Holiday period: we're closed from 24 December to 5 January, inclusive, but hire bookings are available during this period if you're already a regular user of the studio.

Heads up: the studio will be unavailable from 24 Feb to 18 March, 2020, as it will be used for a Fringe Festival art installation (Mouths of Illusion: Beyond the Machine).

Contact: James Gilberd, j.gilberd@xtra.co.nz  |  027 444 3899  |   04 382 9502 after 10am
Location: 1st floor, 37 Courtenay Place, Wellington CBD

Our Courtenay Place photography studio is available for hire:

• Central Wellington CBD location, great light and atmosphere, loads of cafes

• Shooting area approx. 8.5m x 4.8m with a high ceiling, sloping from 3.7 to 4.5m - see layout below
• 1st floor with gentle stairs, but no lift or disabled access. Plenty of metered parking on street. No reserved parking, sorry. Loading zone right outside.
• Assistance with initial setup is free, additional assistance available if required
• Available for hire 24 hours 7 days (see below for after hours & Sundays)
• Hire fee all inclusive. no extra charges for use of lighting equipment, etc, but see below for background paper use and abuse
• Can be used for video or TV studio for interviews etc, but the room is not soundproof - you will get background noise. We have a set of small redheads (500W with dimmers, 3200K).
• 2 sets of window blinds: diffusion and blackout
• Ideal for casting, headshots, fashion, hairdressing, portraiture, wedding group & product range shoots, stills photography or video
• Not suitable for large products or props due to access restrictions (stairs and standard-size door)

We believe the studio room and its equipment fills a need for a modestly-priced photography studio hire facility in Wellington city. While the lighting equipment is not the latest computer-controlled gadgetry, it is robust, reliable, and easy to understand and use - it does the job. And you're not paying through the nose for each piece of kit you use - it's all included in the standard hire fee, and with free assistance in setting up.

Since opening, the studio has proved to work well for apparel and product shoots, modelling and acting portfolio shoots, profile photos, portraits, nudes and figure studies. The warmth and relaxed feel of the space immediately puts clients, models and photographers at ease, making for a relaxed and enjoyable photo shoot. It has also been used for video productions involving many people. The central location makes it convenient and easy for people to locate and reach by public transport.
The window area is good for natural light shooting as well, particularly for portraits.
See Hire Rates

Next studio lighting workshop - see this page on www.photocourse.nz
If you're not already familiar with Courtenay Studios, here are some basic notes on using the flash meter, radio triggers, and suggested camera settings.

Courtenay Studios with Elinchrom ELC Pro HD flash units.

Courtenay Studios floor plan - click to enlarge

Courtenay Studios, 6 wall-mounted 2.7m background paper rolls allow shooting the length or width of the studio.

Courtenay Studio interior October 2019 with Elinchrom Pro HD 1000 and 175cm Octabox