Turn a small location kit into small studio setup?

I've recently made a real estate investment and now I have a house with a nice little room which I've been contemplating in setting up a small studio. Before the house, I had a nice little photography fund but now it's pretty sad now so I'm looking for options.

My goals for the studio would be for me to practice my portraiture, some headshots and possibly some casual modeling sessions. I'd also like to shoot some dogs in a studio setting too.

Originally I wanted to get some Alienbees and large softboxes but I would like to consider more budget-conscious options now. I'm interested in making my on-location kit part of my studio.

So here goes, I'll list what I have and what my room is like and my intentions and you guys can let me know if I'm on the right track or if I should do something totally different.

The Room: 13.5' length x 11' width x 8' ceilings
Rectangular with 3 windows that can let natural light in behind me or keep light out with shutters. I technically can have even longer length beyond that room but that'll involve moving the background close to my dining room area. Laminate floors and electric outlets all around the room with a dimmer switch near the back. Walls and ceilings are white.

Current Gear:
-Elinchrom To-Go Umbrella kit (I hate it, the stands suck and the umbrellas are tiny...) 1 silver, 1 shoot-thru
http://www.vistek.ca …ands-2xumbrellas-bag.aspx
-2 general umbrella holders for the lightstands
-1 lastolite 75cm reflector (sunfire/white)
-1 photox boom arm with counterweight (my stands are almost too weak to hold this steady)
-1 580exII w/ battery pack
-1 430ex
-1 430exII
-1 ST-E2
-1 Lastolite
-1 background holder for collapsibles
-Lastolight 6x7 collapsable background with train (grey/blue pattern)

What I was considering: I was thinking, since I already have 3 canon strobes that I would get 2 more heavy duty Impact or Manfrotto stands and 1 umbrella holder. 1 45" wescott soft silver umbrella and 1 45" shoot through. Then I can have all 3 lights on stands 2 large umbrellas and 1 small 36". The last heavy stand will hold my reflector. I'd also like to get a 2 sided black/white lastolite collapsable 5x6' background.

Further down the line, I'd like to get the new PW flex/mini combos for both on-location and studio.

What I'm worried about: I'm afraid my silver umbrellas might be too large for my 8' ceilings and not enough power from my canon ex's. I love the modelling lights of studio strobes which I won't have so it'll be harder to experiment without the modelling lights. Would this setup be consistent enough for paid portrait sessions in the future? I don't know if I'd want to keep swapping out batteries.

So what do you all think of this idea? Get the few things and start a small studio setup or invest in studio strobes? I'd like to hear all opinions, experiences and options. Thank you!

Opinions anyone?

I'm just getting into portraits with a goal of being good enough by Nov. to offer the service to my current customers (HS Sports). I opted to go with 580EX instead of studio strobes and find that for indoor portraits they have plenty of power. I went with Wescott umbrellas that can work as shoot thru or bounce. They have a black removable cover. This way, I ended up with both types. I fire everything with the new PW mini on the camera and the PWII on the flash. I use Manafrotto stands. The ceiling height isn't a problem IMO

One thing I highly recommend is a good light meter. I use the Sekonic 308 and have the module for it which fires the strobes to get the reading. The module adds $50 to the cost of the meter but is well worth it. Many people will say a meter is a waste, that they just take test shots and adjust as needed but if a customer is paying you, wouldn't it be better to not look as if you're experimenting.

Your space is much too small, in my opinion, for typical portraiture use. Most portrait photographers I know of (including myself) keep at least six feet between the subject and the background (to allow for background lighting and blurring the background a bit) and eight to ten feet or more between the camera and the subject (for a decent perspective of the subject's face and other features). Add this all up with a foot or so of depth for the subject and four feet for the camera and the photographer and you see that 20 feet of studio depth is about the minimum needed.

You will want at least three or four feet on either side of the subject(s) for lighting. Add that to the width used for the subject and you will find that 14 feet width or more is often needed.

Ten feet or more of ceiling height is almost mandantory for standing portrait subjects. The reason is that you'll want the light to aim down toward the subjects' faces.

The space could work for tabletop photography and some tightly cropped portraiture, but would probably not be suitable for much more.

Great advice guys, I think you're right SkipD. I looked around my room again and I think I can probably only swing some tight headshots but nothing that might involve a full body. Do you think it's enough space for headshots and half body shots?

Mike R, good to know those westcott umbrellas work well. I was looking at the shoot thrus and I think 2 of them will be more flexible than just the one with the dedicated silver reflective. So I guess you find that the 580 has enough power for the 45" umbrellas. I think for now, since I'm indoors I'll fire them off with the ST-E2 which is pretty reliable when not outside and the ratios are nice.