Professional photographers Arielle Roth and Alexa Hallberg tried working from home and renting studio space separately before teaming up to create a studio with room for each of them.
Now, they’re inviting other photographers to share the space inside their new business,
Studio 308, located at Suite 308 inside the Davidson Building at 916 Washington Ave.
Roth and Hallberg each have different types of clients and use the studio on different days. Rarely are they in the studio together. When neither one of them is using the studio space, they’re offering to rent it to other professional photographers.
“This is a resource for people who maybe can’t afford a studio, or don’t need one all the time,” says Roth, adding they also provide photography equipment including backdrops, “so photographers don’t have to lug all their equipment around.”
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Photographers Arielle Roth and Alexa Hallberg tried working from home and renting studio space separately before teaming up to create a studio with room for each of them.The concept isn’t a new one. Roth says there was a place in the Phoenix building that offered studio space for rent, but now that it’s closed, “there’s nothing in the region for photographers.”
Roth, of
Arielle Roth Photography and
AR Creative, is not only a wedding and family photographer, but a graphic designer, website designer, and commercial photographer. Hallberg -- who also owns
Lex & Co. –-- shoots boudoir and lifestyle photos through
Boudoir by Alexa.
“The two of us decided to create a cohesive space together because I really needed a designated space, and so did she,” says Roth. “Neither of us could do it on our own, so cost wise it worked better to do it together.”
They found the space in the Davidson Building that allowed them each to have a photo studio, office, and space for equipment. Roth says they looked at other spaces, but the former law office on the third floor of the Davidson suits their needs and then some.
“We both wanted a boho kind of industrial feel to it,” says Roth.
Throughout December, the pair renovated, tearing out wall-to-wall bookshelves and “hideous green carpet.” A combination of exposed brick and freshly-painted walls worked to create their ideal space.
They opened the studio in January. Since then, the space has been consistently used by Roth, Hallberg, or other local photographers. Renting out the space helps other photographers and offsets Roth and Hallberg’s costs.
The studio includes two rooms – one a backdrop room and the other a lifestyle studio. The backdrop room has all the lighting and backgrounds for studio shoots, while the lifestyle room is furnished with a couch and a bed.
“We have a photographer who has her own studio, but she doesn’t have the lifestyle room and she’s renting ours to do Mom & Me mini shoots,” Roth says.
All the props and costumes are there, as well as the lighting, tripods, and backdrops.
“We always have black and white backdrops, but if people need color, we can try to get that for them.”
Renting the studio is easy.
Roth says they keep a calendar linked to both their Facebook and websites where photographers can book either one room or both. The rates vary depending on the day of the week and number of rooms needed. On the day of the shoot, Roth or Hallberg meet the photographer to unlock the studio.
The space is ample for just about any photography shoot, and Roth says they’re one of the few studios that is pet friendly. “Just let us know ahead of time.”
Professional photographers interested in renting the space can check out the calendar on
Facebook or on the
website.
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