How to Equip Your Photo Studio for Under a Grand

Do you have a passion for photography but can't quit your day job to pursue it full-time? You’re not the first person to delay your plans because you think you’ll spend a lot of money to take the first step, but the fact is, there are ways to get started without spending a lot of money. Start by equipping your photo studio on the cheap--who knows, you just might become the next Ansel Adams before you know it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Buy a camera if you don't already have one. You can shoot on film, “go digital” or do both. You can spend a little or a lot for decent cameras, but remember this is your biggest investment.
2. Find a location in your house that’s suitable for a photo studio. It should be wide, spacious and comfortable because a lot of equipment will have to be set up there. There should be room for backdrops, cameras, costumes and people. And if you intend to develop your own film, you’ll need to accommodate a darkroom. An indoor studio is more suitable than an outdoor one. Nothing in the room should be too garish, or else it will affect the pictures you take. Plain wallpaper or even bare walls work really well.
3. Buy lights and backdrops for your studio if you want to take interesting and well-lit pictures. Some people spend a lot of money on these, but you won’t have to. Start by going to auction websites and typing "lighting and studio equipment" into the search field (see Resources below). There is a lot of photography equipment on sale from people who are either abandoning the hobby or trading up, and they sell for well under retail. For $500 or less, for example, you should be able to find all of the lights and backdrops you’ll need to start taking exquisite pictures. Backdrops should be both interesting and in good condition. If you are shooting on film, start out by having simple backdrops, and acquire more as the demand increases. If you are shooting digitally, there are many companies that sell CDs with digital backdrops. Try to find a CD that has many themes so you are prepared for almost any request. These CDs range in price from $5 to $40. Type "backdrop CDs" into the search field of an auction website to start searching (see Resources below).
4. Gather as many props as you can from around the house. They can be anything from old hats, fake flowers and ornate lamps to odd pieces of furniture and decorative articles. Some should be cute or whimsical, while others can be old. Each has to be in really good shape, because your camera doesn’t lie. Then go to yard sales and thrift stores where you can find interesting and cheap things to buy, not to mention items that will inspire you. When you start shooting in your new studio, you probably will have few props, but after you’ve been at it awhile, you will have props coming out of your ears.

Tips & Warnings

• Photography is a little like peanuts: The more you have, the more you want. When you're just starting out, be selective because there are things that you'll need and you certainly don't want to run out of money before you have the basics.