2022
In January we were given the go ahead to take on our new premises.
Weve now fully relocated to London SE26, opening two brand new, fully equipped photo and film studios in a former foundry.
This building has been transformed by a strong building team working for the landlords, Whirled Art Studios, (who were also our first ever landlords in Loughborough Junction in 2006).
For our part, weve constructed a 6m x 6m x 3m Infinity Cove and kitted out the whole space from top to bottom also building a stylish client lounge, kitchen and office.
We opened on November 7th 2022.
2020
Things started well with a shoot featuring cast of BBC’s Fleabag, yoga and swing dance classes plus a pop up supper club. Then, of course Covid 19 put a spanner in the works, resulting in a temporary shut down of all business, studio bookings and events. We’ve taken this quiet time to fit a reclaimed gym floor into Studio One, launch two new websites and give everything a fresh start.
2018
2018 hosted shoots for Harvey Nichols, ‘rising star’ photographer Haris Nukem, lingerie brand Curvy Kate, circus aerialists Empress Stah and Martin & Beth, while continuing our workshop programme with The Photo Academy. The year culminated with rehearsals for a theatre production of Peter Pan featuring Robert Lindsay and a fully immersive Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe event.
2016
This year Simulacra Studio co-founded Sodium Burn Creative, a photo studio and design agency with original partner Chris Charalambous of Sodium Burn on the Greek island of Paros in the Cyclades. The agency aims to bring high quality design and branding to businesses on the island which include luxury villas, hotels and restaurants and host studio and location shoots encompassing the unique beauty of the region. 2016 was also Simulacra Studio's 10 year business anniversary.
2014
Simulacra Studio received the runner-up prize in the Highest Growth category at The Lambeth Business Awards. Clients this year includes online giants ASOS, DJ Charlie Sloth, concierge company Quintessentially and regular shoots at Ralph Lauren, finishing off the year shooting The Conran Christmas Gift Guide which went out as a supplement in all relevant press.
2012
Simulacra Studio leaves Whirled Arts and finds a new home in the former arches of Brixton East Station on Barrington Rd, SW9. The building was dilapidated and semi derelict on commencement of tenancy but the studio crew refurbished from top to bottom, transforming everything into a state of the art photography and video studio, with adjoining bar.
2010
Chris Charalambous temporarily leaves the fold to take up an offer he can't refuse, becoming Creative Director at Quintessentially. Simulacra Studio is taken under the wing of this large company and we benefit from several new, big photography and publishing opportunities down the line.
2008
This year was our year of Independence as we sought out lots of small, independent fashion and retail labels, revamping their websites, branding, graphics and product photography. Clients included T and F Slack Shoemakers, Slack Cycling, Black Truffle, Peter May, Les Couilles Du Chien, Duro Alowu and more...
2006
Simulacra Studio is born! Founded by Photographer Francois Boutemy and Designer Chris Charalambous, the new company found residence as part of artist's community Whirled Arts, cohabiting with an art house cinema, potters, painters, woodworkers, a film maker and a sound studio.
2023
We are now in our new studios in Sydenham,
London SE26.
The space is composed of two studios housed in a former foundry, the largest with a 13m x 3m infinity cove and green screen.
This year we've hosted lots of new clients, those of note include CBBC, Costa Coffee, Wonderland Magazine, incredibly accomplished photographer Hamish Brown and handmade, custom motorbike helmet makers Headon, as well as Lloyds TSB who shot a commercial in our lounge.
Our European work includes The Real Work Athens, Clementina Paros, Sivanis Paros and Villa Anat Paros.
2021
At the tail end of 2020 we launched a new Livestream service, in part to give a broadcast alternative to clients who previously held events and classes with us.
This meant we hosted a fully online NYE party with the full soundsystem erected in the studio, green screen and DJs through the night.
Through the early months of the year we created some great client websites for Siparos restaurant in Paros, Greece www.siparos.gr and for Brighton Tattooist and Anthropologist Fade Meraki www.tattooanthropology.com
Finally, after an 18 month closure (thanks Covid!) and a couple of false starts to the hospitality industry, we fully opened our doors again in July, re scheduling all the events we'd had to cancel from the past year into back to back Friday and Saturday nights.
