STUDIO POLICIES + TERMS

The important stuff before you settle in.

Way North Studio is our working photo + video studio in downtown Marquette, Michigan. We love sharing the space with other photographers, artists, brands, and creatives, and these policies help keep it safe, clean, and ready for whoever is creating here next.

By booking and using Way North Studio, you agree to the following studio policies.

BOOKING + PAYMENT

• Studio access is available by inquiry and approval only. Pricing is provided based on your requested date, rental length, project + studio needs.

• To officially reserve your date and time, we require a 50% non-refundable booking retainer and a signed contract.

• The remaining 50% balance is due 48 hours before your scheduled rental.

• Your reservation is not confirmed until we receive the required retainer and signed agreement.

SHARED STUDIO + PRIVACY

• Way North Studio is a shared, working creative space. Booking studio time reserves the agreed-upon shooting area and access to the studio for your project, but does not guarantee private or exclusive use of the entire studio unless we agree to it in writing beforehand.

• During your reservation, Emilee, Ryan, and/or John, our studio mate, may be present in the studio and may be working, editing, completing administrative tasks, accessing equipment, or otherwise using their respective work areas.

• We will make reasonable efforts not to interfere with your session or production, and we ask that renters extend the same consideration to others working in the space.

• If your project requires a completely private or closed set, please let us know during your inquiry. Private studio access may be available depending on scheduling, project needs, and availability and must be approved in writing before your reservation.

CANCELLATIONS

• Your initial 50% booking retainer is non-refundable.

• If you cancel more than 48 hours before your scheduled rental, we will refund any amount paid beyond the initial retainer.

• Cancellations made within 48 hours of your scheduled rental are non-refundable, including the remaining balance.

• No-shows are considered cancellations and are non-refundable.

• If Way North Studio needs to cancel your reservation due to circumstances on our end, you can reschedule your studio time or receive a refund of payments made toward the affected rental.

RESCHEDULING

We understand that plans change.

• Studio reservations may be rescheduled subject to availability and a $50 rescheduling fee.

• You must request rescheduling more than 48 hours before your scheduled rental. Requests made within 48 hours will be treated as a cancellation, and our cancellation policy will apply.

• You may transfer your original booking retainer to the approved new date.

YOUR RESERVED TIME

• Your reserved studio time includes everything: arrival, unloading, setup, shooting, cleanup + packing out.

• Please book enough time for your entire project.

• Arriving late does not extend your reservation. Your rental will still end at the originally scheduled time.

• If you'd like additional time and the studio is available, reach out to us before the end of your reservation.

• Going more than 10 minutes beyond your reserved time may result in an additional rental charge.

MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY

• The studio has a maximum occupancy of 5 people during standard rentals.

• This includes photographers, clients, models, assistants, makeup artists + anyone else accompanying your project.

• Need more people? Larger productions may be considered with prior approval and may require additional fees, insurance + project information.

STUDIO LIGHTING + EQUIPMENT

• Standard studio rental does not automatically include access to Way North's professional lighting equipment.

• You may add studio lighting and select equipment to your rental for an additional charge; you must request it in advance.

• Please do not use equipment not included or approved as part of your rental.

• Renters are welcome to bring their own photography, video + lighting equipment as long as it can be safely used within the space.

BACKDROPS + SETS

• You may use available backdrop colors when included with your approved rental.

• Please be mindful of shoes, food, liquids, makeup + anything else that could permanently stain or damage backdrop materials.

• Excessive damage, staining, or use that requires removing additional backdrop material may result in an additional replacement fee.

• Planning something a little bigger? We're happy to discuss custom sets, installations, and creative builds; we just need to approve them beforehand.

FURNITURE + PROPS

We want you to make the space work for what you're creating.

• You may carefully move approved furniture, props, and smaller studio pieces during your rental. Return everything to its original location before your reserved time ends.

• Please ask before moving anything particularly large, mounted, fragile, or otherwise marked as off-limits.

TABLETOP TILES + PRODUCT SURFACES

• Our 2' x 2' tabletop tiles + available styling surfaces may be used for approved product, branding + marketing shoots.

• Please protect them from scratches, stains, excessive moisture, heat, and adhesives.

• Any damaged surfaces may be subject to repair or replacement costs.

CLEANUP

Leave our studio how you found it. Before your rental ends, please:

• Return furniture + props to their original locations.

