MDRN Studio Rental Kanata | Ottawa Photography Studio - Kanata, Ontario

Charlotte N.

I have reported this business to the Better Business Bureau and am now looking into legal alternatives regarding their conduct.

Despite paying their mandatory cleaning fee and clearly stating that animals would be present, I was charged an outrageous damage fee after my booking. I had even gone above and beyond by cleaning the space thoroughly and, for the first time ever, recorded how I left the studio before exiting—something I’ve never felt the need to do after over a year of studio rentals, many of which were of far higher quality.

They later claimed there was “cat urine” but refused to specify where it was found, despite my repeated requests. I offered to cross-check the location with my recording and was met with silence. Their unwillingness to provide basic transparency tells you everything about how they operate.

I had a strong feeling I’d be scammed, which is why I recorded this particular rental. And I was right.

The studio itself was not in a safe or acceptable condition for animals—they knowingly left the lining under the couch exposed and torn, which led the cats to crawl underneath. Had any of them gotten injured due to their negligent maintenance, they would have been facing a completely different kind of lawsuit.

What really exposed their greed was the fact that they charge $20 for every 5 minutes you're late. That policy alone told me exactly what kind of business this is: one that profits off penalties, not service.

They also claimed I had not paid the $500 deposit, despite their own terms and conditions clearly stating that the deposit was collected at the time of booking. Rather than engage in proper dispute resolution or follow the legal process, they skipped arbitration entirely (even though they mention it in their terms), and instead sent the matter straight to collections—a move that is both lazy and vindictive.

Unfortunately for them, I have the time and knowledge to properly respond. I will be submitting documentation to the credit bureaus and exploring my own legal avenues, as false collection claims can have consequences for both a business's credit and reputation.

I would strongly caution anyone considering renting this space; especially if you're an animal-related business or small creative team. There are plenty of better-managed studios in Ottawa that don't operate this way and don’t treat renters as targets for post-booking fees.

And before the owner attempts to lie in a response to this review, let it be known that I will gladly update this post with photos, screenshots, and video evidence to expose any false claims.

PS: I’ve also attached a laughable photo they claimed showed "damage" caused during the session—further proving their dishonesty. According to them, a 2-month-old kitten somehow leapt a metre in the air and left large scratches at the top of a couch without a single paw print, climb mark, or trace anywhere else. The best part? It’s a velvet couch—meaning the so-called “damage” disappears with a simple swipe of the hand. It’s obvious these marks were created after the fact to justify the charge.

If you do decide to rent this studio, be smart and protect yourself: keep receipts, screenshots, videos, and photo evidence. You’ll likely need them when you have to go to court against them.

Farrah S. P.

I've had the pleasure of using MDRN Studio numerous times throughout the year, from their festive holiday sets to their regular studio setups for branding and family photos. The team at MDRN Studio consistently delivers high-quality service and stunning results. Their communication is always great, and the booking platform and access information are always timely and efficient. I highly recommend MDRN Studio for any photography needs.

Sonia B.

My MDRN experience was very seamless. I am a creative brand photographer and it was one of these shoots for which I rented the studio and I was very satisfied. The walls are the perfect white, the windows provided ample light, even on an overcast day, and everything worked well. If you're like me and wondering what time of day gets that beautiful direct sunlight, it's in the afternoon -- even gets sunset light in the studio if it's clear.

Jireh W.

Was okay at best. Was really hot inside the rental and didn’t cool fast enough. Got some nice sweaty pictures.
Also, the lighting is not great if you’re taking photos in the evening. Could help if they had the option of blackout curtains.
Photo Booth was a fun and nice addition to the place. Also unsatisfied with their customer care.

Elise S.

I’ve used MDRN’s studio multiple times for client photo shoots, corporate filming and recently a personal photography session. I love their spaces for its abundance of natural light and transitional furniture, change room areas etc. The room is always super clean and staff is just a text away incase you need any help. The check in and check out directions are super easy and they even text you a visual image of where to park your vehicles!! I highly recommend their studio space 🙂

Amy Z.

I rented MDRN Studio Rental as a photoshoot location to host a portrait day and it was the best! Beautiful space, great natural light and lots of room for adding your own lighting. I love that there's an empty space to shoot in or set up your own backgrounds/set AND a furnished space to use so you don't *have* to bring your own props if you don't want to.

Love this place! Will be using again for sure.

Hilary M.

Me and another photographer rented out the white mini studio for headshots yesterday, and it was perfect! The space is smaller than their larger space on Denzil Doyle, so account for that when planning your sessions, but it was perfect for two of us taking headshots. The staff member who created us was very friendly and helpful, the location was great, and we got some awesome photos as the lighting was perfect. Will definitely be renting again.

Chantsy [. S.

I used this studio twice, once was gifted to me in exchange for promotion. The booking process and logistics was convenient, touch less and very easy to follow. The space itself is extremely well lit, light and airy. I love that there is a clean bathroom and a private room to change. I appreciate the set up that is available, but also the option of having their white walls. Free parking is a bonus.