if you could design your own studio what would you do

I have been asked if I can design a photograpic studio for a friends business.
I will be having my first briefing meeting in a couple of weeks so I dont have the brief or know the specifics yet.

to put your minds at rest I am a fully qualified architect,but I normally design hospitals, but I have always asked those who have experience in a certain building type what things they like and dont like.

if any one would like to let me know what they find works really well in studios you have used and what really fails it would be appreciated so I also know what to avoid.

also are there any design guide which you would recomend or if you would like to upload a pic of your studio that would be awesome

thanks very much.
Andy

slartibardfast wrote in post #16486986
I have been asked if I can design a photograpic studio for a friends business.
I will be having my first briefing meeting in a couple of weeks so I dont have the brief or know the specifics yet.

to put your minds at rest I am a fully qualified architect,but I normally design hospitals, but I have always asked those who have experience in a certain building type what things they like and dont like.

if any one would like to let me know what they find works really well in studios you have used and what really fails it would be appreciated so I also know what to avoid.

also are there any design guide which you would recomend or if you would like to upload a pic of your studio that would be awesome

thanks very much.
Andy

- a lot of storage for equipment and props (preferably accessible to shooting area)
- a really big space for shooting (depending on your client on what he shoots...
if shooting people...big windows would be awesome for shooting natural light)
- a nice bathroom, makeup room,and dressing room
- a small kitchen area
- a big access door straight to the shooting area.

What Phil said plus a white, two wall cyclorama.

And several 20 amp circuits.

tetrode wrote in post #16487257
And several 20 amp circuits.

...with an abundance of receptacles both low on walls and high on wall near ceiling and in the ceiling.) Perhaps ceiling-mounted cord reels on the ceiling in areas where low wall outlets may possibly end up in the background of the shots.

Adequate lighting and the ability to control the lighting (i.e. having lighting controlled by switching that allows flexibility and the use of dimmers for incandescent lights so they can be dimmed as needed to lower ambient but still allow safe movement around the studio.

HVAC system that can handle the additional heat load of lighting and equipment and ducting that won't dump air in the middle of the shooting area.

If needed, a dedicated area to meet with clients to preview/display photos such as on large monitor, or to discuss business related issues.

Large enough doors/hallways to get whatever props, equipment, etc into the studio easily. Also, to and from storage areas.

Briefly, what we had designed about 40 years ago. 40x40x30 shell. Garage door that would accept the trailer end of a semi. A breaker panel full of 20 amp circuits, 2 240 volt breakers as well, one on each side. Then we built a two wall cyc. Three wall would have been even better.
As mentioned, lots of storage, computer work stations, etc. dressing rooms, kitchen if there is any inclination toward food photography.

On the other hand, if they are going to be doing portraits and small family groups just about any rental space in a commercial building can be adapted.

David's comment of a 40x40x30 shell highlights a need for high ceilings. The higher the ceilings, the better you can place lights for illuminating hair.

Here's a local studio, Union 206, before they moved:

Thanks everyone for the feedback - really appreciate it.

Cheers