Studio Space

W00DY

Hi All,

Question regarding studio space options... I am in the process of planning a studio and feel I have the following options:

1. Setup a new studio - expensive

2. Rent studio space as required - expensive over the long run and no real "base".

3. Share studio space with other photographers - similar to rent space but you set it up together and have a reception area, viewing room etc...

Setting up in my home is not a path I want to go down. I would rather have some retail type space.

So if you are working out of a studio I would love to hear what you think of the above options and if there is anything I have not thought of.

Cheers,

ChatKat

Glad to share - sometimes
I am building a space in my area and it's pretty pricey to run - electicity for lights, an office area to meet with clients and do my day work that really pays the bills, water for the loo, insurance! and yes to bulid the place with just the right touches so to attract people who will pay me for my work!

I looked at industrial spaces - but could not see Mom's coming with infants there, found other photographers who were willing to share with me, but their housekeeping did not meet my criteria -and the scheduling might have left me with the studio not being available when I need it although the price was great or the one where they were just too expensive or not quite suitable for ME and my work. Just like the story of the three bears, I finally found something just right. It's all mine :ivar

That said, I wouldn't mind having other photographers use it even at reasonable rates or for some kind of trade out. But like the girl or guy of your dreams, you will know what is a match for you.

LiquidAir

W00DY wrote:

3. Share studio space with other photographers - similar to rent space but you set it up together and have a reception area, viewing room etc...

Actually, in my area there is a photographer co-op studio with no retail front. It is just a room with lights, modifiers, backdrops and a changing room. Each photographer pays $300/month for membership. Each of the photographers runs the rest of their business out of thier home.

W00DY

ChatKat wrote:

I am building a space in my area and it's pretty pricey to run - electicity for lights, an office area to meet with clients and do my day work that really pays the bills, water for the loo, insurance! and yes to bulid the place with just the right touches so to attract people who will pay me for my work!

I looked at industrial spaces - but could not see Mom's coming with infants there, found other photographers who were willing to share with me, but their housekeeping did not meet my criteria -and the scheduling might have left me with the studio not being available when I need it although the price was great or the one where they were just too expensive or not quite suitable for ME and my work. Just like the story of the three bears, I finally found something just right. It's all mine :ivar

That said, I wouldn't mind having other photographers use it even at reasonable rates or for some kind of trade out. But like the girl or guy of your dreams, you will know what is a match for you.

Thanks Kathy.

Agree about the industrial sites and Mums... whilst the dream is to have a nice big deserted warehouse convert, you have to look at the target market

My preference would be to setup my own, the only thing holding me back is the cost. But then I guess you get what you pay for.

Maybe the sharing option could be the way to go for a while until I am setup more?

W00DY

LiquidAir wrote:

Actually, in my area there is a photographer co-op studio with no retail front. It is just a room with lights, modifiers, backdrops and a changing room. Each photographer pays $300/month for membership. Each of the photographers runs the rest of their business out of thier home.

That is an interesting concept. I'm not sure if there are any in Sydney?

LiquidAir

W00DY wrote:

That is an interesting concept. I'm not sure if there are any in Sydney?

No idea. Thats a looooong way from here. I found out about the one here at the local photo store. Try asking around at any photo store which carries studio gear.

dogwood

I personally rent when a studio is absolutely necessary, and shoot on location the rest of the time. I have one client who needs catalog style shots of her clothing to post on-line. For that shoot, I actually go to her store, set up a white background and lights, and shoot in the store. I've done similar work in people's living rooms too.

Most of the portraits I shoot are on location-- high school seniors especially seem to like this.

When a studio is absolutely required, of course the client pays the rental fee (just like they would pay the overhead cost if I owned a studio). The advantage of rental studios is you get to try out new spaces and often there are cool walls or areas in different studios for variety.

W00DY

dogwood wrote:

I personally rent when a studio is absolutely necessary, and shoot on location the rest of the time. I have one client who needs catalog style shots of her clothing to post on-line. For that shoot, I actually go to her store, set up a white background and lights, and shoot in the store. I've done similar work in people's living rooms too.

Most of the portraits I shoot are on location-- high school seniors especially seem to like this.

When a studio is absolutely required, of course the client pays the rental fee (just like they would pay the overhead cost if I owned a studio). The advantage of rental studios is you get to try out new spaces and often there are cool walls or areas in different studios for variety.

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the response. Can I ask what setup you use with your portable lighting? you obvioulsy have a backdrop and stands but do you use 2, 3, 4 lights?

I have a 2 light kit but the reason I was looking at a studio is because I would like to use more.

Do you find most people have a big enough room for you to setup in? What about if you were shooting kids? Do you take your own table or do you just always work with what they have in their house? I like having a reflective surface for the kids to be on/lean on... I guess I would have to take that all the time as well.

Cheers,

dogwood

W00DY wrote:

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the response. Can I ask what setup you use with your portable lighting? you obvioulsy have a backdrop and stands but do you use 2, 3, 4 lights?

