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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Progression of setting up my studio space
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03/19/2011 02:17:44 PM · #1
After much debate and thinking and talking I have decided to turn my bedroom into a small studio space. I am focusing my photography on young children and wanted to do studio work. So here is the start of the carnage. I will update as I make progress.
Where I use to sleep, soon to be the main posing area. There will be painting and a small hardwood floor setup and two backdrops to start (not including the black and white ones I have) Next...
The shooting area (I think I will be getting a lot of use out of my 50mm 1.4 due to the small space. The shooting are is 10'x12' but the room is just a bit wider which will help with the lights. This wall will be painted and photos hung. Straight and simple. Also notice the door (sadly it is not North facing and the light fades fast after two so I will be using my lights a lot) it walks out the basement and there is a walkway up to the driveway. So I will be able to keep the studio space separate from the rest of the house.
The workstation. This will be staying in here as I have nowhere else for it. Not sure if I want to put up a divider or not to keep it separated from the clients view. So there you have it. Several hours into making my studio. Goal is to be done at Easter.
03/19/2011 03:31:28 PM · #2
So where ya gonna sleep?

R.
03/19/2011 03:39:19 PM · #3
Originally posted by Bear_Music:

So where ya gonna sleep?

R.


On the couch. I figured this will be the cheapest (and easiest since I don't need to find a babysitter) to figure out if this is the route I really want to go. And if I work at it and market myself and get enough business then I will either open a studio or buy a house with space for a studio.

I finished moving the stuff out and brought in my lights to test it out. Now I am thinking about skipping painting for now. I got a very slight blue cast on my very white shirt (on the lower back corner) and none on my skin or anything else.
03/19/2011 06:12:42 PM · #4
Have you worked out how much everything is going to cost you yet?
03/19/2011 06:43:35 PM · #5
Originally posted by Adz:

Have you worked out how much everything is going to cost you yet?


Yeah I researched and set a budget. I already have the lights so it is pretty much the props and flooring and more then half of my budget for the backdrops. All in all it is costing around $1,000.
03/19/2011 08:20:26 PM · #6
Got the lions share done after a long day. Will take and post pictures tomorrow.
03/19/2011 08:45:28 PM · #7
"(and easiest since I don't need to find a babysitter) "

What does this have to do with a babysitter?
03/19/2011 09:20:25 PM · #8
Originally posted by David Ey:

"(and easiest since I don't need to find a babysitter) "

What does this have to do with a babysitter?


I have primary custody of my two young kids so if I go on a location shoot I have to have someone watch the kids. With the studio in the house the kids can just play in their rooms.
03/19/2011 09:57:18 PM · #9
So, you'll be photographing young children in your bedroom, eh? Hmmm...
03/19/2011 10:56:29 PM · #10
....and because they are home, a babysitter is not required?
03/20/2011 03:42:19 AM · #11
i really don't think this is a great idea and would highly advise against doing portraits of any kind where someone could walk out of there and tell someone else, "I think he's sleeping on his sofa..." once word like that gets around bedford hills, it would be pretty hard to undo the perception of 'low rent'...

on the other hand, if you set it up to do stock photography, shooting products, food, and other non-people, non-pet things, you might be able to pull it off. you might even be able to create a handful of different sets (like a fake kitchen counter).

it's apparent that photography is something you'd like to do. there's nothing easy about being a single parent, having to work, and trying to turn a hobby into a business. it's not impossible (even though it may seem that way at times), but it is going to take time. when i started out six years ago, my kids were barely in elementary school. i had four other families that would let my kids come over to their homes 2-3 times a week, staying from after school until dinner time. in return, these families got some spectacular photos of their kids (and, i'd also return the favor of taking their kids whenever i could). i also did community photography for my kids activities, donating time and images to their teachers, coaches, etc. you can find people to support you, and you can get your business off the ground - just don't do things that will create a perception that will be hard to overcome down the road.

Message edited by author 2011-03-20 04:52:37.
03/20/2011 08:46:20 AM · #12
Originally posted by Skip:

i really don't think this is a great idea and would highly advise against doing portraits of any kind where someone could walk out of there and tell someone else, "I think he's sleeping on his sofa..." once word like that gets around bedford hills, it would be pretty hard to undo the perception of 'low rent'...

on the other hand, if you set it up to do stock photography, shooting products, food, and other non-people, non-pet things, you might be able to pull it off. you might even be able to create a handful of different sets (like a fake kitchen counter).


I understand that Skip but I don't think that anyone would think I turned my bedroom into a studio. This room was actually just setup to be a part of my apartment less then a year ago and was originally an office. There is no closet and looking around it would be difficult to guess that I would be sleeping on the couch. I think with the location of the house and all it should be ok. Not sure what other option I really have at this moment. I definitely value your opinion and respect your knowledge on this, I just am unsure of what else I can do and I think by keeping the studio separate from the rest of the house, complete with its own door outside, there is no reason to think low rent. I know a few photographers in the area that started by using a spare bedroom as a studio and did quite well. Of course renting out my parents basement may say otherwise but this is where I am in life at the moment and I am working on changing that and this is one way I am doing that. If you have any other advice or if you think there is a better way I really would like to hear from you. Thank you Skip.

Oh, I have thought of doing some stock photos in the room, no sense waiting for portraits to get to work. I just have a difficult time coming up with ideas that will sell.

eta: It seems a lot of the big names in photography really have a speciality, around here everyone seems to be a wedding, portrait, engagement, baby, newborn, maternity, senior, I shoot everything type of photographer. I wanted to really focus and specialize in one type and get my name to be synonymous with children's portraiture. I love shooting many different things but I was thinking specializing would help set me apart. What are your thoughts on that?

Message edited by author 2011-03-20 09:18:49.
03/20/2011 09:08:32 AM · #13
Originally posted by David Ey:

....and because they are home, a babysitter is not required?


They are old enough to be left alone in another room but not home alone.
03/20/2011 02:43:34 PM · #14
good luck with it then, joshua.
03/20/2011 02:55:39 PM · #15
good luck!!! I really hope jobs start to come in and everything works out! I think that childeren photography would be great. it seems to me that there is such an age gap sometimes about what goes on here. (sometimes)

Anyways, like i said, best of luck to you!

Message edited by author 2011-03-20 14:55:54.
03/20/2011 03:11:01 PM · #16
Originally posted by ScooterMcNutty:

it seems to me that there is such an age gap sometimes about what goes on here. (sometimes)

my kids don't get me, either ;-)
03/20/2011 05:24:40 PM · #17
Good Luck with your new venture. Hope this will work out well for you. Painting the room and adding some of your images on a wall that won't be needed will be right in keeping with this.

For an inexpensive way to do this (without having to purchase expensive frames) I recall Cindy Penrod (member here) using foam core that had adhesive on one side so you print your photos (printing them with a boarder if desired) adhere them to the foam core and cut around with a stanley knife. She was also setting up a studio.

03/20/2011 07:49:51 PM · #18
Originally posted by Skip:

Originally posted by ScooterMcNutty:

it seems to me that there is such an age gap sometimes about what goes on here. (sometimes)

my kids don't get me, either ;-)


lol what i meant was that a lot of the times, the photography that is posted is very very young like babys and newborns, or older engagement, wedding, senior type photography. Not a huge amount of just children.
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