As
a semi professional photographer for over twenty years, I decided
to try it out commercially.
After losing my job with the big corporation
I had worked for nine years, I started thinking about starting
some kind of side business of my own. A limited budget (no income)
also made me realize that a home based studio may be the way to
go.
I have mainly concentrated on nature
and landscape photography and acquired some good
shots over the years. I even sold a few. I did some portraits -
starting with family, friends, strangers and had some paid assignments.
Also there were a series of product photography.
So over the years, I got paid about 30% of time.
I bought cameras and lenses. Some equipments too.
In my early twenties, I worked with
a professional photographer who had set up a studio in his basement.
He shot model portfolios with hot halogen lamps. He color
corrected the photos during printing.
I still remember working in the dark basement
and wanted to set up something of my own. |
After
so many years, I realized that I better get it done before I lose
the energy and enthusiasm. So after pondering over equipments
and configuration for over six months, I finally placed an order
with Alien Bees in the first week of January 2006.
What I intend to do
a) Portfolios, family shots etc.
b) Some product shooting
c) Stock Photography (landscape, products, themes etc.)
Knowing that renting a studio space in Bay Area will be exorbitant,
and perhaps foolish in the current financial state, the home studio
sounded like the right thing to do. Low cost and low overhead.
And if things take a nose dive in the next one year, I have not
lost much except for the cost of equipment (which can be sold off).
My living room - 22 by 14 feet - would make a great studio. Moved
the dining table and chairs to the kitchen, rearranged some of
the furniture and viola- a small working studio space.
Now that I got the equipment, I plan to start advertising. But
first I need some fresh photographs with the new lights. So calls
to neighbors and friends - for a free family portfolio.
Home Studio Setup - Main Page
Configuration and Budget
|
