So You Want To Open A Photography Studio?

Being a photographer is a great career for someone who thrives of challenges, meeting lots of different people and being your own boss. This might mean cutting back or cutting out hobbies and social events for the first years of your new photography studio. Once you find out what works in your photography studio and what doesn't, then you can resume other "play" activities. But, chances are, if you want to set up your own photography studio, you will find your work play.

What Do You Want To Photograph?

In the beginning of your career, you should decide what area of photography to focus your talents on. Do you want to be a wedding photographer, pet portrait photographer, go into advertising or fine arts? Don't think that in the first years of your fledgling photography studio you will be able to do it all. You won't. Word of mouth and repeat clients will help establish your photography studio, and they will expect to you to be an expert in the same field of photography over and over again.

Knowing what you want your photography studio to focus on will also help you to select equipment.

The Studio Itself

Your photography studio doesn't necessarily have to be in a rented room or office. Many pet and wedding photographers put all of their equipment in their van or car and set up on site. Some animals and child portraitists have their photography sessions in the back of a remodeled van.

You need backdrops of different colors, lights, props and, of course your camera. You will not need a panoramic lens if you are doing hamster portraits - however, if you are doing hamster portraits, you need a good zoom lens that can bring the hard to see features into focus.

You will also need extension cords and, if necessary, a portable generator for the lights.

The Darkroom

Although digital photography studios are beginning to crop up, most professional photography studios still rely on film. You will have to develop the film yourself. This is part of what being a professional photographer is all about. You need many pans for the chemical washes needed to develop film, a wash line to hang your photos up to dry, some clip or pin to attach them to a line and, most importantly, a red light bulb. Normal light will destroy all of your hard work. And you need a DO NOT DISTURB sign on your darkroom's door!