• Dispose of your trash.

• Clean up food, drinks, makeup, dirt + other materials from your project.

• Return approved equipment where it belongs.

• Take everything you brought into the studio back out.

• Leave the studio ready for the next person.

• Excessive cleaning required after a rental may result in an additional cleaning charge.

DAMAGE

• Things happen. If something gets damaged, please tell us immediately.

• The person booking the studio is responsible for damage caused by themselves or anyone associated with their rental, including clients, models, crew, guests + approved animals.

• This may include damage to furniture, equipment, backdrops, floors, walls, props, tabletop surfaces + other studio property.

• The renter may be responsible for reasonable repair or replacement costs resulting from damage during their reservation.

PETS + ANIMALS

• Pets may be allowed with prior approval.

• Please include any animals in your inquiry before bringing them into the studio.

• The renter is responsible for supervising the animal and for any additional cleaning or damage resulting from having the animal in the space.

CHILDREN

• Children are welcome when they're part of an approved project, but a responsible adult must supervise them at all times.

• Studio equipment, backdrops, furniture + production gear are not play equipment, so please help us keep little creatives safe while they're here.

FOOD + DRINK

• Food + non-alcoholic beverages are allowed within reason.

• Please be especially mindful around equipment, backdrops, furniture + product surfaces.

• If food or beverages are part of your actual production or you're planning a larger food setup, let us know beforehand.

• Alcohol requires prior written approval from Way North Studio.

MESSY MATERIALS + SPECIAL EFFECTS

Please ask before using:

• -Glitter or confetti
  - Paint or dyes
  - Smoke or fog effects
  - Large amounts of water
  - Adhesives
  - Sand, soil, or other loose materials
  - Anything that may stain, scratch, or otherwise alter the studio

• Some projects may require additional cleaning fees, deposits, or protective materials.

• If you're wondering whether something is okay, just ask first.

SMOKING + PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Smoking, vaping + recreational drug use are not permitted inside Way North Studio.

• Open flames, fireworks, explosives, hazardous chemicals + other dangerous materials are prohibited unless expressly permitted by Way North and legally allowed within the building.

• Illegal activity of any kind is not permitted.

• Way North reserves the right to immediately end a rental if an activity presents a safety risk to people, equipment, the studio, or the building.

WORKSHOPS + EVENTS

• Workshops, classes, gatherings + events require prior approval.

• Standard studio rentals are intended primarily for photography, video + creative production.

• Tell us about your plans when you inquire, and we'll determine whether the space fits what you're putting together.

LARGER + COMMERCIAL PRODUCTIONS

• Larger productions and certain commercial projects may require additional approval before booking.

• Way North Studio may require proof of liability insurance for larger productions, commercial productions, larger crews, or projects involving additional risk.

• When required, you must provide proof of coverage before we grant studio access.

• Additional requirements may apply depending on the size + nature of the production.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

• Please keep track of the things you bring with you.

• Way North Studio is not responsible for cameras, lenses, equipment, clothing, products, props, or other personal property left unattended, lost, stolen, or forgotten in the studio, except to the extent we cannot legally waive responsibility.

• If you leave something behind, reach out, and we'll do our best to reunite you with it.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR GROUP

• The person who books the studio is responsible for ensuring their clients, models, assistants, crew, and guests follow these policies.

• The renter is also responsible for the conduct of everyone associated with their reservation while they are inside the studio.

SAFETY + RIGHT TO END A RENTAL

• Way North Studio reserves the right to stop or end a rental if studio policies are being ignored or if we reasonably believe an activity creates an immediate risk of injury, property damage, illegal activity, or significant disruption to the building.

• Ending a rental because of a material violation of studio policies does not automatically entitle the renter to a refund.

WEATHER + UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES

• We're in the U.P., and we know weather occasionally has its own plans.

• If severe weather, a building issue, power outage, or another circumstance outside either party's reasonable control makes the studio unusable or unsafe, we'll work with you to find a new date.

• If Way North cannot reasonably provide the reserved studio time and rescheduling isn't possible, we may refund payments made toward the affected rental.

AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS

By submitting payment, signing your Studio Rental Agreement, and using Way North Studio, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the policies applicable to your reservation.

Specific projects may have additional requirements depending on the nature of the production.

Questions after reading that whole thing?? Send em over; we’ll be happy to chat more!