FAQs

How much does it cost for portraiture photography?
A one hour studio session, three prints and all good photos on CD/DVD is £100. This price does not include make-up and styling.

For large groups who require a portrait session, e.g. families with over five to six people, we will need to use the large studio and a minimum of two hours should be booked.  This is to assure that we have the space and time to capture everyone together at their best.
The price for a large family portrait session is £200 and does not include make-up and styling.

Further prints can be purchased from the studio at £5 per print.

If you are thinking of giving someone a unique and personal gift this year then why not buy them one of our vouchers and treat them to a photo session. Vouchers expire on the 1st September 2011.

How much does it cost for Boudoir photography?
Our interpretation of Boudoir Photography is creating a personal and intimate piece of art for our clients. The session lasts for approximately three hours so there is time for clothing changes and to carryout various poses in the studio.

The cost is £240, all good photos on CD/DVD and three prints of your choice. This price does not include make-up and styling however we can provide a quote if required.

Please call us if you have any questions about our boudoir photo sessions.

Do you do baby posing portrait sessions?
We do photograph babies but until the child can hold its own head up, the baby is to be held by the parent.

What do we wear for a portrait session?
Please avoid wearing black or white as this will limit the variation and amount of photographs you will receive from the session because we shoot to a black background and therefore we will need more time to light you.

For a group portrait you ideally should wear balanced clothing i.e. all wearing colours of a similar intensity. This is because, for example, a person wearing blue and another wearing yellow, may cause issues with exposure and look too contrasting in the photograph.

Please arrive for your portrait session ready for us to photograph you and bring your make-up and hair products with you for any necessary touch-ups.

How many children can be in the photograph?
We would prefer that you limit the amount of toddlers to three per session and older children up to the age of ten to four per session.

What's the best time to book my child for a portrait session?
The best time to aim for is when the child has just eaten and is well rested.

When shall I arrive for my appointment?
Please arrive on time but no sooner than ten minutes before your appointment otherwise there may be too many guests in the waiting room. Please give us as much notice as possible if you are late or if you cannot attend the appointment on 01908 317886.

Please arrive for your portrait session ready for us to photograph you and bring your make-up and hair products with you for any necessary touch-ups.

What are the print sizes I should expect?
You will receive either 8x10 or 8x12 inch prints. The sizes you receive will depend on the composition of the image.

Further prints can be purchased at £5 per print, regardless of the size.

Where can I buy photo frames?
Amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/
eFrame - http://www.eframe.co.uk/
Picture Lizard - http://www.picturelizard.co.uk/

Why have I not received all the photographs from the session on my disc?
We look at and may edit some of the photos while your photo session is happening. Although we take a lot of photographs during your shoot, sometimes a flash might not fire or someone is out of focus and therefore these common factors are the reasons why we do not give you all of the images. If we are not happy with a photograph then we generally do not allow it to leave the studio.

The average amount of photographs we give to our customers on disc is about thirty. We do not offer a definitive amount as each photo session is different.

The images provided are high resolution and you are able to take the images to wherever you wish to have them printed. Perfect for if you are looking for a large print or even a canvas.

If you feel that there were more satisfactory photographs taken during the shoot and aren't on the disc then we are happy to book an hour's session for you to go through them with the photographer. The price is £80 unless there is a value added promotion running at the time of the booking.

What can I do with the photos on my disc from my portrait session?
We hold the copyright to the photographs however we allow you to take the disc to wherever you wish to have further prints made. You can also put the photos online to show your friends and family. We do not allow you to sell the images or use them for commercial purposes.

Here is a copy of the licence you will receive on the disc.

If you require photography services for commercial purposes then please see our studio hire prices where our photographer’s hourly rate is £80+ VAT.

I am an unsigned band. Can you produce a music video for me?
Yes, it's not expensive for Penkat Studio to produce a professionally made video for you in the studio. In fact, we are currently offering to film your band for £650+VAT and you will receive the following.

