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Homemade Photo Studios

With a little planning and preparation, you can inexpensively set up a photo studio in your home. Like a businessperson, start by identifying what type of product or service you want to offer from your studio. If it's family or individual portraits, convert a room into a formal studio. On the other hand, if most of your work is art images like still life photography or product shots for companies, all you need is a room, table, backdrop and light source.

Things You'll Need

Artificial light sources, either continuous or strobes
Reflectors (optional)
Backdrops (optional)
Posing stool or chairs
Digital camera and lenses

Instructions

Homemade Photo Studios
- 1
  Decide on the type of photography you will shoot. If you are taking portraits, create three or four settings you can offer your clients. Having several options will increase your clients' satisfaction and also may lead to additional print sales and referrals.
- 2
  Determine your light sources. The best light is also the cheapest, natural light. After selecting the locations inside your home, check the light at different times during the day. Look for awkward shadows that may need to be filled by using a reflector–a large piece of cardboard or reflective material that redirects light into those areas.
- 3
  Walk around your back yard and the front of your home looking for additional locations for portrait photography. Offering your clients natural backdrops may set you apart from other photographers in your area.
- 4
  Choose a room in your home that you can set up as a traditional studio for other photography needs. For a room to work as a studio, you need enough space for your genre: A bowl of fruit requires a lot less space than a car for a calendar. Make sure you have two to three power outlets in the room for lights.

Photography