faq

Why don’t you have a faq? That’s the question I just asked myself while I was admiring the shiny new home page of the dk3 studios web site. Now that I have asked that question it is no longer necessary to do so. Must I remove it?

If you hate rules so much why do you have a minimum rental of three hours? Our early experience has shown that anything less than three hours simply not enough time to load in, set up the lighting, do a shoot and then load out.  Clients were rushed and as a result made mistakes that sometimes were attributed to the studio.  The mistakes were caused by lack of experience and a rush to get in and out within two hours.  Two hours is barely enough time so we finally made the decision to raise the minimum rental to three hours.  Plus it’s painful to have to chase someone out when they’re having such a great shoot but the next client is waiting.  Do yourself a big favor:  book more time than you think you will need.  You will be glad you did.  Every time.  And remember — we do NOT provide an additional time allowance for load in and load out.

Please don’t arrive early with the hope that your model or MUA may “just get set up.” The clock starts when anyone in your party enters the studio. Also, late check out is $3 per minute. Yes, $3 per minute.   So it’s a good idea to scoot that model out even if she’s not quite packed up!  However, if the studio is available you may extend your shoot at a rate of $40 per hour . Our product is time, so the alternative to these overtime fees is to charge everyone $40 per hour.  We prefer to have one rule, er guideline, that helps us keep the cost at an affordable rate.

What is a “cyc wall” Cyc is short for cyclorama.  Also known as an infinity wall, or cove, the effect makes the subject appear to standing in a field of pure white.  A gentle curve connects the back wall with the floor as you stand facing the cyc wall.  If the subject, animate or inanimate,  is white in color or wearing white clothing the effect is properly called high key.  But sometimes we refer to the white background as high key regardless of whether the subject is white.  A true cyc wall actually includes a vertical corner that is rounded, but here again we often incorrectly refer to a horizontal-only cyc wall as simply a cyc wall.  A custom built cyc wall can cost over $10,000.  There is a company making a plastic base that costs $5000 to $7000 to buy and install.  At dk3 studios we have a 16′ cyc wall and are proud of it.

So, how does it work to rent the studio? It’s easy. Just go to the home page and click online booking. You can look at available time slots on the calendar, select one that works for you and book it. We ask for a 50% deposit to hold your reservation.  The booking page will show you how to use a credit card to do that.  The deposit is refundable if the reservation is cancelled at least 48 hours in advance.  The total rental fee is due and payable for reservations cancelled in 24 hours or less.  Then you show up at the appointed time and make remarkable photographs. It’s easy to book photo studio rental time at dk3 studios. We wanted it to be easy. The rate for reservations made by email or telephone is $40 per hour.

Do you accept major credit cards? Yes. We accept major credit cards and are very happy about that.  I can now generally use the credit card machine properly.

Do you offer discounts for longer shoots? In a way.  The average hourly rate declines with each additional rental hour.  If anything, we should charge more for longer shoots because the client is more likely to be having a commercial, meaning paid, shoot. And really, if you don’t think we offer a  fantastic bargain for what you get then we might not be the right fit for your studio needs.  If you even ask for a discount your rate is automatically increased by $5 per hour.  Seriously.  If you’re cheap we’re just not the studio for you.

When does my time start and end? Do I get free setup and breakdown time? The whole idea behind dk3 studies is to provide a studio having many of the features of studios that are far more expensive.  Our rental rates are a real bargain, especially considering you get to use 12 strobes and a cyclorama wall. Try to find that at any other studio in town!   We say “when we think of overhead we think of lighting,” because we keep overhead costs down in favor of capital equipment used for making the photographs. And we keep things simple.

The clock starts ticking either at the scheduled start time of your reservation or when someone involved with your shoot enters the studio.  If a makeup artist “just wants to set up,” that is indeed billable time.   Rental time ends the later of your scheduled end time or when the last person in your group walks out of the studio. So if you want to enter and set up early there it’s a good idea to book an extra hour.  Late check out is $3 per minute and you can count on that.  Of course, we won’t charge you for the time afterward when we stand around talking about what a great shooting experience you just had.

Wow, your rate is so great!  Can I put on a workshop and charge whatever I want? Yes, you sure can!  And you can put it on at dk3 studios LLC if you give us a call to discuss a financial arrangement that works well for both of us.  If you charge any admission fee for a shoot then our commercial rental rates apply and you’re sort of excluded from the amazingly low fee we charge for photoshoots.

Will the lighting be set up when I get there? Great question submitted by a reader. At any given time we have all the monolights on light stands, c-stands or booms, so the studio is generally ready for you. Because we book back to back shoots you will “inherit” the studio as it was set up by the previous client.  This sometimes results in some intriguing lighting setups.  You virtually own the studio during your shooting time and there will always be an associate at the reception desk who can answer technical questions about the equipment.  We also offer classes and private instruction if you need some preparation before your shoot.  We want you to be able to focus on your shoot, not on logistics, and will do everything we can to make sure your shoot goes smoothly.

