What do you think about a Garage Studio

I have set up my garage for studio work. I have area carpet and a curtain rod for hanging backdrops. I only use it for personal stuff but as time goes on I would like to start making some money. Would it be ok to use this space professionally? I know friends wouldn't mind but what about your average client?

Put yourself in your clients shoes. Hey just come over to my garage I mean studio for a shoot.
Not trying to be negative right off the bat - but it might come off as awkward. How about this question would you let your son, daughter, girlfriend (you get the point) ... my two cents.

Check the zoning. Some times the city wont let you.

Steve Ruddy wrote in post #13240240
I have set up my garage for studio work. I have area carpet and a curtain rod for hanging backdrops. I only use it for personal stuff but as time goes on I would like to start making some money. Would it be ok to use this space professionally? I know friends wouldn't mind but what about your average client?

I simply wouldn't come to someones garage to take a studio photo. I checked this out in my home town and there are studios you can rent by the hour and its not crazy expensive. But of course there are upfront costs so if I was to rent studio time I'd want to ensure I'd be making money from this shoot.

I think you guys are right it would be better to rent one even if it could easily be done in the garage.

I know this is not local to you but here is just one example of studio rental in my hometown.

http://orangecounty.ba​ckpage.com …wk-no-min-booking/9354367

Rented for 5 hours for 90$ which is super cheap ... This is what i'd do if I had a paid studio shoot.

I do have a garage studio, but use it only for practice and taking pictures of friends and family.

You can shoot anywhere. People don't care as much as you think. Heck, I've done them in clients' garages, barn lofts, old shacks in the middle of nowhere, etc. Some city based photographers set up in parking garages or warehouses.

One thing to consider is liability insurance. If you are running a business and that person trips falls whatever on your property, you could be in for a lawsuit. Zoning could be an issue.

That said... If your garage is cleaned, organized and BIG, I do not see a problem. You might need an area for makeup and even a changing area.

I've seen some home studios (whether it be garage or elsewhere) that are superb and others that I wouldn't wnat to set foot again in. You have to make a decision, is the space to be used for photography or not. If you are trying to share the space with your golf clubs, bicycles and childrens toys it is going to look bad. A dedicated space in a home is workable as long as you do it professionally. One of the most sought after photographers in the area that I live in has a studio attached to her residence. It is professionally done and the most important thing, she runs it as a business even it is not a full time thing. You have to book her some 8-12 months in advance even for a simple portrait. So it can be done (subject to your local zoning laws) as long as you do it right.

Who tells their clients to come over to their garage anyway?

You would always say come to my studio...

upon arriving and seeing that it is a garage, if they have a problem or are uncomfortable then end the session.

As long as its neat, clean, well ventilated and the temp is controlled, i wouldn't be uncomfortable in a garage setting as long as it seemed legit and professional.

Again, its all up to the personability of the photog.


And besides, garages have the uniquenes of being able to be changed on a whim...

not that you can't do that in a living room/in house setup, but i would think garages as being not totally finished rooms have an advantage over "finished" rooms.

Big Businesses have started from Garages before. So i would just say keep the Quality High and keep the Customer Happy

When my clients come over, I welcome them to "Boone County's only combination portrait studio and automotive maintenance facility."

It's a 24x30 building with a 9 ft. ceiling. It's insulated, drywalled and painted, with proper trim around doors and windows. It has heat and air conditioning. My backdrop hangs in front of one window and I have black curtains for the other windows to keep the light out. There is a large mirror and a decent sofa to sit on. There's also a refrigerator for refreshments and a TV for quick review of photos via camera connection. Most importantly, I keep it as clean as possible.

If your clients know you aren't a full-time photographer, they'll certainly understand that you can't justify the cost of a fully decked-out studio. But you have to spend some time and money making it a place where they feel comfortable.

I wouldn't in my garage, but I would in Cutis N's garage.

Curtis N wrote in post #13241175
When my clients come over, I welcome them to "Boone County's only combination portrait studio and automotive maintenance facility."

It's a 24x30 building with a 9 ft. ceiling. It's insulated, drywalled and painted, with proper trim around doors and windows. It has heat and air conditioning. My backdrop hangs in front of one window and I have black curtains for the other windows to keep the light out. There is a large mirror and a decent sofa to sit on. There's also a refrigerator for refreshments and a TV for quick review of photos via camera connection. Most importantly, I keep it as clean as possible.

If your clients know you aren't a full-time photographer, they'll certainly understand that you can't justify the cost of a fully decked-out studio. But you have to spend some time and money making it a place where they feel comfortable.

Can I come work on my car in the AC?