are basement studios a bad thing?

[morlia]

I had a client scoff when she realized that we would be shooting in my basement studio. I hadn't really thought of it as a hindrance until today. A few months ago I had the opportunity to move the studio to a commercial space, but decided against it because I like having everything at hand (including a tub for poopy babies, and a fantasitc bedroom for glamour) and I didn't want to drive across the city if I had a great idea in the evening. I also thought that it wouldn't get used very much as in the spring, summer and fall the majority of my shooting is outside. My question is, should I have made the move? Has anyone ever turned their nose up at any of the other photogs here that shoot out of their home?

[Naturalist]

I imagine a few people may be concerned about the next Jeffrey Dahmer posing as a photographer do get people into his basement. I can see where they may be coming from.

[SlowBlink]

Next time refer to it as a sub level light controlled space and he'll feel better about it. If a client is concerned about the location it sounds like he might be a problem for other equally unimportant issues.

[morlia]

I will refer to it..just as that for sure. We did her session this morning and in 1 out 5 photos she seems to be unhappy. I think I am becoming alright with it now though...it looks as though I may be growing tougher skin after all.

Thanks for your guys' above advice!! Awesome!

[EnronRocks]

I would not really worry about it, I have seen multiple basement studios that ultimately turn into taking over the whole building when they figure out they can afford a new house because of the success of their basement studios. If I was interested in starting a studio, I would either do it in my basement, in a building I could build on my lot, or a building within a walk of my current house.

[photoguy6405]

I imagine a few people may be concerned about the next Jeffrey Dahmer posing as a photographer do get people into his basement. I can see where they may be coming from.

My first guess would be this, also. I personally would be ok with it, I think.

[morlia]

My first guess would be this, also. I personally would be ok with it, I think.

I can see that, but my photo is on the website and I am literally 119 lbs...and her whole family was there...I wouldn't be able to harm them even if I was psycho!

[PhotosGuy]

The ceiling in most basements are too low to light anything but head & shoulder shots. If you're just doing occasional work there, you can get good results in a basement & most people wouldn't mind if you tell them that they're getting a lower rate because you don't have to support a studio when most of your work is outside?
Simple 2 Light Portrait Set-up (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=128857)

If you're always shooting down there, I'd make an effort to make the set-up look as professional as possible.
An alternative might be to see if you could rent an established studio by the hour. A lot of car guys here do that & it works out well for everyone.

[morlia]

The ceiling in most basements are too low to light anything but head & shoulder shots. If you're just doing occasional work there, you can get good results in a basement & most people wouldn't mind if you tell them that they're getting a lower rate because you don't have to support a studio when most of your work is outside?
Simple 2 Light Portrait Set-up (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=128857)

If you're always shooting down there, I'd make an effort to make the set-up look as professional as possible.
An alternative might be to see if you could rent an established studio by the hour. A lot of car guys here do that & it works out well for everyone.

lol...that is exactly why they get a lower rate...it's silly though the set up is super private and very professional...all new furniture, not your normal basement hand me downs.

Renting would be a great option, but the city is small and there is not a lot of opportunity for that.

[photoguy6405]

I can see that, but my photo is on the website and I am literally 119 lbs...and her whole family was there...I wouldn't be able to harm them even if I was psycho!

They may think you'd have Brutus and Guido at home waiting for them.

We watch way too many movies. :lol:

Seriously, though, most people's paranoia is just that, paranoia. Probably based on increased access to information and our ability to hear news that we never used to hear. However, we don't really want to be 'the one', either who does get caught up in something bad.

Having a well-publicized business/website, having references that are still alive and not traumatized, taking family/friends along, should help alleviate concerns, I would think. Being careful is one thing, but that can be taken too far, also.

[photoguy6405]

An alternative might be to see if you could rent an established studio by the hour. A lot of car guys here do that & it works out well for everyone.

Really? I've never thought of that. Just to file away in my braincells for future reference, do most studios allow use of their lighting and backgrounds, etc., also? I don't doubt you'd have to use your own cameras and lenses and anything else "personal".

[PhotosGuy]

do most studios allow use of their lighting and backgrounds, etc., also? I don't doubt you'd have to use your own cameras and lenses and anything else "personal". Sometimes it's a package deal. Sometimes they charge for each light used. There are several places here where you can rent high-end video equipment, as well as lighting trucks that are fully equipped. I wouldn't be surprised is someone is renting the use of still cameras, too.
Stage 3 Productions, Inc. (http://www.stage3.com/webrootfolder/studioinfoht/studioinfo.html)

Detroit Power & Light (http://www.rentlights.com/)

[mezorn26]

Presentation is everything.

Simple say "home studio"

[SYS]

I was just reading The Business of Studio Photography by Edward Lilley last night, and there was this section in the book where it talks about the home studio vs. the commercial studio. The author basically stated that you'd need to work a lot harder in terms of marketing in order to make the home studio work as people are naturally inclined to "look down" on the home studio. Also, clients can't just walk in to your home, so your marketing becomes critically important in how you deal with the home studio limitations.

[funpix]

I have had a home studio, now moved to a seperate building and I have to agree with one of the comments. Having a 'basement studio' can limit your traffic, but that being said not all commercial buildings are curb side show. Meaning you may have a basement area just as well there. My advise is simple, prepare your clients before they visit you. Talk up the studio and YOUR work. If you shoot mostly outdoors offer the studio as an alternative. Make the client comfortable too. No matter where your studio is located, if your clients are uncomfortable it will show in your work. I offer pre-shoot consultations in the studio before the actual session. This allows for both of us to get over any issues or answer any questions before the camera ever goes off.

Hope this help you.

[cosworth]

Home based businesses have a smaller carbon footprint. You work from home. That's is a good thing. ;)

[morlia]

Awesome...Thanks for the input guys. I don't know how legitimate this lady was anyways....turns out she visited a friend of mines home studio only a week later.

[Danger Mouse]

We don't have many basements here in Texas. I'm just curious to know what your basement studio looks like. I mean if it looked decorated like a studio at a commercial building I wouldn't see it as a big deal. Do you have lots of photos of your work on the walls and maybe a waiting area and a dressing area? If it is setup like a commercial building studio, then maybe pictures of what your studio looks like could make people feel more comfortable?

[morlia]

We don't have many basements here in Texas. I'm just curious to know what your basement studio looks like. I mean if it looked decorated like a studio at a commercial building I wouldn't see it as a big deal. Do you have lots of photos of your work on the walls and maybe a waiting area and a dressing area? If it is setup like a commercial building studio, then maybe pictures of what your studio looks like could make people feel more comfortable?

It's funny, but I think I was thinking tonight that I would blog about it's set up. The inside looks professional, and very discreet. It's a dedicated floor, I also have a bathroom that's dedicated for the studio as well. It's decorated with studio photos and with a few canvases that I have also gotten printed. We will see if that helps.

But all in all, only one lady has complained this year, and that's only one out of 50. Maybe it's not that big of a deal afterall.

[Danger Mouse]

It's funny, but I think I was thinking tonight that I would blog about it's set up. The inside looks professional, and very discreet. It's a dedicated floor, I also have a bathroom that's dedicated for the studio as well. It's decorated with studio photos and with a few canvases that I have also gotten printed. We will see if that helps.

But all in all, only one lady has complained this year, and that's only one out of 50. Maybe it's not that big of a deal afterall.


I'd say 1 complaint out of 50 is not bad at all. You can't make everyone happy.