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04/23/2008 10:49:54 PM · #51 |
Originally posted by JayA:
Me and a friend are setting up a studio in the Liverpool (UK) city center.
At the moment are budget is pretty high as we want the best equipment.
What would yous recommend using, from your experience? Cameras, lights, Lens etc etc.
Also can you recommend any retailers or manufactures?
Are main target audience will be younger people and models as well as some promotional stuff.
Also i'd love to hear from anyone who runs a similar sort of studio and has any tip or advice.
Thanks Jay |
Originally posted by JayA:
So far this is something like what we are going for...
Canon 5D
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon BG-E4 Battery Grip for 5D
(as well as other things, tripod, cards etc)
Lighting, we have a few meetings tomorrow with retailers to see if they can cut us any deals or give any advice.
i was thinking something like..
Bowens Esprint Gemini 750/750/750 3 head kit c/w stands, 100cm s/box, 2 brollys c/case
Travel pack Battery c/w case and charger and one head lead
Pulsar radio trigger
Am i missing anything out? any other lighting types/accessories i will need or will be useful? Is my choice in lens okay?
We want to get this right so atm price isnt really a issue.
Thanks again Jay |
Best is nice, but it'd be a very good idea to identify your specific needs and be smart with your purchases.
It doesn't sound like you've had much experience working in or running a studio, especially when you're prioritizing cameras, lenses, and lights. I strongly suggest finding local studio owners so you can see how other people do things. And I strongly suggest figuring out why you need a studio in the first place to get your work done. "Build it and they will come" is a nice thought but not entirely practical.
That said, something you'll realize very quickly is that space is a good thing because it has a tendency to vanish quick. Things to look for are open layouts, high ceilings, plenty of power outlets and a few circuits, ease of access for large equipment, and natural lighting if at all possible (because drapes are a lot easier to add than windows).
Storage is extremely important. Go vertical as much as possible, keep the floor open, and use wall space efficiently. How many other people will have access to the studio? What are you planning on sharing, and what do you want to keep locked up? Depending on your answers to those, secure storage might be something you should consider (ie - lockers, cabinets, equipment cages).
If you're dealing with people and models, then you need to keep them comfortable. A bathroom would be good. Figure out how you're going to heat and cool the place. Set aside an area for hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Sitting room/lounge would be nice. A small kitchen area would be nice too (fridge, microwave, hot water, etc).
As for work area, figure out what you need. Do you work with backdrops or do you need a set? Will your lighting work on the ground or do you want it all up in the air? Again pay attention to layout, space, and power.
And all that only barely begins to cover what goes on inside the studio. Will your business require store front/retail access or are you just looking for a place to work? Have you looked at what rent is going to cost you? Do you know how much insurance and liability will run?
I don't want to scare you off. I think running your own studio is extremely exciting. But my buddy and I looked around for over a year before we found our studio, and even then there were a billion and a half things that we didn't think of and had to figure out on the fly (and that's not a good way of running a business). Look at the big picture.
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04/23/2008 11:08:35 PM · #52 |
| My partner is dealing with all the rent, insurance and other financial aspects of it, for the moment im just concentrating on the Equipment, i think if we get that right the rest will follow, i understand we are going in at the deep end but my friend has experience running a business and although i have very limited experience working in a studio i have ideas, ambition and i learn quick :) |
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05/20/2008 08:07:45 PM · #53 |
Im going to be in New York all next week, Will the 5D and lenses be cheaper over there?
:) |
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05/20/2008 08:19:38 PM · #54 |
Originally posted by JayA:
Im going to be in New York all next week, Will the 5D and lenses be cheaper over there?
:) |
Most probably - they are currently on rebate. Buy it - post the boxes with the unnecessary accessories back to the UK and walk through with just the body and lenses... take a camera bag with you ;)
Also - I would pay attention to what  virtuamike just said - it is a good synopsis of all the things you need to consider.
Could you just re-iterate exactly what your client-base will be? And what sort of photos you are going for?
