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Bohemia Bay Studios are purpose-built product photography spaces in Melbourne, available for self‑access product studio hire to help small teams, solo shooters, and small businesses work faster and more predictably. This guide explains what dedicated product studios offer, how features like a white cyclorama and professional lighting improve image quality, and the practical steps to book and prepare for your shoot. Many retailers and creative teams lose time coordinating locations, gear and crew — a self‑access model removes that friction so creators control timing and setup. Read on to understand why self‑access matters, which kit is available and how to use our spaces, how to compare pricing and book, and how strong product photography lifts e‑commerce performance. We reference common search terms such as e‑commerce photography, white cyclorama studio Melbourne and product photography studio hire Melbourne to help you evaluate options and plan shoots that meet platform requirements and conversion goals.
Looking for general photography studio hire for portraits, fashion, or content creation? See our main studio hire Melbourne page for full details.
Dedicated product photography studios give you a controlled space, reliable lighting and a production workflow that consistently delivers platform‑ready images. In practical terms, a product photography studio reduces the variables—light, background and staging—so image quality becomes a repeatable result rather than a one‑off. That consistency speeds time‑to‑listing and simplifies retouching, which directly supports better conversion rates. By contrast, ad-hoc locations and rotating freelance crews introduce variability; purpose‑built, self‑access product studios focus on repeatability and efficiency while keeping professional standards.
Bohemia Bay Studios blend pro‑grade kit with flexible self‑access so teams can concentrate on creative and commercial outcomes. Our studios' generous floorplates and large white cycloramas suit both high‑volume e‑commerce runs and styled lifestyle shoots. The self‑access model cuts scheduling overhead for small teams and solo operators. The page’s goal is simple: explain our product studios’ features and how to use the spaces clearly, and make it easy to book product studio time online.
Self‑access product photography studios remove gatekeepers and give photographers control over timing, access and workflow — which increases efficiency and reduces coordination costs. You can arrive, set up and run multiple product sets without waiting for staff, enabling batch workflows that shorten time‑to‑market for online stores. This model suits solo shooters and small teams who need flexible hours and fast turnover between SKUs. By reducing scheduling friction and offering extended access, self‑access product photography studios match tight e‑commerce release cycles and iterative creative processes.
Practical tips for first‑time self‑access users focus on preparation and clear workflows to get the most from your session. Bring labelled product trays, a pre‑ordered shot list and example retouch notes to streamline setup and handovers. Those prep steps cut downtime and help keep a consistent visual language across product ranges. From there, the right equipment choices help lock in reliable image outcomes.
Small businesses often assume professional product photography requires a large budget or agency. Our self-access model makes it accessible — book a half-day for $349, bring your products, walk out with platform-ready images. There are no ongoing retainers, no project minimums, just transparent hourly rates. This means small businesses can compete visually with larger retailers without the overhead.
"As a small business owner, it has been so amazing to find a go-to studio that has everything I need for my shoots." — Brooke Jowett, Small Business Owner
Pro‑grade kit — a large white shooting space, professional lighting, grip and backdrops — turns technical capability into market‑ready images by giving you precise control over shadows, highlights and reflections. A white cyclorama creates a clean sweep ideal for clipping paths and consistent presentation; strobes and LED panels reproduce textures and finishes without colour shifts. Grip gear and adjustable stands speed repeatable setups for batch shoots, reducing post‑production variability and retouch time. Together these elements make up the practical toolkit that supports e‑commerce photography outcomes.
Knowing how each piece of kit influences the final image helps you choose setups tailored to product type and platform needs. Jewellery and reflective items need small, controlled modifiers; apparel benefits from larger soft sources and mannequin support; lifestyle shoots combine continuous and strobe lighting for motion and stills. That clarity about kit naturally ties into the range of common use cases for our spaces and how they map to your commercial goals.
Photographers commonly use our spaces for: batch white‑background shoots for e‑commerce, styled fashion and beauty sessions, lifestyle tabletop and scene builds, plus general content creation and production. Each use case follows a distinct workflow: e‑commerce prioritises consistency and throughput, fashion and beauty need styling and fittings, and lifestyle focuses on environment and storytelling. Using product photography studios that accommodate multiple shoot types allows brands to centralise visual production and maintain consistency across channels — improving efficiency and brand cohesion.