- A day's filming with Penkat Studio staff where we will rig, light and film
- High quality MOV files for you to edit with
- An artist's page on our website to help promote you (see an example here)
- We can edit for you at a cost of £150+VAT per day

Take a look at our recent video which we filmed and edited to see the quality we work to: Natalie Chua - Angel - music Video.

Please note that this is a special offer for a limited time only so please contact us as soon as possible to take advantage. This price does not include make-up and styling.

You can peruse our photography and video rate card here for alternative studio hire including wet and dry.

Can the studio be hired for a corporate event?
Yes. Call us with your requirements.

Is kit included in the studio hire?
Yes, subject to availability. See our equipment list here.

Would it be cheaper for us if we do not to hire your equipment?
We do not offer empty studio hire. It is your choice however whether you use Penkat Studio’s equipment or not. If you hire this equipment via third parties, it would cost you in excess of *£3000 + VAT on a flat hire basis (subject to availability).
*This figure is based upon daily and weekly rates (where weekly rates are only available i.e. staging and lighting).

Why is the studio with kit hire so cheap?
The kit is available for others to use when left idle by our photographer and filmmaker.

Can we hire a photographer for commercial purposes?
Yes, a photographer's hourly rate is £80+VAT. For product photography this rate may vary. If you do hire a photographer however, every photo from the shoot is provided to you in its RAW format (either Canon or Hasselblad). Alternative formats can be discussed.

Please note that for product photography, we would like to see the shot list before a quote is given.

If we are required to pay for electricity, how much do you charge?
You will be provided with a 32 amp single phase feed for your equipment when the studio is hired by the hour. If you require more power you will be charged at the higher studio rate.

What electrical power is available?
We have up to 63 amps three phase (TPNE) power available and additional 32a (SPNE) available in single phase feeds (100A in total). All our power supply connections are done using ip44 (commando) connectors and are fully rcd protected. Limited power distribution and splitting cabling is available.

Do you provide a follow focus for the 5D Mark ii?
No.

Is wet hire available with studio hire?
Yes.

What is wet hire?
Wet hire is when we provide staff with the equipment and is subject to availability of staff.

I would like to hire but I do not have the experience, can you help me?
Yes, we run a number of training days throughout the year.

I would like to hire the studio but I can only come out of hours. Can I still hire and if so, how much?
Yes, £20 +VAT (£15 inc. VAT for students) per hour for a shared studio space or £40 +VAT for sole studio hire.

What is shared studio space hire?
Shared studio space hire is where you will be designated a space in the studio for you to carry out your shoot. You will have access to a minimum of two Bowens flash units (more units may be available but are subject to availability).

What is sole studio space hire?
Sole studio space hire is where you have access to all of the main studio area. You will have access to a minimum of four Bowens flash units (more units may be available but are subject to availability).

Can I shoot any subject during a shared studio session?
No. Any subject/content that is considered unsuitable or inappropriate for under 18 year olds is not permitted during shared studio time. You are required to book sole studio space hire in this instance.

Can a group of us hire the studio together?
Yes. It would be considered as sole studio hire.

Do the hourly hire rates of £20 and £40 include the constant lighting rig?
5kw of studio lighting will be available at no extra charge but please enquire on the day for availability. For clients who hire the studio on a half day or daily basis, our kit is included subject to availability. See our rates for further details.

I am a student, do you give discount?
Yes, with your NUS card, or, ID and a letter from your college, it costs £15 (inc. VAT) for shared studio hire (where you are designated a space in the studio).
Please note that clients under 18 must be accompanied by an adult over 25 years old.

I am under 18, can I hire the studio?
Yes, but you must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 25 or over.

I don't have professional camera insurance. Can I still hire the studio?
Yes but subject to kit availability and all photo-shoots must take place inside the studio if you do not have your own insurance. You will not be allowed outside of the building or in to the wooded area or the courtyard.

