Where Great Photography Happens - and Great People Make You Feel Welcome
Photography studio hire, model days, workshops & tuition in the heart of central Scotland. Professional to the core. Warm, friendly, and always good coffee.
Open 7 days · West Lothian · 5–10 mins from the M8 · Easy for Edinburgh & Glasgow
Warm & Welcoming
From the moment you arrive, you'll feel at home. We love photography and people - and that shows in everything we do. The kettle's always on.
Seriously Qualified
Barrie and Fiona hold internationally recognised qualifications - BIPP, FEP, SWPP, and the RPS. Expert hands, relaxed atmosphere.
Everything You Need
A 42.9m² double-height studio with Broncolor Siros lighting, seamless backdrops, dressing room, disabled access, and Wi-Fi. A staff member always on hand.
Learn With Us
Develop Your Photography with People Who Really Know Their Craft
From first principles to advanced technique - one-to-one or in small groups, at your pace, in our studio.
Photography Basics
Demystifying your camera and taking control. Exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO - explained clearly, without the jargon.
Beginner friendly
Studio Portrait Lighting
Master loop, butterfly, Rembrandt and more - using professional Broncolor flash and an experienced model in our own studio. Consistently sold out.
All Levels
Workflow & Post-Processing
Hands-on Lightroom and Photoshop tuition - importing, culling, retouching and colour grading. Bring your own laptop and images.
Lightroom - Photoshop
One-to-one sessions, group classes, and combined shoot-and-learn model day options all available.
Studio Services
Hire the Studio. Shoot with Top Models
A fully-equipped professional space, available by appointment seven days a week.
Your space. Your shoot. Our support.
Available by appointment, seven days a week. At 42.9m² with a double-height ceiling, it's a versatile space - and a member of staff is always on hand. We'd far rather answer a question than watch something go wrong.
- Five Broncolor Siros flash heads
- Universal radio triggers
- 2.7m seamless paper - white, grey, black + colour options
- 3m grey vinyl backdrop wall
- Moveable 2.4m × 2.4m double-sided decorated wall
- Boom stand, v-flats, reflectors, Foba DSS Gamma camera stand
- Dressing room, disabled access, shower, Wi-Fi, Nespresso
Great models. Great studio. You just shoot.
Our model days give you access to some of the UK and Europe's finest independent photographic models — all arrangements handled, studio hire included. Sessions are available as 2-hour bookings. Tuition can be added if you'd like guidance on the day. Model days book up months in advance — don't leave it too long. Just get in touch and we'll take care of the rest.
Group learning in a welcoming space.
We run occasional group workshops and from time to time we host guest tutors. Keep an eye on the website or get in touch to find out what's coming up — and if you have a topic in mind, don't be shy about suggesting it.
The Team
The Faces Behind the Studio
We created this space because we love photography, love teaching it, and love meeting the people who share that passion.
Barrie Spence
Photographer & Lead Tutor
MQEP · FBIPP · FSWPP · ARPS · DPAGB · EFIAP
Full-time professional photographer specialising in portraiture. Four times ranked in Europe's top ten photographers. Director of the BIPP and President of the FEP. Rarely without a coffee.
Fiona Spence
Photographer & Tutor
QEP · ABIPP · IASWPP · ARPS · DPAGB · EFIAP
Specialist in portraiture and fine art nudes. President of Edinburgh Photographic Society. Most likely here at weekends - always a delight when she is.
Also on the team
Elsa
Studio Dawg
Joined January 2021. Still needy, still loving it. Will ask you to rub her tummy. We expect you to comply.
Mac
Junior Studio Dawg
Joined August 2024. Incredibly friendly, incredibly bouncy. Basically a loving bag of bricks. Settling in beautifully.
Looking for a Photographer?
Need a Photographer, Not Just a Studio?
The studio is run by working photographers covering a wide range of genres. If you found us looking for a photographer, you're in the right place
Spence Photography
Portraits, Families, Pets, Maternity, Horses
Award-winning portrait specialists — families, pets, boudoir, maternity, horses, and more. Based right here at the studio.
Barrie Spence Photography
Headshots, Dance, Editorial, Commercial
Barrie's commercial portfolio — headshots, dancer and ballet portfolios, and professional editorial work.
Fiona Spence Photography
Portraits, Fine art nudes
Fiona's portfolio, specialising in portraiture and fine art nudes. Launching soon.
Also from Barrie — launching soon
Luxury Boudoir Scotland
Boudoir, Intimate portraits,
A dedicated home for Barrie's luxury boudoir photography - a warm, safe, and empowering experience in our West Lothian studio.
Fine Art Kink
Boudoir, Intimate portraits,
Barrie's fine art print sales - see the dedicated section below for more about owning a print.
Fine Art Print Sales
Launching Soon - fineartkink.com
Own a Piece of the Work
Beyond the studio and the sessions, Barrie produces a body of fine art photographic work - carefully crafted images intended to live on a wall, not a hard drive.
Fine Art Kink will offer limited edition fine art photographic prints for collectors and enthusiasts, produced to archival standards. The kind of work that rewards living with it.
Currently under construction.
Kind Words
What People Say
"Barrie was a fantastic host - he met me at the door and coffee was the first priority. Great studio, very well stocked."
- Via PurplePort
"Barrie has a wealth of knowledge and his relaxed, easy-going manner makes learning fun. I can't recommend him highly enough."
- Brian Donovan · Studio Lighting Course
"Great value for money, gracious host and a fab location. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend and would be delighted to return."
- Via PurplePort
Find Us
Easy to Find. Worth the Drive.
Just 5–10 minutes from the M8 (junctions 3, 3A or 4). Convenient for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Livingston, and Bathgate. Ample parking and full wheelchair access on site.
📍 Blackburn House – East Pavilion, Redhouse Road, Seafield, West Lothian, EH47 7AQ
Get in Touch
Come and See What We're About
We don't take online bookings — we prefer a little real interaction. Drop us a line, give us a call, or use the contact form. No hard sell. No fuss. Just a friendly chat about what you need.