Spacious Photo Studio and Video Shoots - Influencers, Photographers, Videographers

RENTAL À la carte This space listing is priced for photographers and videographers who might prefer to use their own gear—or rent mine. If you are looking for a space for a meeting, event, or practice area, I have a separate pricing for that. OUR STORY Hello, my name is Mark Gilvey, and it has always been a dream to run my own commercial photo studio. One day, it happened. I got a call from a multi-billion dollar manufacturer while working out of my basement. They said I was the only one in Northern Virginia who claimed to be a commercial photographer—the SEO work I did on my website really paid off! When it came time to move, they said I needed a bay door to be able to accept bathtubs to photograph. With that, my wife pushed me to get this location. It's not far from I-95, and it's near Simon Malls' Potomac Mills and dining. Heck, there are two big box hardware stores within walking distance! What's not to like? We worked together from 2014, until COVID-19. I still had work in 2019, but it all came to an end in 2020. They kept me as a vendor but didn't use my services. It has been a big strain on the business on all kinds of levels. So now, I'm ready to invite others into my creative space, my home away from home. Welcome to Mark Gilvey Creative. PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS This studio comes with many options for photographing with strobes and natural lighting. It is perfect for portrait sessions, fashion, headshots, still life, and product photography. LOCATION We are located in PS Business Center (though they may be in a rebranding process, the sign says Great Oaks Business Park). It is located a half mile from Potomac Mills Mall and right around the corner from restaurants and hardware supply stores. We are about 25 minutes from Washington, DC, DCA, right off I-95 exit 158. IMPORTANT: CLIMATE CONTROL I have worked in this location for nearly 10 years, all four seasons. I have been able to acclimate to the summer months by working in the front office with a portable AC unit and space heaters (during the winter months). In the main studio, it can get quite hot during the summer. If photographing a model, they will sweat, particularly from July to the middle of September. There isn't any HVAC to speak of. During the winter months (October–April), I keep the bay door closed with some insulation, sealing the openings and the full width of the roll-up door. I have been able to get the studio area to 45˚ without any supplemental heating when it's down in the single digits outside. Pullover temperature for most men.  There is a heater near the ceiling—don't touch it. It costs a lot per hour to operate it. You will be billed $500 if you touch it. It is not to be touched. I photograph headshots all year (though summer is a better time to do them in the morning or the evening). The space workable. USAGE We offer a mixed-use studio that is perfect for photography, videography, workshops, and small gatherings. The studio has natural lighting, strobe lighting, and a variety of backdrops, so you can create without limits. Here are just a few ideas for how to use our space: - PHOTOGRAPHY: clothing shoots, still life shoots, light painting, commercial photoshoots, fashion photo shoots, headshots, portrait photoshoots, promotional photoshoots - VIDEOGRAPHY: dance shoots, film shoots, rehearsals, business presentations, promotional videos, web series shoots, documentary shoots, production, Kickstarter videos, workout videos, filming, fitness videos, music videos, casting - WORKSHOPS: dance classes, lectures, vendor showcases, collaboration, photography workshops This is just a small sample of the many ways you can use our studio space. We are open to your ideas, and we will work with you to create the perfect space for your needs. BAY DOOR The 13'x13' bay door, when open, provides nice soft lighting all day, with very little direct light until about 3 pm from May to October. From October through April, it's pretty cold. Open at your discretion. I normally have the bay door shut and insulated during the winter. Please discuss your needs. EQUIPMENT There is strobe equipment, light modifiers, light stands, tripods, tripod heads, camera stands, foam core, V-flats, shooting tables, booms, backdrops, and an arc video slider in the studio. Some are for rent, others are included. See Add-ons for a list of what is available for rent. TETHERING Bring your tether cable and computer, laptop, or tablet. I do not supply tether cables because they are too finicky. KITCHENETTE: There is also a kitchen area complete with a refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven. It's not much of a kitchen, but then again, this is a photo studio. FOOD There are plenty of options for food within two miles of the studio, and you are free to bring it to the studio. If you use any of the kitchenette facilities, make sure you clean and put things away before you leave. Cold bottled water, coffee, and other light refreshments may also be provided by the studio, at no charge, as they become available. INSURANCE I do not require it but if you want to go-pro, you need to have your own insurance. If you break something, a client hurts themselves, or someone else, they will be looking at you and me, probably the property owner, and Peerspace. Peer spaces' insurance does not cover everything. Ask me questions; communication is key!