Frequently Asked Questions

"Do I need to be a member to rent studio space?"
No. Any photographer can rent a single shooting area for $50 per hour.

"What is a single shooting area?"
In the back, either of the seamless paper areas, the back lounge, and either half of the cyc wall. In the front, the available light room or any space converted into a shooting area.

"What about set up and break down time?"
For non members, your rental must include enough time to set up and break down. For basic members, each shoot will have a half hour scheduled before and after for set up and break down. These half hours will not be deducted from the time included in your membership. For all other membership levels, that time is included and must be scheduled.

"Are there other charges?"
Aside from additional space there is a $15 dollar paper drop fee and a $100 auto fee. Please contact us for more information.

"Why do I pay for the available light room when the conference room is included in my membership?"
We remove the desk, chairs, entertainment center, and monitor.

"What is included in renting a shooting space?"
We offer the use of our lights, modifiers, backgrounds, and grip equipment on a first come, first serve basis.

"What if I need an assistant?"
If you want to bring in your own crew, everyone must read the Studio Code of Conduct and sign a Client Information Form. If you would like Ben or Chris to assist, please make that request as early as possible. Usually they will make themselves available to all members. If Ben or Chris are not available, you may request a volunteer assistant or make an offer to pay an assistant.

"Do my clients need to sign anything?"
Yes, every client needs to read the Studio Code of Conduct and sign a Client Information Form. This acts as a model release, information gathering form, and liability waiver for both the studio and photographer.

"Can I bring my own gear or props?"
Yes, but there is not a discount on memberships or space rentals since we are not charging equipment rentals. Any equipment is included with the space.

"Can I store equipment at the studio?"
Any photographer is more than welcome to store props at the studio. Premium and Partner level members are able to store their equipment in the equipment room since they, and staff, are the only ones with access to it.

 

"Can I do a month to month plan?"
We do not offer a month to month plan but we do offer a basic level trial membership for a month.

"If my membership includes free rental time, why would I need to pay for additional hours?"
This price is for extra space (2 or more shooting areas) and/or hours outside of your plan. For instance, if you are a basic member but have a late night shoot or if you want to reserve the entire back of the studio.

"For a Basic Membership, do my 5 hours have to include set up and break down time?"
For Basic members, we will schedule an additional half hour before and after each shoot for set up and break down. This will not be deducted from your included hours.

 

"Are your workshops free to members?"
No. We've tried to make our membership prices extremely competitive. Workshop fees are extra but members will get the first opportunity to sign up.

"Do you offer some type of certification?"
Not at this time simply because programs at WCC and MPW are outstanding and we are not interested in competing with anyone in the educational field.

"How can I use the photos I take during a workshop?"
Every photographer that participates in a workshop retains the copyright to their images. They can be posted, published, sold, broadcast, or manipulated in anyway the photographer likes. We believe that if you are paying for a workshop you should not be punished with restrictions on your creativity.

"Do I have to give them away or share them?"
Depending on the workshop, models or businesses may agree to participate in exchange for some images. This will not affect your ownership of the images and can sometimes result in publication with a photo credit. If there are any expectations of granted usage they will be clearly communicated before registration and reinforced before the workshop begins.

"Is this just a way for a company to get images without paying for them?"
Not at all. Every hosting company in our Intro To Corporate Photography workshop is a current corporate account with Photo Studio Group. We have discussed with them what will be required for participation, which shots can and can't be achieved in a workshop setting, and what to expect from the photographers. While the majority of a company's photos will be created during a normal shoot, offering a workshop is a way for Photo Studio Group to introduce our studio to more photographers, and offer valuable in-the-field instruction and portfolio building. If you still have questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call us at 734-680-7232 to discuss this type of collaboration.

"How much does PSG make from it's relationships with corporate accounts?"
We take a very small administrative fee and pass the earnings on to the photographer. What we really earn is loyalty from our clients.

"How are photographer recommendations made to corporate clients?"
First and foremost, we look at the needs of the client. Then we look at our members to see if those needs can be met. In the rare instance that they can not, we will contact a suitable photographer outside of our membership while always striving to keep it local.