Rain is one of those things that looks great on screen and becomes a logistics problem the second you try to shoot it for real. You need a controlled water source, a floor that can handle it, professional lighting, and a space where none of that costs you half your shoot just to set up. Finding all of that in one place, in Los Angeles, is harder than it sounds.
FD Photo Studio has three rain studios in Los Angeles. They’re built differently, priced differently, and suited to different kinds of work. Here’s what each one actually looks like and how to figure out which one fits your shoot.
The studio Hill 7 is located at 1808 S Hill St unit 204, Los Angeles, CA 90015. A custom-made rain system feeds into a water basin: one faucet, warm water, immediate flow. Seven color-changing RGB lights sit overhead and cover the full basin area. The studio has AC to keep you cool during hot summer days.
Model @floetenmania photographed at Hill 7
What makes Hill 7 different from a standard rain setup comes down to two things: warm water and overhead RGBs that shift color without you moving a light stand. That’s a real advantage for beauty campaigns and editorial portraiture where you’re doing multiple looks and you can’t have your model tense up from cold water halfway through. Blue gives you a cold cinematic feel. Red adds drama. White keeps it clean for beauty shots. The mood of every frame changes without changing your lighting position, which means less reset time and more actual shooting.
The studio Yukon 3 is located at 12828 Yukon Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250 just 10 min away from LAX. A shallow pool, 7 inches deep, creates a walk-on-water effect. A custom rain system runs four modes: tropical rain, regular rain, mist, and a halo-style downpour. The pool and rain can be heated. Three large curtains are repositioned around the pool to change the backdrop between setups. A set of movable artificial rocks is available for set design. White walls and concrete floors give the space a minimal, industrial look. RGB lighting is available to rent separately.
Model @joanchu_modeling photographed at FD Photo Mixer in Yukon 3
The 7-inch water depth is what separates Yukon 3 from any other rain studio in the lineup. At that depth, subjects standing in the pool create real reflections. You get the walk-on-water illusion, rain falling into a surface that throws light back at the lens, and the ability to shoot wide with water surrounding the subject on all sides. Rent the RGB lights and aim them at the pool surface, and the color reflects back through every ripple. The four rain modes cover a wide range without any added setup.
Artist Rico Nasty shot a full editorial at Water Studio Yukon 3 for Schön magazine, the shoot spanned multiple rain modes and pool setups. Read the full behind-the-scenes post and see the images here: Walk on Water Photoshoot in Los Angeles with Rico Nasty.
The studio Olympic 2 is located at 3316 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023. The black cyc wall runs floor-to-ceiling with a curved base. Four rain modes are available. An RGB LED tunnel adds color without additional rental lights. A roll-up door gives ground-floor car access, so you can drive a vehicle directly onto the cyc wall and shoot with the rain.
carla_jeann_ photographed by bazzography at Olympic 2
This is the largest of the three rain studios. Falling water shows up differently on a black background, so every drop catches light and registers in sharp relief in a way it simply doesn’t on white or neutral walls. It’s also the only studio where you can shoot a vehicle under rain on the cyc wall. Olympic 2 is the right call for large crews, music videos, and high-production shoots that need a dramatic, fully blacked-out environment.
All three studios include the same core equipment at no extra charge: three flash units (strobes), wireless triggers, c-stands, sandbags, v-flats, makeup stations with mirrors and seating, changing areas, a sound system, and free Wi-Fi.
Additional rental equipment is available at all three locations: RGB lights, continuous lighting, spotlight attachments, and more. Check the full FD equipment list for everything available to rent.
All three studios can be rented by the hour with a 1-hour minimum. 4, 8, and 12-hour discounted packages give you better rates than booking single hours. Here’s a quick comparison of weekday starting hourly rates:
| Studio | Hourly rate | 12-hour pack | Saving |
| Hill 7 | from $59.99/hour | from $44.99/hour | 25% |
| Yukon 3 | from $44.99/hour | from $29.99/hour | 33% |
| Olympic 2 | from $69.99/hour | from $54.99/hour | 21% |
The discount packages can be split across days and never expire.
Join us for a 3-hour Rain Photography Workshop on Saturday, March 28th, 2026 at the studio Olympic 2. Only 8 spots are available.
This hands-on workshop is led by professional photographer Aaron Ram, who will share techniques for creating cinematic rain images using professional lighting, shutter control, and model direction. Professional model will be working with you during this event.
The workshop takes place in one of LA’s most famous Rain Photography Studio Olympic 2, featuring a rain setup, RGB lighting, LED tunnel, and a black cyc wall. A professional model will be provided, and participants will have access to studio lighting equipment while learning directly from the instructor.
This is a beginner-friendly workshop designed to help photographers understand how to photograph water creatively in a controlled studio environment.
During the workshop, you will learn:
• How a professional rain room setup works
• Techniques for freezing water splashes with flash
• How to create cinematic rain streaks using shutter speed
• Lighting approaches for rain photography
• How to direct model movement for dynamic shots
Participants will have time to practice shooting while receiving guidance from the instructor.
The workshop includes three hours of studio access, a professional model, lighting equipment, and instructor guidance, making it a great opportunity to practice rain photography in a fully equipped professional studio.
Only 8 participants will attend, ensuring everyone has time to shoot and ask questions.
Ready to Rent Your Studio?
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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.