Renting Equipment vs. Bringing your own: Save Time and Money

May 27, 2025

When planning a photoshoot, there’s always that one question: Should I bring my own gear, or rent equipment on-site? Whether you’re a seasoned photographer, a social media content creator, or a brand producer organizing a campaign, the answer depends on cost, convenience, and creative flexibility. At FD Photo Studio, we’ve made it easy for you to choose by offering both affordable in-house rentals and inclusive gear options with every studio booking.

This post breaks down the pros, cons, and real-world costs of renting studio equipment versus bringing your own—so you can decide what works best for your project and your wallet.

What’s Already Included with Your FD Photo Studio Rental

Before pulling out your gear checklist, it’s worth noting that every FD Photo Studio rental includes a core set of equipment at no extra cost. This gives you a solid base to start with, even if you opt not to rent any add-ons.

Here’s what’s typically included at no charge:

3 x AlienBees B800 strobe lights
3 x 40” or 60” softboxes or umbrellas
C-stands and grip gear
Wireless triggers
Power cords and sandbags
Variety of backdrops (check each studio’s listing)

Renting Equipment vs. Bringing your own: Save Time and Money -

That means if your lighting needs are relatively simple, you might not need to bring anything extra—or pay anything more.

See What’s Included in Every Studio Rental

Cost Analysis: Renting vs. Owning Photography Equipment

Photographers face an important financial decision when weighing equipment options. Let’s examine a realistic scenario for a standard portrait session and compare the economics of both approaches:

Direct Comparison Table: Renting vs. Bringing Your Own

Factor	FD Photo Studio Rental	Bringing Your Own Equipment
Upfront Cost	$29.99+ per hour	$2,750+ for basic equipment set
Equipment Included	Professional lighting, modifiers, stands, studio amenities	Only what you’ve purchased and transported
Maintenance	Included (handled by studio)	Your responsibility ($150-300 annually)
Transportation	Just bring your camera and lenses	Requires larger vehicle, cases, more time
Storage Requirements	None	Dedicated home/office space needed
Insurance	Covered while in studio	Personal policy required ($300-1,000 annually)
Upgrade Costs	Always access to current equipment	Additional investment for newer technology
Setup/Breakdown Time	Minimal – equipment ready to use	30-60 minutes additional time
Flexibility	Book only when needed	Always available but requires transport

Cost Breakdown: Standard Portrait Session

If Buying Your Own Equipment:

Equipment	Purchase Cost	Lifespan (Years)	Cost Per Use*
3 Studio Strobes (Mid-range)	$1,500	5	$25
Light Stands (3)	$300	7	$3.57
Modifiers (Basic Set)	$600	4	$12.50
Wireless Triggers	$200	3	$5.56
Sandbags/Clamps	$150	10	$1.25
Total	$2,750		$47.88

*Assuming 12 shoots per year

With FD Photo Studio Rental:

Studio hourly rate: Starting at $29.99/hour
All standard equipment included
No additional transportation, maintenance or storage costs

The Hidden Costs of Owning Equipment

Beyond the direct financial comparison, owning photography equipment comes with several hidden costs that aren’t immediately apparent:

1. Depreciation and Obsolescence

Photography technology evolves rapidly. That $3,000 strobe system you purchased might be outperformed by a $1,500 system just three years later. When you rent, you always have access to current equipment without the depreciation hit.

2. Maintenance and Repairs

Professional photography equipment requires regular maintenance. Flash tubes burn out, electronic components fail, and accidents happen. These repair costs can add hundreds of dollars annually to your equipment expenses.

3. Insurance

Insuring your professional photography gear is essential but adds another recurring cost. Depending on your coverage level, this can range from $300-$1,000 annually.

4. Transportation

Moving photography equipment safely requires appropriate vehicles and cases. Many photographers upgrade their vehicles specifically to accommodate their growing collection of gear, which represents a substantial hidden cost.

5. Storage

Quality equipment deserves proper storage, which means dedicating valuable home or studio space to keeping your gear safe and organized.