Our studios are pet-friendly — bring animals for product shoots, brand campaigns, or content creation. Brands like WAG regularly photograph products with real dogs in our spaces.
To help you plan your shoot, the table below summarises typical activities and outcomes you can achieve when hiring our spaces.
Intro: The table compares common product photography use cases, typical activities, and the primary deliverable focus.
This comparison shows how different shoot types prioritise throughput versus creative staging, helping you plan the right hire for your brief. Next we connect these use cases to direct e‑commerce outcomes and platform readiness.
E‑commerce photography relies on consistent, high‑contrast white‑background images that reduce cognitive friction and present products clearly at thumbnail and detail sizes. The logic is simple: consistent backgrounds and lighting reduce perceived risk by showing product features clearly, which improves click‑through and conversion rates. Deliverables usually include multiple angles, detail crops and retouch‑ready master files sized for platform requirements. Best practice is batching SKUs under one lighting setup and using a clear shot list to minimise variation and speed post‑production.
Good preparation increases the commercial value of each session: label SKUs, provide a prioritised shot list and share any platform sizing or compression requirements. Those steps reduce back‑and‑forth with retouchers and accelerate time‑to‑market for new drops. The next section explains how product photography studio hire supports fashion, beauty and lifestyle workflows where aesthetic nuance matters.
Fashion, beauty and lifestyle sessions need room for styling, model fittings and directional lighting to create aspirational imagery that supports brand identity. In these shoots our product photography studios act as both production floor and creative lab: hair and makeup areas, garment rails, dressing zones and flexible backdrops let teams iterate looks and capture editorial sequences. The impact comes from controlled lighting plus considered set design, which together communicate texture, tone and lifestyle context. Deliverables commonly include hero images, social crops and retouch notes for beauty work.
Scheduling and logistics differ from e‑commerce batches, so plan model call times, hair and makeup durations and prop setup windows to use your product photography studio time efficiently. A pre‑production brief with looks, target shots and reference images reduces on‑the‑day decisions and keeps creative and technical teams aligned. These operational practices lead into transparent booking and pricing so you can match budgets to deliverables.
To make booking simple, we provide clear online options that describe our product photography studios’ features and let you reserve self‑access time immediately. Our transparent pricing is as follows:
Hourly: $109/hour (2-hour minimum) Half-day: $349 (4 hours) Full-day: $649 (8 hours)
Booking a self‑access product photography studio normally follows a straightforward flow: choose a date and time, pick an hourly, half-day, or full-day package, pay a deposit or full fee, and receive access instructions. Clear package definitions and instant confirmation with prep notes are what make online booking effective. Transparent booking cuts administrative cycles and helps teams coordinate models, stylists and retouchers more efficiently.
Below is a concise step‑by‑step booking process designed for quick adoption.
Intro: Use the numbered steps to follow the typical flow for booking self‑access product studio hire.
Summary: These steps are optimised to reduce coordination overhead and get you into our product photography studios faster.
For a transparent view of hire options and inclusions, the table below outlines common package categories and how pricing is usually presented online.
Intro: The table shows common hire categories and our transparent price attributes for online booking.
Summary: Our transparent pricing is clearly listed, with real-time availability shown on the online booking calendar, avoiding surprises on the day.
Our online booking process centralises reservation, payment and access details so you don’t need phone calls or in‑person signups. After selecting a date and hire duration you confirm the booking and receive automated access instructions plus any pre‑shoot requirements. This cuts administrative cycles by delivering confirmation, key or code provision, and equipment notes in one message. Typical timings: choosing a slot takes minutes, confirmations are instant, and prep items should be uploaded 24–48 hours before your session.
To maximise efficiency, prepare product lists, shot orders and special lighting notes before you book so you can attach them to the form. That preparation shortens on‑site setup time and keeps the session focused on capture rather than logistics. With that process clarity, the next section compares common pricing tiers and what they include.What Are the Transparent Pricing Packages and Hourly Rates?
