Show what you want to sell! Whether you have a studio space or not it’s so important to show what you want your clients to buy. I have a 30×40 framed print hanging in the studio. Everyone always comments and since it is my home it shows them how easily they can incorporate statement pieces in their home as well. I also display a gallery wrapped canvas and an image box as they are very popular and create a nice wow factor for my clients.
Tip: Before I had a studio or when it’s a location shoot I bring a samples of some favorite items just to show them before we get started and to help get ideas rolling! This may be an album and a canvas… It depends on what type of session it is.
Supply Guide: To be more helpful, here is a list of everything technical that I have in my studio room:
LIGHTING SETUP:
I use a Larson 4×6 Softbox ($699.00) with a Photogenic PL1250/ 500ws Powerlight ($589.50) as my main light and a Larson 42″x72″ Silver Reflector ($330.00) that is not pictured as my second light source.
My light is on a quick release stand but I can’t remember where I got it from or how much I paid. (sorry!)
I also have a Northern Industrial 500 Watt Portable Halogen Tripod Light($38.24) that I use to bounce off the ceiling on really dark days or at night when I have no natural light in the room in order to keep my ISO down.
Total Lighting Setup (including stand): $1808.00
BACKDROP:
I have the Savage Background Port-a-Stand System w/ Free White Paper Roll ($109.95)
Savage 107″x12yds Seamless Paper in Thunder Grey ($39.99)
Savage 107″ x 12yrds Seamless Paper in Super White ($39.95)
Drop it Modern Backdrop in Mustard Seed 9×12 ($377.00) {shown in image}
Drop it Modern Backdrop in Vintage 9×12 ($377.00)
Super Cheap Fleece Black Fabric from Walmart -15 yds
Total Backdrop Setup: $958.95
PRODUCT ART:
Simply Canvas 16×20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Simply Color Lab 30×40 Framed Print in Charcoal Bead Enviro Frame
WHCC 5×7 Image Box
UPGRADES: I shared with you everything I have but I thought it would also be helpful to let you know what I would change, upgrade or add to in the future.
When I move into my store front studio I will switch to a 4 Roller Background System($494) or even an 8 roller background system($899) for all those Drop it Modern Backdrops I dream of having. It can be very inconvenient to swap out backdrops during a shoot, my hubby and I did fashion a second drop attachment out of a curtain rod but it would be so nice to have what I want and need easily at my fingertips!
I’d also like to add a 14″x48″ Soft Strip from Larson
Now that you have the supply list, how about if I actually show you some of my studio images? These images were created using my ONE LIGHT STUDIO SETUP in my home.
The Softbox is always Camera Right (shown left in above images). If you would like, I could create a video and show you how I do it — Let me know if you think that would be helpful or interesting.
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SO SO helpful! I’d love a video as well, but really, thank you so much for such a detailed post. It’s great to see what other artists are using, and as someone without a seperate studio, this is great.
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I think sometimes I forget that what is really helpful is getting to see the details not just the pretty stuff!
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Yes, please!!! A video would be soooooo cool! I adore taking on-location outdoor photos but since our part of Texas experienced some of the Blizzard of 2011, I have been thinking that having an indoor option would be really nice. But, I didn’t know where to begin. Thank you for sharing your set up. LOVE the large family print you have on your wall. What a capture!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Thank you! Yana K took that for me durring Christmas Break – it makes me happy!
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That doesn’t look humble at all! It looks fantastic! And wowzers–you can really spend a LOT of money. This post has been incredibly helpful as I am figuring out how to light a session indoors at this very moment. And video? YES PLEASE! Again, I can’t believe how truly giving you are in your blog. I love it!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
As always – thank you for all your encouragement. I swear you have to be my oldest reader (besides my mom).
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Would love to see a video. Thank you for all the information!!!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
You are so welcome!
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Leah – thank you so much for sharing your set up. I find this so useful, especially as I start to dream and research the possibilities for setting up a small in-home studio. I, for one, would love to see a video of how you photograph in your set up. Thanks!!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
You got it! I’ll get on it when I get back from WPPI… I’m going to have to find a patient model!
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YES! please do share how you approach studio lighting! i have spent the last week scouring the internet for tutorials but i’d love to hear it from you. maybe also you could chat about how to make studio portraits look modern and NOT 90′s.
your studio photos look great!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Ha! I love that. So maybe I could do a video on using the studio and snap a few images and then do the next video and show you how I edit them in photoshop!
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I vote a big “thumbs up” for anything showing behind-the-scenes! It sparks so many ideas to see how other photographers make their homes work as their studio…I would definitely watch a video.
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Awesome!! I agree, I love seeing other people behinds the scenes but then I question if mine are worthy. Silly me!
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What an awesome and informative post, Leah!! I don’t have any type of in-home studio yet, but would love to one day. It’s really nice to see your set-up and all the information and pricing on your gear. THANKS for taking the time to do that!! A video of “how you do it”would be amazing too
You rock!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
I’m so glad it was helpful! I’ll get working on the video next… Just for you!
