When you’re planning a photoshoot in India, the biggest decision isn’t the camera or the lens—it’s where, the physical space where the photo is taken, which directly affects lighting, privacy, and cost. Also known as photoshoot location, this choice shapes everything from how natural your portraits look to how much you spend. For many, the answer seems simple: use your bedroom to save money. But is that really the best move? Let’s cut through the noise.
Studio photography, a controlled environment designed specifically for taking photos, often rented by the hour in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore. Also known as photo studio, it gives you consistent lighting, backdrops, and space to move. In India, a basic studio rental can cost between ₹1,500 to ₹5,000 per hour, depending on the city and equipment. You get professional lights, reflectors, and no neighbors knocking on the door. But here’s the catch: you’re paying for space you might not fully use. On the flip side, a bedroom photoshoot, a personal space used as a makeshift studio, often chosen for intimate portraits, maternity shots, or budget-friendly wedding pre-shoots. Also known as home photoshoot, it’s free—and familiar. Your bed, curtains, and wall color become your backdrop. But sunlight changes every 15 minutes. Your cat walks through the frame. And if you’re shooting a wedding couple, your roommate might walk in mid-shoot. In India, where space is tight and privacy isn’t always guaranteed, this isn’t just a hassle—it’s a risk.
Most photographers in India who shoot weddings or engagement sessions use a mix of both. They’ll do the first half of the day in a studio for clean, controlled portraits, then switch to a bedroom or home setting for candid, emotional moments. Why? Because studios give you polish. Bedrooms give you soul. One isn’t better—it’s about what you’re trying to capture. If you’re doing a solo model shoot, a studio gives you more flexibility. If you’re capturing a couple’s first morning together after their wedding, your bedroom might feel more real than any rented room ever could.
What’s missing from most advice is the Indian context. In Delhi, where air pollution dims natural light, studios win. In Goa, where homes have open balconies and sea breezes, a bedroom shoot can look like a beachside escape. In Chennai, where humidity makes sweat shine under studio lights, a shaded corner of a home is often the smarter pick. It’s not about being cheap or fancy—it’s about matching the space to the story.
You’ll find posts below that break down real pricing for studio rentals across Indian cities, how to fix bad lighting in a bedroom shoot with just a white sheet and a lamp, and why some couples in Pune are skipping studios entirely and using their living rooms for their entire album. We’ve also got guides on what to wear, how to ask your family for privacy during the shoot, and which editing apps fix the most common bedroom lighting mistakes. This isn’t theory. These are real choices Indian photographers and couples are making right now.
A 1 bedroom apartment is significantly bigger than a studio in India, offering more space, privacy, and functionality. Learn the real differences in size, layout, and value for small living spaces.