Although I loved seeing the end product of my photoshoots, I was utterly upset with the treatment and conditions of FD Photo Studio. I have done multiple photoshoots at their Studio B (at their 8th location) and Art 4 ( at their Santee Street location). When booking the studios, you are told online that they have proper air conditioning and studio lighting equipment in each studio. My models and I were disappointed at every occasion we visited. Upon arrival, there is literally no way to get into the buildings unless you relentlessly call for someone to come downstairs and open the door that's on the first floor. If it's your first time here, good luck getting in because basically nobody answers the phones. After my first photoshoot, I specifically called after booking and prior to showing up to the studios to make sure air conditioning was on and the studio was insulated because models will be wearing certain clothing and showing up with makeup on, yet none of that happened on any occasion. During my first shoot at Studio B, once I was heading out, the worker asked if I needed the remote for the lights that were in the studio... which was completely inconsiderate and pointless because I was already leaving. The second time I booked Studio B, we had an issue with the insulation once again and I had asked the employees for assistance with the air conditioning and they provided a small portable one which didn't even keep the whole studio cold or in suitable working condition. I am honestly disappointed with this studio yet I returned a third time as well to Studio B and it was okay to work in but only the A/C working did not do the job.
During my visit to their Santee location, I had issues getting into the building because their phone system outside was not connecting to the employee inside who needed to buzz us in, and after multiple phone calls to their phone number, I finally got buzzed in. Once we got to the studio, there was still the prior party inside cleaning and going into my booking time. I honestly do not mind giving a minute or two away understandably, BUT when I hold shoots with FD Photo studio, the employees stop in multiple times and harass us to wrap things up. Why others don't get the same treatment... I don't know.
I was back at FD Studios last weekend and out of nowhere, loud music started blaring in Studio B without warning and we were unable to turn it off or change it. This particularly stood out to me because I was never given the option to play my own music during a shoot.
In regards to why I finally am speaking out about this issue is because of the treatment I've received from their management and employees literally today. I booked a studio with them for an upcoming weekend and I was sent an email saying that I needed to pay a 'refundable $525 deposit' to the studio to book with them because my clients did not wear masks in hallways. First of all, if masks being worn were an issue, their irresponsible employees could have reminded us to wear one as a courtesy but nobody said anything to us. Aside from this, I never make a mess in any studios that I book, I never have damaged any of their property, or have given anyone reason to feel uneasy toward trusting me or my clients on their property. I take their course of action as a major sign of disrespect and that is why I decided to pinpoint every reason why I will NOT be giving them my business any longer, and I will be taking back my recommendations that I had given to my friends from booking here and referring them elsewhere. Aside from asking for this ridiculus 'deposit', they mentioned in their email that I would have to pay a higher rate for the booking as opposed to the regular weekend rate that I have been paying all along.
All in all, I will gladly take my clients elseware and give my money and time to businesses that appreciate me, and not one that are trying to hurt me. I have said this in every review I have ever written and I will say it here as well, customer service/treatment is something I value much higher than anything and at this studio, I did not get what I expected.
Thank you for disappointing me. read more