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LOVE this post and totally inspired to get my in home studio DONE!! See you in Vegas!
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yes, yes, yes! ur videos are great!
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Thank you so much for all of the totally useful info! I would also be so interested in seeing any behind the scenes information you would be willing to share about your process – behind the camera or computer!
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Dooo iiiit! I’d love more videos. Can never get enough of you, Woman!! The large family print turned out beautiful! I love it. Can you tell us more about the shadow boxes? Maybe give us a better view of it? I would appreciate it!
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OOOOOHHHHH Thank You for showing your home studio. It provides a feeling that a home studio is not out of the question and very doable and the end product is beautiful. I really did not know what people would think to come to my home to have their pictures taken in a “makeshift” home studio. Seeing this makes it REAL and creates a feeling of, I can do this! My dreams have just expanded!
Your supply guide helps to know where to start and what to buy. Thanks for the boost of confidence in this area Leah. How to Videos and more pullbacks would be awesome.
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Thanks for posting this! Would love to see a video, too! So, is this a dedicated room in your new place? Do you also have your office in here, too, or is that another room? At this point, David and I share an office, so there’s no room in there for the studio stuff. So my studio is in the living room and I have to move the furniture and set everything up whenever someone comes over. That is also the room where we do viewing and ordering sessions, with slideshows viewed on the big screen tv.
Have fun in Vegas! Are you going to the PPO convention next week?
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BEYOND helpful! I would LOVE to see a video of your work process for in-home studio! FABULOUS!
The black fleece…is that what you used for the baaby image AND the maternity images? I’ve had very little succcess with making the black paper backdrops ‘black enough’.
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i wwould love to see a video. I have a continuous light but I can’t figure out the settings. I am always all over the place.
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Leah,
Thank you so much for all that you do for us. It is really appreciated!
Wendy
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Thank you for sharing! I think your studio is wonderful! I am slowly working on mine as well, but it looks no where as great as yours. =) And a video would be GREAT! Thanks for sharing, Leah!
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thanks so much Leah. Great post. A video would be awesome. I have two soft boxes in my basement but I have no idea how to use them.
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Thank you so much for the post! It’s so helpful to see how others are doing it. I did my first shoot in my home. I don’t have lighting yet, but have large windows. I would love to see a video, thank you so much for posting this!
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Thanks so much for this info! I would love to see a video, too!
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Thanks for this!!! It makes me want to make the plunge into a home studio!!! How did you make the curtain rod backdrop holder?
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Leah Remillet Reply:
February 28th, 2011 at 11:25 am
I’ll make sure I show you when I make the video!
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Thanks for sharing these shots. I have an in home studio and can’t figure out how to shoot it, but you just gave me a fantastic idea! I have an area (for storage) that’s up high and I can get up there and shoot down. Love it!
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This is so helpful. I just got my first stand and a couple of muslin backdrops last week (although I have a feeling I’ll be switching to seamless paper soon enough). Your space looks beautiful and thanks for the cost breakdown too!
Tabitha
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Leah Remillet Reply:
March 6th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Don’t jump to seamless to fast… It can be fun for somethings but a total pain for other things as well!!
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Tabitha (Tabitha Rhea Photography) Reply:
March 7th, 2011 at 3:42 am
Good to know… I’ve got my first shoot today using the muslin so I’ll hold off judgment until I’ve given it a try.
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I loved this too! And a video would be great. I enjoyed catching up on your blog posts Leah! Hope you’re doing well!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Thank you so much Maggie!
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Thank you so much for this information! I realize I don’t know you very well, but I still think you’re an awesome woman! I’m toying with setting up my boudoir studio in my home, so this is super helpful. Thank you!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
April 6th, 2011 at 9:32 am
Wow Thank you so much Brooke! You just brought a huge smile to my face!! We should all here that someone thinks were awesome every day!
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Would love to see a video. Thanks for posting all of this, it is inspiring!
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I video would be great! Any tips that you give us I know are greatly appreciated.
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Hi, I am looking at creating a studio in my house too! I have a question though, have you ever thought of getting a faux wood floor to go over your carpet?
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Leah Remillet Reply:
November 3rd, 2011 at 10:35 am
I thought of it and I think it’s a great idea. I’ve used retail space and home and will eventually build something off my home just for my studio but that wont be for a few years. This is temporary, I really don’t use it very often.
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Thank you for sharing your studio space. I love what you’ve done & truly appreciate your honesty. I found your post inspiring!!! I also struggle with studio space, as I often rent from another location & hope to one day soon have my own space. Keep up the great work your images are beautiful!
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Leah Remillet Reply:
April 12th, 2012 at 8:44 am
Thanks Belle! It feels good to hear the feedback and know that it has inspired…. It’s not nearly what so many studios are so it’s easy to feel like it’s not worth sharing but the story (I’d hoped) might help someone.
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