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A Photography Studio will help you set up a successful photography business. It is important to understand the concept of a photography studio before you setup your own studio or find a photo studio near you to rent.
Every photographer can benefit from having access to a working studio or better yet, establishing their own studio to work from. Setting up a personal photography studio will take some funds, commitment and confidence in your own ability to make it pay for itself going forward.
When you are setting up a studio for your photography you can either find your own space and build it from the ground up or you can hire a studio space to work out of. You can decide to have your own studio space or you can share it with other photographers. Sharing a studio will save you money but having your own space will give you complete freedom within the studio.
Your final decision will be based on your own circumstances and what you are planning for the future.
Why Get a Photography Studio?
There are many reasons that a photographer might decide to take the leap and set up their own studio to work out of. Having your own studio will open up many new opportunities for you in your professional life and give you a headquarters to base yourself in.
Establishing your studio could be the beginning of a fantastic career in photography and be the base from which you run your business. A studio will give you a world of exciting new possibilities and help you take the next step towards living your dream life.
- Gives you complete control over the levels of lighting in the photograph.
- A studio will give you a tranquil, distraction-free environment to work from.
- Allows you to take and market professional portraits, family pictures and product photography in an environment you can control.
- You can decide on what backgrounds to use.
- It’s important to run a successful photography business or supercharge your freelance career.
- Having a studio allows you to offer your clients to travel to your studio for their photo shoots. This will give you authority in the field and make running your business more smooth.
What are the essential items in a photography studio?
You will of course need a space that is large enough for you to be able to achieve the results you are looking for; and so if you are wanting to do portrait photography within your studio you will need enough room to do that whereas product photography will not require so much space.
Whatever type of photography you intend to do there is a basic set of equipment that you will need to get your studio up and running and fully operational fast.
Equipment that you will require to establish your photography studio.
- A Good Quality and Versatile Camera with the Right Lenses: Before you rush into buying a camera make sure you do some research and where possible ‘try before you buy’ to get a feel for it. However, for obvious reasons, a camera is absolutely essential for your photography studio! Picking a few lenses that are specifically designed for the purposes you need them for will always help to take your photography to the next level.
- Tripod: A tripod is a valuable piece of kit that will allow you to take photographs from a completely still position. When using a tripod it can be very helpful to have a remote control setup for your camera so you can take the photo from a distance without disturbing the camera during the shot.
- Lighting Equipment: You will need lighting equipment for your studio to get the sharpest images possible and although natural light is often preferable, having some good lighting will allow you to work in all conditions. Certain types of photography, such as portraiture, absolutely require the ability to be able to control the lighting within your studio.
- Props: Although it’s not necessary to have props in your studio in some situations they can be the difference between a good photo and a great photo. If you’re taking portraits then having a few accessories, such as scarves, hats and a few jackets, could be useful during a photoshoot. Some photographers like to use pieces of antique furniture in a portrait or other emotive items to bring an extra depth and a vintage feel to their photography. This is something that is fun to think about and you may decide to use props like a calling card, that is to say, in a way that helps people to instantly recognize your photography.
- A Computer and some Editing Software: Having access to a computer and high quality editing software will allow you to touch up photos and engage in a whole range of post production techniques that will give you far more versatility in the work and projects that you can take on.
How do You find a photo studio near You?
Finding the right studio for your photography can be a daunting task but if you break down the search into the basics of what you need you can start to find the things you really need.
Google Search: Google is the most powerful search engine on the internet and starting your search online is usually a good approach. Use the google maps and search for terms like ‘photography studio in Philadelphia’, ‘photo studio Rittenhouse Square’ or ‘photo studio to rent’. This will immediately give you an idea of what is available near you and with the map facilities you can easily find your way there.
On the Ground Search Techniques: Get on your detectives cap and think about where somebody with a photography studio might advertise in your local area or city. Places to think about asking might include a local Art School, photography galleries and even library noticeboards. Many of these places have billboards where notices are posted so check these out. Also ask at the receptions of art schools and universities and the staff will be happy to help you out if they can!
What should You be looking for in a Photo Studio?
This is going to be quite specific to what you are planning to use it for but there are some general criteria that you should try to meet.
- Location: The location is key so trying to find a studio that is fairly central will help any clients get to you easily and allow you to come and go from your studio without wasting too much time travelling.
- The Size of Space: Make sure that you visit the studio before taking on any contracts and be sure that it has enough space for you to be able to fulfill the needs of your photography.
- Equipment and Software: The Studio itself may be rented to you as a bare room with nothing but a wall socket, while others will have facilities such as a toilet, kitchen, furniture and even heating. Some studios will come with some basic props, backdrops and other equipment while others will not. Some may offer you the applications that you need for editing and post processing. Make sure you find out exactly what you’ll be getting before you commit.
As some general advice it’s a good idea not to go into the search for a photography studio with too many expectations and be prepared to improvise and modify your plans slightly if you need to. Remain positive during the search and just remember that it might be worth turning down a few offers before you get the one that is right for you.
Do you own or rent a photography studio?
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