Our transparent pricing structure is designed for simplicity and predictability. We offer hourly slots ($109/hour, 2-hour minimum), half-day packages ($349 for 4 hours), and full-day packages ($649 for 8 hours). All prices include GST, and the rate remains the same any day of the week, with no weekend or public holiday surcharges. Multi-day packages are also available at discounted rates. All essential equipment, including the white cyclorama, professional lighting, tethering, and grip gear, is included in your product photography studio hire fee – there are no hidden charges or extra rental fees.
When planning your shoot, remember that our self-access model means you bring your own team for photography, retouching, and data transfer. Our transparent booking platform clearly lists what's included, helping you align your project deliverables with your budget and timelines.
Key product photography studio features and equipment form the backbone of successful shoots: a seamless white cyclorama for clean backgrounds, professional lighting kits for consistent colour and exposure, camera supports and tethering for repeatability, plus backdrops and props for lifestyle work. Each element affects the final image: the cyclorama removes visible edges for easy clipping, lighting defines texture and material, and tethering gives instant review to maintain consistent exposure across takes. Together these components turn our physical spaces into reliable production environments. Understanding them helps you plan setups suited to product size, finish and brand aesthetic.
"Excellent hire price includes the essentials for a studio shoot — lights, props, the works!" — Arvin Coloma, Photographer
Trusted by Melbourne Brands: Air Aroma, Dress Lab, MAKU the Label, WAG, Crumble Cookware, Engine Swim
The table below lists core equipment categories, their typical attributes and the practical value they add to product shoots.
Intro: This equipment table clarifies common product photography studio inventory and the benefits each item provides for product photography.
Summary: Together these items reduce retouch workload and improve consistency — essential for catalogue and e‑commerce shoots.
A white cyclorama creates a continuous, controllable backdrop that simplifies clipping and standardises product presentation across large runs. Optically, the curved sweep removes hard horizon lines and produces even gradation, which makes background removal and colour matching more reliable in post. For e‑commerce this means consistent thumbnails and gallery images that meet platform expectations and reduce distractions for shoppers. A seamless sweep also speeds retouching because masking is simpler and edge quality is preserved.
In practice, smaller items sit closer to the sweep with controlled fill light, while larger items are positioned to keep desirable shadow fall. These setup choices show how cyclorama workflows adapt to product size and style, and they lead into typical lighting configurations our product photography studios provide.
We offer a range of strobes, continuous LED panels, diffusers and reflectors plus accessories for controlling spill, shaping highlights and managing reflections on glossy surfaces. Different configurations suit different product types: small reflective objects often use small soft sources or light tents to tame specular highlights; apparel and lifestyle work benefit from larger banks for soft, flattering wrap. The key is control — precise light shaping isolates texture and material qualities while maintaining colour accuracy. Grip gear like articulated arms and precision clamps supports exact positioning and repeatability across SKUs.
Quick recommended setups include a single softbox for jewellery detail, three‑point lighting for apparel flats, and mixed continuous and strobe for lifestyle motion stills. Having these configurations on site reduces setup time and helps standardise your production pipeline to platform image standards.
High‑quality product photography converts better, shortens time‑to‑market for new SKUs and elevates perceived brand value in competitive marketplaces. The link between photography and business outcomes is trust: clear, accurate images reduce uncertainty, highlight product detail and increase purchase confidence — which in turn lowers return rates. Brands that centralise visual production in one of our product photography studios gain consistent image language across catalogues and campaigns, reinforcing recognition and a professional impression. These measurable outcomes explain why businesses choose dedicated product photography studio hire over ad‑hoc setups.
"Very satisfied with great service and superb outcome for e-commerce photography." — Fit Amigos Team
"We engaged with many studios around Melbourne to do a shoot for our clothing brand... The standard of the photography blew us away." — George McGovern, Clothing Brand
Short case‑style summaries illustrate common benefits such as faster release cycles and clearer creative control.
Crumble Cookware launched their entire brand using Bohemia Bay Studios for product photography. They've since become one of Melbourne's most recognised cookware brands — proof that professional product imagery accelerates brand credibility from day one. WAG, the dog treat company, returns to Bohemia Bay for every new product launch. Our pet-friendly studios mean they can photograph products with real dogs, creating authentic imagery that connects with their audience. MAKU the Label uses our spaces for ongoing content creation and seasonal clothing releases, centralising their visual production in one consistent environment.