When You Should Bring Your Own Equipment

Despite the advantages of renting, there are scenarios where bringing your own equipment is the better choice:

1. Very Specialized Needs

If your photography style requires highly specialized equipment that rental studios don’t typically stock, owning this gear makes sense.

2. High-Volume Shooters

If you’re shooting multiple times per week, the economics may favor ownership despite the higher upfront costs.

3. Remote Locations

For photographers who frequently shoot in remote locations without access to rental facilities, owning essential gear is necessary.

4. Consistency Across Multiple Venues

If you shoot across various locations and need absolute consistency in your lighting setup, owning your core equipment ensures you get identical results everywhere.

The Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds

Many successful photographers adopt a hybrid approach:

Own your core essentials: Camera bodies, lenses, and perhaps one versatile strobe system
Rent specialized or occasionally-used equipment: Rent premium studio spaces with included equipment for larger productions
Rent before buying: Test equipment through rentals before committing to purchase

This approach maximizes flexibility while minimizing costs and management headaches.

Cost-Saving Tips for FD Photo Studio Customers

To further maximize your photography budget at FD Photo Studios:

Take advantage of package deals: FD Photo Studios offers 4-hour, 8-hour, and 12-hour packages at discounted rates compared to hourly booking.
Book during weekday hours: Rates are often lower during non-peak times.
Plan efficiently: Since setup and breakdown times are included in your rental period, arrive with a clear plan to maximize shooting time.
Request equipment in advance: Ensure the specific modifiers you need are available for your session by requesting them during booking.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Photography Business

The decision between renting equipment and bringing your own ultimately depends on your specific situation, shooting frequency, and business model. The good news is: you don’t have to choose just one approach. FD Photo Studio is designed to be flexible—so you can bring what you love and rent what you need.

If you’re curious about options, want to lighten your load, or are ready to try new gear before investing, take a look at our equipment rental list or contact us for advice.

Explore FD Photo Studio Equipment Options

Ready to experience the convenience of shooting with professional equipment without the ownership hassles? Book your next session at FD Photo Studios in Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago, with hourly rates starting at just $29.99 and all the equipment you need included.

FD Photo Studio offers affordable, professional photography spaces in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. Our flexible booking options and affordable rates make high-quality studios accessible to photographers and content creators at every level.

Feel free to head over to our website, check our online calendars for availability, and fill out our reservation form. That’s it! Our streamlined booking process makes it very easy to book your creative session in under a minute.

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.

Find a Photo Studio near you

L.A. Studios
N.Y.C Studios
Chicago Studios

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Rent Studio

starting from $24.99 _{/ hour}

Lights
Modifiers
C-Stands
V-Flats
Wi-Fi
MUA Station

BOOK ONLINE

Choose Your Date:

Booking is more than a year from now
Start At:
Finish At:

Overnight Booking

Where:

Check Availability

By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging

Clients Review

Kokodaw EYEAMshooter Photography

My first time here and had a ball. Great experience. Beautiful view! Perfect natural lighting and had use of equipment. Great ...

Steven Pressler Website

Really enjoy using the new studios. Great natural light and the studio is well equipped with everything I would need to shoot f...

David DavidXPhotography

Used FD Studios for first time- great experience. I forgot my triggers- no problem, I was able to borrow some. Alex was a cool g...

Petr Green Volga Verdi

Used FD multiple times for photo shoots for Volga Verdi clothing line – the results are amazing! Great rates, convenient locatio...

Yuriy LightWriter.org

I love FD studio. This place is like a home to me :). I use this studio a lot to shoot portraits, engagements, fashion and artwor...

Julia Shema CreativeSwirls

We did shooting of our products at FDPhotostudio. Reasonable price, great service and convenient location compare to other places...

Maryna Rybalka MarinaRybalka.com

This was my first experience of working in a professional photo studio. To tell you the truth, I didn’t quite know how to set th...

Steven Pressler

First time using the studio and I must say the experience was terrific. Alex was great to work with and could not be any nicer. Th...

