The ultimate studio hire guide
- Jane Auxilio
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
How many hours do you actually need?
So, you've decided to book a studio.
Exciting.
And then comes the question nobody seems to answer properly:
"Okay… but how long should I actually book it for?"
Two hours? Four? Eight? Ten?
If you've never hired a creative studio before, it's easy to book based on the amount of time available rather than what you actually want to achieve.
But here's our hot take:
Don't start with the hours. Start with the goal.
Are you trying to create enough social content to last the month?
Refreshing your brand photography? Launching a new collection? Planning a full campaign?
Because the right studio hire isn't really about how much time you have.
It's about how much you want to create.
Here's our guide to choosing the right studio hire for your next shoot.
First things first: what are you actually creating?
Before you book anything, make a list.
Not a Pinterest board. Not 47 saved Reels.
A simple list of exactly what you need from the shoot.
For example:
"I need enough content for Instagram for the next month."
That's very different from:
"We're launching our new fashion collection and need campaign imagery, video, eCommerce photography and social content."
One might need a couple of hours.
The other? You're going to want considerably more time.
So let's break it down.
1. You want enough social content to last the month
Book: 2 hours
If your main goal is to create a fresh bank of social content, a 2-hour studio hire can be a great place to start.
Think:
Instagram Reels
TikTok content
Talking-to-camera videos
Product demonstrations
Behind-the-scenes content
Lifestyle imagery
Founder content
Social photography
The key here is batching.
Instead of filming one Reel every time you need to post, use your studio session to capture multiple pieces of content in one go.
You might create a few different looks, change your outfit, move between areas of the studio and capture a mixture of video and stills.
Suddenly, your camera roll isn't looking quite so tragic.
Your goal:
One focused session → weeks of social content.
This is ideal if you're a creator, founder, service provider or small business that simply wants to show up more consistently online.
2. You want brand photography + social content
Book: 4 hours
This is where you start getting more strategic.
If you're looking to refresh your brand photography and create content for social media, we'd recommend allowing around 4 hours.
Why?
Because you're not just taking photos.
You're creating a content library.
You may want:
Professional headshots
Website imagery
Lifestyle photography
Product photography
Social media content
Reels
Founder content
Detail shots
Behind-the-scenes imagery
And you probably don't want every image to look like it was taken in exactly the same five-minute window.
A longer session gives you breathing room to change outfits, adjust styling, move between setups and capture different types of content.
It also gives you time to experiment.
And sometimes the best shot is the one you weren't planning to take.
Your goal:
Refresh your brand presence while building a versatile content library.
Perfect for businesses that are updating their website, launching a new service, refreshing their social media or simply realising their current content is… very much from 2023.
3. You're launching something big
Book: 8–10 hours
Now we're talking campaign mode.
If you're launching a new fashion collection, releasing a product, rebranding your business or preparing for a major campaign, we'd recommend looking at an 8–10 hour studio hire.
Because bigger campaigns require more than a handful of pretty photos.
You may need:
Campaign photography
Product photography
eCommerce imagery
Brand films
Social media videos
Website assets
Editorial imagery
Detail shots
Behind-the-scenes content
Launch content
Multiple creative concepts
And suddenly, two hours doesn't sound quite so generous.
A full-day booking gives you the space to properly execute the creative direction rather than rushing from one setup to another.
You can build multiple looks.
Change styling.
Move through different areas of the studio.
Capture stills and motion.
Create campaign imagery alongside the practical assets your business needs to actually sell.
Your goal:
Create a comprehensive visual campaign from concept through to launch.
Ideal for:
Fashion drops
Product launches
Rebrands
Seasonal campaigns
New collections
Major announcements
Brand refreshes
4. You're hosting a workshop, masterclass or business event
Book: 4–10 hours
Not every studio booking needs to involve a camera.
If you're hosting a workshop, masterclass, intimate networking event, client experience or business gathering, your ideal booking time will depend on the format.
Don't forget to account for:
Set-up + event + pack-down.
