11 Creative Studio Shoot Ideas for the Coolest Photos

Photo studio shoots provide a controlled environment where photographers can experiment with features like lighting, props, and composition to shape their work to suit their vision and bring their ideas to life. Whether you’re a professional photographer seeking fresh inspiration, or an enthusiastic hobbyist looking to explore new avenues behind the camera, Peerspace has curated 11 unique studio shoot ideas that will ignite your creative spark – and perhaps even elevate your work to new heights!

1. The illusion of levitation

If you’re a fan of magic, you’ll appreciate the first suggestion on our list of creative studio shoot ideas! For this one, use a combination of clever props and photo editing techniques to make it seem like your subject (or subjects) are actually floating in mid-air. The effect is sure to be whimsical or perhaps even otherworldly and a bit spooky, depending on the aesthetic you end up going for!

2. Body painting

Even if you’re not a skilled body painter yourself, you can work with one to use the human body as a canvas for some amazing art. Because body painting can involve all kinds of different subjects, this is one of our studio shoot ideas that you can take in almost any direction. Experiment with different painting styles as well as themes and body poses to tell a visual story.

3. Futuristic fashion

If you’re a fan of sci-fi, fashion photography, and especially of stylized looks, you can create a futuristic atmosphere by incorporating avant-garde clothing that uses unusual silhouettes and metallic fabrics as well as sleek props into your photos. You can even collaborate with a talented makeup artist to incorporate the use of prosthetics that look like futuristic body modifications. Experiment with features like neon lighting and highly geometric compositions to add to the distinctive sci-fi vibe of your photoshoot.

Love this idea? Then take it to the next level with these great spaceship sets you can rent!

4. Try double exposures

Double exposures allow you to merge two or more images and thereby create unique and sometimes surreal photos. Using double exposure, you can combine your studio portraits with images of almost anything – such as natural vistas, urban landscapes, abstract textures, and more – for a truly visually striking effect.

5. Create “miniature worlds”

Another cool technique you can use to create a visual illusion is tilt-shift photography, which can make everyday objects look like they’re part of scenes taken from a bird’s eye view by taking advantage of the power of perspective. You can make a scale model look life-size, as well as the reverse, depending on how you alter the photos. Post-processing techniques can also help you create the illusion you’re going for.

6. Fantastic forest

You can temporarily transform a photo studio into an enchanted forest by bringing in foliage, props, and costumes that contribute to an overall mystical atmosphere. Lighting techniques, smoke or fog machines, and other creative choices can also play their part in helping to evoke an otherworldly, fantasy-inspired ambiance. Once you’ve transported your subjects to magical realms, capture their awe and curiosity upon arriving!

7. Bubble wands, big and small

Another way to give your photoshoot that unique fairytale vibe is with the addition of one or more bubble wands. We’d recommend using a variety of different bubble wand shapes and sizes – from those tiny little bubble wands you can get at the dollar store to those huge bubble wands that create massive bubbles big enough to fit a person inside! You can even bring in an automatic bubble machine if you really want tons of bubbles in your photos.

8. Experiment with lighting

Unless you’re working in a daylight studio that lacks any kind of blackout curtains, one of the best things about doing a photoshoot in a studio is how much control you often have over lighting. While natural lighting is a beautiful thing and works perfectly for many photoshoots, you might also want to use artificial lighting to create the exact ambiance you’re looking for. For instance, you could add colored lighting to tint your photoshoot a certain color or use bright lighting at specific angles to create contrasting areas of light and shadow.

9. Add a projector

One way to add visual excitement to your photoshoot is with the addition of a projector. It’s another tool that works best in a highly controlled space like a photo studio. Use the projector to shine any image onto the wall of the studio, or even to create interesting patterns and textures over the objects and/or people you’re photographing.

Further reading: Surrealism photography: what it is and how to nail it.

10. Don’t forget about glitter

You may associate glitter with childhood art projects, but the shimmering particles can give your photos some much-needed whimsy. As they catch the light, the pieces of glitter can help to create a dazzling ethereal effect, transforming your photo studio into a glittering wonderland.

11. Shoot in black and white

By removing color from the equation entirely, shooting in black and white helps to create a timeless look that emphasizes visual elements like form, texture, and contrast. The absence of color shifts our focus to the interplay of light and shadow, which can create a sense of heightened drama, and also helps to capture the subtlest nuances and details of a subject. Fans of a minimalist aesthetic will especially appreciate the way that black-and-white photography enables its subjects to take center stage while minimizing distractions. 

Creative studio shoot ideas: conclusion

Still not sure how to find top-notch photography studios in your area where you can execute any of the amazing studio shoot ideas on this list? Check out Peerspace – it’s the largest online marketplace for hourly rentals of all kinds of spaces. The platform includes a huge selection of photo studios (as well as all kinds of amazing non-studio photoshoot locations).

Dive in with a search of photography studios near you, then narrow your search results down to find spaces that suit your exact needs and specifications using Peerspace’s array of search filters. You’re sure to find something that suits your budget, availability, aesthetic, equipment and amenity needs, and any other criteria that are important to you! 

Find unique photo studios on Peerspace