These outcomes show how production discipline — rather than one‑off spectacle — delivers ongoing value for online sellers. The next section explains how photography quality affects e‑commerce metrics more broadly.
Strong images increase click‑throughs, boost conversion and reduce returns by giving customers accurate visual expectations. The effect is cognitive: sharp, well‑lit photos communicate material and detail that text can’t, lowering perceived risk and increasing purchase intent. Recent research and platform guidance point to image clarity and multiple angles as drivers of trust, making photography a measurable marketing investment. Practical advice: prioritise a clear cover image with isolated product and include lifestyle shots to help buyers visualise use.
Map imagery to platform needs — readable thumbnails, zoom‑ready files and consistent aspect ratios — to ensure photography performs across channels and devices. Viewing imagery as part of a system ties production choices back to commercial outcomes and informs booking and kit decisions.
Each Bohemia Bay location is equipped for professional product photography, with white cycloramas, professional lighting, and self-access booking. Here's our recommended studio for product and e-commerce work:
Our Cheltenham studio is purpose-built for product photography, featuring a 4.5m × 3m white cyclorama, 8-meter ceilings, and 160m² of shooting space. Ground-floor access through a 7-meter garage door makes loading heavy products and props effortless.
View Cheltenham Studio Check Availability
Bohemia Bay Studios was founded by Brendan, a professional photographer who recognised that small teams and solo shooters needed a simpler way to access professional studio space. After years of coordinating locations, equipment, and crew for commercial shoots, the solution was clear: build fully-equipped, self-access studios where creators control everything. The result is a system designed around saving time. Online booking with instant confirmation. Keycode access with no staff coordination. All equipment included with no rental fees. The goal is simple: remove the friction so you can focus on creating. We're currently developing LightRight, a lighting guidance system to help photographers achieve consistent results in half the time — part of our ongoing commitment to making professional product photography faster and more accessible.
"Bohemia Bay was easily the best photography studio I have ever used. Beautiful, clean and modern space with everything you could need and reasonably priced." — Simone Shiers, Photographer
When teams hire product photography studios they commonly ask about cost, included equipment, how access works and what to bring to make the most of booked time. Our transparent, self-access model ensures you have all the information upfront. This section answers typical questions with concise, actionable guidance focused on the factors that most affect session success: crew size, retouch needs and pre‑shoot prep.
Below are practical preparation tips returning clients use to optimise product photography studio time.
Intro: These items are practical steps teams take to be shoot‑ready and efficient.
Summary: These prep steps cut on‑site decision time and maximise productivity during your booked hours.
Our pricing is straightforward and transparent: $109/hour (2-hour minimum), $349 for a half-day (4 hours), and $649 for a full-day (8 hours). All prices include GST, and there are no weekend or public holiday surcharges. Multi-day packages are also available at discounted rates. Since we are self-access product studios, you bring your own team, models, and props, which gives you full control over your project budget. To estimate your total project cost, simply map your required shoot time to our clear hourly or package rates.
For an accurate quote, provide a clear brief with expected shot counts and retouch requirements. Transparent briefs reduce back‑and‑forth and produce realistic pricing for the work you need.
Self‑access product studio hires include all core kit: a white cyclorama, professional strobe and continuous lighting kits, backdrops, grip gear and tethering stations. There are no optional extras or hidden rental fees for equipment – everything is included in your hire fee. After booking you receive access instructions so your team can arrive and operate within our product photography studios’ access policy. This gives you hands‑on control during your slot, supporting iterative production and fast batch workflows. Confirm inclusions and extras at booking to avoid surprises on the day.
Prepare a kit list before your session so you can focus on capture rather than setup — all equipment is already included, so there's nothing extra to source or hire.
To get the most from your session, prepare ahead. Label and organise products with SKU tags, bring a prioritised shot list and any props or packaging that appear in final imagery. Confirm how master files will be transferred after the shoot. This prep reduces on‑site decisions and keeps the session focused on capture.