Anonym

Toba was fantastic to deal with throughout. From our first call to the point when we had wrapped out - she was great. Thank you...

Anonym

The lady at the front desk helped me with setting up the light. I had a few questions and was humble in response. Definitely comin...

Anonym

Great staff, easy to work with and very helpful.

Anonym

Just great location and very chill!

Mj L. Glendale, CA

I actually haven't rented studio space here yet, but I felt like I should write a review based on the customer service I've experi...

Steven A. Studio City, CA

I have been using FD Photo Studio for the past 6 months and the experience has been nothing short of excellent. The studios are cl...

Product D. Los Angeles, CA

Great place!

Ilia K. Los Angeles, CA

It's BEST place to implement any ideas for photo and video shooting. The location inspires to create unique work. Thank you guys f...

Lana K. Los Angeles, CA

I had a superb experience with FD Photostudio. I had no problems reserving the studio, confirming it and shooting there! The staff...

Lida K. Glendale, CA

Having shot at FD Photo Studio for about 5 times, I can't help but say that this place is a gem in the middle of LA. It is really ...

Andrey K. Los Angeles, CA

The best studio in town no doubt, lots of space plus latest equipment, strongly recommend!

Alex B. Los Angeles, CA

Great place! Been there for a few times and will definitely shoot more up there!

Guys who work there are cool and the ...

Marla D. Long Beach, CA

Update, I posted some snap shots of studio C. Seriously quick snap shots but you get the idea! I would love to keep the studio as...

Marla D. Long Beach, CA

I shot here a few times and have been happy each time. The staff have been more than helpful and accommodating. Parking is easy...

Hunter J. El Segundo, CA

Shot at FD Photo Studio last week and it was a pleasure shooting there. They have a full bathroom with shower for models, alien...

Mrs G. Los Angeles, CA

This is a straight-forward studio, and works great as that. The space is very customizable. I have shot in Studio B, and am ren...

Kendall G. Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, CA

This studio is so dope! Great natural lighting and really cool space. They have good portions where to get ready for hair and m...

Carlo P. Los Angeles, CA

Stage A has great natural light and the all white paint makes for nice high key indoor window light shots. Great for quick small-s...

Serg I. Lakeside, CA

Awesome place and very good rates. Alex is always helpful . That's my first time at the new location and it's just perfect, lar...

Kris R. Los Angeles, CA

I love this place! Such an inspiring and versatile studio! Great atmosphere and amazing people working there! So friendly and h...

Yulia Los Angeles, CA

I've shot at FD Photo Studio several times. The place is huge with 3 different spacious studios. I've honestly had the best exper...

Gerardo M. Orange, CA

After seven months of doing nothing I decided to do some review of what I learned in lighting and rented the studio for a while. V...

Mo H. Los Angeles, CA

Great place. the set up, the rooftop access is a wonderful plus and the rates are great.

Anonym

Everyone was so nice working there. The płace was fantastic and price was amazing. Very happy

Anonym

Such a great studio to shoot , Studio A is really amazing with large windows to allow in natural sun light, and enough room for...

Frank Ross FrankRossPhotography.com

Love the natural lighting. Great place to shoot. Nice friendly staff.

Chad Hill ChadHillPhoto.com

LOVE this studio! SHOOT HERE!! I ll be in to shoot tomorrow for the 2nd time this week. Grateful!

Anonym

It was great. Wish we booked more time. Definitely coming back!

Anonym

Very friendly! Love this studio.

Peter Green on Google+

Used the studio multiple times for various projects, mostly for my product photography. They have the mannequins, steamer and a...

Anonym

Gorgeous space, and another WINNER WINNER headshot session! I really love bringing clients to your space

Anonym

The staff was great. Super friendly and helpful. The space is also perfect, with plenty of natural light.

Ghamal

Wonderful customer service... Always a pleasure shooting there. No issues except I wish that
someone would be available ...

Leslie Leslie Rockitter Photography

I shot here for the very first time yesterday. Great location, great light, great studio!!! Everything you need is there. Th...

