Studio space...24'x30'...what would you do?

I have an opportunity to rent this space (.24cent/SF) on a month to month basis after recently leaving a space I rented for a year (15'x18' @ .49cent/SF). It has a wall down the middle about 20' long, making each side approx. 15x24, 12' ceilings/recessed flourescent lighting in dropped ceiling, lots of outlets and large windows on the short side of the room with blinds.

I have read alot of posts that says not to waste time or $$ with staged sets....is this the general consensus here? I have all the lighting equipment needed as I mainly shoot high school seniors, engagements/weddings and sports. I have always wanted a large enough space to shoot a large family portrait in and I think this will work, plus there's a large parking lot at my disposal.

I would rather shoot Seniors outside (which is the norm) but from time to time I am asked to shoot in-studio portraits as part of their package. Rather than setup backdrop stands w/muslin around the perimeter on one side of the room, I had thought of putting up two to three 8' wide sections of drywall, each in a different color...white, grey and/or black and perhaps create a 2x4 framed platform in the same color for floor shots. What's everyone's ideas on this?, what would you different?

Another idea I had was to make a "simulated" drywalled corner of a room with hardwood floor, base moulding etc. or just with corrugated steel on walls and a grey floor. I'm just kicking ideas around and wanted others to offer their ideas on what I could do with this space.

I believe you'd find the 12-foot width of the available space quite limiting. I wouldn't even mess with a space less than 16 to 20 feet wide for a studio in which I wanted to shoot any groups.

I like doing everything outside unless I can control the light properly.

Karl Johnston wrote in post #8326110
I like doing everything outside unless I can control the light properly.

They both have pros & cons...on the one side, when outside you have a bigger canvas to work with but sometimes it's a big pain in the ass to carry around the equipment, portable battery,etc., especially if I'm working alone w/o an assistant.

...offering studio shots expands my marketing options and I almost always get asked if I can do them. I did the "setup in the garage" thing for a few years and just wanted somewhere to leave the lights up.

I'm planning on building a studio behind my house about the same size as this new space...this summer I'm making a large pondless waterfall/rock garden that I will use for some of my outside stuff....baby steps...I call this my 4-5 year plan before I retire from the other job! Ya gotta dream!

I would love to be able to rent something for $0.49/sq ft. Places around me are anywhere from $8.95 - 17.00/sq ft.

asysin2leads wrote in post #8333643
I would love to be able to rent something for $0.49/sq ft. Places around me are anywhere from $8.95 - 17.00/sq ft.

The building was a high school back in the day and I'm permitted to put up signs for advertising out at the street . The area is a rural one and not many businesses like this... that have dedicated studio space anyway.

what about a cyc wall?
can you tear down the dividing wall and make it one giant room? that would give you a lot more options and freedom of design.

DisrupTer911 wrote in post #8335880
what about a cyc wall?
can you tear down the dividing wall and make it one giant room? that would give you a lot more options and freedom of design.

Ok...I saw somewhere the other day a cyc wall mentioned, but didn't know what it meant? I believe I could have the wall removed....One thing I definitely want to do is to cover the large windows along the one 30' side, which now has large metal venician blinds on them, they block the light for the most part but not completely.

This particular room used to be a classroom and there's a chalkboard along a side adjacent to the windows. I didn't want to just setup stands around the perimeter but thought abought small areas like one having a small section of hardwood laminate flooring with a white wall maybe. I find that most of the high school seniors I've photographed in the last few years didn't want the cheesy fake design sets but rather just a clean white BG high key shot or a crumpled muslin BG will do.

Ask if you can rent the gym for $250 a month.

I know where you're at though. Oil City and the surrounding area is pretty sad. Heh.

cdifoto wrote in post #8336779
Ask if you can rent the gym for $250 a month.

I know where you're at though. Oil City and the surrounding area is pretty sad. Heh.

No kidding....I had a space in the national Transit building, boy was I happy to get out of there. They are trying so hard to revive that city, trying to make it like it was back in the Oil boom days...they're pissin' in the wind! One can only "celebrate" Oil Heritage for so long. The people on the Oil City Arts council think that by atracting 15 people (this is an actual figure) to move there with an easel and a brush, and put them in one of those rooms in the NTB will bring the city back. Granted, I give them alot of credit for trying....but this town is really depressed...it's no wonder everyone moves away...I'm here til I retire in 5-10 yrs...Clarion is my hometown, it's amazing the difference 30 miles makes!

cdifoto wrote in post #8336779
Ask if you can rent the gym for $250 a month.

I know where you're at though. Oil City and the surrounding area is pretty sad. Heh.

Ya know, that's not a half bad idea anywhere would work if you had enough space and your own studio set up

The gym isn't available...part of the building is still used for a Christian school and the gym is used for other functions.

DD974 wrote in post #8337041
The gym isn't available...part of the building is still used for a Christian school and the gym is used for other functions.

What about the auditorium or one of the shop rooms?

DD974 wrote in post #8336754
Ok...I saw somewhere the other day a cyc wall mentioned, but didn't know what it meant? I believe I could have the wall removed....One thing I definitely want to do is to cover the large windows along the one 30' side, which now has large metal venician blinds on them, they block the light for the most part but not completely.

This particular room used to be a classroom and there's a chalkboard along a side adjacent to the windows. I didn't want to just setup stands around the perimeter but thought abought small areas like one having a small section of hardwood laminate flooring with a white wall maybe. I find that most of the high school seniors I've photographed in the last few years didn't want the cheesy fake design sets but rather just a clean white BG high key shot or a crumpled muslin BG will do.

a cyclorama or cyc wall is a wall that goes from floor to ceiling and has a gentle curve where floor meets wall so that you get a seamless transition without the hard edge you normally would
you can also repaint as many times are necessary

http://farm4.static.fl​ickr.com …3303863521_7b4e​144938.jpg

you can easily make it yourself if your a handy carpenter type of person lol