Can You Be a Photographer Without a Studio? A Guide for Aspiring Commercial Photographers in Melbourne

Aspiring commercial photographers in Melbourne often ask, “Can you be a photographer without a studio?” The answer is yes. You don’t need to own a studio to create stunning e-commerce or branding photos. Renting a space like Bohemia Bay Studio at $99/hour + GST gives you professional tools without the burden of ownership. Owning a studio can trap you into shooting there to justify costs, a mistake called the sunk cost fallacy. Instead, renting when needed and shooting on location lets you focus on your craft and deliver great work. This guide shares the pros and cons of not owning a studio, freelance options, and why renting is often the smarter choice, backed by Melbourne-specific insights and a real photographer’s story.

Can You Be a Successful Photographer Without a Studio?

Yes, you can thrive as a commercial photographer without a studio. Renting a space like Bohemia Bay Studio in Melbourne ($99/hour + GST) provides professional tools like cycloramas and strobes without overhead costs. You gain freedom to shoot anywhere, from urban Melbourne streets to client spaces, and rent only for controlled lighting or clean product shots.

Not owning a studio saves money and keeps your options open. For example, Melbourne’s high lease rates - $30,000-$40,000 annually for a 100 sqm space, make ownership costly. Renting for 20 hours a month at $99/hour costs just $1,980, leaving you more to invest in your business.

Pros and Cons of Not Owning a Studio

Not owning a studio offers clear benefits for commercial photographers, but it comes with challenges. The table below outlines the key pros and cons, based on 2025 trends in Melbourne.

Pro's:

• Save Money: Avoid rent, utilities, and maintenance. A 100 sqm Melbourne studio costs $30,000-$40,000 annually, while renting at $99/hour for 20 hours/month is $1,980.
• Flexibility: Shoot in Melbourne’s laneways for branding or rent for e-commerce. For example, a fashion shoot can use St Kilda’s beach then Bohemia Bay’s cyclorama for their e-Commerce shoot.
• Focus on Craft: Skip studio management to focus on shooting. Melbourne photographer Carlz J Soda found owning a studio overwhelming, so she rents to prioritise photography.
• Pro Equipment: Rental studios provide strobes, softboxes, and cycloramas, saving you from buying gear costing thousands.

Cons: 

• Weather Challenges: Melbourne’s rain or heat can disrupt outdoor shoots, requiring studio backups like Bohemia Bay Studio.
• Booking Hassles: Popular studios need advance reservations, especially for e-commerce shoots, though online booking simplifies this.
• Less Control: You depend on studio schedules, but self-access spaces offer privacy.

Renting balances these cons, giving you professional results without long-term costs.

Why Renting a Studio Beats Owning One

Renting a studio like Bohemia Bay in Cheltenham, Melbourne, at $99/hour + GST is a smart choice for commercial photographers. It offers a 150 sqm space with a 4.5m cyclorama, strobes, softboxes, and natural light from a 5m garage door. Here’s why renting wins:

• Less Stress: Owning a studio means paying rent, cleaning, and maintaining equipment. Renting lets you focus on shooting. Carlz J Soda is a commercial photographer who regularly uses Bohemia Bay Studio. During 2024, she was managing the studio alongside her photography career, however this was an overwhelming task. Now, she rents Bohemia Bay for e-commerce and branding shoots, delivering better work and saving money for her and her clients.
• Better Service: Rental studios specialize in providing great spaces. Bohemia Bay offers self-access, free parking, and a double makeup station, designed for seamless shoots. Their focus ensures your project runs smoothly.
• Flexibility: Shoot on location for lifestyle campaigns or rent for clean product shots. A skincare brand can use Melbourne’s parks for lifestyle photos and Bohemia Bay for crisp e-commerce images.
• Cost-Effective: At $99/hour or $699/day, renting saves money. Owning a studio in Melbourne’s CBD costs $30,000-$40,000 annually, while renting for 10 shoots (20 hours) costs $1,980.

“Renting lets me create anywhere without being stuck in one place,” says Carlz J Soda.

Freelance Options for Commercial Photographers

Freelance commercial photographers can thrive without a studio by mixing on-location and rental shoots. The table below compares options in Melbourne.

• On-Location Shoots: Use Melbourne’s urban backdrops, like Fitzroy’s graffiti or St Kilda’s beach, for branding photos. These add unique vibes without studio costs.
• Client Spaces: Shoot at a client’s store for authentic images. A coffee brand’s café can showcase their product in action.
• Rented Studios: For e-commerce, rent Bohemia Bay at $99/hour + GST. Its strobes and cyclorama are ideal for product or fashion shots. Book online with a self-access code.
• Pop-up Spaces: Rent empty storefronts for creative campaigns, costing $100-$200/hour in Melbourne.

This mix lets you tailor projects to client needs, balancing cost and creativity.

Case Study: Carlz J Soda's Success Without a Studio

Melbourne photographer Carlz J Soda proves you don’t need a studio to succeed. She once ran her own space but found managing rent and upkeep overwhelming. “It took time from my photography,” she says. Now, she rents Bohemia Bay Studio at $99/hour + GST for e-commerce and branding shoots.

For a recent skincare brand project, Carlz used Bohemia Bay’s natural light and strobes for clean product shots, then shot lifestyle images at a local park. The client loved the variety, and Carlz saved money while delivering high-quality work. By renting only when needed, she shoots anywhere—from Melbourne’s bayside to city rooftops—building a thriving career.

Tips for Aspiring Commercial Photographers

• Plan for Weather: Check Melbourne’s forecast and book a studio like Bohemia Bay as a backup for outdoor shoots.
• Choose Smart Rentals: Pick studios with included gear, like strobes and cycloramas, to save costs. Confirm amenities like parking or makeup stations.
• Network Locally: Connect with Melbourne creatives on Instagram or use Facebook groups to find clients and rental spaces.
• Start Small: Rent for short sessions (e.g., 2 hours at $99/hour) to test setups without big commitments.

Wrap Up: 

You can succeed as a commercial photographer without a studio. Renting a space like Bohemia Bay Studio in Melbourne ($99/hour + GST) gives you professional tools without the stress of ownership. You save money, shoot anywhere, and focus on your craft. Carlz J Soda’s success shows how renting for e-commerce and branding shoots delivers results. Avoid the trap of owning a studio—rent when you need it and create stunning photos wherever your vision takes you.

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