YOUR SPACE
A Very Special Place
Jonathan says “It’s incredibly reliable and
hard working. We have eight Esprit
1000DX units, six are based in the studio
In the creative hub that is Spitalfields, known for the calendars we publish,
and two are in a location kit. The studio-
East London, you’ll find many people which are some of the top-selling male
based heads are very often used for 10
expressing their artistic abilities but model calendars in the UK.”
hours a day, 7 days a week, and they just
you’ll be hard pressed to find one
He continues, “Our business is mainly
work and work. Plus, most
more passionate about their work than
publishing-based, so we don’t use the
photographers have some experience
Jonathan Bayley of Urban
studio all the time, hence we decided to
with Bowens, it’s a well-known and well
Photography.
fill up the free time by renting out the
trusted name.” Of the company itself he
On the location Jonathan enthuses
studio.”
says, “We’ve found that everyone we
“It’s one of the most exciting areas of
Urban Photography is not just a photo
have dealt with at Bowens seems
London, with massive regeneration
studio - it has evolved into a social
genuinely bothered and keen to support
taking place. It’s full of old warehouses,
networking venue.
our business. Building up a small media
arts and media companies and there’s
Of his studio Jonathan says,
company is really tough, and we really
always an exciting buzz. We were first
“It’s a good size, small enough to be
value that kind of help.”
into our building and there are now over
intimate but big enough for fashion and
The versatility of the studio and its
30 companies, mainly in media. We’re
portrait shoots. We have a separate
clientele means that every day is
right in the heart of Jack the Ripper’s
kitchen, make-up area and a bathroom
completely different! Says jonathan, “We
area, so it’s an incredibly historic area
with a shower, so it’s perfect for a wide
might have a topless glamour shoot one
and there are even weekly “Jack the
variety of shoots. Plus, it’s incredibly
minute, then a high-fashion shoot, then
Ripper” tours.”
good value. Studio hire is a side-line for
some students working on their
us, so we charge just £30 plus VAT per
portfolios.”
He turned semi-professional around five
hour for everything, including the lights.
When pressed to name one thing he
years ago but was finding juggling times
People are shocked how little we charge!
loves about Urban he says,
when he and the models, and a studio
We run monthly events for women & gay
“It’s difficult to put your finger on one
would all be available. So to solve the
photographers. These are completely
thing because we like so much about it.
problem, took the plunge opened Urban
free to attend, and we even provide free
Despite being in the middle of London,
Photography. He hasn’t looked back
drinks and dinner. They’re a chance for
it’s really quiet and peaceful. And there’s
since.
people to meet other photographers, we
just something about the space which
Urban specialises in male glamour
normally get about 40 people at each
makes you want to be creative.
photography. Says Jonathan,
one.
It’s a very special place.
“We mainly photograph fit, athletic guys
Of course being a professional studio,
more info...
with their shirts off! We’re probably best
Urban use Bowens lighting, of which
www.urbanphotography.co.uk
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