Don’t fall into this studio photography trap 

If you want to learn how to get into the industry head here tinhouse-studio.com/

"What i make is for others. How i make it is for myself. "

I've had my own studio for the past 11 months and I can't wait for the yearly contract to expire soon. Lost a ton of money on it for the sake of ridiculous ego. Thanks for the level headed and honest videos that not many others dare or care to say.

Does the internet want more puppy videos? You know it does!

Haven’t had a commercial studio space in 25+ years/Seattle. What changed?; Fire code regs and insane rents; commercial lofts were no longer deemed habitable work/live spaces…and that’s when rental studios popped up. Me?; I converted my whole living room into my photo work space…and can write off 40%. Like yourself- it’s “my space” to dream, experiment, test shoot, etc. I think everyone needs a space- especially if studio centric.

I’ve been freelance for a year. Now haven’t bought any kit. Have just rented everything and I’m glad I heeded your advice to keep my overheads as low as possible.

I have a studio and share with 2 other photographers. It is my safe space. My creative space where I can make what I want. It gives me comfort. Like a security blanket. Yet I agree with you that it is a liability. Long term it has been the right choice for me for some client work. Other work I use rentals here in NYC that have theme rooms or stylized interior for the proper job. I don't want to built sets if I can avoid it. I would rather travel to a location and shoot there. As always another great video and good insights. Love your information.

I've had my studio both onsite at home and away in the form of a commercially rented space. my biggest gripe with working offsite is it literally takes me minimum of an hour, once I walk into a room to motivate me to transition into a photography mindset. Where as, at home, when I'm ready, I walk into another room.

You like my best clever friend whom I like to listen to and you are so right

I have a food photography studio in my basement and only rent a day studio when I have a big shoot with clients and a crew present. It really helps with keeping overhead down. Cheers!

My studio is in my finished basement. I have all my kit set up, and as I create, I just need to move things around. Its roughly half, at about 700sq ft and its only down side is my 71/2 ft cieling. If I need hieght, I lower the set. It works for me. As I start to grow in business, my plan is to shoot smaller jobs since I have been retired since 2021, and now restarting again. Its more than sufficient for what I'm looking to do. My biggest challenge at the moment...getting the work to keep busy.

Excellent commentary Scott!

I constantly struggle with computing power and my edits. If I’m shooting volume I end up using an aps-c lense to decrease file size. Still use full frame for portraits though

Having a studio of my own is good for my mental health. I tried it without one and tried sharing one, and neither scenario worked for me. I'm depressed without one.

I have a 7m x 7m x 4m space that is my studio, with all the trappings of studios, Elinchrom lights. Does it pay its way, in the end no. But I can have a crap day at my real job, head in to the studio for a play and come home in a significantly better mood.. my wife says it’s worth it for that reason alone.

I used to rent a studio without earning as much as you. And also didn't have wanted to rent it. And I decided to close it down as it was way too much cost.

Giving up my studio was a painful process both mentally and financially. My contract required full professional redecoration, new flooring and I paid for 6 months rent while living hundreds of miles away. Not having the overheads of a studio over COVID however was a godsend.

My studio walls are 50% gray. Works fine, especially since it’s a lot smaller than yours and much lower ceilings. But it’s absolutely sufficient for my purposes and my rental is 5 minutes walk away, I just have to bring my kit and it’s 22€/hour 😂

Funny to see you going black. I've converted my garage for test shooting that was the easiest decision for me (smaller space, even worse for reflections and cramped for flags), but weirdly most photographers I commented it with found it off to have a black studio.

if you're goeeting a second GFX, go for the 1st gen GFX100 (not an S). It has a 5.76m dot EVF, much higher res than the 100S and probably cheaper

Such a great comment to e relevant topic 🙌

I’ve just been told by my land lord that after nine years my studio is not suitable for my needs and gave me one month to move out, this means I now have to sort out all my gear and choose what I want to keep and what to get rid of which is good because it will slim down my kit to what I actually need and not what I wanted and used once. Not having a studio means I won’t have somewhere to shoot when I needed for clients and that will make things harder as people seem to want to shoot in the studio, on the other hand for my personal work I will now be able to hire locations I want to shoot at as I won’t have the overhead of the studio.

IM with you on this I have a studio not because I need one but because it’s my space. I live in rented accommodation it has an out building it’s like my man shed the place where I can go to just play with ideas practice my craft and get away from life. I’m now retired but was always a semi pro. I was about to turn pro when covid hit (lucky escape as my day job was nhs so could continue to work) my portrait work is done on location. Having to have lease for a photography space would scare the crap out of me. Do like your common sense you tubes and you honesty regarding gear refreshing to her your thoughts thanks

The only large studio (and I use the word generously as it doubles as a club venue) in my town is pity black. It is depressing in there. Can wait to build my own space 😅

"my current goals don't need this" - I need help with this lolz

i whent different route , i have a studio but i also live in my studio , got a 100m3 place, big room 5x10m use for photo and seating , got a room with my desk , and room on the back wher i sleep , am single without kids just have 2 cats , so it works for me , renting a apartment and a studio make no sense at this point ,

Hey I’ve watched most of your videos and always listen to your advice, based on your opinion “unless your making 30k a year a 5d mkiii will be just fine” I got that camera and for weddings it’s amazing however I’ve been taking photos of gigs and the camera in that situation is horrific, always struggles to focus or I can’t take a burst of photos without it struggling to load. Could you recommend what you should look into for low light photography. I know this isn’t your area however I feel you offer the best business advice on RU-vid and don’t promote products above and beyond what’s needed.

