By Emmet · Published 14 September 2025 · Last updated 1 July 2026
Studio photographer in London: creative shoots at Colour Factory
A studio photographer in London trades the unpredictability of location for total control, and sometimes that’s exactly what a shoot needs. In September and again in November 2025 I shot at Colour Factory in Hackney, a proper creative space in East London. Blank walls and big light, with nothing to fight you. A studio lets you build an image from scratch rather than working with whatever a location hands you. If you’re weighing a studio shoot, here’s what that control actually buys you.
Why shoot in a studio instead of on location?
Control over every variable. Light, background, temperature, time of day, none of it depends on the weather or a venue’s schedule. You decide exactly how the image looks and then make it happen.
At Colour Factory that meant shaping the light precisely for each setup, which is far harder to do in a borrowed room or outdoors.
What kind of work suits a studio?
Portraits, editorial, product, and anything needing a clean or fully designed background. When a concept calls for a specific look rather than a real-world setting, the studio wins. You get a blank canvas to light and dress however the idea demands.
The Hackney sessions used that flexibility to build controlled, considered images that a location simply couldn’t have given.
What makes Colour Factory a good studio?
Space and natural light, plus East London character. The studio has the room to build proper setups and the daylight to work softly when a shoot wants it. Hackney’s creative energy sits right outside the door, which matters more than it sounds for the mood on set.
Good studios are as much about how they feel to work in as their kit list, and this one gets that balance right.
Who books studio shoots?
Brands, magazines, designers, and individuals wanting portraits with full control. LemonLens shoots in studios across London, including our own LemonShark Studio in Fulham, and studio work feeds directly into portrait sessions and brand content. East London studios like Colour Factory are a regular base for bigger creative jobs.
FAQ
How much does a studio photographer cost in London?
Studio shoots are priced per session, and studio hire is either included or billed at cost depending on the space. Our own Fulham studio keeps costs down for smaller jobs. Tell me the shoot and I’ll quote clearly.
Do you have your own studio?
Yes, LemonShark Studio in Fulham. For larger productions or a specific look I also book external spaces like Colour Factory in Hackney, whichever suits the shoot best.
Can you build a specific set or background?
Yes. That’s the point of a studio. Backgrounds, lighting looks, and simple set builds are all doable, so we design the image around the concept rather than compromising to a location.
Where in London are your studio shoots?
Fulham for our own space, plus hired studios across the city, especially in East London. I match the space to what the shoot needs rather than forcing everything into one room.
Book a studio session
Got a shoot that needs full creative control? Tell me the concept and I’ll suggest the right studio and quote the session. Contact LemonLens.
For artists, a good set of live images travels well onto Songkick and into press coverage from outlets like the BFI.
About the author. Emmet is a London photographer and the founder of LemonLens, shooting studio, portrait, and event work from LemonShark Studio in Fulham (769b Fulham Road, SW6 5HA). See more at lemonlens.com and his portfolio, or follow @lemonlenz_ on Instagram.