A studio is a key tool for professional photographers everywhere. It allows them to work in an environment that is more controlled and tuned to their specific requirements. It is not a necessity to take photos, but it is crucial for when you need to capture something that is not of professional quality. A studio allows the photographer to manipulate many inputs available to them to craft the perfect picture for whatever its use might be. This could include personal or commercial photography. Having a studio allows you to have a personal space to work and create, an area that fosters creativity. Here i’ll go over some basics to consider when crafting your work space into a photo studio.
To begin with, the actual studio are doesn’t have to be a sprawling area. You are going to need enough room for backdrops, lights, umbrellas etc. You don’t want to be cramped in your space. It may be that you need to change the layout mid shoot, and not having enough space to work could hamper your ability to produce your work. Be very careful when looking around. When you do find a space that is adequate for your work, make sure that you have enough dedicated space to work. This should be an area that is obstruction free and offers a fairly spartan working space. Too many distractions can be bad for both the photographer or their subject matter. This also means keeping your working and business areas as segregated as possible. This again limits your total distractions and gives your company a sense of order and structure. There can be certain creative ways to integrate both spaces, but that really depends on your space and what is available to you.
Its also important to remember that your studio space has to be large enough to hold all your equipment, as well as having enough area to work. You should pay special attention to how you organize your storage space. When in the middle of a shoot, it can be a hassle and you may lose your concentration and momentum if you have to struggle to access equipment on the fly. Having a proper inventory allows you to maximize your efficiency and storage area. A common practice is to have a photography studio in your residence. This has benefits and negatives. This can be a way to save money but combining your business with your personal life may be hectic and difficult to separate. If you do have the space in your home to house a studio, make sure that you understand the demands of running a business from your home.
Having a studio is big next step, but you should also be prepared to furnish it with the correct equipment. In the beginning, your studio demands may not be that grand. You should at a minimum have working lighting system, some tools to affect light, a number of backdrops and a decent amount of furniture and props. If you know what kind of pictures you are doing, it would be wise to look for somewhat cheap props to fill out your photo shoots. Having a set of standard props and furniture is also a good idea. A set of different chairs, benches or even flowers can dramatically change the tone of your shoot.
Similarly, you should pay attention to varied use of colors in your studio. When painting the walls, try to avoid using too bright of colors. Bright colors can distort your images. Grey is a solid choice that limits the effects on your subject matter. Also on the subject of the studio, make sure that you show off yourself. This is of course your studio space, it’s the space that harbors you’re creativity. It’s not a bad idea to show off to other people in your space.