Yes. Full‑day hires usually include access to core equipment like the white cyclorama, professional lighting kits and grip gear. Full‑day bookings give you flexible hours to work at a steady pace, ideal for larger projects or shooting multiple product lines.
Our kit is versatile. Small, reflective items such as jewellery benefit from controlled lighting and light tents; apparel works well with larger soft sources and mannequin support; lifestyle shoots use props and backdrops for context. Knowing your product type helps choose the right lighting and setup to achieve the best results.
Consistency comes from a controlled environment: a white cyclorama and professional lighting. Standardising lighting and using the same kit for similar product types reduces variability. Providing a clear shot list and following our prep guidelines also helps maintain a consistent visual language across shoots.
Self‑access gives you control over timing and setup so you can start immediately without waiting for staff. It improves efficiency and lowers coordination costs, which is especially useful for small teams and solo shooters. The model supports batch workflows for multiple product sets in a single session — ideal for e‑commerce.
A dedicated product photography studio gives you a controlled space, reliable lighting and a production workflow that consistently delivers platform‑ready images. Practically, that means fewer variables — light, background and staging are all managed so image quality becomes repeatable instead of accidental. Consistency speeds time‑to‑listing and simplifies retouching, which supports better conversion rates. By contrast, ad‑hoc locations and rotating crews introduce variability; purpose‑built, self‑access studios focus on repeatability and efficiency while maintaining professional standards.
At Bohemia Bay Studios we combine pro‑grade kit with flexible self‑access so teams can focus on creative and commercial outcomes. Our large floorplates and full‑height white cycloramas suit both high‑volume e‑commerce runs and styled lifestyle shoots. The self‑access model cuts scheduling overhead for small teams and solo operators. This page’s aim is straightforward: clearly explain our product studio features and how to use the spaces, and make it easy to book time online.
Self‑access product photography studios remove gatekeepers and give photographers control over timing, access and workflow — increasing efficiency and lowering coordination costs. You arrive, set up and run multiple product sets without waiting for staff, enabling batch workflows that shorten time‑to‑market for online stores. This setup suits solo shooters and small teams who need flexible hours and quick turnover between SKUs. By reducing scheduling friction and offering extended access, self‑access studios match tight e‑commerce release cycles and iterative creative processes.
Practical tips for first‑time self‑access users focus on preparation and a clear workflow. Bring labelled product trays, a prioritised shot list and example retouch notes to speed setup and handovers. These prep steps cut downtime and help keep a consistent visual language across ranges. From there, choosing the right equipment locks in reliable image outcomes.
Many small businesses assume professional product photography means big budgets or agency contracts. Our self‑access model makes it affordable — book a half‑day for $349, bring your products and leave with platform‑ready images. No retainers, no minimums, just transparent hourly rates. That lets small brands compete visually with larger retailers without the overhead.
"As a small business owner, it has been so amazing to find a go‑to studio that has everything I need for my shoots." — Brooke Jowett, Small Business Owner
Pro‑grade kit — a large white shooting space, professional lighting, grip and backdrops — turns technical capability into market‑ready images by giving you precise control over shadows, highlights and reflections. A white cyclorama provides a seamless sweep ideal for clipping paths and consistent presentation; strobes and LED panels reproduce textures and finishes without colour shifts. Grip gear and adjustable stands speed repeatable setups for batch shoots, reducing post‑production variability and retouch time. Together these elements form the practical toolkit that supports e‑commerce photography outcomes.
Understanding how each piece of kit affects the final image helps you pick setups tailored to product type and platform needs. Jewellery and reflective items need small, controlled modifiers; apparel benefits from larger soft sources and mannequin support; lifestyle shoots often combine continuous and strobe lighting for motion and stills. That clarity ties directly to the common use cases for our spaces and the commercial outcomes they support.
Photographers use our spaces for batch white‑background e‑commerce shoots, styled fashion and beauty sessions, lifestyle tabletop and scene builds, and broader content production. Each use case has a distinct workflow: e‑commerce prioritises consistency and throughput, fashion and beauty require styling and fittings, and lifestyle focuses on environment and storytelling. Using studios that handle multiple shoot types helps brands centralise visual production and keep a consistent look across channels — improving efficiency and brand cohesion.
