Why Brands Are Ditching Agencies and Booking Studios on SpareSpace
Here is a number every D2C founder and brand manager should know: the average production agency in Delhi NCR charges ₹500–₹2,000 per product image. For a 50-product catalogue with 3 angles each, that is ₹75,000 to ₹3,00,000. Most of that cost is not the photography itself - it is agency overhead, project management, studio markup, and profit margin layered on top of each other.
A growing number of Indian brands have figured out a better model: book a studio directly on SpareSpace, hire a freelance photographer, and produce the same quality content at 50–85% lower cost. Here is how they are doing it and why this shift is accelerating in 2026.
The Agency Model vs The SpareSpace Model
| What You Pay For | Agency Model | SpareSpace Model |
|---|---|---|
| Studio space | Included (but marked up 2–3x) | ₹1,000–₹3,000/hr (transparent) |
| Equipment | Included in package | Included in studio rate |
| Photographer | Agency's team (premium rate) | Your freelancer (₹3,000–₹10,000/session) |
| Creative direction | Agency plans everything | You bring the shot list and references |
| Project management | 15–25% of total cost | You manage (or your marketing team does) |
| Editing | Included | Freelancer or DIY (₹0–₹5,000) |
| 30-product shoot total | ₹50,000–₹1,50,000 | ₹8,000–₹20,000 |
The SpareSpace model is not about cutting corners. It is about removing the layers between your brand and the studio. The lights are the same. The backdrops are the same. The camera is the same. What you are not paying for is someone else's office rent, HR costs, and profit margin.
How Brands Actually Use SpareSpace
Monthly Product Launch Shoots
D2C brands launching new products every month need fresh catalogue images constantly. Instead of engaging an agency on retainer (₹50,000–₹2,00,000/month), they book a SpareSpace studio for a half-day session each month. Four hours at ₹1,500/hr = ₹6,000 for the studio. Add a freelance photographer at ₹5,000. Total: ₹11,000/month for 15–25 new product images. That is ₹1,32,000/year vs ₹6,00,000+ with an agency.
Social Media Content Days
Brands need a constant stream of Instagram, LinkedIn, and website imagery. Book a SpareSpace studio with styled backdrops and good lighting, bring your products and props, and batch-shoot a month of social content in one 3-hour session. The controlled environment means every image has consistent brand aesthetics — something home shoots and office-desk photos never achieve.
Brand Campaign and Lookbook Shoots
Fashion brands, jewellery labels, and lifestyle companies book SpareSpace premium studios for seasonal lookbooks and campaign imagery. Cyclorama walls, professional lighting rigs, makeup rooms, and multiple backdrop options — all available at ₹2,000–₹5,000/hr instead of locking into a ₹1,00,000+ agency campaign package.
Podcast and Video Content Production
Brands producing podcast series, YouTube interviews, or video testimonials book SpareSpace podcast and filming studios. Soundproofed rooms, broadcast mics, multi-camera setups — everything needed for professional brand content without a production house on retainer. A 2-hour recording session costs ₹3,000–₹8,000 instead of ₹30,000–₹50,000 through a production agency.
Influencer Collaboration Shoots
When brands collaborate with influencers, they need a neutral, professional space. SpareSpace studios provide controlled environments for both parties — book a 2-hour session, shoot the content, and walk away with usable assets.
Book your brand's next shoot on SpareSpace →
The Economics at Every Scale
| Brand Stage | Monthly Content Need | SpareSpace Cost | Agency Cost | Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early-stage D2C | 15–20 product images | ~₹11,000/mo | ~₹50,000/mo | ₹4,68,000 |
| Growing brand | 30 images + social content | ~₹18,000/mo | ~₹1,00,000/mo | ₹9,84,000 |
| Established brand | 50 images + video + podcast | ~₹35,000/mo | ~₹2,00,000/mo | ₹19,80,000 |
Even established brands with large content needs save nearly ₹20 lakh annually by switching from agency-dependent production to SpareSpace studio bookings with freelance talent.
What You Need to Make This Work
A clear shot list — every product, angle, and setup planned in 30 minutes.
A freelance photographer — ₹3,000–₹10,000/session, found on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Products prepped and camera-ready — steamed, cleaned, organised before arrival.
Basic editing — Lightroom (₹800/mo), Remove.bg for backgrounds, Canva for social. Or a freelance editor at ₹2,000–₹5,000/batch. Still far cheaper than agency fees.
Why SpareSpace Makes This Possible
Before SpareSpace, the "book a studio directly" model was painful — finding studios via Instagram DMs, no transparent pricing, no availability visibility, no payment protection. Brands stuck with agencies partly because agencies handled this friction.
SpareSpace removes that friction entirely. Browse 100+ verified studios in Delhi NCR. See exactly what each studio includes. Compare hourly rates side by side. Check real-time availability. Book instantly with secure payment. Protection packages cover cancellations and damages. The platform handles the logistics so your brand can focus on the creative.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do brands save on SpareSpace?
50–85%. A 30-product shoot: ₹8,000–₹20,000 on SpareSpace vs ₹50,000–₹1,50,000 via agency.
Can brands run professional shoots without an agency?
Yes — SpareSpace studio + freelance photographer + prepared shot list = agency-quality results at a fraction of the cost.
What shoots work on SpareSpace?
Product catalogues, social content, campaigns, lookbooks, podcasts, videos, and influencer collaborations.
Does this work for recurring needs?
Yes — many brands book monthly SpareSpace sessions. Hourly booking scales up or down with no contracts.
How do I start?
Visit sparespace.co.in, browse studios, compare, book. No contracts, no minimums.
SpareSpace — Where brands produce content. Studios from ₹1,000/hr. No agency needed.