When many of us first entered into the realm of photography, most of us had the same question: What gear should I get? What do I need? Jay P. Morgan from The Slanted Lens helped out many with those questions back in 2015, but the video is a bit dated now. With the questions coming back for today’s market, Morgan decided to make an updated video with his suggestions to start your studio in 2017.
There are multiple equipment packages that Morgan listed all at different levels with each one increasing the gear and the price tags. These packages assume you do not already have a camera to start with, or maybe you are moving from one level up to the next and would like a suggestion. The cameras in these packages are all Canon brands. They are great cameras and being a Canon user myself, I would recommend testing the camera out if possible before purchasing as there are other great brands of cameras. I truly believe it mostly comes down to user preference and which ones comes more natural or easier to use.
The first package starts off with a Canon Rebel T7i with a kit lens and a Photoflex 32-inch 5-in-1 reflector for a quick and easy natural light setup along with some accessories and tripod to get you started. I first started off with a Rebel and kit lens a few years back and stuck with that setup for a while, so I do agree that it’s a great starting point. There are ton of photographers that can make magic with a Rebel camera, so don’t let that hold you back.
The next step up adds a bit more to the first package by adding two Dynalite Baja B4 strobes with an upgraded camera and more accessories to go along with the strobes. In this setup, you are no longer using the kit lens but the package moves it up to a Tamron 28-75mm lens. The third option once again swaps out the camera for a higher level and breaks into the full-framed world with the Canon 6D. In addition, the tripod is upgraded and a Baja B6 is added to the mix.
Reflector Equipment Package (around $1,300)
- Canon Rebel T7i with 18-55mm kit lens
- SanDisk 64 GB SD card
- Lexar card reader
- Photoflex 32-inch 5-in-1 reflector
- Kupo Universal 12.5-foot light stand
- Clamp
- Vanguard Alta CA 233AGH aluminum tripod
Two Light Equipment Package (around $3,000)
- Canon EOS 77D
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens
- (2) Dynalite Baja B4
- Transmitter
- Photoflex OctoDome XS Softbox
- Photoflex 60-inch convertible umbrella
- Bowens speedring
- SanDisk 64 GB SD card
- Lexar card reader
- Photoflex 32-inch 5-in-1 reflector
- (3) Kupo Universal 12.5-foot light stand
- Clamp
- Vanguard Alta CA 233AGH aluminum tripod
Three Light Equipment Package (around $5,500)
- Canon EOS 6D
- Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lens
- (2) Dynalite Baja B4
- Dynalite Baja B6
- Transmitter
- Photoflex OctoDome XS Softbox
- Photoflex OctoDome Small Softbox
- Photoflex 60-inch convertible umbrella
- Bowens speedring
- (3) SanDisk 64 GB SD card
- Lexar card reader
- Photoflex 32-inch 5-in-1 reflector
- (4) Kupo Universal 12.5-foot light stand
- Clamp
- Vanguard Alta Pro 284 Carbon tripod
Those are three options to get started with photography from Morgan. What do you think? These are also just suggestions, you can switch out some of the items to fit your needs better, as well as brands. My first studio setup included a Canon 6D with the 24-105mm kit lens and a few AlienBees along with a PLM modifier and some other accessories. Share with us your first studio package in the comments below. Let us know what is missing or what you would recommend.
I think the title is misleading. Maybe say What you need to create your first studio lighting setup? If it was creating your own studio I mean... v flats, seamless paper, etc. etc...
Clamping a reflector to a light stand? How on earth do you angle the reflector then? A reflector holder would be a much better choice. $48 on B&H.
Indeed. Foamcor is a great choice! Small ones or big ones on wheels are handy. One side painted black of course.
I think what you need most to start your own photo studio is sufficient experience. Once you have enough experience and confidence in working with subjects, lighting them, editing photos, dealing with customer service, things like "what equipment do I need" should already be part of your toolkit, and you should be fully familiar with it. I find gear lists such as this completely useless, as each studio's needs will vary based on what they shoot (product shots require different modifiers than headshots, etc.).
a decent camera body, the absolute best glass you can afford for what type of shooting you do (you only need one, maybe two lenses), then a huge amount of money on lighting and non-photographic type thingys, clamps, foamcore, tape, extension cables, trays or cases to organise this mess, stands, etc, etc, etc.
most people do not really look at the gaffer bits they need. there are many and they can quickly eclipse the cost of a new full frame camera, but ultimately they are probably more important than that new camera . . . they help you sculpt your image, something no camera can do.
when I started out I bought new gear, and it hurt. before long I realised that used gear was frequently the best option, but you need to be ready, i.e. money in the bank to jump at the opportunity.
