What type of event are you planning?
For photographers and creatives
Photo Studio
The same room by the hour for shoots and content days. Book online.
See the Photo Studio
Everything about booking the Photo Studio.
Start with the facts below, then the eight questions photographers ask most. Everything else is grouped by topic, or type a word to jump straight to it. Planning an event instead? Those questions are on the other tab.
The eight things photographers ask before anything else. Every one of them is answered in full further down.
Booked by the hour on the scheduler.
No call, no quote, no waiting.
Self access. Let yourself in.
More than that needs Ari's OK first.
Lights and cameras are not provided.
Sheer curtains, blackout shades.
Charged to your card automatically.
Inside that, a non-refundable fee.
The eight questions photographers ask most
These are open. Everything else is grouped by topic below.
How much does the photo studio cost?
$80 an hour. Book as many hours as you need on the scheduler.
How do I book the photo studio?
You book it yourself online. Pick an open slot on the scheduler and pay to confirm. Your access code arrives by email before your session, so you let yourself in. You don't need to call first.
Do you provide lighting and camera equipment?
No. Bring your own lights and camera. The backdrop stand and styled furniture are there for you to use. Handle anything of ours with care and report any damage right away.
How many people can I have on set?
No more than 10 in the studio at a time, counting you and everyone you bring. If you need more, check with Ari before you book.
What happens if I run over my time?
For every 15 minutes past your end time, your card is charged $25. Book enough time to set up and pack up.
What is the cancellation policy for a shoot?
Cancel more than 48 hours before your session for a full refund. Inside 48 hours, it's non-refundable.
Is it a natural light studio?
Yes. The wall of windows has sheer curtains for soft daylight, and blackout shades when you want to kill the light and shape it yourself.
Is there somewhere to change or do hair and makeup?
Yes. A Getting Ready Suite with two salon chairs for hair and makeup, and a separate Wardrobe/Flex Room with a built-in rack for garments. Both are included in your session.
Can I tour the studio before booking?
We're not able to offer studio tours right now. The Tour Space page walks through the space room by room, so you can see exactly what you're booking.
What kind of shoots is the studio good for?
Branding sessions, family portraits, product shoots, podcasts, video shoots and content days.
How early can I arrive?
The earliest you may arrive is 5 minutes before your reservation starts. Please be respectful of the bookings before and after yours.
Where can I read all of the studio policies?
All 20 studio policies are on the Photo Studio page. Please read them before your first booking.
What if I need the studio for longer than the slots allow?
Email legacystudiosnc@gmail.com before you book. A long shoot day or a large crew is easier for Ari to arrange in advance than to sort out on the day.
Can I book the studio for an event instead?
Yes, but events have their own rates and are booked through the Check Your Date form rather than the online scheduler.
The studio itself
How big is the photo studio?
About 1,000 square feet of shooting space, plus around 1,500 square feet of support rooms. It is all white, with two built-in arches and a wall of windows.
Is there Wi-Fi, and are there restrooms?
Yes to both. Wi-Fi is included, and there are two restrooms inside the space.
Where is the studio, and is there parking?
We're at 601 Fayetteville St, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701, just off the Durham Freeway (NC 147). Look for the Durham mural. Parking is free on site, and the studio is on the ground floor with no stairs.
Is the studio heated and air conditioned?
Yes, the space is climate controlled, which matters on a long shoot day. The blackout shades also let you cut the afternoon sun when you want to control the light yourself.
When is the best time to shoot?
Mornings are always great, but with the wall of windows the light is good for shooting almost any time of day.
Who you can bring
Can I bring children to a shoot?
Yes. Anyone under 18 has to be supervised at all times while on the premises.
Can I bring a pet for the shoot?
No. Pets and animals are not permitted inside the building at any time.
What you can shoot
Can I shoot boudoir here?
Yes, appropriate boudoir photography is allowed. There is a zero-tolerance policy for nudity and pornography, which protects renters, clients and the neighbors in the building.
Do I need consent from the people I photograph?
Yes. Photography and video are welcome in the studio, but you have to have the consent of the people being photographed.
What props and materials are not allowed?
No smoking, no open flames, no smoking devices, no fog machines, no explosives, no incense, no confetti, no glitter, and no paint. If it stains or is hard to clean, leave it at home.
Can I bring food or drinks?
Alcohol is restricted in the studio, and Ari approves any food or drink first. Ask if you're planning anything beyond water and coffee. You can use the prep kitchen and its full-size fridge.
Rules and responsibility
Will somebody be on site during my shoot?
Photo studio sessions are self access, so nobody is standing over your shoot. The space is monitored and recorded by surveillance cameras at all times, and Ari is reachable if you hit a problem. If you want someone there to let you in, ask before you book rather than on the day.
What happens if something gets damaged?
Report it right away. You're responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing anything broken during your session.
Can a session be ended early?
Yes. Studio staff can end a session and ask people to leave if the policies are broken or someone is disruptive. Bans can be temporary or permanent, depending on how serious it is.
What you get access to
Do I get the whole studio, or just the shooting area?
Your session includes the shooting space with the two arches and the wall of windows, plus the Getting Ready Suite, the Wardrobe/Flex Room and the restrooms. Nobody else is booked in while you are shooting.
Can I book back to back sessions in one day?
Yes, as long as the slots are open on the scheduler. Book all the time you need at once, so the next hour doesn't get taken while you're shooting.
Can I leave gear between sessions?
Plan to take everything with you at the end of your booking. Legacy Studios does not take responsibility for personal property left on the premises, so if you need something stored, ask Ari first.
Email legacystudiosnc@gmail.com and Ari will get back to you. Studio time is booked online, so there's no form to fill in.
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$80 an hour, natural light, ready when you walk in.
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