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How to Build a Home Photo Studio
Kamera Express
With these tips and tricks, you can create the best photo studio at home
Do you want to create a photo studio at home? We are happy to help you get started with a few tips about the most important equipment and supplies, so you can quickly begin your next shoot at home. Will it be a portrait shoot, or maybe a food shoot? In your own studio, anything is possible.
Space
First of all, it is important to check whether you have enough space at home. You need to keep in mind that a background and a setup with multiple lights can quickly take up several square metres. With this lighting setup, you naturally want to stay in control of the light yourself. That is why it is best to set up the studio in a room that is as dark as possible, or where you can easily block outside light. A guest room, attic, or shed is perfect, for example. This also allows you to leave your equipment set up when you are done. Of course, you can build a studio in the living room, but then you will need to tidy everything up again so your partner does not go crazy.
Light
So, there you are in that dark shed without any form of lighting. Perfect. Now we can fill the space with beautiful studio lights or flashes, so you can photograph at home in the best possible light.
For a photo studio, you can choose between continuous light and flash light. The advantage of continuous light, such as daylight lamps or LED lamps, is that you can immediately see the effect of the light on your subject. With a flash, you first have to take the photo before you can see the result. A lamp can therefore be a little easier for beginners.
A studio lamp is also useful for subjects that move less, such as product photography. Pets and babies will also thank you if you work with continuous light instead of flash light. If you want more information about choosing between flash light and continuous light, take a look at this studio selection guide.
Can’t choose? Luckily, we also sell practical light sets that allow you to buy a complete studio setup in one go. Ideal.
Light stands
Unless you have a helpful assistant who holds all your lights, light stands are a real must-have. They do not talk back, and they also do not laugh at your bad jokes. What they do is keep your light off the ground, so you can aim your lamp or flash at a fixed spot. Some stands can reach great heights, but you will probably not need that in your home studio.
When setting up your stand, make sure the weight is distributed properly. A heavy lamp or flash can make even the best stand unstable. That is why you should always place one of the three legs in the direction the lamp is pointing. This helps prevent it from falling forward. We also recommend always placing a sandbag on one of the legs.
Background
Many studio photos have one thing in common: they have an even background. Of course, you could paint the wall in your living room a clean colour, but if you want a different background colour next time you shoot at home, you will have to paint again. That is why it is better to use a background roll or backdrop cloth that you can easily hang with two stands.
A paper roll gives you a perfectly even background and can easily be cut off if it has creases or stains. A backdrop cloth can have folds if you do not pay close attention. If your budget is too tight for a set with stands, you can always get creative with paper and tape on the wall.
Light shapers
Besides lights, you can also use light shapers to create effects such as soft light. A light shaper can basically be described as a photographer’s tool. There are many different types of light shapers, such as softboxes and octaboxes, reflectors, umbrellas, beauty dishes, grids, and snoots.
Each type shapes the light from your studio flashes or lamps in its own way. Visit the light shapers and lighting page for more information about which light shaper suits you best.
Monitor
Once you have taken your photos and start editing them, a good monitor is essential. Professional monitors for photo and videography are optimized for image editing. The colour reproduction and contrast are extremely accurate, so you can get the best result from your work.
And if you also want to relax after working in your home studio, these monitors are also very good for gaming.
Shooting tents and tables
Product photographers, pay attention. Building a huge studio when you only occasionally take photos of small accessories for your webshop may be a bit too much. With a shooting tent or table, you can work faster and save money. Some sets come with small lights included, making your workflow even easier. A studio in your home, but in miniature.