To me it sounds more like your studio is your men's shed/office. It has been part of your process in the development of your skills as a commercial photographer. You said it doesn't make sense financially and perhaps it doesn't, but the sense I get is creatively it does make sense. Test shoots in your home studio (men's shed), that then land you the big commercial jobs in London.

It is a wise person that knows what they do not need! Most people only think about what they want. (footnote: that does not mean we wont buy it! 🙂)

I rent desk space with access to additional space that could be used as a studio when needed. The main reason is work life balance. Work, studio, focussed, get it done. This is particularly important for admin items that are not interesting, as it helps me focus. Need it? - no, but it does improve time efficiency. The danger with working from home is that it is open ended. You start work and never stop. That is not great.

Nice to hear you label it rightly a liability. But something you are yet to talk about in these videos are other business expenses such as insurance. All that kit is expensive, indeed. And I'm sure you don't take it home every night and lock it in a safe guarded by your new puppy! What other invisible or non-tangible expenses do you incur regularly as part of your fixed costs? Electricity is not part of your rental, but is heating? I imagine your cleaner doesn't clean your kit for you, do they? Who does the windows?

The Fuji ??? ... The Mamiya RB67 standard lens (90mm) is the DBs for medium format but for miniature format (36x24mm), have you thought about renting out (to start with) some Leica glass? Sigma and Panasonic do bodies that are compatible with the L-Mount so you don't have to use Leica bodies if you really don't want to but compared to other miniature format lenses, the quality of the Leica lenses is outstanding. If you are using similar lenses to your RB67 lenses for miniature (or 'Full Frame' as they like to call it) then a 50mm and a 35 would do - otherwise, you know what you want. Beware, though, trying out Leica glass is a one way street in the same way that giving your cat expensive cat food is. They are expensive but as you are into hard lighting, a lens that gives exceptional local contrast would complement it very well. Give it a go and look at the quality of your pictures.

hey Scott, you say your M1 get's the job done for your still editing needs. I don't have M1, I have a PC but a decent one. I've found that editing stills while doing HEAVY masking work (3-4 seperate masks with hundreds of edits in all of them) turns into nighmare. What am I missing ?

I had no idea people prefer black walls. I bounce lights off of my white walls and ceiling like crazy I couldn’t shoot without it

Do you have a house cat and a studio cat? Now I know you're rich 😂

Are you filming these on your 100s? Or is this on the Canon? Colors look really nice man

🔥

You are a business owner who needs space for what you do,look at your storage space and atmosphere in the studio,fantastic.Work from home in your business is not practical,far to much gear,love what you have created.

11:24 one channel i follow on here, they have a dedicated youtube channel for their dog, if you feel like doing it, go and do it, you never know, you may find a dedicated people that just want to watch pets

I just rent mine when needed

How does puppy get on with your cat

Can Moggie come too? Pleeeeease!

Do you think if over time the budgets keep decreasing the way you say they are, that people will be more likely to opt to shoot in your space?

I have a space its 11ft by 9ft which I rent I can't call it a studio but I live in Scotland where it rains allot or just cold so it a useful space but not part of my business it complicated😂

Where is Moggi?

Studio or man cave?🙂

What about Moggy? Does she still come to the studio. I like your cat. Do the cat and dog get along? I like your philosophy on the studio. I like having a studio in my home and having the equipment for me. I have what I need when I need it and I know it works. My walls are white also. I don't want to be in a cave.

TEDDY !

Please share your edited videos.

Great video! I still cant understand the rationale of paying £7k on rent. You can easily buy it and then rent or sell it and at least the money goes back to you, it does not go towads enriching your landlord.

Definitely start a dog/cat channel. RU-vid, instagram, etc. If you're already making the videos and images, upload them. You get enough followers and views you'll end up with enough free pet food for life.

Most important question: Will Loki and Moggy be coming to the studio? I thought Moggy was the studio mascot.

its all smoke and mirrors folks. you don't need anything to be a photographer, except the job. once you understand this, you can start doing what u want with it.

It is very strange to hear an English accent say “craic” 😂

Overheads within an economy which is going to collapse.

With your finger raised and your beard you look so much like ayatollah. 😆😆😆😆😆 Teach us the ways of the prophet, mate! 😆😆😆😆😆

Well thought bringing this studio question, I think many people starting out may have their carrears held back by not having a proper space to work. I'm lucky, the institute where I made my courses let the students who need to book time in their studio. But if I didnt have that sweetie it whould have been complicated as my home is very small and paying twice the profit at the begining isnt exactly friendly. Cheers for teddy 🦮