How to Set Up a Photography Studio Backdrop

Purchase enough fabric to hang from ceiling to floor with enough drop-off for full-body shots (a total of 4 to 5 yards). The standard bolt is 45 inches wide, which is wide enough for close-ups. For wider shots, use a 90-inch fabric width. Fold the top of the fabric down to create a hem of about 3 inches. This step is necessary to reinforce the fabric so that the weight of the backdrop won't tear the grommets from their positions.

Install grommets at the top of the fabric in the layer you just created. Be sure they are evenly spaced and level. The end grommets should be about 1 inch from the edges so that the backdrop will hang without sagging on the sides.

Count the number of grommets you installed, and then measure the distance between each one. Hang a hook in the ceiling for every grommet, making sure that the space between each one matches the spaces between the grommets.

Attach the backdrop by putting a hook through each grommet. Let the backdrop puddle on the floor. For full-body shots, pull the fabric so that it extends across the floor.

Increase your picture-taking opportunities by adding a variety of backdrops to your inventory. A portable film screen can double as a backdrop stand. Cut a length of muslin to fit the width of the screen and adhere it to the top of the screen with industrial-strength Velcro. Paint the muslin pieces a variety of colors to match skin tones and clothing choices. Or use various shades of the same color of paint to create a mottled backdrop. Dab the paint on the fabric with a sponge and cover the backdrop with a consistent amount of each color. Create scenic backdrops or holiday scenes by using a projector to shine the images on the muslin and then trace and paint the images.