I now have a studio !!!

[iwatkins]

Hi All,

Some of you will remember that my good friends have recently moved to a new building for their car tuning company (see here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53657)).

Well, they are renting out the office space upstairs and some small companies (mainly media related) are already moving in.

At the weekend, I flippantly suggested that one of the large store rooms upstairs would make a great photo studio as it is internal in the building and has no windows.

I've been thinking about getting into portrait and product photography at a semi-pro level for a while and they know this as I do quite a bit of product photography for their company, mainly website stuff but some print.

Anyway, they picked up on my suggestion and have suggested that I should give it a go. I'm able to do with the room whatever I wish. I can decorate, install fixtures (within reason), take power etc. I have use of this resource for the rest of 2005.

They are hoping (like me), that by this time I will have enough work coming in and have aquired enough equipment to turn it into a full time job and ditch my current full-time job. Obviously, if it does come off, I'll actually start-up as a proper business. This is the part that scares me as I have been a employee, with the same company since I left school 16 years ago. :shock:

The room itself is rectangular, approx. (from memory) 60 foot x 25 foot with the door at the end of one of the long walls. It can be easily secured and is within a full monitored and alarmed building anyway. The walls are flat and smooth, the floor is smooth lino and the ceiling is a white lowered one.

I've got to have a good think about it but I reckon portrait type work at one end of the room and product photography at the other but to the side.

I thought I would share this with you mainly to:

A) Say how happy I am to be given the chance to make something of my currently amateur photography. :D
B) Get any advice from those who have setup studios, let rip, let me have it.
C) Give warning that I'll be posting regular updates as the decorating and equipping goes ahead over the next few months.
D) To invite UK forum members to come and have a go once I am fully setup, although you will have to bring your own models. :D

Cheers

Ian

[epeace]

thats great! i, for one, am interested in hearing your progress.

sorry i have no advice to offer, however . . . but i am very interested in anything having to do with the business end of it.

im hoping people will offer up good time tested books to read on the subject . .

[neil_r]

Excelent, Go for it
(how far are you from Nuneaton :lol: )

[Scottes]

Sorry I don't have any advice, but congrats! That's great to get something like that.


PS: 16 years at one job? My current job is a record for me - 3.5 years at the same company, beating the old record by a year almost. :-)

[CyberDyneSystems]

Awesome! That's great news.

[cactusclay]

Hey, congrats! I just opened a portrait studio a couple of weeks ago. I don't know that I have any advice, because I'm just sort of flying along by the seat of my pants. I had worked for another portrait photographer about fifteen years ago, but it was all traveling and setting up at schools on the Navajo Res., so I never really set up a permenent studio before. I didn't work anywhere for fifteen years, before, but I owned my own semi and i just got tired of being on the road away from home all the time, so I sold it and bought lighting equipment and rented this studio. I figured I may as well do something I love, instead of just doing what makes money. Of coarse I don't have a wife and kids to support either. Sounds like you have a nice size space. I sort of wish mine was bigger,(the studio) because it's only 12x20, which works, but sort of difficult to use a 85 mm. I've been using the 50 mm which seems to do the job, but I wish there was a fast prime in the 60-70 mm range. Anyway, I hope it works out for you. Keep us posted and the best of luck.

[IndyJeff]

Ian you might consider renting the studio out to other photographers. I got an email about a week ago from a local guy who was renting his studio out. Lights, backdrops, props anything he had was yours to use except the cameras and the price was $70 an hour.

Now thats not a lot of money considering the lighting is already set up and the background can be set up in a few minutes leaving plenty of time for shooting.

Think about, if he can rent that studio out for 4 hours a week, that comes to $1120 a month towards his rent.

[donlavange]

PS: 16 years at one job? My current job is a record for me - 3.5 years at the same company, beating the old record by a year almost. :-)

Crap! I just started my 45th year with the SAME company. But heck, they provided equipment and the opportunity to play photographer. Scary HUH?

[aam1234]

Hey congrats Ian!!

Would be nice if you can post photos of your setup.

[chris.bailey]

Ian

Congratulations and go for it. That is a great sized space. My studio doubles as my study and is about 18 x 14 and that is just a little too tight. If you can sort it out to look the part I think the work will come rolling in. I only do it as a hobby but have a waiting list for sessions.

Keep us posted.

Chris

[KennyG]

To invite UK forum members to come and have a go once I am fully setup, although you will have to bring your own models. :D

Now, if you were to provide the models..... :) What would that be, sounds like chimping but isn't.

[PhotosGuy]

Since you have a lot of space, you might want to consider building a smaller coved background as you can see here.
http://www.stage3.com/webrootfolder/studioinfoht/studioinfo.html
It fairly cheap to build, would have lot's of applications for larger shots, & would increase your potential rentals.
For portrait work, consider that lots of people work during the day, so evenings & weekend work aren't out of the picture, & I agree that quitting your 'day job' isn't necessary yet.
Do a search for more studio info in the forum. I've seen lots of it over the last year, & good luck! ;-)

[RichardtheSane]

Can't offer any suggestions Ian but way to go for getting the space!

