Shooting and studio rental guide
Practical guides for crews renting locations, people planning snap and portrait shoots, photographers and studio hosts, based on real rates and rules from places on ROKE and published official guidance.
Renting · Checklist10 things to check before you book a studio
Most studios bill from arrival to departure, not just shooting time. Ten things to ask a host before you request a quote, with sample questions.
Renting · CostHow to work out a studio rental fee: hours, crew size and VAT
Add extra-person fees and VAT to the hourly rate, count setup and wrap time, and you have the real rental fee. Two worked examples using actual rates from places listed on ROKE.
Renting · ChoosingChoosing the right studio: daylight, cyclorama, house and standing sets
For daylight studios check window direction; for cycloramas, size and floor; for house studios, the room layout; for standing sets, ceiling height and vehicle access. What each type suits and what to check first.
Renting · CancellationHow to read a studio's cancellation and change policy
‘Free until 5 days before’ and ‘full refund until 7 days before’ look alike, but the fees build up differently. We compare the actual policies of two places listed on ROKE and list what to ask before booking.
Renting · From abroadBooking a Korean studio from abroad: language, time zones and payment
Most Korean hosts work in Korean, and payment methods vary by place. What Japanese and American crews should know before booking a studio in Korea.
Hosting · PricingHow to build a studio rate card
Put the hourly rate, minimum hours, base headcount and VAT on one line and guests can work out the price before asking. Two real pricing structures, and what to watch when you publish prices.
Hosting · RulesWriting house rules and a cancellation policy
Shoes, putting things back, damage, cleaning time and cancellation fees cause fewer disputes when guests see them in writing before booking. What to include, and the two common cancellation styles.
Hosting · ListingMaking a location page that gets inquiries: photos, plans and details
Crews judge the mood from photos and decide on plans and numbers. What photos to post, what to put on a floor plan and which details to list.
Hosting · OperationsFrom inquiry to settlement: running studio bookings
Replying to inquiries, quoting, confirming, the day-before message, check-in and check-out, cleaning and settlement: the path one booking takes, and what to record at each step.
Finding the right snap photographer: 5 ways to read a portfolio
One full set shot in conditions like yours tells you more than ten great photos. Five things to compare between photographers, and what to put in your first message.
How to read a snap shoot price list: hours, edits, originals and travel fees
The same price can buy quite different things depending on how many photos are edited, whether you get the originals and whether location rental is included. What each line on a price list means, and where extra costs come in.
Preparing for a snap shoot: time of day, weather, outfits and location, in that order
Once the date is set, decide the time of day, the rain plan, outfits and location, in that order. Listed by how much each one shapes the result.
Choosing an indoor snap location: daylight studios and house studios
To get consistent photos whatever the weather or season, you need an indoor option. How to pick an indoor space that suits snap shoots, and what to check before booking.
Before an outdoor snap or scenery shoot: parks, heritage sites, private property and drones
Some parks and heritage sites require a booking and a fee even for snap shoots. Using Seoul's Hangang Parks as an example, here's what to check before shooting outdoors.
Finding a local snap photographer when you travel: Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong
A snap shoot while travelling means settling language, schedule, payment and a rain plan earlier than you would at home. What to check when you and the photographer are in different countries.
Shooting · Commercial shootsGetting a quote for a brand shoot: shot count, usage and location
Quotes for lookbook, product and beauty shoots vary widely with the number of shots and where, and for how long, the photos will be used. What to put in a quote request and what to check before signing.
Snap shoot spots in Japan: where and when to shoot in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Tokyo is city and gardens, Kyoto is alleys and shrines, Osaka is neon and riverside. Key spots in each city, the best times and the rules to check before you shoot.
Snap shoot spots in Hong Kong and Hawaii: harbour lights and island beaches
Hong Kong is harbour night views and old buildings; Hawaii is beaches and sunsets. Key spots, the best times, and permits for shooting on Hawaii's public beaches.
Better portraits: light, distance, height, pose and expression
Good portraits come less from gear than from the direction of light, your distance from the person, camera height and a well-chosen word. Ordered so you can use it straight away, even on a phone.
A photographer profile that gets inquiries: best work, prices and service area
Clients look at photos first, then check prices and where you work before getting in touch. How to organise your profile and portfolio in that order.
‘In Hong Kong for two weeks’: how to write a travel shoot announcement
When a photographer takes bookings while staying in another city, a single announcement decides how many bookings come in. What to include and what to check before you leave.
Writing booking terms as a snap photographer: deposits, weather, delivery and posting consent
Put deposits, weather postponements, delivery and portfolio posting consent in writing beforehand and you'll have fewer disputes after the shoot. Seven things your booking terms should cover.
Hosting · Snap clientsRunning a small studio snap photographers come back to
Snap photographers book short, book often and come back to places they like. What to publish and how to run things so photographers book again.