How a Self-Service Photo Studio Works, Step by Step

At a self-service studio, nobody meets you at the door. You book and pay online, get your access codes and two short how-to videos by email the day before, and let yourself in at your start time. The lights and stands are already in the room. When your time is up, you reset the space and leave.

Here's how it works at Nula, step by step.

Step 1: Book online

Pick a studio and a time on our booking dashboard. If you're not sure which room fits, our guide to choosing the right Nula studio matches shoot types to studios.

• We're open every day from 7am to 10pm.
• The minimum booking is 2 hours, or 3 hours for Studio J. The maximum is 15 hours.
• You'll create an account the first time you book.

When you book, you can add extras: a seamless paper pull for standing on the paper ($15 per color), an extra Profoto strobe ($50), a spotlight attachment ($50), a Scrim Jim 8x8 set up for you ($75), a studio photographer ($150/hr, 2-hour minimum) or a 20–30 second behind-the-scenes video ($100).

You see the full price, including any guest fee, before you pay. For what each studio costs, see our pricing guide.

Plan your hours carefully. Your booking time includes setup and cleanup, so build both into the time you book.

Step 2: Check your confirmation

After you pay, you'll get a booking confirmation email. Check your spam folder too. If it hasn't arrived within 24 hours, email info@nulastudios.com.

Step 3: Get your access email

24 hours before your booking starts, you'll get an instructional email with:

• Two access codes. One opens the building. The other opens your studio, and it only works during your booked time.
• Two short videos. One shows you how to get into the building and find your studio. The other shows you how to use the equipment.

Watch both videos before shoot day. Knowing where things are saves setup time, and setup time is part of your booking.

Step 4: Go to the right building

Our nine studios are in four buildings a few blocks apart in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Check which one is yours before you leave:

• 55 Meadow St: Studios A, E, F and H
• 35 Meadow St: Studios B and G
• 200 Morgan Ave: Studios C and D
• 301 Meserole St: Studio J

All four are a short walk from the Grand St and Morgan Ave stops on the L. There's no studio parking, only street parking, and finding a spot can take a while during business hours. Give yourself an extra 10–15 minutes.

Bringing heavy gear? Studios A, B, F, G and H have a freight elevator; email info@nulastudios.com before your booking if you need it. Studios C and D are up one flight of stairs with no elevator. Studio E is on the ground floor, and Studio J has a ground-floor garage door.

Wait for your start time. Don't go into the studio early. Someone else may still be finishing their session, and your studio code won't work until your booking starts.

Step 5: Shoot

Everything you see in the studio is included: Profoto strobes, Aputure LED lights, stands, modifiers and every backdrop color as a background. Each studio page lists the exact kit. You're also welcome to bring your own lights, cameras and crew.

A few rules keep the studios ready for everyone:

• Keep the equipment in the room. Don't take anything outside the studio.
• Paper: backdrops are free to use as a background. If anyone will stand on the paper, that's a $15 seamless pull. Add it when you book.
• Food is fine. Alcohol, smoking and drugs are not, and each incident means a $500 fine.
• Music is fine at a reasonable volume.
• Fog and haze: only water-based machines.
• Messy materials like glitter, confetti, powder, fake blood or body oil need approval in advance and a refundable deposit. Email us first.
• Pets are welcome if you ask us first.

The studios and common areas have security cameras. Footage is used only for safety and dispute resolution, and your work is never shared.

Need more time?

Ask at least 30 minutes before your session ends by calling (347) 454-1094 or emailing info@nulastudios.com. You can only extend if no one is booked after you. If you stay past your booking without extending, overtime is $100 an hour, and any part of an hour counts as a full hour.

Step 6: Wrap up

Put the equipment back where you found it, and leave the studio in the condition you found it in. If the studio needs a major cleaning after your session, there's a $150 cleaning charge. Make sure everyone in your group is out by your end time.

That's it. No check-out desk and no key to return.

First-timer checklist

• Confirm your studio's building address.
• Watch the two videos before the day.
• Count everyone in your group, including clients and assistants.
• Book enough time for setup and breakdown.
• Add a seamless paper pull if anyone will stand on the paper.
• Email us first if you need the freight elevator, want to bring a pet or plan to use messy materials.
• Bring spare batteries and memory cards.

FAQ

Will someone meet me at the studio?

No. You let yourself in with your access codes. If you need help, call (347) 454-1094 or email info@nulastudios.com.

When do I get my access codes?

In an instructional email 24 hours before your booking starts. It includes a code for the building, a code for the studio and two short how-to videos.

Can I arrive early?

Arrive in the area early if you're looking for parking, but don't go into the studio before your start time. Your studio code only works during your booking.

Do I need insurance?

No, insurance is not required.

What happens if I run over?

Overtime is $100 an hour, and any part of an hour counts as a full hour. To extend, ask at least 30 minutes before your session ends. You can only extend if no one is booked after you.

More questions? See the FAQ or the full studio rules and rental agreement.

Ready for your first booking? Pick a studio.