Also - you are missing a very key element of your equipment set-up. What computer system are you using? Mac or PC? Backup storage for said computer? File transfer system? Software? etc etc...
We use a high end Mac at work and an external drive to backup (probably be best if we had two externals actually)... whole thing will probably set you back a couple of grand...
Message edited by author 2008-05-20 20:20:21. |
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05/20/2008 08:30:36 PM · #55 |
| Even though the 5D etc are cheaper for you here in NYC, given the exchange rate between GBP and USD, you will have some difficulty when it comes to getting fixes under warranty in the UK if you have US bought Canon gear. Virtuamike is saying it for real, by the way. Any business requires that sort of smart thinking otherwise it is doomed to be a money losing rich boy's hobby. |
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05/20/2008 08:34:04 PM · #56 |
We will be targeting Models, bands etch who want portfolios or promotional photos, all clients will have option of location or studio with custom sets and themes with probs etc discussed before the shoot.
I think we are going to go with a Windows laptop linked up to a screen and external hard drives, less compatibility issues with windows i think. |
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05/21/2008 03:10:44 AM · #57 |
Originally posted by JayA:
We will be targeting Models, bands etch who want portfolios or promotional photos, all clients will have option of location or studio with custom sets and themes with probs etc discussed before the shoot.
I think we are going to go with a Windows laptop linked up to a screen and external hard drives, less compatibility issues with windows i think. |
Portfolio work for models can pay, but unless you're already doing it I'd strongly reconsider depending on them for business, especially if you're trying to attract them with "custom sets and themes". Look at the type of work that modeling agencies are using, because that's the type of work that pays. Those shots don't depend on tricks and gimmicks, but rather on a photographer's ability to connect with and sell a model. More often than not, clean and simple will get the job done.
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05/21/2008 10:19:32 AM · #58 |
Working with bands is fun, but sometimes frustrating. Make them pay up front. I have worked with them in the recording business for years, and I can tell you they all never agree on anything. Because of that, and the fact that they typically "pool" their money together, they always fight about the end product and you will be the one that gets screwed. One guy will want more of something and the other guy will want less. The other phenomenon about bands is that they always think that they are better than the really are. In their own minds they sound awesome and look cool. When they actually hear and look at themselves they typcially blame whomever was doing the work as to why they are not as cool as they think they are. It is pretty funny.
With that said, bands love working with guys that other bands they respect already used. So if you make a few bands happy, the rest fall in line.
I look forward to seeing your photos!
Message edited by author 2008-05-21 10:20:15. |
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05/21/2008 10:39:14 AM · #59 |
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05/21/2008 10:41:31 AM · #60 |
you might want to get a reportoire/portfolio up and running before taking the plunge. Shoot for magazines, papers, management labels and whatever else. It looks pretty silly opening a studio doing "band photography" without having taken pictures of any bands...
I'm not saying you haven't, but a friend of mine recently did the same thing and is so far out of his depth it's untrue.
ETA: I just checked out Mike's website... christ, he's pretty good! I'd trust his opinion.
Message edited by author 2008-05-21 10:43:20.
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05/21/2008 12:07:14 PM · #61 |
Some day all resturants might be McDonalds, but I would still rather eat somewhere else.
I think that there is room for you to be the type of photographer that you are and still make a name for yourself without the notion that you have to fit into a box so that you will be making the kind of images that will make you successful. I know that some of the best in the business make simple images and make money, but I don't think that makes you have to do the same thing as other photographers. The road might be harder, but in the end the images will be your own expression. Do what you love and the money will come. |
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05/21/2008 12:11:53 PM · #62 |
If you build it they will come. But they sure won't come back if customer service or quality is shite. Rather than spend a fortune on gimmicks, make sure you can deliver the very very best product first and customer service their fannies off!! :)
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05/21/2008 12:28:35 PM · #63 |
Originally posted by JayA:
Bowens Esprint Gemini 750/750/750 3 head kit c/w stands, 100cm s/box, 2 brollys c/case |
Have to agree with the Gemini Esprit's here! We use 4 of them in our studio (though they are 500s) and they are excellent and give a great result. We're just about to invest in a ceiling rail system for them! :)
You'll find the Bowens website here!