Our studios are pet‑friendly — bring animals for product shoots, campaigns or content creation. Brands like WAG regularly photograph products with real dogs in our spaces.
To help plan your shoot, the table below summarises typical activities and outcomes you can achieve when hiring our spaces.
Intro: The table compares common product photography use cases, typical activities and the primary deliverable focus.
This comparison shows how different shoot types prioritise throughput versus creative staging, helping you pick the right hire for your brief. Next we connect these use cases to direct e‑commerce outcomes and platform readiness.
E‑commerce photography relies on consistent, high‑contrast white‑background images that reduce visual friction and show products clearly at thumbnail and detail sizes. The logic is simple: consistent backgrounds and lighting reduce perceived risk by revealing product features, which improves click‑through and conversion rates. Deliverables usually include multiple angles, detail crops and retouch‑ready masters sized for platform needs. Best practice is batching SKUs under one lighting setup and using a clear shot list to minimise variation and speed post‑production.
Good preparation increases the commercial value of each session: label SKUs, supply a prioritised shot list and share any platform sizing or compression requirements. These steps reduce back‑and‑forth with retouchers and speed time‑to‑market for new drops. The next section covers how studio hire supports fashion, beauty and lifestyle workflows where aesthetic nuance matters.
Fashion, beauty and lifestyle sessions need space for styling, model fittings and directional lighting to produce aspirational imagery that supports brand identity. In these shoots our studios act as both production floor and creative lab: hair and makeup areas, garment rails, dressing zones and flexible backdrops let teams iterate looks and capture editorial sequences. The impact comes from controlled lighting combined with considered set design, which together convey texture, tone and lifestyle context. Deliverables commonly include hero images, social crops and retouch notes for beauty work.
Scheduling and logistics differ from e‑commerce batches, so plan model call times, hair and makeup durations and prop setup windows to use your studio time efficiently. A pre‑production brief with looks, target shots and references reduces on‑the‑day decisions and keeps creative and technical teams aligned. These operational practices connect directly to our transparent booking and pricing so you can match budgets to deliverables.
Booking is simple: our online system describes each studio’s features and lets you reserve self‑access time immediately. Our transparent pricing is:
Hourly: $109/hour (2‑hour minimum) Half‑day: $349 (4 hours) Full‑day: $649 (8 hours)
Booking a self‑access session typically follows a straightforward flow: pick a date and time, choose an hourly, half‑day or full‑day package, pay a deposit or full fee, then receive access instructions. Clear package definitions and instant confirmation with prep notes make online booking effective. Transparent booking cuts admin and helps teams coordinate models, stylists and retouchers more efficiently.
Below is a concise step‑by‑step booking process designed for quick adoption.
Intro: Use these numbered steps to follow the usual flow for booking self‑access product studio hire.
Summary: These steps are designed to reduce coordination overhead and get you into the studio faster.
For a transparent view of hire options and inclusions, the table below outlines our common packages and how pricing is presented online.
Intro: The table shows common hire categories and our transparent price attributes for online booking.
Summary: Our pricing is listed clearly, with real‑time availability shown on the online calendar so there are no surprises on the day.
Our online booking centralises reservation, payment and access details so you don’t need phone calls or in‑person signups. After selecting a date and hire duration you confirm the booking and receive automated access instructions plus any pre‑shoot requirements. This reduces admin by delivering confirmation, keycode or entry details, and equipment notes in one message. Typical timings: choosing a slot takes minutes, confirmations are instant, and prep items should be uploaded 24–48 hours before your session.
To maximise efficiency, prepare product lists, shot orders and any special lighting notes before booking so you can attach them to the form. That preparation shortens on‑site setup and keeps the session focused on capture rather than logistics. With that process clarity, the next section outlines our transparent pricing packages and hourly rates.
Our pricing structure is built for simplicity and predictability. We offer hourly slots ($109/hour, 2‑hour minimum), half‑day packages ($349 for 4 hours) and full‑day packages ($649 for 8 hours). All prices include GST and the rate is the same any day of the week — no weekend or public holiday surcharges. Multi‑day packages are available at discounted rates. All essential equipment — the white cyclorama, professional lighting, tethering and grip gear — is included in your hire fee; there are no hidden charges or extra rental fees.