I bought my first lighting kit at a bankruptcy sale . . . profoto 3a with three heads, reflectors case, cables etc . . . was a bargain until I realised what accessories were going to cost . . . however, I hung on and with the same persistence have built up my profoto kit into 5 packs and 7 heads (non recent, but all serving what I shoot) . . . all at less than a quarter of the cost
when I was younger and getting this in order, I went to another liquidation auction with the intent to buy a quality tripod for my sinar. at the auction I had no problem acquiring a gitzo superstudio pro for only $275 ($1200+ value) . . . everyone else, mostly young and inexperienced twits, were busy bidding and buying rental gear, speedo packs, fast nikkor teles, at MORE than their retail . . . fools. my only other purchase, which no one bid on, was a table full of hundreds of feet of coaxial cable, about a dozen superclamps, a compact set of gitzo superstudex legs, mannefroto monitor platform, various other bits . . . you get the idea. I spent $15 for this (everyone else was masturbating over nikkor 300 f2.8s at over cost . . . fools).
upshot . . . I sold a lot from that table that I didn't need, kept the clamps etc, and when I was finished I had made enough to cover the costs of what I had purchased . . . in other words, I got everything for free . . . all because I was patient and had done research.
even today, I still wait to purchase and always check out various auctions to see what is available. no I am not a vulture, but a businessman, and when an opportunity presents itself I will take it, before someone else does.
setting up a studio will easily start at thousands, quickly escalate to tens or more thousands . . . you can lessen the blow if you plan ahead, and STICK to a regimen that will not have you wasting valuable dollars on things you do not need.
It sounds like you are right on with some great suggestions. A couple of things for people who are looking into getting into studio lighting for the first time, and although this is going to sound very obvious to a lot of people it will not be to beginning studio photographers:
1) If you have never shot with studio lights, spend the money to attend a seminar or a course geared towards beginning studio shooting. It may cost a few $$$ but it is going to save you money in the long run.
2) Although those courses are more than likely going to be sponsored by a specific company, don't feel the need to purchase your lights at the course. Take the information you learned then go home and do more research and buy what you actually need.
3) Determine the space you have to work with and buy only what you have the space to work with. With that in mind; if you know you have the capability of expanding in the future, buy a system that will allow you to expand.
4) Practice, practice practice and practice before you bring in your first client. Guaranteed some glich is going to show up somewhere in some session. Make sure you understand your system inside and out.
5) If you have a DSLR and lens that will work for studio work now, do not make that a priority. Your studio lights, props, backgrounds, etc... are going to run up a huge bill. Just like camera's and the rest of that gear; you are going to find more toys that you need for your studio that you can't live without. Spend wisely.
6) Look for used equipment for a lot of your needs. Umbrellas, soft boxes, etc... Save money where you can.
In short; don't just jump into studio equipment if you have never used it. Make sure you understand what you are doing. Continue to get training in the field.
The article has some great tips for getting started, just go about your first studio set up in a methodical manner and you'll enjoy the whole process a lot more.
Great suggestions!
Nice info to have but would love something like this on finding studio space.
Lee, if I knew how to submit an article I would do it. However since I don't let me see if I can help you out a little.
-first thing you are going to want to do is make sure you have the funds to take you through at least a year. I know; sucks doesn't it? However, you don't want to have to worry about how are you going to pay that rent and everything else while you are trying to get the studio established.
-- Take rent into consideration
-- Take your utilities into consideration
-- Take insurance into consideration
-- Are you going to need any employees?
-- Advertising or marketing
-- You get the idea
-- Even if you don't take all of that into consideration for 12 months, at a minimum 6 months if you are already established.
So after you decide what your budget is going to be (don't find the studio then decide your budget), decide what you actually need. Do you need an office or can you get away with a desk set up for your clients there in the front of the studio area. I know some photographers that do that and it looks great. Are you going to have changing rooms in the studio? Bathrooms? So figure out what you actually need versus what you want.
Location location location. That one is pretty self explanatory. If you are established your customers are going to come back. If you are still trying to get established it never hurts (either way) to be visible.
For the studio space itself, have a really good idea of what you are going to be shooting. Are you going to be shooting a bit of everything? Kids, families, brides, etc....? If you are going to be shooting full length; especially brides you are going to need a pretty long shooting space. Those full length shots for brides take some major space to shoot. So when you are looking for that studio space know what your shooting needs are going to be.
Don't fool yourself that you can work around a low ceiling space of say 8-10 foot. You will just frustrate yourself. That is from experience and years of listening to other photographers kicking themselves.
Check the little things like power outlets where you are going to need them, will your landlord let you remodel areas... and make counter offers on any lease. Don't just sign what they ask for. If you are in an area like I am where it is impossible to find a space period you often don't have a choice. However, if buildings and spaces are plentiful you often have an upper hand.
I have a good friend in Kentucky who was able to buy an entire building in her downtown area that gave her a mortgage less than a lease cost. Her ability to remodel gave her a lot more flexibility and she is on the main street of a pretty neat town that has great foot traffic. Of course, not everyone has that opportunity.
I hope that helps some. Let me know if there is anything else.
S