Three kinds of studios, and which one fits

Type that search and you get three different kinds of places. Some are white cyc walls with a light kit, rented by the hour. Some are membership studios with sets you share. Some are real houses where the location is the set. Which one you need depends on what you are shooting, and most creators here use more than one over a year.

• Cyc and seamless studios: best for product on white, clean talking head video, and anything needing full lighting control.
• Membership studios: sets rotate and you book slots, so the monthly fee pays off if you shoot weekly.
• Location houses and venues: real furniture, texture and daylight, best for brand photos, lifestyle content and podcasts that should look like a place, not a studio.

Free guide. Before you book anything, read the free guide to planning a brand photoshoot. It covers shot lists, outfit changes and how long a real half day takes, and it costs nothing.

What to check before you book

Ask about ceiling height and window direction, because a south facing room in July is a different room than it is in January. Ask whether the hourly rate includes setup and teardown, since load in is where most shoots run over. Ask how many people can be on site. Ask about sound if you are recording audio, because tall ceilings and hard floors need blankets or a tighter mic.

Tip: Book the hour you actually need. Count setup, every outfit or product change, and teardown, then add one hour. Most creators underbook their first session and spend the last twenty minutes rushing.

Course overview · Next: What hourly space costs, and what comes with it

About The Gallery on Montana

A curated event space, photo and film location, and vintage gallery at 701 Montana Street on the East Side of San Antonio, one block from the Alamodome. Built around a twenty year collection of vintage furniture and objects, rented by the hour or the day for photo shoots, private dinners, podcasts, workshops and pop-up markets.

Capacity: 35 seated indoors, 12 on the porch, 25 on the patio under the art arch, 50 to 60 in the yard, and up to 100 standing inside.

The Gallery on Montana, 701 Montana St, San Antonio, TX 78203. Events, shoots and meetings book on our booking page. Explore: Home · The space · Private events · Holiday parties · Weddings · Photo and video shoots · Workshops · Planning guides · Book a tour