Every rental at Plaza Studios includes the 19 foot two sided white cyclorama, the Foba camera stand and tethering cart, a private dressing room with shower, the full kitchen, ADA compliant restroom, free Wi-Fi, and heating and air conditioning. The studio is in Vista in North San Diego County, seconds from the Highway 78 exit, with abundant free parking for an easy load in. Half day bookings run 6 hours and full days run 10, which covers most portrait, headshot, product and video shoots. Our $50 lighting kit includes studio lighting and the use of all of our grip, so tell us what you need when you inquire and we will let you know what we have.
- Half Day Rental (6 hours or less) – $350
- Full Day Rental (10 hour or less) – $600
- Hourly – (3 hour minimum) – $80
- Saturday and Sunday rates: Hourly , $90/hour
- 4 hour minimum on weekends
- Half $450, full $700
- Lighting kit: $50 add-on, includes all of our grip
- Fresh cyc floor paint for head to toe shots: $50
- Cleanup fee: $150 for shoots involving liquids, smoke, confetti, pets or anything else out of the ordinary
All rentals require a 50% non-refundable reservation deposit at the time of booking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book the studio for just an hour or two?
Our shortest booking is 3 hours on weekdays and 4 hours on weekends. That gives you time to set up, shoot and pack out without rushing.
How big is the studio?
The rentable shooting area is about 20 by 30 feet, roughly 600 square feet. You also get a waiting area of about 8 by 10 feet, a bathroom of about 6 by 8 feet, and a separate dressing room about the same size. The rest of the building is storage and a private office, which are not part of the rental.
How many people does the studio fit?
For photo shoots, 5 to 6 people is the comfortable maximum, so everyone has room to work around the set. For meetings, workshops and classes, the studio holds up to 15. Extra folding tables and chairs are on hand, and the dining table seats 6.
Can I bring my own gear, lights and crew?
Absolutely. Bring whatever equipment and crew your shoot needs. You probably won’t need a grip truck, though. The studio has a large supply of grip on site, and all of it comes with our $50 lighting kit rental. Get in touch and we’ll tell you what we have, so you can plan what to bring.
What does the $50 lighting kit include?
Studio lighting plus the use of all of our grip. Ask us what’s available for your dates and we’ll help you match it to your shoot.
What is your deposit and cancellation policy?
A 50% deposit holds your date, and it is non-refundable. When you book, we set the studio aside for you and turn away other requests for that time, so we’re not able to refund deposits. If an emergency comes up, just let us know and we’ll make a good faith effort to find you a new date. And if Plaza Studios ever has to cancel, you’ll get your money back.
Are there any extra fees?
Most shoots have none. A $150 cleanup fee applies only when a shoot involves liquids, smoke, confetti, pets or anything else out of the ordinary. If you’d like the cyc floor freshly painted for clean head to toe shots, that’s $50.