If your event runs for two hours, that doesn't necessarily mean you should book the studio for two hours.
You need time to make the space yours.
Think signage, styling, catering, product placement, seating and all those little details that make an event feel considered rather than thrown together.
Your goal:
Create an experience that feels aligned with your brand from the moment guests arrive.
5. You're a photographer or content creator who needs a flexible space
Book: 2–4 hours
If you're hiring the studio for client work, your booking length will depend on the complexity of the shoot.
A straightforward portrait session or content shoot may only require a couple of hours.
A more involved shoot with multiple outfits, products, styling changes or creative concepts may benefit from a 4-hour booking.
The beauty of hiring a design-led studio is that you don't need to build the environment from scratch.
You can arrive, set up your equipment, style the space to suit the brief and get straight into creating.
Your goal:
Spend your time creating, not constructing a set.
6. You're planning a full content day
Book: 8–10 hours
If you have a long list of content you've been meaning to create for approximately… forever, consider making it a full content day.
This is particularly useful for brands that want to batch a large amount of content in one session.
You could dedicate different parts of the day to:
Morning: Brand photography + website imagery
Late morning: Product photography
Afternoon: Reels + social content
Late afternoon: Campaign or seasonal content
The more intentional your shot list, the more you'll get from your booking.
And yes, this is your permission to change outfits approximately 700 times.
Your goal:
Leave with a substantial visual library that can support your brand for weeks or months.
The studio hire cheat sheet
Still deciding?
Here's the easy version.
2 HOURS
Best for: Social content
If you want to batch Reels, photos and short-form content for the month, start here.
4 HOURS
Best for: Brand photography + social content
If you need a combination of polished brand imagery and social content, give yourself more room to create.
8 HOURS
Best for: Full content days + larger projects
If you have multiple content requirements, creative concepts, outfits, products or setups, a full day gives you the flexibility to do it properly.
10 HOURS
Best for: Comprehensive campaigns
For major launches, fashion drops, rebrands and full-scale campaigns, give the creative room to breathe.
One more thing: don't forget to plan your shoot
The easiest way to waste a studio booking?
Arrive without a plan.
Before your session, create a simple shot list covering:
☑️ What do we need to photograph?
☑️ What do we need to film?
☑️ How many outfits or looks?
☑️ What props or products do we need?
☑️ Where will each asset be used?
☑️ What content needs to be created first?
This doesn't mean every second needs to be scheduled.
In fact, leave some room for experimentation.
The goal is simply to know what you need to walk away with.
The bottom line
Your studio booking should work backwards from your goal.
Want enough social content to get you through the month?
2 hours.
Want to refresh your brand photography while creating social content?
4 hours.
Planning a larger content day?
8 hours.
Launching a fashion collection, rebranding or creating a comprehensive campaign?
8–10 hours.
And if you're still not sure, don't panic.
The right studio hire isn't about booking the longest session possible.
It's about giving yourself enough time to create the right content, for the right purpose, without rushing the process.
Ready to create?
At Haus of Blanc, our design-led studio is available in 2, 4, 8 and 10-hour hire blocks, giving you the flexibility to book around what you're actually creating.
Whether you're batching social content, refreshing your brand imagery, hosting an event or bringing a full campaign to life, the space is designed to adapt to your brief.
Start with the goal. We'll take care of the space.
→ Book the Studio
Need fresh content that actually connects? Whether it’s scroll-stopping photography or high-impact reels, we’re here to make your brand look its best. Let’s create something magical together.
NEED AN ELEVATED SPACE FOR YOUR NEXT CONTENT DAY?
Whether it’s a full-day shoot or a quick reel session, our studio is your blank canvas.
Our New York-style content studio is in the business of supporting like-minded business owners express their purpose-led mission.
We collaborate with business leaders who want to make an impact and with entrepreneurs paving their way in the business world.
We’re proud to have created a versatile space that works for all kinds of needs—whether it’s your regular content days, professional photography sessions (perfect for product or portrait shoots), or even hosting intimate events like masterclasses or cocktail-style business events.
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