@naiyathenaiad photographed by @theanghellicone at Olympic 2
Mermaid photography is one of the most technically demanding niches in portrait and editorial work. You need controlled water, the right background, and lighting you can actually dial in on set. Finding a studio in Los Angeles that checks all three is harder than it sounds.
FD Photo Studio has two studios located in East LA that cover every angle of a mermaid shoot. The Underwater Studio Olympic 1 puts your subject fully submerged with preinstalled RGB lighting. The Black Cyc Wall Studio with Rain Olympic 2 uses falling rain against a fully blacked-out background for a wet, dramatic look without a pool.
The Underwater Studio Olympic 1 is the go-to for true underwater mermaid photography. It’s located at 3316 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023. The pool is 19 feet long, 7.21 feet wide, and between 5.2 and 5.9 feet deep. Water temperature stays at 86 degrees. The studio is 800 square feet.
@hannahmermaid photographed by @jessicakobeissi at Olympic 1
The lighting is pre-set and included. Three RGB continuous video lights with barn doors sit on an overhead grid above the pool, away from the water. You control the color. Want cool blue tones for a deep ocean look? Dial the RGB lights to blue and shoot through the front window.
A 2×2-foot front window lets the photographer stay completely dry while shooting through the glass. There is also a 4×4-foot side window for a second angle. Morning light comes through the side window and adds a natural fill if the roller is open. The jungle wall along the pool’s edge works as a background for above-surface shots. For fully submerged frames, shoot through the front window with dark water behind the subject.
There are a lot of mermaid editorial photoshoots here at Olympic 1. You can see the shoots and the underwater guide in our previous post on underwater mermaid photography.
A working shower is on-site. A makeup station with vanity mirror and seating, a portable AC unit, a sound system, and free WiFi are included. The studio also has additional background options such as a jungle wall, an RGB tunnel, and a metal sheet tunnel for a variety of visuals.
Minimum rental is 2 hours. The studio rate is $125/hour.
For a wet mermaid look without a pool, the Black Cyc Wall Studio with Rain Olympic 2 is the option. It is also located at 3316 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023.
The studio is 1,850 square feet, fully blacked out, with a large black cyc wall, a controllable rain and mist system, an RGB LED tunnel, and overhead RGB lights. There is also car access through a roll-up door.
The black background creates specific effects for rain photography. Every drop of falling rain catches light and reads sharply in the frame, in a way it simply doesn’t on white or neutral walls. A mermaid in a vivid tail under falling rain against a black cyc wall while the RGB lights are aimed at the subject: that’s the image Olympic 2 is built for. You get the wet look without a pool. The mist setting adds atmosphere without soaking your talent. You control how much rain falls and when.
@naiyathenaiad photographed by @pointblankshotphotography at Olympic 2
The studio rates start from $54.99/hour. Just note: if you plan to use the rain feature, let the team know in advance. If you need the cyc wall dry for part of your shoot, that can be arranged too. The cyc wall comes as-is after previous bookings.
Every FD Photo Studio rental includes three flash units (strobes), wireless triggers, c-stands, sandbags, v-flats, a makeup station with mirror and seating, and free WiFi. Paper backdrops are available for an additional cost: $29.99 for a small sweep up to 6 feet on the floor, $59.99 for more than 6 feet, and $75 for a full 36-foot roll. Check the equipment list for all available and rentable items.
All studios are 100% private. No permit or insurance needed. Bookings are self-check-in.
We also offer 4, 8, and 12-hour discounted packages that give you better rates than booking by the hour, with savings of up to 25% compared to hourly rates. Package hours can be split across days and never expire. Verify current pricing on each studio’s page before booking.
Book Your Mermaid Photo Shoot today!
1. Browse Available Studios: Visit our studio rental page to explore all 62+ locations
2. Check Equipment Lists: Review our completed equipment list
3. Rent Your Studio: Use our 24/7 online booking system to secure your preferred date and time
4. Receive Your Check-In Code: Get your self-check-in code to access your studio seamlessly
Call us at +1 (323) 454-2323, or email us at info@fdphotostudio.com. We also have a live support chat on our website where you can get directions, request help, or ask questions.