And that is huge, I look forward to the updates!!!

(makes the end of my garage I am looking to convert seem tiny!)

[iwatkins]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the encouragement and advice, I am taking it all on board and about to start planning it all out.

There was a minor set back this week when I went down to measure up. The room I wanted is actually wanted by someone who is willing to pay. he was shown around be the letting agent before the guys had a chance to tell the agent it had been "rented" already. The guys were not happy to let the space go because they had promised it to me for the year for nothing. However, I wouldn't have felt comfortable with that, so I've "let" them rent it out to this other party. They feel really bad about it, but I'm not too bothered.

The good news is that I've got the other internal room and they have now locked it and given me the key and the letting agents have been told the room has been rented out so they don't show anybody else around it.

This room is smaller at 31 x 17 ft, but still plenty for a portrait studio. I think with careful planning, I could still do product work in there as well. Probably use Mini-Coves on wheeled trolleys. Even so, I will keep the full length of the room free for portrait work.

I actually like this room better as it doesn't have one of the building support pillars in there. It also has better heating and more power points. It'll also need less paint :)

I'll still need to totally decorate it, but I think it will be more "intimate" afterwards and easy to be warm in both senses of the word for portrait work. The floor is fairly rough concrete but a quick skim and then a good seal with floor paint and it'll look fine. I'll probably use industrial carpet tiles on one end to make it easier on the feet.

I'm actually quite excited by it all. :)

In the few days since we agreed this arrangement, I've already had interest on the product photography side:

1) Large web design company across the corridor are already talking about regular work for their various websites they build/host for other companies.
2) Small media company down the hall (do motorsport/automotive video production) are interested in stills for product packaging/literature.
3) Company just down the road do motorbike customisation work. They are interested if my rates are reasonable :)
4) My other friend down stairs (who sells the cars) is considering making one corner of his showroom into a cove so that I can use that to photograph cars for him (and potentially other clients).

I'm decorating this weekend, I'll get some shots and some build plans together next week.

Cheers

Ian

P.S.

Neil, you are only about an hour away. :)
Richard, if you need a studio for cat shots, I'm your man :)
Ken, I know what you are getting at :D

[RichardtheSane]

Aw, Ian, Thanks!

[epeace]

would it be tacky to ask what one would charge for photography services? portrait work or say a wedding or similar event? how bout an offsite shoot?

im curious as I am have had similar interest and i have no idea what to charge someone. . obviously it wouldnt be the same as what a professional would charge . . but whats fair for an amateur to get?

(gee i hope im not out of line. . im still new here)

[iwatkins]

epeace

I'm the last person to ask for this kind of information. Sorting all that out is number 5123 on my list of things to do at the moment :) Sorry I couldn't help.

Cheers

Ian

[iwatkins]

Hi All,

*******Update as promised *******

Studio

Room has been cleared. All the walls (drywall) have had all holes filled. The walls are all sanded and washed ready for paint. Spent most of today putting in a whole new electrical ring main and several additional power sockets. Sorted issues with some of the ceiling tiles (suspended ceiling).

An inspection of the suspended ceiling reveals that it will not take the weight of a track system so I will have to use lighting stands or wall booms for now.

Almost decided on some furniture. But cannot decide on this sort of stuff, will get the missus to do it. :)

Kit

Been trawling eBay etc. to get lighting kit etc. cheap. Got myself several muslin backdrops and a support system this week. Invested in a new Triflector (Lastolite) as I've used one before and they turn out great results for headshots.

Lights have been ordered, gone for the Elinchrom's Style 600 RX, three of. Stands, softboxes, snoots, grids etc. (various) have also been ordered. So big pile of stuff on its way.

Clients

Nothing "official" (but I've not tried that yet, too early). But have several families (all friends of mine) who have agreed to sit for me so I can get practice in the family portrait side of things. I'll do them a few prints each for "thank yous".

Research of the local competition reveals actually not very much local competition. Closest proper studio is a large outfit that charge *from* £400 a day and are aiming squarely at the corporate/large business market.

Next few weeks

Decorating the walls (pure white matt). Painting the floor with light gray floor paint. Dressing the model end of the studio with background support systems.

Once lights arrive, will be sorting out initial placement and power feeds spending special attention on trip hazards.

-------

More soon.

Cheers

Ian

[iwatkins]

Hi All,

*******Update as promised *******

Studio

All electrical work is now done. Got more low level outlets than I'll ever need, but that does give me huge flexibility on position of power cables for lights. At the same time as doing this I also put in speaker cables for my sound system (;)). Seriously, a few tunes while I'm working on product stuff won't hurt and I might us it for portraits as well.

I'm taking the whole of next week off work to blitz the decorating. The floor has been prepared by skimming it with self levelling screed to a smoothness I'm happy with, my knees still hurt from doing that last weekend. A dark grey matt floor paint will be applied later in the week, two coats, but the stuff is nasty, so respirator will be needed :shock:

Walls are going to get two coats of matt pure white emulsion, shouldn't take me long to do with rollers as they are large big straight runs.

