How to Create a Home Photography Studio That Looks Legit to Clients
Being a photographer is one of the most rewarding careers out there. Not only do you get to set your own schedule and work on creative projects that you really connect to, but you’re also able to help clients capture beautiful moments in their lives.
It’s a job that’s full of opportunities, pleasant surprises, and of course, a few challenges. But, most photographers can’t imagine themselves doing anything else!
If you love the feeling of picking up a camera and capturing a beautiful image, it may be time to consider opening your own photography studio. In fact, you can do this in the comfort of your home!
Here are 5 tips to help you create the ultimate professional photography studio.
1. Focus on the Lighting
Take a walk around the house and identify where the best lighting is. Think about how the natural light shifts throughout the day and how you’d be able to control the light no matter what time of day you’re working.
Notice the height of the ceiling as you do this.
Rooms with low ceilings can manipulate the light to create more brightness than is actually in the room. They’re harder to turn into photography studios because they make the lighting process a lot trickier.
Ideally, the room you’re going to turn into a photography studio will have high ceilings and a good amount of natural light.
2. Create Plenty of Space
The room you choose to turn into a studio should be spacious. You can’t use the smallest room in the house if you really want to impress clients. You need a good-size space in order to make people feel comfortable in front of the camera and to give yourself plenty of room to move around, too.
It’d also be nice to create a workstation in your home studio. This is where you’d be editing pictures, managing emails, and upgrading your photography website on a day to day basis. Bringing this into the studio means you have everything you need in one place, which helps you get into work mode while working from home.
3. Make Your Studio a Place That’s Just for Work
Speaking of getting into work mode, make sure the space you’re turning into a studio is just a studio. In other words, don’t make it a mixed space for other things.
You can’t expect to turn your home office into a studio if that’s where your partner studies for their online courses or where the kids do homework. If you’re turning your oldest’s bedroom into a photography studio, think about where they’re going to sleep when they come home from college.
Also, set some ground rules with everyone once the studio is complete. The last thing you want is for the door to the studio to be left open and the dog to chew up your backdrops or get hair all over the equipment. It’s not a good idea to leave your children unattended in there, either.
4. Invest in Top-Notch Photography Tools
No matter how good your home studio looks, it won’t “WOW” your clients if you don’t have the right photography equipment. Relying on your old camera won’t get the job done.
Invest in top-notch lighting equipment, get a couple of tripods, and buy some new lenses, too. Take the time to print out cool backdrops and order some standard ones as well.
Even the small details like umbrellas and softboxes for better lighting or comfortable seating for portrait shoots make a big difference. These things tell your clients that you know how to create the ultimate image for them and that you’re willing to go above and beyond to do so.
5. Don’t Forget About Props
One of the details a lot of studio owners forget about at first is props.
The thing about shooting in a studio instead of on location is that there’s only so much you can do in a confined space. Hadn’t thought of how different the photography setting will be inside? There’s a whole explanation available as to why these settings are so unique – check it out!
As comfortable as it may be to shoot inside, it can get boring if you’re not careful. Props keep this from happening. They allow clients to loosen up and have fun with their shoot, and they provide you and them with more posing ideas to improve the look you’re going for.
You should always be adding to your prop collection. But, do so in a way that focuses on your target clientele. For example, kids toys and cute outfits are great for family portraits and baby/toddler birthday images. If you get more of your business from engaged couples and business professionals, though, the right props for your photography niche will be completely different.
Create the Home Photography Studio of Your Dreams!
What are you waiting for? If you know you have a passion for photography, there’s no time like the present to create the home photography studio you need.
Having a home studio is the first step to quitting your 9-5 and launching your own photography business. It gives you a place where you can work on edits and reach out to leads after work and a space to shoot during your free time, too.
But, you have to set up your studio before you can start booking shootings!
If you’re still on the fence about starting your own photography business, here’s a bit of inspiration to give you the push you need.