Booking a shoot location shouldn’t feel like a leap of faith.
At Styled Home Studios, we believe that beautiful spaces are only part of the picture. What really matters is how confidently you can book, plan and show up on the day – knowing the space will work, expectations are aligned and there won’t be any unwelcome surprises.
That’s why we take a considered, hands-on approach to how homes are listed on our platform – and why curation and education sit at the heart of what we do.
Here’s how we check our homes, and what that means for you as a Creator:
We prioritise fit, not volume
Every home on Styled Home Studios is a real, lived-in space – but not every home is right for shoots.
Before a location goes live, we look beyond the aesthetics to assess whether it genuinely works for professional use. We consider how the space functions on a shoot day, whether it can comfortably accommodate crews big and small, and whether expectations can be made clear upfront for everyone involved.
If something feels likely to cause confusion, friction or stress – even if the house is beautiful – we won’t list it. Our goal isn’t to offer endless choice, but to offer the right choice.
What “confidence-checked” means in practice
Every location on Styled Home Studios is reviewed against a practical checklist designed to reduce uncertainty and help shoots run smoothly.
1. Clear availability
We work closely with Hosts to ensure availability is well communicated (that’s the beauty of talking directly to the location – zero lag time!) Minimum booking lengths, hold times and any blackout periods are also made clear wherever possible, so you can plan your shoot – and reassure your client – without unnecessary back and forth. Availability clarity is one of the simplest ways to reduce stress before a shoot, and we treat it as a priority.
2. Transparent pricing
Hosts set their own rates and we offer support as well as encouraging them to settle on clear minimum booking hours. We also explain during onboarding how overtime works on the platform so they can communicate this clearly if you run over on shoot day.
Transparency is also one of our core principles so you can see before even enquiring what the total cost of your shoot would be – with no surprises further down the line.
When pricing expectations are clear upfront, you’re able to book (and extend) with confidence, rather than hesitation.
3. Practical, shoot-ready spaces
We review listings with real shoots in mind. That means understanding which rooms are available, how furniture can be treated and what kind of work the space is best suited to.
This helps ensure the homes you see on Styled Home Studios aren’t just visually appealing, but genuinely workable for professional shoots.
4. Honest details about light and logistics
Natural light, access and logistics can make or break a shoot day – so we encourage honesty over hype.
Hosts are guided to share practical details such as directional lighting, any noise considerations and parking realities. We’d always rather a space be described accurately than over-sold.
5. Clear, calm house rules
House rules aren’t there to catch anyone out. They exist to protect the home and the shoot day.
We work with Hosts to ensure boundaries are communicated clearly and calmly, with sensitive areas flagged early and expectations around crew size and equipment set in advance. This helps avoid awkward conversations on the day and allows everyone to focus on the work.
6. Hosts who understand professional shoots
We work with Hosts who are comfortable welcoming professional Creators into their homes.
That means understanding that shoots take time, communicating promptly and professionally and being clear about access and supervision. A successful shoot is a collaboration — not a negotiation on the day — and we’re careful to set that tone from the start.
Ongoing Host education (this is where the magic happens)
Curation doesn’t stop once a home is listed.
We work continuously with our Hosts to improve clarity, refine listings and set realistic expectations based on real bookings. That includes sharing feedback on what professional Creators value most, supporting Hosts in communicating boundaries confidently.
This ongoing support and education helps create better experiences on both sides – and is one of the reasons Creators come back to Styled Home Studios time and again.
What this means for you as a Creator
When you book through Styled Home Studios, you can expect:
You’re still responsible for planning your shoot well, communicating clearly, and respecting the space – but you’re not doing it alone.
Booking with confidence
We can’t remove every variable that comes with shooting in real homes. But we can remove unnecessary uncertainty.
That’s what booking with confidence looks like.
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