Airy, Contemporary Lake Merritt Photo Studio

Free street parking, Metered street parking

There is often easily available inexpensive metered street parking within a block of the studio (the meters say "1 hour" but they're really 2 hours). Around the corner on E. 19th St and above on 5th Ave, there's often free street parking (check street cleaning signs on Thursdays and Fridays, however).

The studio has several areas to shoot in. The main room contains a wall of frosted windows that face north, giving the space fairly even lighting all day, with sunlight hitting the front of the studio toward the very end of the day (about an hour before sunset) if fog hasn't rolled in. While there are no blackout curtains in the main room, with high-powered studio lighting it can easily look like night in the main room without light spillage from the windows (provided you're not shooting with the windows visible in the shot). Elsewhere in the studio requires artificial light. Some people have shot simply with the overhead lighting in the space; for greater flexibility, renters should bring studio lighting.

The studio is on a fairly busy street, so passing car noise is definitely something that can get picked up in the main room. For interviews that require quiet, the upstairs loft is a possibility, though it gets hot up there in the summer.

Ground Floor

Street parking is usually available nearby, but it's also possible to briefly double-park in front of the studio to load gear in and out. Previous clients have arranged with the city to block off parking spaces for their use.

The middle room features a dedicated space for makeup, complete with pro makeup lighting, ample counter space for products/tools, and a high director's chair for the person getting makeup. There is also a separate small dressing room.

I don't know the power rating, but I would not call it heavy-duty. There are three circuits, one of which is shared with the flower shop next door which can get overloaded by accident if space heaters are on in both businesses (fortunately I have two other circuits that can be used). The circuit breaker is easily accessible in the kitchenette. There are plenty of outlets around the studio.

MOST IMPORTANT—PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS: NO SMOKING of any kind is allowed inside or near the studio. Furthermore, if you arrive to the rental smelling heavily of cigarette or pot smoke, you will be turned away and your rental fee forfeited. If the furniture or anything else in the studio is left smelling like cigarette or pot smoke, a damage fee will be assessed to cover professional cleaning or replacement. UPDATED FOR COVID-19 -- PLEASE READ Except for people in the group appearing on-camera, everyone must wear a face mask during their entire time in the studio. People appearing on-camera should wear a face mask when not on camera. Everyone using the studio will be required to have temperature screening before using the space; anyone with a temp of 100.4°F will not be allowed in. Hand sanitizer will be available, and there will be a touchless soap dispenser in the bathroom. IF ANYONE IN YOUR GROUP FEELS SICK AT ALL on the day of your rental, please have them stay home. PLEASE take care to keep a minimum distance of 6' from any other person using the studio with you. GENERAL RULES: In case you missed it earlier, no smoking of any kind is allowed inside the studio, and anyone smelling like smoke upon arrival will be turned away and the rental forfeited. If any items are left smelling like smoke after your rental, you will be charged a damage fee. No baby oil or glitter. Music volume must not be able to be heard outside or by neighbors who share studio walls. There must be at least one adult (21+) present if there are children in the studio. Children must be closely supervised especially regarding sneezing/coughing.

Not required but marking yes because it's highly recommended for larger productions.

As much as possible, please pick up and move furniture rather than dragging. Furniture may only be removed from the building if it can be moved to a safe space and returned in perfect condition. Same with wall decorations.