Having a photography studio at home doesn't mean investing in tons of gear or a big space. It's about making the most of what you have and learning to create professional-quality photos with limited resources.
Coming to you from Laura BC, this practical video shows exactly how to set up a minimalist home photography studio without unnecessary spending. Laura started her career photographing international musicians in a bedroom studio, proving you don't need expensive spaces to get high-end results. She emphasizes starting with minimal gear—a single wall and one key light—because it forces creativity and experimentation. Her current studio setup has practically nothing: no bulky equipment, fancy stands, or expensive backdrops. Her advice focuses on choosing the right wall in your home, considering available natural light, and how to control it effectively.
The simplicity of her setup underlines how little equipment you actually need. Laura recommends just one good-quality light, either flash or continuous, depending on your comfort level. Continuous lighting helps beginners because you immediately see how shadows fall and adjust accordingly. Importantly, she advises against the cheapest stands—saving money here can backfire with instability.
Laura also highlights affordable and space-saving alternatives, such as using IKEA curtain poles instead of traditional backdrop stands. This simple trick keeps your studio tidy and easy to manage, particularly helpful if you're renting and can't drill holes into the walls. Her go-to backdrop material is seamless paper because it's durable, doesn't crease, and absorbs flash better than other materials. She offers a simple, practical tip: placing tape on the soles of your shoes (and your model's shoes) to keep backdrops clean and extend their lifespan.
The most valuable takeaway from Laura's approach is the encouragement to practice regularly at home. A home studio isn’t just for client work—it’s your personal lab to test techniques, experiment with lighting, and build confidence. She emphasizes that self-portraiture, even without sharing online, accelerates skill development dramatically. Her process involves experimenting with angles, moving the key light, and exploring camera settings to achieve drastically different moods, even in a limited space. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Laura.
