STUDIO GEAR

[ STUDIO SPACE AT END OF DAY ]

STUDIO GEAR [ YES ]

LIGHTING: Profoto D1 Air, Photogenic, Speedtron, Novatron
LIGHT MODIFIERS: Profoto, Photoflex, Matthews, Westcott, Calumet
LIGHT ACCESSORIES: Softboxes, Umbrellas, Beauty Dish, Mirrors, Scrims, Grids, Cookies, Flags
STUDIO/LIGHT STANDS: Matthews, Profoto, Majestic
BACKDROPS: Denny, Westcott, Custom Painted Canvases, Dyed Muslin, Colored Paper

The image above shows my current studio space at the end of a workday. Pictured are my shooting table and one-third of the total area. The two-thirds not indicated is filled with lights, stands, backdrops, surfaces, and gear & product storage. My little doggie, Henri (the “assistant manager”), passed away shortly after I took the photo. He had a much better life with me after I found him in poor condition on the side of the road; I miss the little guy. Ninja cat better behaves now that he has a “bigger” brother to wrestle with and chases anything that moves with tiny legs out of the studio.

Overall I like my studio and had it built into my home. I made sure the studio could easily be converted into a large sunroom when I decided to sell the house and move elsewhere for retirement. I want studio space for personal projects no matter where I live; I am a photographer. Having a home studio has been very convenient and cost-effective. Being able to have my pets hang out with me is a bonus. They got used to the lights quickly and knew when to stay out of my way.

I have always been a minimalist when it comes to gear and lighting. I have four Profoto D1 Air strobes for shooting, but if I need more than two for tabletop shooting, I step back and re-examine what I visualize for the result. Backdrops must be treated as a subject and lit as such. When you get good with Photoshop, you can learn how to deal with backgrounds differently, substantially improving the result. Learn Photoshop to become a better commercial photographer.

You do not need a large studio space unless you photograph large items. You do need to add extra space for all the gear. Lighting and studio props can take up space if you get into it too much. I always placed a limit on my space usage because I tended towards minimalism. I like to keep things simple. I use mirrors, reflectors, and whiteboard instead of more lighting when it makes sense.

I have had one catalog client for twenty years and another for fifteen. It is a nice segue into retirement after a long career. Looking back, I’d say my earlier portrait and special event work (in the film days) was for a much younger me, full of creative energy and physical agility. It was exciting and made good financial sense at the time. Like all parts of my life, I evolve as time marches on and embrace change as it appears.

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[ USED LENSES FOR SALE – ONE LIGHT + FUJIFILM X-PRO2 FROM STUDIO SHOOT ABOVE ]

NOTE: My commercial contracts include non-disclosure agreements between the company or individual, and myself, the photographer. If you are getting into commercial work, I suggest you include them in all your contracts. I will not share contracted commercial work, but I will share work I have done for myself, such as used gear for sale, portraits of friends and family when permitted, and lots of beautiful scenery. Below are three images of the same subject/product, typical of what I shoot on my shooting table. Products change, but lighting and lenses stay the same.

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STUDIO IMAGE GALLERY