How is the parking situation?
Parking at the studio is great. You can park right outside the studio's front door. There are always spaces during business hours. After 5pm and on weekends the parking spaces for adjoining business are usually empty as well. There have been events and meetings at the studio with over 70 attendees and no parking issues.
Where is the studio located?
The parking lot is at the corner of 3rd Ave SW and Carmel Drive In Carmel Indiana where the stop light is. Go to the second row of buildings in the park. It does not face the street. There is lettering on the doors identifying Focus On Studio. Google maps is the best way to get to the studio. Apple maps takes you slightly North of the studio no matter how many times we update it. See the map link below for directions.
1123 3rd Ave SW, Carmel IN
Do you have to be a member to rent the studio?
No, anyone can rent the studio space. It is often used by companies to produce their seasonal catalogs or by traveling photographers. There is no requirement that is is for photoshoots only. There have been jewelry shows and makeup classes at the studio.
I stopped by and nobody was there, why?
The studio is open by appointment only. We might be at a client's site, in the upstairs office editing, or out to eat. The staff often travels around Indiana and to nearby states for commercial shoots. Call the number on the door, we might just be upstairs or a few minutes away.
I showed up for my booking and nobody was there, why?
If you do not pay for the booking by the due date, your booking may be cancelled without notice. We have a very lenient policy of free cancellation with 2 days before your booking date for single studio bay and 5 day free cancellation for full facility bookings. If you arrived way before you booking it is possible we didn't arrive yet. If you do show up, call the number on the door to speak with the studio manager.
What equipment is included in rentals?
We have numerous Einstein studio stobes, assorted lighting modifiers, chairs/furniture, backdrops and sets. There is no additional charge to use it and no discount for bringing your own equipment. Many photographers that always use to stress about a rental studio having the right stuff feel at ease here. We have mutiple photographer workshops occur where the host doesn't even bring a light stand with them.
My client cancelled, can I get a refund?
Your client/model/associate/equipment showing up for your booking is your responsibility. The studios responsibility is having the space available and ready for your booking. We do not have any influence over events that lead up to people or shipments not showing up on time. We have a very lenient policy of free cancellation with 2 days of booking for single studio bay and 5 day free cancellation for full facility bookings. After that point the booking must be paid for and the space is yours for your booking. If you do not pay for the booking by the due date, your booking may be cancelled without notice.
How far in advance of my booking can I arrive/stay after?
This question comes up quite often. The studio is available for the time you booked. This is not the time that you start and stop shooting. This does not include the hour before and hour after as well. We have a very reasonable 4 hour rate if you are unsure how long your event will last. Plan to start setting up at the start time of your booking and be out of the studio by the end time.
I usually try to have the studio open about 10 minutes before and can let you in at that time. If there is another client in the studio you must wait. If you are using the studio and there is a client after you, you must be totally out of the studio by the end of your booking time. If you stay over your booking time the studio may charge your for an additional hour.
Can I shoot a car in the studio?
There is not enough space to shoot a car in the studio. Ideally you would want about 40 feet around each side to have space to frame the car, place equipment and work around it. The studio is not that big. We get a lot of motorcycles in there though. Some photographers have used the studio to shoot car interior features in bad weather as well.