Dry Hire Studios - Dry Hire Meaning Explained By Sugar Studios

Studios don’t only come in all shapes and sizes – they come with different packages and facilities, too. Choosing the right type of photography studio is important, especially when considering your budget, equipment, and various other needs (we know the list can get long).

In short…

A dry hire studio is a rental space where clients can hire a facility without additional services or equipment provided by the studio.

It’s a versatile option for various events, including film and photography, fashion shows, workshops, and more.

The term “dry hire” indicates that the client brings in their own equipment, crew, and resources to make the most of the studio space.

If you think a dry hire venue may be the right fit for you but aren’t yet 100% sure, keep reading to fully understand this type of film, photography or events space.

"DRY HIRE" MEANING

In the context of a studio, dry hire means renting the space alone without additional services or equipment. Dry hire spaces give clients the freedom to customise their experience, bringing in their preferred tools, crew, and materials to suit the specific needs of their project.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WET AND DRY HIRE?

Wet hire typically involves renting a space along with additional services and equipment provided by the studio. Wet hire venues tend to offer packages that include audio-visual equipment and in some cases, even the photographers themselves. In contrast, dry hire focuses solely on renting the physical space, without any added services.

The choice between wet and dry hire depends on your preferences, budget, and the extent of support needed for a project. Dry hire studios enable you to bring in what you want or need, and offer the opportunity to work with your favourite set builders, lighting engineers, photographers and more, instead of having to use those that the studio offers.

We at Sugar Studios offer dry hire.

THE ADVANTAGES OF DRY HIRE

Some of the main advantages of choosing a dry hire studio over a wet hire studio include…

Flexibility: dry hire allows clients complete control over their project, bringing in their preferred team and equipment.

It’s cost-effective: clients can save costs by only paying for the studio space, especially if they already have their own equipment and crew.

Creative freedom: with no restrictions on external resources, clients have the creative freedom to execute their vision without limitations.

DRY HIRE STUDIO FAQs

As a dry hire studio, we regularly get asked what this all entails. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on dry and wet hire:

WHAT IS A WET BAR HIRE?

A wet bar hire typically refers to renting a bar space along with staff and services, providing a fully operational setup for events. At Sugar Studios, we have both a bar and an awesome food truck, both of which can cater to events. If you’re interested in organising a package or want to know more about what we can whip up, get in touch with our team.

IS DRY HIRE CHEAPER THAN WET HIRE?

Yes, in most cases, dry hire is more cost-effective as clients only pay for the studio space, excluding additional services and equipment.

ARE ALL YOUR STUDIOS DRY HIRE?

Yes, all our studios operate on a dry-hire basis, allowing clients to have maximum flexibility and control over their projects.

ARE YOUR EVENTS SERVICES DRY HIRE?

Yes, our London events spaces are available on a dry-hire basis. As we believe that flexibility is the best way to operate in the London scene, clients can choose from various catering options and packages to suit their preferences and budgets.

COULD YOU HELP IF I NEED EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES?

If you’d love to shoot in Sugar Studios, but aren’t sure how to go about finding your own equipment or services, don’t stress! We have a creative team who are always happy to help. They can put you in touch with some of London’s top photographers, and can even help you hire out equipment.

Close up of lighting controls at Sugar Studios.

WANT TO HIRE OUR DRY HIRE STUDIO?

If our space sounds like it will suit your next photo shoot, rehearsal or event, please reach out to our team, call us on 0203 411 9665, or book your space.

If you’re not yet sure that ours is the studio or event space you’re looking for, get inspired by taking a virtual tour on our homepage.

CONTACT SUGAR STUDIOS