I Booked a $600 Peerspace Studio… and Walked Into a Christmas Party + Construction Zone
When you’re shooting branded content, the space matters just as much as the gear. The textures, the colors, the layout—everything plays a role in shaping the story you’re trying to tell. So when I spent $600 of my client’s budget on a Peerspace location that checked every aesthetic box, I expected a smooth, inspired shoot.
What I walked into instead?
A Christmas-themed party setup, a man actively renovating the place, and a full hour of rearranging heavy furniture—by myself.
Here’s exactly what happened, what I learned, and what you should know before booking your next shoot location online.
Why I Booked This Space in the First Place
The space wasn’t cheap, especially for a 4–5 hour rental, but it visually aligned perfectly with the direction I planned for my client.
A clean, modern accent wall
A sleek glass desk
A warm, inviting aesthetic that matched her brand and the event she was promoting
These details mattered. They were the foundation of the mood board we built together. And since this was a solo shoot, I planned everything meticulously so we could move efficiently within our limited time.
What I Actually Walked Into
Instead of the ready-to-shoot setup I paid for, here’s what greeted me:
A man actively plastering and buffing a wall
The entire layout rearranged for a Christmas party—balloons, décor, furniture clusters, the whole thing
The accent wall and glass desk (my entire reason for booking) were pushed to the other side of the loft
To put it lightly: this was not the environment my client paid $600 for.
Losing the First Hour to Fix the Space
Because I was shooting alone (and yes, my lower back is still mad at me), I had to:
Move a heavy glass desk across the loft
Move a couch back to the other side of the loft
Detach and relocate themed decor
Rebuild the entire layout just to match the photos Peerspace advertised
This cost me a full hour—time I could have spent lighting, blocking, or fine-tuning audio.
When you only truly get 2–3 usable shooting hours inside a 4–5 hour booking window, that time matters.
The Lesson: "Great for Video" Means Nothing Without Clarity
Just because a location says it’s ideal for video production doesn’t guarantee it:
Matches the photos
Has the same layout
Has clean audio
Is free of renovations
Has controlled lighting
Offers consistency
Sites like Peerspace are amazing for photography and small events, but many hosts are everyday people renting out their living spaces—not studios built for controlled production.
That means things change: décor, furniture, layout, lighting, acoustics. And unless you ask the right questions, you’ll only find out after you arrive.
What I Learned (So You Don’t Have To)
1. Always ask if the space changes for seasons or events.
This one question would have saved me an hour, a headache, and possibly a chiropractor visit.
2. Confirm if anyone will be on-site or using the space before or during your booking.
“Someone plastering a wall” was not on the listing.
3. Never assume the layout in the photos is the layout you’ll get.
Hosts will rearrange things for parties, holidays, or their own living preferences.
4. Build a buffer into your schedule—or bring help.
Especially for setups that require furniture moving or multiple lighting adjustments.
5. If budget allows: book locations built for film.
Platforms like Avvay are designed for productions with larger budgets and professional expectations. With those spaces, you’re far less likely to walk into a surprise Christmas party in October.
Did I Get a Refund?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Still no.
But everything worked out, and most importantly—
my client loved the final video.
Want to See How I Still Pulled Off a Beautiful Shoot?
I break down:
The exact gear I used
How I lit the space
How I worked against the clock
What I’d do differently next time
And the full behind-the-scenes story
Watch the full YouTube video here!
If you’ve ever booked a Peerspace—or plan to—you’ll want to hear this one.
