Photography Studios Manchester

Manchester may be famous for its football teams and music scene - famous artists like Liam and Noel Gallagher, David Gray, and The Smiths have all come out of Manchester. But it is also home to well-renowned photographers like Shirley Baker, who was best known for her street portraits in working-class areas of Greater Manchester, and Kevin Cummins, who started out photographing rock bands in Manchester in the mid-seventies. 

The city centre has gone through a massive transformation and is now a modern and thriving creative hub. It has been named ‘the Capital of the North’ for its massive range of art, film, and theatre hotspots like Albert Hall, the Opera House and the HOME Arts Centre. 

Manchester offers affordable photographic studios for any creative project. You can find daylight photo studios as well as blackout photo studios and drive-in infinity cove studios. Plus the city is only a 2-hour train ride from London and is compact enough that it is simple to get around once you’re here. 

Plan your photoshoot before you hire a photography studio in Manchester

Know the purpose of your shoot

Many photography studios are designed for specific uses, for example, green screen studios are great if you want to easily add in post-production effects, daylight studios allow for plenty of natural lighting, while blackout studios are ideal for when you need complete lighting control. Will you be shooting products, animals, individuals or large groups? This will inform the size of the space you need. 

Plan your budget

Calculating your budget before you start your search for a photo studio will help you narrow down your options so you aren’t overwhelmed by choice. It will also help determine how long you can hire your studio for. Remember your budget needs to cover the basic studio hire fee as well as additional costs like models and hair/makeup artists, an assistant, props, rates for going overtime, paid parking costs, and extra equipment rental.

Decide what equipment you need

Your lighting setup will have the most significant impact on the quality of your photos. You'll need to consider your key light source, plus a fill light which will remove harsh shadows created by the key light. It’s also a good idea to have a diffuser to adjust the intensity of the light and reflectors to bounce light onto your subject. If you’re not sure whether your photoshoot would benefit from a high-key or low-key lighting setup, check out our lighting guide. 

In terms of cameras, mirrorless and DSLR cameras are popular because they provide high-resolution image quality while also giving you creative flexibility. If you have a commercial product shoot for let's say e-commerce products, you’ll need a tripod as well to ensure your product height and angles remain consistent across all shots. 

Choose your team

If you need to find models and stylists for your shoot, start with an online search in your local area. Social media is a great tool for finding professionals too, most artists will have a professional Instagram profile which makes it simple to view their work and see whether their looks or skills fit with your concept. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people online to see if they’re interested in working with you. 

Checklist for hiring a Manchester photo studio 

What lighting equipment do you need?

Often basic lighting equipment like umbrellas and softboxes are included in the studio hire. If you have any particular requests you can message the host to see if they provide the equipment for a fee. This will save you from hiring lighting separately and having to factor in transport costs.

What props do you need?

Some photo studio hire fees include props like chairs and other furniture. It's a good idea to check with the host whether you are allowed to move these existing props around to use them in your shoot. 

Do you require a parking space?

If you wish to drive to the photo studio, you can choose studios with free or paid parking by using Tutti’s advanced search tool to filter your search. Each listing also shows you the local transport options including the closest tube lines and bus routes. 

How much studio space will you require?

This will depend on how large your team is. Make sure there is a break area and a kitchen/refreshment-making facilities available for them. If your shoot includes models you’ll need to make sure there is a changing room and space for a hair & make-up station.

What are your background options?

Decide on the style and colour themes for your shoot, then ensure the photo studio has a variety of background textures and coloured backdrops to suit.

What are your power requirements?

Once you know your power needs - whether you need single or three-phase power, you can check the studio’s power access under general information on each Tutti page listing.

Do you require A/C or heating?

This will depend of course on what time of the year you’re hiring the photo studio. If you’re working with models it’s important to make sure they are comfortable, and if you’re photographing food you need to be able to control the temperature to ensure it doesn’t spoil.