When planning your shoot remember our self‑access model means you bring your own team for shooting, retouching and data transfer. Our booking platform clearly lists what’s included so you can match project deliverables to your budget and timeline.
Core studio features and equipment are the backbone of successful shoots: a seamless white cyclorama for clean backgrounds, professional lighting kits for consistent colour and exposure, camera supports and tethering for repeatability, plus backdrops and props for lifestyle shoots. Each element affects the final image: the cyclorama removes visible edges for easier clipping, lighting defines texture and material, and tethering gives instant review to keep exposure consistent across takes. Together these components turn our spaces into reliable production environments. Knowing them helps you plan setups for product size, finish and brand aesthetic.
"Excellent hire price includes the essentials for a studio shoot — lights, props, the works!" — Arvin Coloma, Photographer
Trusted by Melbourne Brands: Air Aroma, Dress Lab, MAKU the Label, WAG, Crumble Cookware, Engine Swim
The table below lists core equipment categories, their typical attributes and the practical value they add to product shoots.
Intro: This equipment table clarifies common studio inventory and the benefits each item provides for product photography.
Summary: Together these items reduce retouch workload and improve consistency — essential for catalogue and e‑commerce shoots.
We provide a range of strobes, continuous LED panels, diffusers and reflectors plus accessories for controlling spill, shaping highlights and managing reflections on glossy surfaces. Different configurations suit different product types: small reflective objects often use small soft sources or light tents to tame specular highlights; apparel and lifestyle work benefit from larger banks for soft, flattering wrap. The key is control — precise light shaping isolates texture and material while maintaining colour accuracy. Grip gear like articulated arms and precision clamps supports exact positioning and repeatability across SKUs.
Quick recommended setups include a single softbox for jewellery detail, three‑point lighting for apparel flats, and mixed continuous and strobe for lifestyle motion stills. Having these configurations on site reduces setup time and helps standardise your production pipeline to platform image standards.
High‑quality product photography converts better, shortens time‑to‑market for new SKUs and elevates perceived brand value in competitive marketplaces. The link between photography and business outcomes is trust: clear, accurate images reduce uncertainty, reveal product detail and increase purchase confidence — which in turn lowers return rates. Brands that centralise visual production in our studios gain a consistent image language across catalogues and campaigns, reinforcing recognition and a professional impression. These measurable outcomes explain why businesses choose dedicated product studio hire over ad‑hoc setups.
"Very satisfied with great service and superb outcome for e‑commerce photography." — Fit Amigos Team
"We engaged with many studios around Melbourne to do a shoot for our clothing brand... The standard of the photography blew us away." — George McGovern, Clothing Brand
Short case‑style summaries highlight common benefits such as faster release cycles and clearer creative control.
The Influence of E‑commerce Product Photography on Consumer Purchase Decisions
This study measured how photography affects online purchase decisions using a questionnaire to capture shopper responses to different image styles. The results show photography strongly influences attraction and loyalty, especially across social channels and marketplaces. The findings reinforce that image quality matters for customer acquisition and retention in e‑commerce. The influence of the image and photography of e‑commerce products on the purchase decision of online consumers, MS Pereira, 2022
Crumble Cookware launched their brand using Bohemia Bay Studios for product photography and have since become one of Melbourne’s most recognised cookware names — proof that professional imagery accelerates brand credibility from day one. WAG, the dog treat company, returns to Bohemia Bay for every new product launch. Our pet‑friendly studios let them shoot with real dogs, creating authentic imagery that resonates. MAKU the Label uses our spaces for ongoing content creation and seasonal releases, centralising their visual production in one consistent environment.
These outcomes show how production discipline — not one‑off spectacle — delivers lasting value for online sellers. The next section explains how photography quality affects e‑commerce metrics more broadly.
Strong images increase click‑throughs, lift conversion and reduce returns by giving customers accurate visual expectations. The effect is cognitive: sharp, well‑lit photos communicate material and detail that copy can’t, lowering perceived risk and increasing purchase intent. Recent research and platform guidance point to image clarity and multiple angles as drivers of trust, making photography a measurable marketing investment. Practical advice: prioritise a clear cover image with the isolated product and include lifestyle shots to help buyers picture use.
