How Renting This Hourly Central Texas Studio Can Help You Raise Your Photography Rates
Photographers have a love/hate relationship with money. We love it because – well, duh. But we also kinda hate it, if we’re being honest. We hate talking about it, and we really, really hate asking for it.
There’s an old joke about a consultant and a photographer:
The consultant says, “Hey, your work is really good! You should double your rates.”
To which, the photog responds, “Double my rates?! I’d lose half my clients!”
And I get it. Raising rates is a HUGE fear in our community, but it’s often necessary and can be easier than you might think. It all starts with boosting your perceived value as a photographer. A studio can help.
Choosing the right rental studio can elevate your services and enhance client satisfaction. Best of all, it can empower you to charge those premium prices.
Renting A Photo Studio Can Increase Your Perceived Value as a Photographer.
It may seem unfair, but the truth is that – to photography clients – using a studio is seen as more professional than shooting in a hot Texas field. With perks like a controlled environment, dedicated lighting, and unique backdrops, the result is entirely different, and so is the vibe – in the best possible way.
If you find a space you love that looks and feels expensive, begin using it regularly for all your clients. You’ll notice a high-level consistency and cohesive look (a huge selling factor for people searching for photographers), which will immediately add value to how your work is perceived.
“Incredible space! The furniture and accent pieces are gorgeous, and the upstairs green room/kitchen really takes this studio to the next level. I love that the fridge is always stocked with drinks and snacks. Such a nice touch that my clients really appreciated.”
Kim Brumley, Alight Collaborative studio renter
Renting A Studio By The Hour or Day Will Elevate The Experience For Your Clients.
Newsflash: Photography clients who pay more expect a better experience, so elevating your prices begins with elevating their experience.
That means you have to look at things from their point of view. As a client, how nice is it to arrive at a clean and well-maintained space where parking is easy and a private bathroom is readily available?
Your clients don't want things to feel frazzled or unprepared; they want to feel catered to and comfortable. They want LESS to worry about!
A studio provides them with a chance to exhale. They won't have to deal with unreliable weather outside, and they won’t have to use their home with all the pressure of tidying and hosting you that comes with that.
Instead of adding to their plates, you provide a more personalized, seamless service that FEELS more fun and stress-free (the critical ingredients for relaxed, comfortable images!)
To make the most of this, try choosing a well-maintained space with amenities that create a welcoming environment and further enhance the overall experience, such as comfortable seating areas, ample parking, well-stocked refreshment stations, and hookups for music and lighting.
Every detail serves to improve your reputation – so you can start charging premium prices.
“AMAZING as usual. The green room is a great feature to have when you have another client coming, and they need a place to be that feels out of the way.”
Olympia R., Alight Collaborative studio renter
Image by Katia Forero Photography
Photography Rental Spaces Provide More Creative Freedom.
Want to better hone your artistic vision and style? Want to generate more creative bandwidth and time? Renting a photo studio can be the answer!
Photo studios that rent by the hour or day allow you to:
create more unique images with more variety
craft your custom scenes
host a styled shoot
offer your style of mini-sessions
customize according to your client's preferences
And so much more.
4 Ways A Studio Clears Bandwidth for Creativity:
You can create different setups that are not simply not possible on location.
With no flying bugs or other outside distractions, you can focus on styling and creating – rather than just documenting.
When you’re not worrying about leaving your equipment unattended or staying hyper-aware of your belongings, you can bring your attention back to your art.
When you’re not having to work around someone's actual home, moving chargers, toys, and junk, you get to focus on creating your best work.
A personalized and creative touch will leave a lasting impression on your clients.
“This place rocks. Very spacious, with great lighting and an amazing amount of props. As a professional photographer, I was in a playground!”
Malinda Sloan, Alight Collaborative studio renter
Image by Rosey B Photography
With Our Pflugerville Photo Studio, You’ll Be Able To Craft Images That Are More High-End And Professional.
Immediate feedback is the most underrated advantage. When you shoot tethered, you get to immediately check the images you're producing, show them to the client, and get feedback that clues you in on what tweaks to make on the spot.
Add to that a clean, clutter-free space with high-end furniture and controlled, even lighting, and you’ll quickly unlock next-level photography for your business.
At our North Austin studio, you can even bring in additional lighting equipment that you use frequently in your work to provide the consistency your clients will grow to know and love.
Having A Favorite Studio Where You Become A “Regular” Helps Increase Your Efficiency And Yield Better Results.
Once you find a space that increases your perceived value, provides your clients with an elevated experience, and frees up bandwidth for you to become your most creative, try using it again and again. Practicing in the same studio is key to finding your rhythm and style in it.
As you become more familiar with a space, you’ll become more efficient and begin crafting more reliable and better imagery. You’ll develop a flow and a rhythm, a sense of ease, and knowing of how you most like to use the space and light. That means editing will become much easier and faster.
It just takes practice. And patience.
But if you can muster up some patience and trust the process, you’ll reap the rewards in paydays.
“What a damn cute studio! Alicia has thought of every little detail down to plants, providing snacks/cold drinks, areas to get ready… even floss to make sure you’re ready to go! The organization level behind the details, including communication, is on par with a Type A engineer who doesn’t miss a single dot on the I.”
Jen Sutton, Alight Collaborative studio renter
Alight Collaborative: The Best Go-To Rental Space For Photographers in Central Texas – Austin, Pflugerville, and Beyond
If you're a photographer in the Austin, Texas area needing to provide your clients with an elevated experience so you can raise your rates, Alight Collaborative has got you covered. Check out our complete amenities list, which will impress even the most discerning of clients, and then book your date for our hourly studio space to see how we elevate the experience for you, too.