Christopher Barber

Toma at FD Photo Studio worked as our photo assitant during our shoot -- she is very knowledgeable and helpful! All facilities ...

Gen Levy Gen Levy Photography

You can tell by the lack of space in their schedules that FD Photo Studio is starting to catch on as the go-to hourly rental. Easy...

Liomir Martinez Fabulous People

We recently shot our Fall 15 Product Look Book and could not be happier or more pleased with our overall experience at FD Photo St...

David Waters MojoCinematic

Thanks for a great video shoot. The staff was always there and very helpful. We will be booking FD Studios again soon, THANKS!!

Glen Gante Mister G Photography

Great studio spaces and value! I chose FD Photo Studios for my shoots on my recent trip to LA from Sydney Australia. Pro Studio I...

Madhvi Madhvi Patel Studio

This place is amazing! The staff is really helpful and the place is very clean and ready to go when you arrive. For this rate, I w...

Lisa cc Studios

Our first experience with FD Studio was pretty amazing. From the helpful, really nice staff to the space itself, for the price is ...

Erick Robinson Erick Robinson Photography

Amazing space, very helpful staff. I will always continue to bring business to this studio.

Jenna Fox Real Fiction

I am the manager of a rock band in SoCal called Real Fiction. We were in need of a location to film their music video on a tight b...

Lorenzo lorenzobelmontephotos

Love the atmosphere. Great natural lighting...plus the rates are very reasonable. A+++ all around. I will be shooting there again.

Gia Unera GUD Apparel

Love this awesome studio Art 3! Will be back for more photoshoot for my next season designs for Summer 2017. Thanks FD Studio!

Ali LeRoi

I love shooting at FD. The staff is great and the booking system is seamless and efficient. Great space and great light if you ant...

MarcM

Anytime I"m visiting LA, FD is always my go to. Great studio space, easy to access and friendly staff.

Mark W. Whitaker Foto

Great place I just shot at Hill St. Studio 2 today and lots of Natural light plus 3 Alien Bee Strobes. Really clean and super clos...

Christian

I love FD studio because of their staff and of course their bright natural lighting. I also love the wooden background for art 1 a...

Eric B. Social Finger Imagery

I love shooting on several of the stages this studio has to offer. The staff all have outstanding personalities and are very helpf...

Mua Sherry O Make up Artist

This was an amazing collaboration with lovely models and great photographers. I worked with this Model creating a look that compli...

Erin Marie Miller

This is my go-to studio when I shoot. I absolutely love the gorgeous sets, the lighting equipment is always in great shape and rel...

Dez

Awesome place! The location we filmed at worked perfectly. Victor was a blast. Super helpful and friendly. I will definitely book ...

Rachel Taylor Jewel Badgley Mischka

We had a great experience LOVED shooting there!! Staff was fantastic as was the location. Ease of use and exactly what was pictu...

James Wilson JRW Photography

I've used FD Studios Several times & every time I go, I'm always leaving satisfied. Keep up with the amazing stages! I hear you ma...

See All Studio Reviews

Renting Equipment vs. Bringing your own: Save Time and Money

What’s Already Included with Your FD Photo Studio Rental

Cost Analysis: Renting vs. Owning Photography Equipment

Direct Comparison Table: Renting vs. Bringing Your Own

Cost Breakdown: Standard Portrait Session

If Buying Your Own Equipment:

With FD Photo Studio Rental:

The Hidden Costs of Owning Equipment

1. Depreciation and Obsolescence

2. Maintenance and Repairs

3. Insurance

4. Transportation

5. Storage

When You Should Bring Your Own Equipment

1. Very Specialized Needs

2. High-Volume Shooters

3. Remote Locations

4. Consistency Across Multiple Venues

The Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds

Cost-Saving Tips for FD Photo Studio Customers

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Photography Business

Find a Photo Studio near you

L.A. Studios

N.Y.C Studios

Chicago Studios

Rent Studio

Clients Review

Events

Have Any Questions?