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05/21/2008 12:45:55 PM · #64 |
Originally posted by idnic:
If you build it they will come. But they sure won't come back if customer service or quality is shite. Rather than spend a fortune on gimmicks, make sure you can deliver the very very best product first and customer service their fannies off!! :) |
Amen to that. Word of mouth is king. |
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05/21/2008 01:19:19 PM · #65 |
At work so this is going to be quick. You ever processed a batch of photos on a laptop? And then done that day in day out... you will come to realise that you need a desktop to cut down the time it takes to process the photos to your finished product. Take a look at the Dell XPS range if you really want a Laptop for the portability... but i'm fairly sure desktops are more resilient to long term use (and you get more bang for your buck)... also a secondary computer is always a plus - think about how long it would take to get back up and running if your only computer broke down (without the ability to process photos, your whole company and thus income shuts down). Perfect setup would be a desktop and laptop (both the xps range or equivalent)... if one broke the other is always there... and you dont want to tell your customer that the photos arent ready because your computer broke.
and i would take note of previous posts re: types of photos and your income...
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05/21/2008 01:43:00 PM · #66 |
| Desktops are the way to go for this type of work. |
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05/21/2008 01:43:21 PM · #67 |
another option that's kind of meeting half way is to get a docking station for the laptop so you can run it through a regular tft monitor for the increased resolution and clarity. At my old job we had one at every desk so every laptop user could do all their work at home and in the office.
A bonus with this is that you get the portability of the cpu without the added cost of buying the desktop base unit.
It could prove useful.
As for processing on laptops- i do all mine on a laptop without any problems. I use 2gb of ram with lightroom, CS2 and a whole bunch of 3rd party ones like neat image, color efex etc etc and it works flawlessly. I back everything up onto a 400gb HD and then i have a guy who backs that up onto DVDs for me when I need it (usually a monthly thing). I also have copies of my software on the external HD too so if anything does go wrong, I can format the laptop, reinstall windows and have everything back up and running in a day- this is the worst case scenario and (knock on wood) hasn't happened yet.
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05/21/2008 02:40:24 PM · #68 |
I really appreciate everyones help and advice, and i am listening to it all, once ive got all the equipment which will hopefully be in the next few weeks the studio will not be opening till i am 100% comfortable with it all, im not expecting because i have the best equipment ill take the best photos, ill listen read and practice till there good enough no matter how long that takes.
I have a lot of contacts with bands, models etc and they will all be willing to help me set my portfolio up.
I agree that sometimes simple is best but everyone offers simple, if we also have out own gimmicks and unique selling points people will come to us for them and hopefully be happy with the results, and thats where word of mouth starts.
As for the computer set up i would like either a apple or windows laptop, still not decided linked up to a Lcd screen and a few external hard drives, ill also be doing a lot of editing at home on my own computer so a laptop and external HD will be useful.
Again thanks for everyones help and advice. |
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05/21/2008 04:57:32 PM · #69 |
Originally posted by JayA:
I have a lot of contacts with bands, models etc and they will all be willing to help me set my portfolio up.
I agree that sometimes simple is best but everyone offers simple, if we also have out own gimmicks and unique selling points people will come to us for them and hopefully be happy with the results, and thats where word of mouth starts.
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You need to consider amongst who that word of mouth is spreading. When you're dealing with models you're only as good as the talent you're working with, meaning if you want to build a strong book then you need a strong team (makeup, hair, wardrobe), strong models (agencies), and strong execution. Work through the contacts you have if you need to, but work up and be receptive to what everyone else is using to sell themselves and the talent they work with, because that's very indicative of where they're at. There's plenty of room within that scope to be creative, but don't lose sight of what's important for the sake of making it about yourself (which is usually what happens when people try too hard to be unique and different).
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