How to Create a Homemade Portrait Studio

Paint three of the four walls in your studio using three different colors of paint in a flat, nonreflective finish. Select colors that are vibrant and current with today's fashion and design trends. Even if you plan to use backdrops for your white and black backgrounds, having three colorful walls will give your clients more options and may lead to more sales.

Paint the fourth wall with erasable "chalkboard" paint. This works well if you plan on doing any child portraits. You or your clients can write or draw anything they want on the wall to create yet another unique backdrop.

Decide on the lighting you want to use. Use portable halogen work lamps if you need to illuminate the entire area. Use desk lamps or household floor lamps if you want a softer or less direct light. Sources with adjustable heads that allow you to direct the light will make lighting your shoot even easier.

Acquire props, stools, benches, chairs, tables and anything else you think you will be using in your studio. At a minimum, you should have a stool that can be used for individual portrait photography and an interesting wood or metal chair that can be used for more artistic portrait photography.

Buy a backdrop stand and backdrops. A white background and a black background are the basics and are often used in portrait work.