Are studio rentals usually private?

[socceronly]

I was looking for a bigger studio to shoot in.

In booking a 4 or 8 hour session, I was a little surprised to read that someone would be there to supervise what you do.

For me it doesn't matter, but I could see for some shoots it might be an issue.

Is that normal for booking a studio?

[mbrager]

Welcome to the forum. I do have a photography studio in Calgary. I think if you are also renting photography equipment such as strobe lights, modifiers, triggers and backgrounds in addition to the studio space and furniture, the owner is entitled to ensure you know what you are doing with it and isn't going to need to make an insurance claim. But I can see that eventually with a good relationship it might be possible to rent the space without "supervision." What kind of shooting are you planning for your studio shoot?