The Clic La Mode Studio started in 2009 by Cat Watson and I in response to a frustrating gap in the market. When trying to book photography hire studios in London it seemed studios mainly fell into two categories at opposite ends of the spectrum.

The first being very large, cool, clean, beautiful studios: slap bang in the heart of London, premium studios at understandably premium prices. However not all shoots require that amount of space, or have the budgets to justify the expense.

The alternatives seemed to be completely the opposite. Small studios, in cold, old, run-down buildings: no parking, in unsavory areas, not the sort of place you'd want to shoot or hang out in. There didn't seem to be enough options for a small to mid sized, well-equipped, friendly and professional studio that was still affordable.

Our aim when building the studio was to try and address this problem. To provide a studio that thinks like a Zone 1, high-end studio yet is still affordable without compromising on principles.

A lot of this has been made possible due to the development that the studio located in. We are very proud to be one of the member artists of the Second Floor Studio and Arts Project in South East London.

Since 1997 SFSA has offered affordable studio space to arts professionals, creating a community of artists that has grown year on year. The not-for-profit project is undertaking a major strategic growth and development plan across its Woolwich site. Working in partnership with Emafyl Properties, SFSA will deliver studio space for up to 300 artists, an education centre and outreach programmes, open access fine art print studios and a 3000sq.ft gallery, creating one of Europe's largest centres of affordable studio space for artists, craft-makers and designers.

For more information on SFSA and the ongoing regeneration project in South East London please visit the SFSA's website.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to being able to welcome you in the studio.

James Lightbown