Have you ever wanted to show someone something but you kept thinking… ‘Once I can do this to it then I’ll share’ and you begin to realize that you may never get to show anyone? That’s how I feel about my very modest in-home studio for Leah Remillet Photography. When I look at the below image, I see lots and lots of things I’d love to upgrade – change – make cuter. For example those chairs… I found them at a garage sale, they were exactly what I wanted once they are recovered! Didn’t seem like it would be that difficult of a project, I mean they don’t even have arms for crying out loud (sigh) but apparently it is because both my mom and mom-in-law who are both very talented with a needle wouldn’t take on the project with me. So now they are  affectionately referred to as ‘the ugly chairs‘.

Despite the flaws I hope this will be helpful and you will be able to see the opportunity you might have in your home. I live in the Pacific Northwest where it’s dark a lot of the year and I wanted more control then natural light could give me. With my in-home studio I have that. And I have to remind myself that this one is very temporary, we will be moving away from our current home once Mr. Go4Pro finishes school and the plan is that when he sets up his practice we will purchase a building where the upstairs will become my studio and then I can have beautiful dark wood floors and huge open windows and lovely sitting areas, with shelves filled with vintage cameras and wall displays to my hearts content.

For now… here is my humble in-home studio.

Hidden behind the backdrops are shelves and storage bins with props, backdrops and whatever else. Of course this isn’t a ton of space so I’ll admit that I also have my office closet filled to the brim but it is really nice to have what I’ll need for that particular session at my fingertips!

Show what you want to sell! Whether you have a studio space or not it’s so important to show what you want your clients to buy. I have a 30×40 framed print hanging in the studio. Everyone always comments and since it is my home it shows them how easily they can incorporate statement pieces in their home as well. I also display a gallery wrapped canvas and an image box as they are very popular and create a nice wow factor for my clients.

Tip: Before I had a studio or when it’s a location shoot I bring a samples of some favorite items just to show them before we get started and to help get ideas rolling! This may be an album and a canvas… It depends on what type of session it is.

Supply Guide: To be more helpful, here is a list of everything technical that I have in my studio room:

LIGHTING SETUP:

I use a Larson 4×6 Softbox ($699.00) with a Photogenic PL1250/ 500ws Powerlight ($589.50) as my main light and a Larson 42″x72″ Silver Reflector ($330.00) that is not pictured as my second light source.

My light is on a quick release stand but I can’t remember where I got it from or how much I paid. (sorry!)

I also have a Northern Industrial 500 Watt Portable Halogen Tripod Light($38.24) that I use to bounce off the ceiling on really dark days or at night when I have no natural light in the room in order to keep my ISO down.

Total Lighting Setup (including stand): $1808.00

BACKDROP:

I have the Savage Background Port-a-Stand System w/ Free White Paper Roll ($109.95)

Savage 107″x12yds Seamless Paper in Thunder Grey ($39.99)

Savage 107″ x 12yrds Seamless Paper in Super White ($39.95)

Drop it Modern Backdrop in Mustard Seed 9×12 ($377.00) {shown in image}

Drop it Modern Backdrop in Vintage 9×12 ($377.00)

Super Cheap Fleece Black Fabric from Walmart -15 yds

Total Backdrop Setup: $958.95

PRODUCT ART:

Simply Canvas 16×20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Simply Color Lab 30×40 Framed Print in Charcoal Bead Enviro Frame

WHCC 5×7 Image Box

UPGRADES: I shared with you everything I have but I thought it would also be helpful to let you know what I would change, upgrade or add to in the future.

When I move into my store front studio I will switch to a 4 Roller Background System($494) or even an 8 roller background system($899) for all those Drop it Modern Backdrops I dream of having. It can be very inconvenient to swap out backdrops during a shoot, my hubby and I did fashion a second drop attachment out of a curtain rod but it would be so nice to have what I want and need easily at my fingertips!

I’d also like to add a 14″x48″ Soft Strip from Larson

Now that you have the supply list, how about if I actually show you some of my studio images? These images were created using my ONE LIGHT STUDIO SETUP in my home.

The Softbox is always Camera Right (shown left in above images). If you would like, I could create a video and show you how I do it — Let me know if you think that would be helpful or interesting.