Brands carried?
Canon, Hasselblad, Sony & Avid.

Can you recommend companies where I can hire cameras?
Yes. Try the following companies. They might insure kit for you but please check this with them.
There is a Calumet in Milton Keynes (map) but you may find that you’ll need to take a train to Euston (journey approx. 30 mins) and walk around the corner to the branch on Drummond Street (map).
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/rental

Gearhouse Broadcast provides hire for Arri lighting, various AV, editing systems, cameras and lenses. The company in based in London.
http://www.gearhousebroadcast.com/uk/equipment-rental/rate-card/

Video Europe provides hire for Arri lighting, various AV, editing systems, cameras and lenses. The company is based in London.
http://www.videoeurope.co.uk/equipment.html

Hire a camera will deliver and collect your stills or video camera. The company is based in Mayfield, East Sussex.
http://www.hireacamera.com/index.asp

DV Talent hire video cameras and is based in North West London.
http://www.dvtalent.co.uk/kithire.html

Can you recommend companies where I can hire lighting and various production services?
Yes. Try the following companies that are relatively close to Milton Keynes. Penkat Studio may be able to source wet hire for you so please enquire.

Arri Lighting provides hire for Arri lighting. The company is based in London and Manchester.
http://www.arrimedia.com/Group-Rental.php

Gearhouse Broadcast provides hire for Arri lighting, various AV, editing systems, cameras and lenses. The company in based in London.
http://www.gearhousebroadcast.com/uk/equipment-rental/rate-card/

Video Europe provides hire for Arri lighting, various AV, editing systems, cameras and lenses. The company is based in London.
http://www.videoeurope.co.uk/equipment.html

Impact Productions provides hire for lighting, sound, drapes and sound cloth, special effects, staging, rigging, power and audio visual. The company is based in Olney, Milton Keynes.
http://www.impactproductions.co.uk/dryhire.php

Show hire provides hire for lighting and sound. The company is based in Retford, Nottinghamshire.
http://www.showhire.com/hire.html

Stage Engage provides hire for lighting, sound and AV systems. The company is based in London and Exeter.
http://www.stageengage.com/equipment-hire.html

Sound Truth provides hire for PA systems, sound systems, AV, lighting, projector and stage. The company is based in Bedford.
http://www.soundtruth.co.uk/

Drax provides hire for lighting, special effects, sound, AV, cabling and mains distribution and rigging and stage management. The company is based in Dunstable.
http://www.draxlighting.com/cgi-bin/shop.pl?type=hire

UK Stage Hire provides hire for lighting, sound and power. The company is based in Ipswich.
http://www.ukstagehire.com/Stage_Hire_Lighting.htm

Birmingham Sound Hire provides hire for lighting, staging, DJ gear and PA equipment. The company is based in Birmingham.
http://www.birminghamsoundhire.co.uk/

Pro Live Audio provides hire for lighting, stage, sound and engineers. The company is based in Derby.
http://www.proliveaudio.co.uk/

PDS Sound and Lighting provides hire for sound and lighting. The company is based in Peterborough.
http://www.pdssoundandlighting.com/soundandlighting.html

Can you recommend companies where I can buy media and tape stock?
Yes. Try the following companies.

Stanley Productions based in London - http://www.stanleysonline.co.uk/
Pro Tape based in London - http://www.protape.co.uk/

Can you recommend companies for professional camera insurance?
Yes. Try the following companies. Always read the terms and conditions and make sure that you are happy with the contract before signing.

Aaduki Multimedia Insurance - http://www.aaduki.com/ (can do temporary insurance)

Allan Chapman & Jones - http://www.acjltd.co.uk/main.asp?pid=40&rnd=7738

Aon (Entertainment & Media) - http://www.rewritinginsurance.aon.co.uk/entertainment-and-media.aspx

JTL Online - http://www.photoguard.co.uk/

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