How to Setup A Home Photography Studio

Do you want to setup a photo studio? This can be complex or simple – it all depends on what exactly you want. Below you will find some simple guidelines that will assist you in knowing what exactly is involved. Generally speaking, it revolves around having a large enough space, the ability to block out light and plenty of electrical outlets.

The Room

The room that you want to have your studio needs to be about 15 to 18 feet. This will give you enough space for 12 feet between the camera and the object you are taking a photo of. There is also added space of other equipment.

The shape of the room should be at least half as wide as it is long and a high ceiling to allow for lots of different camera and lighting angles. Any extra objects or features like baseboards or fireplaces should be removed to make the room perfectly rectangular. The walls should be painted white matte and there should be space to hang large pictures frames.

You will need plenty of electrical outlets. It is best to select where this outlets will be before painting or redesigning your studio. Think about where you will be placing the light and therefore what the best position will be for the outlets. As the light can become hot it is usually a good idea to install an air conditioner.

The Setup

You camera should be setup opposite to the wall that will be your backdrop. A good idea for a backdrop is to use a 9 foot wide paper roll mounted on poles. This will allow you to take photographs where the floor is part of the frame and allow you to have a smooth transition with not sharp edge to spoil it.

You can buy reflector board to help reflect the light into any shadowy areas. It is often a good idea to have a cupboard to hold you props, tools and loose equipment. You may opt to have a dressing room with a full length mirror to allow your models to get changed in private. It is often a good idea to invest in cheap picture frames so that you can show off your previous work.

The other equipment you may need includes stepladders, curtains, tripods, lenses, flash meters and seating.

Sum Up

There you have it. All this equipment and set up can range in to the thousands of dollars. If you are on a budget, where you can go for the cheaper option. You can always purchase the more expensive piece of equipment as time goes on.