Geisha Studio

I was looking for a rental studio needed for our class project. This Geisha house is awesome! Jason was always so pleasant and helpful and they spent time with us to make sure that we had everything we needed. The prices are very reasonable especially with the location being in the Downtown area. The location was built in the early 1900’s… Spanish style villa with an Asian style theme. I took so many great pictures inside and out. I also found out that they do rentals for private parties, I will definitely keep that in mind and come back. Just a very welcoming, helpful environment. I highly recommend Geisha Studio.

As a photographer I always look for studios that will accommodate my needs and the needs of the models that I work with, Geisha studio has provided me with a five star experience. This is why I will continue to come back to this establishment.
5* Pro Make up
5* Pro Hair
5* Vintage look
5* Location
5* Parking
5* Helpful
5* Friendly
5* Comfortable
5* Clean
5* Restroom/​Shower
5* Balcony View
5* Creative Make Up Artist

I’m no novice to photography and I had several subjects with me who are experienced working actors/​models. We rented the place for a few hours one weeknight to do a shoot. Jason was nice on the phone but always seemed distracted. Said he’d email me a contract/​guideline but never did, finally said I could handle it in person. Bumped my rental time from 8 PM to 7 PM because he «had an early day the next morning» despite the fact that I told him it would be tight getting all models to that part of town at the tail end of rush hour. On the evening of, we were hauling to get across town with four models, props, wardrobe, etc… we were obviously running about 45 minutes late due to traffic. Jason called twice to verify that I was coming and was very rude, reminding me that this would be cutting into my paid, reserved time.
Once we got there, the location was beautiful and we got some amazing photos. However, Jason and his partner were in the location the entire time and if we moved upstairs, they went behind a curtain into their bedroom, etc. with their dog. This made everyone a little more reserved and conservative than we would normally be when renting out a studio for a night shoot.
One of our models did accidentally break an item on set, but we paid for it before leaving and everything was good.
Pros: We were able to get amazing photos, we were allowed to bring food and alcohol and play our own music in the shooting areas, ample off-​street parking. Rate is EXTREMELY reasonable, Jason was good to work with once we established the situation we were working with.
Cons: This is a working makeup studio during the day as well as someone’s home, so it’s a little junky with clutter and you may have to rearrange things to use the electric outlets, etc. Homeowners are present during the shoot and even though they try to stay inconspicuous, their presence is felt (the dog was allowed to wander around our set for about fifteen minutes before someone came to get it). Toward the end of the night even though we still had about 45 minutes of shoot time left, we felt like we had ‘overstayed our welcome’ and packed up early to get out of their way so that they could go to bed.

The owner, Jason Sanchez, is the resident make up artist for Milani Cosmetics, and utilizes this studio for event/​space rentals as well as to teach enterprising young people the art of beauty makeup. He does it all! I learned a lot, and booked my first wedding soon after I soaked up his tips and lessons.
The space itself is a photographer’s dream. Big white walls, themed «geisha”/asian decorations. You have to see the purple room upstairs — wow! I did my first «shoot» there and Jason guided me along every step of the way.
I also heard he allows for private events to be hosted here. I could definitely see my next birthday party with close friends at this hip spot.
The building its located in is also on the U.S.’ national historic places. It’s beaautiful. A must see.

Unacceptable service. Our photographer rented this studio for our photo shoot — we were shooting for three major print publications — with the editor and team of the magazines coming to oversee the shoot. We showed up at the studio and it was locked and closed. Our photographer called the owner repeatedly — he finally picked up and gave her the run around about how she was supposed to sign a contract beforehand — which had not been mentioned to her at all. He refused to come open the doors and we had to scramble to find a last minute location, putting us three hours behind schedule and affecting our entire crew