How I created Simon Says Studio: a space to photograph, produce and share
When I created Simon Says Studio in Lisbon, I did not just want somewhere to set up lights, backdrops and cameras. I wanted to build a versatile space, equipped for photography, video, creative productions, workshops and food experiences.
Over the course of my career, I have worked from photojournalism through to advertising, product, food, portrait and fashion photography. That experience taught me that the final result depends as much on the idea as on the conditions in which it is carried out.
A studio is not just the place where you take photographs. It is also where a crew comes together, materials are prepared and the unexpected gets resolved. Simon Says Studio grew out of that idea.
Why I decided to create a studio of my own
Having a space of my own allowed me to work with greater control and freedom. I could now prepare each session, test lighting solutions and organise the studio according to the needs of each project.
There are rarely two identical productions. A product photograph may call for a precisely constructed light. A food session involves preparation, plating and coordination between the kitchen and the set. A portrait requires time, trust and attention to the person being photographed.
What I wanted, then, was a studio in Lisbon flexible enough to host different kinds of work and comfortable for clients, chefs, producers, photographers and videographers.
A space designed to change
One of the main characteristics of Simon Says Studio is how readily it adapts.
The same space can host an advertising shoot, a video production, an interview, a fashion catalogue, a workshop or a private event. Each project, however, calls for its own configuration.
Before a production, I try to understand the client's objective, the number of people involved, the equipment needed and the demands of setting up. From that information, I organise the areas so the crew can work fluidly.
Sometimes a large set is needed. In other cases, it matters more to prepare areas for wardrobe, make-up, product or production support. At a workshop or an event, the priority becomes how participants move through the space.
Product and advertising photography
Product photography is one of the areas where I most value the control the studio provides.
Every object reacts to light differently. A matte surface does not photograph like a metallic material, a varnished package or a transparent object. In the studio, I can build the lighting step by step, observe the materials and make whatever adjustments are needed.
A good product image should present the object clearly, but also respect the brand's identity. Depending on the objective, I can create a packshot for e-commerce, a creative composition for advertising or a lifestyle image for campaigns and social media.
A studio with a kitchen for food photography
Food photography played an important part in how I thought about Simon Says Studio.
The space has two equipped kitchens, which allows food preparation to work hand in hand with what is happening on set. That proximity is essential, because some ingredients quickly lose freshness, shine, volume or texture.
Having the kitchen built into the studio makes communication easier between photographer, chef, food stylist and assistants. The dish can be prepared, finished and photographed without unnecessary interruptions, with room to make corrections during the session.
To my mind, photographing food is not simply a matter of making a dish look appealing. I try to understand its identity, the ingredients, the technique and the message the brand, the restaurant or the chef wants to convey. The light, the framing and everything else should serve that narrative without taking the spotlight off the food.
Portrait, fashion and video production
With portraiture, the advantage of the studio lies not only in controlling the lighting. It also lies in being able to create a calm atmosphere.
Many people arrive at a corporate session feeling somewhat uneasy in front of the camera. Before shooting, I try to explain the process, build trust and guide small adjustments to posture and expression. The aim is to build a professional image without losing naturalness.
On fashion productions, how the space is organised shapes the pace of the session. Styling, wardrobe, make-up and the movement of the crew all have to be taken into account.
The studio can also be configured for interviews, corporate videos and product content. In those cases, I prepare the framing, the lighting and the sound, aiming to keep everything consistent throughout the recording.
A space open to other professionals
Although I use Simon Says Studio for the projects I shoot and direct, I always felt it was important to open the space to other professionals.
Photographers, videographers, production companies, agencies and brands can hire the studio to develop their own productions. Some crews arrive with all their equipment and a defined plan. Others need support preparing the space or resolving logistical details.
My own experience as a photographer helps me understand the practical needs of a production and anticipate problems. The aim is for every crew to find the conditions to work independently, in an organised and efficient way.
Workshops and food experiences
Over time, I realised the studio could host more than photo shoots and filming.
The kitchens, the size of the space and the possibility of creating different configurations made it possible to develop workshops, masterclasses, training sessions and food experiences.
In those projects, Simon Says Studio becomes a place for learning and sharing. Participants can watch processes unfold, try out techniques, ask questions and follow the work of photographers, chefs and other professionals.
More than a good-looking space
To my mind, a creative space should not simply be visually appealing. It should allow you to work well.
It needs organisation, flexibility, the right technical conditions and the ability to respond. It should let a crew grasp the logic of the space quickly and focus on the project.
Simon Says Studio continues to evolve through the projects it hosts and the needs of the crews that use it. I see it as an extension of my work as a photographer, but also as a place where other professionals can develop ideas, produce content and create new experiences.
Are you planning a project in Lisbon?
If you are organising a photo shoot, a film, a workshop or a creative production in Lisbon, Simon Says Studio can be adapted to the needs of your project.
To assess availability and the most suitable configuration, it helps to know the dates, the size of the crew, the equipment needed and the intended use.
Simon Says Studio came out of my own need to photograph and produce with greater freedom. Today, it is also a space where brands, teams and professionals can turn ideas into images, videos and experiences.