Map imagery to platform needs — readable thumbnails, zoom‑ready files and consistent aspect ratios — so your photos perform across channels and devices. Treat imagery as part of a system: that ties production choices back to commercial outcomes and informs booking and kit decisions.
Each Bohemia Bay location is set up for product photography with white cycloramas, professional lighting and self‑access booking. Here’s our recommended studio for product and e‑commerce work:
Our Cheltenham studio is purpose‑built for product photography, featuring a 4.5m × 3m white cyclorama, 8‑metre ceilings and 160m² of shooting space. Ground‑floor access through a 7‑metre garage door makes loading heavy products and props effortless.
View Cheltenham Studio Check Availability
Bohemia Bay Studios was founded by Brendan, a professional photographer who saw that small teams and solo shooters needed a simpler way to access professional studio space. After years of coordinating locations, equipment and crew for commercial shoots, the solution was clear: build fully equipped, self‑access studios where creators control everything. The result is a system built to save time: online booking with instant confirmation, keycode access with no staff coordination, and all equipment included with no rental fees. The goal is simple — remove friction so you can focus on creating. We're also developing LightRight, a lighting guidance system to help photographers achieve consistent results in half the time — part of our commitment to making professional product photography faster and more accessible.
"Bohemia Bay was easily the best photography studio I have ever used. Beautiful, clean and modern space with everything you could need and reasonably priced." — Simone Shiers, Photographer
When teams hire product photography studios they commonly ask about cost, included equipment, how access works and what to bring to make the most of booked time. Our transparent, self-access model ensures you have all the information upfront. This section answers typical questions with concise, actionable guidance focused on the factors that most affect session success: crew size, retouch needs and pre‑shoot prep.
Below are practical preparation tips returning clients use to optimise product photography studio time.
Intro: These items are practical steps teams take to be shoot‑ready and efficient.
Summary: These prep steps cut on‑site decision time and maximise productivity during your booked hours.
Our pricing is straightforward and transparent: $109/hour (2‑hour minimum), $349 for a half‑day (4 hours) and $649 for a full‑day (8 hours). All prices include GST and there are no weekend or public holiday surcharges. Multi‑day packages are available at discounted rates. Because we operate as self‑access studios you bring your own team, models and props, giving you full control over your project budget. To estimate total cost, map your required shoot time to our hourly or package rates.
Self‑access hires include all core kit: a white cyclorama, professional strobe and continuous lighting kits, backdrops, grip gear and tethering stations. There are no optional extras or hidden rental fees — everything is included in your hire. After booking you receive access instructions so your team can arrive and work within our access policy. This gives you hands‑on control during your slot, supporting iterative production and fast batch workflows. Confirm inclusions and any extras at booking to avoid surprises on the day.
Prepare a kit list before your session so you can focus on capture rather than sourcing gear — everything essential is already included.
Prepare ahead to get the most from your session: label and organise products with SKU tags, bring a prioritised shot list and any props or packaging that appear in final images. Confirm how master files will be delivered after the shoot. This prep reduces on‑site decisions and keeps the session focused on capture.
Yes. Full‑day hires include access to core equipment like the white cyclorama, professional lighting kits and grip gear. Full‑day bookings give you flexible hours to work at a steady pace, ideal for larger projects or shooting multiple product lines.
Our kit is versatile. Small reflective items such as jewellery benefit from controlled lighting and light tents; apparel works well with larger soft sources and mannequin support; lifestyle shoots use props and backdrops for context. Knowing your product type helps choose the right lighting and setup to get the results you want.
Consistency comes from a controlled environment: a white cyclorama and professional lighting. Standardising lighting and using the same kit for similar product types reduces variability. Supplying a clear shot list and following our prep guidelines also helps maintain a consistent visual language across shoots.
Self‑access gives you control over timing and setup so you can start immediately without waiting for staff. It improves efficiency and lowers coordination costs — especially useful for small teams and solo shooters. The model supports batch workflows for multiple product sets in a single session — ideal for e‑commerce.