Our landlords ArchCo remained committed to obtaining full rent through the entire 18 months of hospitality shut down, leaving us in a make or break situation, however a glimmer of hope presented itself also, a new opportunity to move location and open much better studios in 2022.
2019
This year we became official photographers for AirBnB in addition to 360 Tour and 3D Map creators for Google Maps. This meant we spent a lot of time shooting incredible properties and luxury villas in Mykonos and Paros. The London studio launched a new, dedicated online platform for equipment hire. and alongside our daily studio bookings events were booming, including firm favourite Touching Bass.
2017
2017 saw Simulacra Studio take the London license for The Photo Academy, international photography workshop providers operating in Paris, Brussels, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Helsinki and Geneva. The workshop program includes beginner level, introductory classes, more advanced, artistic development courses, private classes and masterclasses, both in the studio and out on location around the city. Classes have a maximum of 7 students to keep the tuition hands on and specific to individual's needs.
2015
After many years of running parties and late night gatherings at the studio on temporary event notices, this year saw the birth of new company Simulacra Studio Events to meet rising demand, becoming a fully licensed venue in the process. Our events encompass club nights, product launches, exhibitions, cabarets, theatre shows, wine tasting evenings, soirées and shindigs of every description, including some big brands and DJs, a Boiler Room session and a nod from Time Out calling the venue 'one to watch for 2015'.
2013
Clients included Ralph Lauren, EMI, Rizzle Kicks, Daisy Lowe and Schon Magazine while Simulacra Studio Director Francois shot two publications in print, Gentleman and 100 Most Iconic Wine Estates released by Quintessentially Publishing.
2011
This year we realised we'd finally outgrown our premises and began the long hunt for a suitable new building, this was no small feat. One spot was fully lined up, deposit paid, then on the day we were set to move in, it dawned that our immediate neighbours were a breakers yard. The estate agent forgot to mention this and oddly every visit seemed serene. Sadly the sight of a JCB feeding a bus into a crusher scuppered the venture from there, but we eventually found and settled on the former Brixton East Station.
2009
The Brixton Pound launched this year and Simulacra Studio were supporters from the off, notable projects included creating the website for Lambeth Wide Open, an artist portal funded by Lambeth Borough Council and shooting Full Monty and Slum Dog Millionaire screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and English Indie Rock band The Cribs.
2007
After a year in business Simulacra Studio already have regular collaborations with high calibre clients such as Ralph Lauren under their belt, plus proximity to Brixton Academy means music press giants NME book Fever Ray, Maximo Park & Bombay Bicycle Club to shoot with us round the corner.
Simulacra Studio are a professional photography and film studios in South London, one of the very few in the South with an infinity cove. If you’re in the near by area and need a go-to studios for film, music video, photos or TV, this is the best resource you’ll find.
Studio One is purpose built in a former foundry, taking advantage of the high apex roof, great natural light and open floor space, there is a second product and headshot studio on site, ideal for smaller productions, or both studios can be rented together for larger shoots.
There’s also a comfortable, spacious client lounge which has a cool industrial look; painted concrete floors, a large, wooden table on wheels, a coffee table made from a flight case and a plush velvet sofa and hanging plants.
The overall feel is a technical and creative environment, so if you’re near and you work in a creative industry this is a great resource for shooting photos and film..
Staff also offer warm hospitality, supporting equipment set up, providing catering if needed including welcome breakfasts and crew lunches.
There is also the advantage of inclusive kit provided with every booking and they rent for location work, so if you need equipment rental for near by shoots this is one studios you can contact for support.
Usual hours are between 8am-8pm but early mornings and late nights are also accommodated, so if you have a particular schedule or needed extended hours the team will make this happen.
Simulacra Studio also stock scenic flats, green screen and Colorama for use on site or on location.
Speak to the team about your next shoot, music video, set construction or equipment rental. If you’re near you can always arrange to drop in for a viewing to see the studios in person and a chat. You’ll be able to take your own photos or video to show colleagues interested in using the space, but feel free to share any of our social media or website photos .
Simulacra Studio have an incredible array of clients including household names such as Net A Porter, Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren but also feel their strength lies in supporting small independent businesses, designers and retailers with full packages including photography, videography, logo design, website creation and social media management, all conducted from the studio using their in house team.