What if I’m having a great shoot and need more time? I love it when that happens and it happened to me many times when I rented studios.  If the studio isn’t reserved after your shoot you can may continue as long as you wish.  We never want to interrupt a shoot when something wonderful is happening. It’s a wonderful feeling when you’re on a roll like that. You may extend a shoot at our same-day reservation rate of $40 per hour.  So if you run a few minutes over you might as well enjoy shooting for the rest of the hour, if the studio isn’t booked. And you really will enjoy it. I promise. If you’re running into another scheduled shoot the overtime rate is $3 per minute.  Ouch!

I’m new to studio photography and would like to shoot a professional model.  Can you set that up? I remember my first shoot with a model….actually, I was very fortunate to find a model who not only did not require direction but who had very creative ideas for shoots.  I made hundreds of photos.  That was a mistake.  I learned quickly that professional models photograph incredibly well, incredibly easily, and that if you shoot 10 to 15 shots in each outfit you will make a winning image with each outfit. Such that she won’t raise her eyebrows at your assistant, giving a look of “has he ever done this before?” to her.  We would be glad to schedule a time with a model who enjoys working with beginning studio photographers and who will help you explore this addictive creative exploration.

What if I break something during the shoot? Then you will need to pay to have it replaced or repaired.  You would offer that anyway.  But this seldom happens.   I spoke to equipment rental facilities before opening dk3 studios and as I expected, the vast majority of photographers have a healthy respect for photographic equipment and are familiar with the the equipment prices.   It’s rare that photographers damage equipment and when most do they fess up and take ownership of the problem.  At least that’s what the nice folks at Calumet told me.  Our equipment is quite durable so you’d have to do something pretty nasty to damage it, so don’t let fear interfere with your shoot.  If you’re a pro and have business insurance you can add us to your policy for  additional peace of mind.  Don’t worry, be snappy.

Could we shoot video ? YES!  This faq was just updated.  We now encourage video shoots and have just added three 1000 LED light panels.  PLUS a high tech ring light system where a chroma ring light around your lens brightly illuminate a special unidirectional screen.  It’s a breeze to set up perfect chroma keying in minutes because creases are not visible and the LEDs provide perfectly even chroma green or blue background.  But the background looks gray to the eye while beaming brightly through your monitor.  It’s amazing — you gotta see it!  If you do chroma key this LED ring light will make your life much easier.

I know you hate rules and like to be flexible, but do you have any policies a renter should know about? There are a few policies that are necessary to be able to offer this studio at such a great rate.  For example, there is a three hour minimum rental requirement.  Studio time is booked in one hour increments.  That is, a 181 minute shoot would be billed as a four hour shoot.  The time starts the earlier of your scheduled or actual start time.  The time ends the later of your scheduled or actual stop time.  Three or so policies. Not too bad.  And don’t forget the drinks are free during your shoot for groups of four or less. To ease the pain of policies, perhaps.

Why did you start dk3 studios? Until recently I held an executive position in corporate America. I remain grateful to a small studio in Orange County that offered a studio with a cyc wall and great rates. It reignited my passion for photography. It finally gave me the chance to explore studio work. I want to offer this same epiphany to others exploring this creative journey.

Beer? Our preference is craft brews, with local IPAs being favorites. Stone Ruination is my all time favorite. We serve them at our mixers.

You don’t have many faqs. Well, that’s not exactly a question but if you have one you’d like answered please email dave@dk3studios.com. If it’s a good one I will add it to the faq. The best question will receive a brand new (I would hope so!) dk3 studios tee shirt, custom made at the silkscreen shop nearby.

Can I buy one of those cool dk3 studios tee shirts like the one you’re always wearing?   Great question!  You win one for asking such a great question.  These luxury tee shirts are not available at any price. They are granted to friends of the studio — repeat clients being a favorite, or clients who show up early to help bail out a new entrepreneur who waited too long to get ready for his studio mixer. Wear one with pride at a studio event and you’ll stand out as a special friend of the studio.  (Note: we may be weakening a bit on this one.  It’s becoming difficult to refuse the $20 offers for a shirt. Most of us here at the studio are human, after all).

Do you rent dk3 studios as an event venue? Yes.  Possibly, sometimes.  Pricing varies depending on the event, but rates begin at $75 per hour and event insurance may be required depending on the nature of the event.  From fashion show to underground club we aim to serve the world. We do have some pretty cool club lighting now, though.

We’re a band but we can’t afford a photoshoot.  Can you help us? Yes! We do support the arts and are willing to shoot emerging musical artists for the cost of studio rental only.  That’s like getting a $1000 photoshoot for something like $75.  Heck, that’s just a handful of lattes at Starbucks.  We have photographers available who will donate their time to shoot your group and will provide digital images for you to use however you wish at no additional charge.  We love to see the studio name in credits and that would be a wonderful thank you.  We’ve met some amazing people by offering this service and hope other groups will take advantage of this offer.  It would be really nice, then, if you’d remember us when you’re rich and famous.

Is your studio “fetish friendly.” Yes! We’re bound to help anyone who wants to shoot here. Our service can’t be beat!  Now our staff, that’s a different subject.

Why did you start out with “why don’t you have a faq,” and why do you say you don’t have many faqs when you have many faqs? Do you just like to use a lot of words or something? Dunno.