door or make an announcement over our speaker.

We are a non-profit. Do we need to pay your full reservation fee?

We are happy to offer discounts for non-profits. Email us - melissa@studioshare417.com - with information about your non-profit and its need to use the studio space.

I’m a photographer, and I’d like to meet a client to try on dresses ahead of my session. Can I make an appointment for this?

We automatically add extra time to any session using the wardrobe or prop closet, so you’ll have a little extra wiggle room on the day of your session to try on things and get ready. If you want to come on a separate day, you can do so, but it will be at the same price as a normal reservation.

Can I rent dresses from the wardrobe closet to take to an outdoor session?

At this time, we are offering in-studio closet rental only. We may decide to offer “take home” overnight rentals at a later date.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets are approved on a case-by-case basis, for private reservations only. Please email your request prior to booking if bringing a pet is a deal-breaker for you. Clients who do bring approved pets are responsible for any pet hair or messes, and if pets are being photographed on beds or furniture, the client must bring their own bedding to place over ours as a precaution for those with allergies.

I like to have music playing during a session. Can I bring a speaker?

We actually have Amazon Echos in the studio, so you can ask Alexa to play a specific song, artist, or genre for you! We ask that the music be played at a low or moderate volume in order to minimize disruption to neighboring businesses, particularly during weekdays. You can also ask Alexa to play white noise for a newborn session. It can really help keep those sleepy babies sleepy!

Will you take behind-the-scenes pictures of me while I’m there?

Sure, if you want us to! Behind the scenes pictures are really fun to capture and share on social media, and it’s also a cool way to get a shoutout to your business handle if that’s something you’re interested in. However, we will only do this at your request or consent. It’s totally fine to say “no” if we ask.

Is this a good space to host an event or party?

Our space is not designed to accommodate non-photography events like baby showers, parties, etc. Our studio isn’t very big, and each space has furniture, props, and equipment for photographers that wouldn’t be ideal for an event. For event spaces, we recommend the following:

Budget friendly (but largely unstyled) spaces:

Styled Spaces: