Eric Reyes
Are you new to photography? Is it your hobby that you are gradually trying to convert into a profession with time? If yes, then you need to practice taking photos like a professional photographer. Portrait pictures are one of the essential photography techniques that most photographers need to know. One of the best ways to work on your initial portrait assignments is to book a studio for a specific time and get the job done. Usually, the cost is covered by the client, or you can get into a beneficial transaction with the studio owners.
Creating a studio space of your own at the very start of your career will cost on your savings. It is always better to arrive at it and arrange the same, as you go ahead on your photoshoot journey and move from being an amateur to an expert. However, when you are booking a studio space for portrait shoots, you need to consider the following aspects:
- The studio space itself
Usually, professional or new photographers will need a studio space for their portrait photoshoots. If you are browsing through an existing studio, ensure that the shooting studio space is a minimum of 12×12 foot space. This area will provide you ample space to work comfortably and also place all your lighting devices. There are various other factors to consider, such as:
- Make sure that the ceiling is 8 feet in height, at least. It is essential for sitting portrait shots and headshots. A 10 feet ceiling is the best because it helps to experiment with the backdrop as well. You can check multiple portrait studio locations and decide accordingly.
- The studio space should enable you to have a minimum of 6 feet space between the model/the subject and you. It will help to avert shadows on the backdrop without making any use of the backlight.
- The studio space must provide you with a closet or a separate area that you can use as a make-up or dressing room
- The area should have white painted walls, and there shouldn’t be any flammable flooring materials, like floor padding and carpets
- The studio light setting
While you are planning to bag the best DSLR that your budget can afford for the photoshoot, it is equally essential to check the light and the setting around it in the studio. A photography studio needs to provide you with an entire lighting kit. It is necessary that the studio provides you with all or most of the following components:
- Speed lights
- Continuous lights
- Gels
- Strobe lights
- Light meters
- Lighting trusses
- Reflectors
- Umbrella lights
- You need to choose the tripods as well
A tripod enables the photographers to concentrate on the model/the subject as well as a step away from their camera and not break the shot. The studio needs to provide you with one short and one tall tripod that will have ample space for developing almost any kind of shooting angle. You can consider the tripods which are lightweight and enables complete tilt and rotation. Furthermore, the tripods should allow you to make the necessary height adjustments, as well.
- Check the platforms
There are a few studios that might call a platform as a stage. You shouldn’t get confused about it. It enables the subject to stand, it or lean as you take the photographs. It is ideal if the stage or the platform is flat, solidly-built, and can manage slight weight. You can opt-in for one that is painted black and comes with no visible edges or seams. The best studio space is the one that provides you with multiple stage heights that you can select depending on your photography requirements.
- Access to a WBC (White Balance Card)
The photographers need to aim the camera at the WBC and use the multiple white shades. It will enable you to manage the camera setting based on the studio light so that you can focus correctly.
- The remote triggers
The studio needs to provide you with a few remote controls that can automatically trigger various equipment devices. With the remote triggers, you can work in your way and don’t need any assistance. It is instrumental when you are starting. The remotes comprise of shutters and flashes along with wireless versions that are handy. It helps to prevent sudden accidents.
- The electronic gear
You need to know that the electrical photography device will draw in electricity from the studio. Hence, it is essential to ensure that the studio can absorb all the loans with ample sockets that get rated for the apt watt and amp amount that needs to get used.
If the studio you’ve chosen has an insufficient power supply to run all these devices, you might have to invest in a different generator or battery backup. Some of the essential electrical gadgets that either you or the studio should have to resolve this issue are:
- The power strips – It applies to devices like fans, computers, lights, and monitors. The chip ensures that there are no power surges and electric current fuses while the shoot is on.
- Extra fuses – It is essential to have some spare fuses as the photography lights draw in a high amount of power. You might use it in case you need one.
- Backup power supplies – It comprises of the lighting battery packs as well as diesel-powered battery for any emergency purposes.
The shooting studio usually blocks all the sources of natural light from the windows. Hence, getting the correct cooling and ventilation for the lighting device that generates heat can get challenging. So, make sure that the studio provides you with an exhaust fan and also has an AC so that the room is kept cool. It will enable the photographers and the model to be comfortable during the shoot.
There are multiple other factors that you need to check while selecting a studio space! Once you have the factors mentioned above checked and assessed, you can go ahead with your photoshoot.
