This picture was taken in our dining room using a white foam board on our table and natural light.
Recently, I received an email from someone who read my article about my Home Photography Studio I wrote for Digital Photography School last year. They would like to create their own studio, but have limited space and a small budget. I love a challenge and started planning a home studio for $200 or less.
My photography studio doubles as my home office now that I’m focusing on a blogging business. I would love to create a sign for the door that says…
A Novice With Moxie | Blogging Genius At Work
It makes sense for me to have a home photography studio and I use it regularly. But guess what!
- You don’t have to have a photography business to justify creating your own home photography studio
- You don’t have to take over a Man Cave or make your kids bunk together to free up space
- You don’t even need a dedicated room – you can create a home photography SPACE
My home photography studio (gosh, how many times have I typed that phrase?) provides me with a space to continue to get to know my camera, to become more familiar with composition, to practice with lighting (both continuous and natural), and it’s just damn cool to have a studio.
Starter Home Photograpy Studio Shopping List
Thinking back to my single days, if I were to create a studio in my 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment, this is what I’d go for…
Create a Surface with Foam Boards and a Card Table
1 white and 1 black foam board – I purchased mine from office supply store for $2.50/each
a card table – I got one from Target for $20
Lighting is the hardest part and I’m sharing several lighting kits from B&H Photo to show you that there are many options out there that are affordable and have good customer reviews. The one I recommend the most (see note below) is similar to the one I have in my studio.
Affordable Home Studio Lighting Kits
Tungston Lighting Kits less than $100
(I use Tungston, continuous lighting in my studio and I love it)
Impact Tungsten Two-Floodlight Kit with 6′ Stands
Tungston Lighting Kits less than $130
KT1000U 2-Light 1000 Watt Intermediate Thrifty Umbrella Kit (I recommend this one!)
Westcott uLite 2-Light Umbrella Kit (120VAC)
Don’t Forget the Props
So we have a surface and lighting. I’m assuming that you already have a camera and a lens (even if it’s a point and shoot, it counts).
If you’re just having fun with your camera, don’t worry about a backdrop or a backdrop system. And when it comes to props, I go to Fred Meyers (or Target) and spend $10 – $15 on things that will be fun to photography:
coffee beans
ribbons
small toys, like jacks, balls, toy trucks
river rocks (you can get these for free at the river)
a bag of colorful sand
The point of my photography studio is to have fun. And the cool thing about the studio I’m recommending is that you can pack it up and put it away in a closet when you’re finished.
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and 
01/27/2012
Photography, Tips