What's included in a photo studio rental — and what it costs

Photo studios rent by the hour, and the headline rate rarely tells the whole story. Knowing what a base package covers lets you compare two studios fairly instead of just picking the cheapest.

What the hourly rate usually covers

A standard package includes the room, standard backdrops and often a basic lighting kit. Many studios also throw in a changing area and Wi-Fi. The cyclorama, extra strobes and a make-up station are commonly billed on top.

The extras to ask about

• Lighting — extra heads, modifiers, continuous light for video.
• Cyclorama — often a separate, higher rate.
• Assistant / digital tech — priced per hour.
• Cleaning and overtime — check the terms before you run late.

How to budget

Book a little more time than the shot list — setup, test frames and resets always run long. A half-day or full-day rate usually beats stacking hourly blocks for a big shoot.

Ready to shoot? Browse and book photo studios in Amsterdam by the hour.