How to Start a Home Studio?

[Imagebuffet]

I'm thinking of converting my living room into a commercial home studio. My ceiling is 8' tall, and the room is about 18' x 17'.

What equipment should I use to equip this room?

[StevenGWebb]

What sort of commerce are you intending?

[firenut]

Very small cars maybe???

[StevenGWebb]

Well the equipment requirements would be different for tabletop products or portraits.

[DigiSLR]

if you're going to do people photography as opposed to product photography, an 8 foot ceiling may be pretty limiting.

[ChristopherCoy]

Can I recommend clothes?

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by DigiSLR

if you're going to do people photography as opposed to product photography, an 8 foot ceiling may be pretty limiting.

Not that it can't be done, but I agree with this statement. Shooting full length portraits of anyone over 5'6" is going to be very challenging. If you are serious about the commercial aspect, I'd consider a different location.

[venchka]

Zoning rules? Parking for customers? Insurance-for hardware & liability. More height for sure.

Go for it!

[Howard Barlow]

My first retail space had an 8' ceiling, and about 15x24 floor space. That worked for several years. Not the best option, but certainly doable.

[toverman]

Just use your fence!

There are good questions up above to ask yourself. Also, ensure that your space will be polished enough to satisfy/attract any type of clientele you hope to work for. My living room is right off the kitchen, which isn't punk rock for photographing (most) people.

[Tom]

You are probably going to need at least $2-3000 in equipment.

[XoZe]

Originally Posted by DigiSLR

if you're going to do people photography as opposed to product photography, an 8 foot ceiling may be pretty limiting.

Especially if you'll be jumping around!

[venchka]

The 8' ceiling is a given. Make it work.

What's on the floor? Condition? Walls? Sufficient electrical service for the hardware involved? Making the room presentable will add to the photo related expenses.

The gentleman who photographed my daughter's wedding worked out of a converted 2 car garage at his home. It can be done.

[Imagebuffet]

I was thinking of doing portraits, at least of the Sears studio variety. Product photography might be better, but I don't know how to get into that. It is much easier to attract people who simply want an inexpensive portrait.

The floor is paved with a very light colored brown-red tile, 1x1 squares.

Parking is a problem. No more than a half-dozen cars could fit here.

I doubt that electrical would be a problem. I've been to several studios that weren't using any more electricity than I could supply, even the large studios.

My homeowner's insurance company says that right now, my personal policy probably could cover me sufficiently. However, if we assume that I have a banner year, I probably would need a commercial policy.

I can get (and used to have) $1M in business coverage from Hartford for videographer services.

I would like to use my living room because that might save money. However, I might be able to afford an unused space at one of the local vacant businesses. I might be able to find a more suitable space, but I don't know if I could afford it; I've never priced them.

I'm wondering what kind of flash would be appropriate? How many watt-sec do I need? What brands are good? I don't know much about studio lighting, or external flash in general.

[venchka]

Buy a lighting book. Your questions are similar to "What ISO is the best one?" Search the lighting forum here. "I'm bailing out of the home portrait studio business and selling all my stuff" listings are more frequent here than you might think in the For Sale Forum here. Pay attention. For good deals. For real world examples of how this may or may not work. There are Community College courses available in the DFW area. Take all the studio courses you can find. You may have talent. You may suck. Better to find out before spending a fortune on stuff.

Your parking is fine. Unless you get a huge family and they don't carpool in which case the studio won't be big enough.

Be careful about insurance. Don't know who your company is, but once you go commercial, all bets are off. That's the way State Farm is. You need to sit down with your agent and put together a package for commercial use of your home.

If you get into full length portraits you'll need a seamless background from the tripod up the wall and over the ceiling. Not having carpet is probably good. You may want to make sure that your HVAC system is working properly. You will need a bathroom for your clients. You will need to spruce up the landscaping outside. Put your best foot forward.

Speaking of camera stuff. What will you be using? That isn't as critical to the idea as other things. just curious.