Studio Fontana is the hair salon from seasoned stylist Francesco Fontana. 

Home to a number of trusted hair professionals, this bright and airy space also has an in-house photography studio that's free to book. 

With a career that spans over two decades (and includes an 80-haircut run as the hairdresser for the W makeover show Style By Jury), Fontana first launched his own brand 20 years ago, while working out of Yorkville's Bellair salon. 

He's seen the hair trends evolve over the years—he says the do-du-jour a decade ago was sleek and straight, and has since gained more and more body every year. But it wasn't until 2015 that he decided to open up his own space in the bottom floor of this Wellington condo. The studio gets tons of natural light, with several areas to sit, the washing station, and a mezzanine-style area with salon styling chairs and big mirrors. Prices range, depending on who you're getting your hair done by. 

A session in Francesco's seat starts at around $114 for women, and $72 for men.

If you're getting your hair balayaged by an Elite Master Stylist like Krysten-Ashley Garrod (who's won a whole slew of Contessa and Colorzoom awards), you'll pay around $242. 'New Talent Stylists', who are more recent arrivals to the studio, start at around $45 for women's cuts, $30 for men, and $120 for highlights with base colour or balayage. 

They also offer other beauty services like eyelash extensions ($180), brow shaping ($20), and full face makeup ($1oo). 

What really sets Studio Fontana apart is its photo cove, an open corner of the salon that comes fully equipped with its own cyclorama, two strobe lights, a reflector, multiple different-coloured back drops, and a clothing rack. Shockingly, the space is completely free to use, which is basically unheard of. When we arrive, there are a pair of models from Elmer Olsen having their headshots done. 

"When I first started styling, it was impossible for us to get a studio," says Fontana. "It would have been really nice to have something like this." 

The presence of the photography cove definitely adds a lot of fun to the hair-cutting experience, and feels like a physical space where fashion and styling really come to intersect. 

The studio even offers the use a salon chair for whatever purposes you need, as long as it's not already in use.

There's typically only one shoot happening per day: you can book it for one-hour intervals by calling or scheduling your photoshoot online.

The only ask is that you follow Studio Fontana on social media, and maybe give it a share or two.