Step into the chilling world of photography where the lens captures more than just images. This curated list of horror films set in photo studios offers a unique blend of suspense, mystery, and terror. From haunted cameras to cursed photographs, these movies delve into the dark side of capturing life's moments, making them a must-watch for fans of both horror and photography.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
Description: While not exclusively set in a photo studio, this classic horror film involves a portrait that ages instead of its subject, Dorian Gray. The studio where the portrait is painted becomes a symbol of vanity and moral decay.
Fact: The film won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, highlighting the importance of visual storytelling in this tale.


Polaroid (2019)
Description: A high school loner discovers an old Polaroid camera that seems to kill those it photographs. The film uses the photo studio setting to explore the curse of the camera.
Fact: The film was inspired by a short film of the same name, which was also directed by Lars Klevberg.


The Photographer (2000)
Description: A photographer's life spirals into horror when he starts capturing images of a mysterious woman in his photos, leading him to a chilling discovery about his own past. The film uses the photo studio as a central location for unraveling the mystery.
Fact: The film was directed by Jeremy Stein, who also wrote the screenplay, making it a personal project with a unique vision.


Shutter (2008)
Description: After a hit-and-run accident, a photographer begins to see ghostly figures in his photographs, leading him and his wife to uncover a dark secret from his past. This film uses the photo studio setting to explore themes of guilt and the supernatural.
Fact: The film was remade from a Thai horror movie of the same name, and it includes a cameo by the original Thai film's director, Banjong Pisanthanakun.


The Photographer's Curse (2016)
Description: A young photographer inherits an old camera that seems to bring misfortune to anyone it captures. The studio where he works becomes a place of eerie occurrences and supernatural events.
Fact: The film was shot entirely in a real, abandoned photo studio, adding authenticity to its eerie atmosphere.


The Darkroom (2017)
Description: A photographer discovers a darkroom in her new home that develops photos with disturbing images from the past. The film uses the darkroom as a portal to explore themes of time and memory.
Fact: The film's director, Britt Napier, is known for her work in horror and thriller genres, bringing a unique perspective to this story.


The Photographer's Nightmare (2013)
Description: A photographer's dream job turns into a nightmare when her studio becomes haunted by the spirits of her subjects. This film delves into the psychological horror of capturing life's fleeting moments.
Fact: The film was shot in an actual haunted studio, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the horror.


The Shutterbug (2007)
Description: A photographer's obsession with capturing the perfect shot leads him into a world of supernatural horror. The studio becomes a place where reality and the supernatural blur.
Fact: The film was shot in black and white to enhance the eerie atmosphere and focus on the visual storytelling.


The Camera Obscura (2010)
Description: A photographer inherits an old camera that reveals hidden truths about people. The studio where he works becomes a place of revelation and terror.
Fact: The film was inspired by real-life stories of cursed cameras and haunted photography equipment.


The Dark Frame (2015)
Description: A photographer's life is turned upside down when his studio starts producing photos that predict future events, including his own death. This film explores the concept of fate through photography.
Fact: The film uses a mix of practical effects and CGI to create the eerie, otherworldly images that appear in the photographs.