Builder friend is looking into the possibility of building strengthening into the suspended ceiling so that I can hang equipment from it. If this happens, I'll be taking Bloo Dog's advice and hanging a hospital track and very large muslin curtains for light control. Found a good deal on the track and on the material. It took some phoning about, but certainly worth doing as I'll save a lot of money.

So, by the end of next week the room should be ready to move in to, and then I can call it a studio :)

Kit
I'm a very late discoverer of eBay, but again, it has saved me a lot of money.

One item I really wanted was a Colorama Mini-Cove (http://www.coloramaphotodisplay.co.uk/minicove.asp), found one second hand (but doesn't look like it has been used at all) for half price, including the shipping.

I'll also be making my own shooting table on wheels which will have a built in paper roll etc. I looked at the ones made by Manfrotto etc. and they were silly money for what is basically a lot of tubing and clamps.

Lastolite Triflector (http://www.lastolite.com/triflector.html), actually new, got for 3/4 of retail price including shipping.

Backdrop support system, used, but as new, 1/2 price, including shipping.

7 foot studio stand (rather than tripod) I got for £100 from another studio across the country. It wasn't perfect cosmetically or mechanically, but I've restored it back to nearly as new with only two hours work. Similar product, brand new is close to £1000. The stand is counterwieghted interally so no matter how high or low, the camera stays where you leave it. Perfect for product work.

One thing I wasn't prepared to be a cheapskate on was the lights, but even so, a lot of phoning about and haggling with the big retailers got me a deal on which I saved close to £400 on £2700 of lights, softboxes, snoots, grids, gels stands etc. etc. I went for three of the Elinchrom Style 600 RX (http://www.elinchrom.com/dscenglish.htm) for now. I think the fact they can be computer controlled did it for me (I'm a geek at heart). ;)

That is it for now, off to buy the paint this afternoon and make a week of it. Hopefully have some pictures for you soon. :)

Cheers

Ian

[iwatkins]

Just a quick update....

Paint is going on the walls (and a bit on me) these past few days. By mid week I should be on to painting the floor, will also take a couple of days.

However, the big news is that my kit I ordered arrived today. 3 x Elinchrom 600RX heads and a ton of other bits. These heads are just excellent, recharge is very quick.

Must go, got to get this paint out of my hair. :)

Cheers

Ian

[iwatkins]

******* UPDATE ********

Floor is now finished. Took three coats in to get the finish I wanted. But the stuff is really nasty and having no windows, ventilation was almost no existant, so had to wear a resprirator the whole time. :)

Basically, all the decoration is now done, will wait a few days now for the floor to harden then I can start moving all my kit in and get it all set up. So by the weekend I should be taking shots. Of course, I'll get some shots of the studio up here as well.

I've also managed to source 9 foot wide pure white vinyl sheeting in rolls for a much cheaper price then the studio specific stuff (which is mega bucks). So I've got a 9 x 20 foot roll on its way, should be perfect for high key work and last a lot longer than paper.

After this weekend I'll be able to do both product shots and portrait shots. After that it is simply a case of practice, practice, practice.

I already have a few product shoots lined up (payment via barter system, i.e. I'll do the shoots in return for stuff I need).

Also friends are lining up to get their family portraits done which will be perfect practise for me.

More soon....

Cheers

Ian

[iwatkins]

Right, quick one.

My studio is done. I'll put some words later but I'm tired and need a bath. Photos below are quick snaps, very wide angle. Last two shots are a of a friend of mine who just happened to drop in to see how I was getting on with my decorating when I had actually finished :). No real lighting setup, just sat him down and banged off a few shots.

Still got a better background support system to move in plus various soft furnishings and props. But basically, it is done. :D :D

Cheers

Ian

http://www.asrv84.dsl.pipex.com/Studio/20050219_1708_6988.jpg

http://www.asrv84.dsl.pipex.com/Studio/20050219_1708_6987.jpg

http://www.asrv84.dsl.pipex.com/Studio/20050219_1707_6986.jpg

http://www.asrv84.dsl.pipex.com/Studio/20050219_1707_6984.jpg

http://www.asrv84.dsl.pipex.com/Studio/20050219_1706_6981.jpg

http://www.asrv84.dsl.pipex.com/Studio/20050219_1705_6975.jpg

http://www.asrv84.dsl.pipex.com/Studio/20050219_1718_6994.jpg

http://www.asrv84.dsl.pipex.com/Studio/20050219_1717_6993.jpg

[neil_r]

Looking very good, (you could even rent it out to the NHS for the odd transplant :D )



The hard work really seems to have paid off and as I am sure you know, we are all looking forward to seeing some early results, and negotiating a discount on the hourly hire rate for forum members (the only reason I came back :o )



N

[PhotosGuy]

Nice one!

[quickben]

I'm really quite jealous. Even though I'm not THAT into portraiture, a room entirely dedicated to photography strikes a cord in me. I even like the Denon speakers you've got !

I want one.

Gary.