Do you find most people have a big enough room for you to setup in? What about if you were shooting kids? Do you take your own table or do you just always work with what they have in their house? I like having a reflective surface for the kids to be on/lean on... I guess I would have to take that all the time as well.

A photo will work better than words here-- four lights. Two on the background, one key and one kicker. The space is so tight I'm literally shooting between clothing racks.



No one EVER has enough room to shoot in. Well, practically never! I just shoot around it and do the best I can. For head and shoulder shots, you don't need a full white background sweeping to the floor-- you can use a sheet or even a softbox as a background. I've also used a window-- just let the highlights blow out like this:



And hey-- even a pool will work as a studio in a pinch...

W00DY

dogwood wrote:

A photo will work better than words here-- four lights. Two on the background, one key and one kicker. The space is so tight I'm literally shooting between clothing racks.

No one EVER has enough room to shoot in. Well, practically never! I just shoot around it and do the best I can. For head and shoulder shots, you don't need a full white background sweeping to the floor-- you can use a sheet or even a softbox as a background. I've also used a window-- just let the highlights blow out like this:

Pete,

Thanks for the insight, much better than just words.

What equipment do you use light and stand wise? As mentioned I have a 2 light setup, they are only cheap (grey imports from Hong Kong) but do a reasonable job at this stage, I was thinking of making them my background lights and getting better gear for my main subject / highlights lights.

I think I need to spend some time at a lighting store to understand what is available. I noticed you have a boom in one of your shots aslo. Woudl you be able to list what you have?

Cheers mate.

thenimirra

Pete that's a great shot with the models in the swimming pool. Can I steal that idea please?

Dizzle

LiquidAir wrote:

Actually, in my area there is a photographer co-op studio with no retail front. It is just a room with lights, modifiers, backdrops and a changing room. Each photographer pays $300/month for membership. Each of the photographers runs the rest of their business out of thier home.

I would LOVE to have this set-up here in Denver. I am trying to find a few photogs that mighht be interested in doing something like this.

Would you possibly be able to pass along some info on the set-up or contact info for any of the members of your local co-op?

Thanks!

dogwood

thenimirra wrote:

Pete that's a great shot with the models in the swimming pool. Can I steal that idea please?

If you don't mind sloppy thirds-- I swiped the idea from a shoot on "America's Next Top Model" last season. And I can't recommend enough trying to shoot models in a pool. It's a blast, but it's also very challenging and there's the constant danger of electricity and water, so be very careful. But it really is fun-- just make sure you're willing to do everything the models have to do (get wet, go underwater, all that).

After that shoot, I was intrigued and learned there are actually photographers (and models!) who specialize in underwater model photography! I'm still planning another water shoot, but this time I'll at least have a better idea of what works and what doesn't (for example, radio waves don't travel through water, so pocket wizards are only useful if the underwater light is hardwired to a PW ABOVE the surface of the water).

Anyway, back to gear, the "boom" is just a standard c-stand. Gearwise, I'll use whatever I can on shoots, from reflectors (or foam core) to hotshoe strobes to monoheads to an RF connected to a power pack. A really good place for more info on gear is the alienbees website (http://www.alienbees.com) where they have a forum too. Strobist (www.strobist.com) is also fantastic for lighting info with minimal gear.

Shudderz

I was given the opportunity to open a space this past November. I don't regret it at all. It's a bit narrower than I'd like...but it works.

I've found that having a store front helps to legitimize my business. I don't have to worry about finding a space to set up in when I have a sitting. Leaving my lights and background up is SUCH a blessing.

I am fairly fortunate that a local Church (and dance studio) will let me set up if I need a larger space.

I waited (and prayed) about the right space. I ended up downtown, three doors down from the post office, two doors down from the dance studio in town. I have the best foot traffic in the world.

Electricity/water/etc....hasn't been as much as I thought it would be. The money I would have been spending on advertising to get my name out there, I use to pay the rent. I tried to get another photog to share the space with me, but she didn't want to worry about rent.

I do not regret opening a studio AT ALL! I'm doing what I love...I have a place for people to find me easily...I have a place where people can walk by and see samples of my work in the window.

W00DY

Shudderz wrote:

I was given the opportunity to open a space this past November. I don't regret it at all. It's a bit narrower than I'd like...but it works.

I've found that having a store front helps to legitimize my business. I don't have to worry about finding a space to set up in when I have a sitting. Leaving my lights and background up is SUCH a blessing.

I am fairly fortunate that a local Church (and dance studio) will let me set up if I need a larger space.

I waited (and prayed) about the right space. I ended up downtown, three doors down from the post office, two doors down from the dance studio in town. I have the best foot traffic in the world.

Electricity/water/etc....hasn't been as much as I thought it would be. The money I would have been spending on advertising to get my name out there, I use to pay the rent. I tried to get another photog to share the space with me, but she didn't want to worry about rent.

I do not regret opening a studio AT ALL! I'm doing what I love...I have a place for people to find me easily...I have a place where people can walk by and see samples of my work in the window.

That sounds great... Opening a studio is my goal for this year (big goal, I know!!!).

Just working out the logistics and trying not to think of the cost so much