afliegs
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2011
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- 59
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- Location
- Saint Louis, MO
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I know similar questions have been asked and answered, but I wanted to give a background of my experience, equipment, what I have to work with and what I'm looking to accomplish... for more personalized recommendations. I have been scouring a lot of the posts and have a ton of good info, but still don't know specifically what may be best for my experience level and position.
My experience: I've been shooting for about 10 years, learning as I go in ebbs and flows. About 3 years ago, my daughter was born and I really got into photography more seriously (and started gathering better equipment and learning more). Just a short time after that, I started doing some paid photoshoots. I've maybe done about 20 paid photoshoots over the last 3 years, mainly to help me pay for my equipment. I usually get really great feedback, but I'm not quite as consistent as I'd like.
Gear I'm working with: Canon 6D, Canon T3i (which I never use anymore), Canon EOS M with EF-M 22mm STM lens and adaptor (which is my carry around camera when I don't want to bring my 6D), Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 85mm 1.8, Canon 100mm 2.8L macro, Canon 135mm 2L, Tamron SP 24-70mm Di VC (which I've never been able to get consistent results with so I mainly use my primes), 2 600ex-RT's, the st-e3-RT transmitter, some other random stuff. FYI, despite having the 2 600ex-rt's, I am not 100% comfortable with using flash. For about 90% of my pictures, I use natural light (especially since getting the 6D since it works so awesome in low light). So, I know delving into a studio is going to be a learning experience.
My main advantage is my access to a possible studio space that's in a great location and won't cost me much. It's currently in the first floor of a building I own (in a partly commercial area) where the other units pay for the building itself. The rent I've been getting from the unit has been extra $ for me, but the tenant is moving out. I completely gutted the place about 5 years ago and it's a large studio style apartment with basically a 20 foot by 35 foot (ish) large, open room with 3 columns down the middle.
I'm a stay at home dad so I'm in a pretty unique position with all of this. Photography isn't something I can do completely full time yet, but maybe in the future. But I can dedicate my weekends and certain days of the week to this. And really, I'd only have to do 4 to 6 photoshoots per month to make the same as the rent I was receiving (not counting prints ordered).
What I'm looking to accomplish: My wife and I have another baby on the way. Besides wanting to get more consistent with my photoshoots, I want to delve into creating a nice "home" studio. I say "home" because even though I want to use this open apartment as the studio, I don't want to have a storefront and make it completely commercial just yet. I want to be able to use the unit maybe for guests, maybe for watching my kids (at times) and maybe for my other creative endeavors. Or maybe even to rent it out to other photographers as well. And to, of course, take great shots of the baby
At first, if I don't make as much money as the rent I was receiving, I'm completely fine with that because I'd be able to use the space for other things. But eventually, I'd like it to turn somewhat of a profit.
OK, now for the simple questions from all that long information. My budget for new equipment would be max $6000. Ideally, though, I'd like to start smaller as I learn. Can I combine my 600ex-rt's with strobes for a setup? Or just use flashes? Or start anew with a separate strobe setup? I am completely open to suggestions, ranging from using my existing equipment (with adding some kind of backdrop system for my space) to using my entire budget. I'd love some recommendations for lighting, backdrops and anything else I may be missing. I love my 85mm, 100mm and 135mm the most, so I'm hoping they're not too long for the studio.
I could add a picture of the floorplan and some pics of the possible studio space later, if that would help.
One thing that I'd like to add is that I completely understand the problems of a photographer doing paid gigs with a lack of experience. But I've kind of learned as I go with the outdoor portrait shoots and want to do the same with a studio. And I'm always completely honest with my clients about my experience and portfolio. They know what they're getting and I charge accordingly. And it's actually been going pretty good so far.
Thanks for any advice!!! (if you've made it this far)
My experience: I've been shooting for about 10 years, learning as I go in ebbs and flows. About 3 years ago, my daughter was born and I really got into photography more seriously (and started gathering better equipment and learning more). Just a short time after that, I started doing some paid photoshoots. I've maybe done about 20 paid photoshoots over the last 3 years, mainly to help me pay for my equipment. I usually get really great feedback, but I'm not quite as consistent as I'd like.
Gear I'm working with: Canon 6D, Canon T3i (which I never use anymore), Canon EOS M with EF-M 22mm STM lens and adaptor (which is my carry around camera when I don't want to bring my 6D), Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 85mm 1.8, Canon 100mm 2.8L macro, Canon 135mm 2L, Tamron SP 24-70mm Di VC (which I've never been able to get consistent results with so I mainly use my primes), 2 600ex-RT's, the st-e3-RT transmitter, some other random stuff. FYI, despite having the 2 600ex-rt's, I am not 100% comfortable with using flash. For about 90% of my pictures, I use natural light (especially since getting the 6D since it works so awesome in low light). So, I know delving into a studio is going to be a learning experience.
My main advantage is my access to a possible studio space that's in a great location and won't cost me much. It's currently in the first floor of a building I own (in a partly commercial area) where the other units pay for the building itself. The rent I've been getting from the unit has been extra $ for me, but the tenant is moving out. I completely gutted the place about 5 years ago and it's a large studio style apartment with basically a 20 foot by 35 foot (ish) large, open room with 3 columns down the middle.
I'm a stay at home dad so I'm in a pretty unique position with all of this. Photography isn't something I can do completely full time yet, but maybe in the future. But I can dedicate my weekends and certain days of the week to this. And really, I'd only have to do 4 to 6 photoshoots per month to make the same as the rent I was receiving (not counting prints ordered).
What I'm looking to accomplish: My wife and I have another baby on the way. Besides wanting to get more consistent with my photoshoots, I want to delve into creating a nice "home" studio. I say "home" because even though I want to use this open apartment as the studio, I don't want to have a storefront and make it completely commercial just yet. I want to be able to use the unit maybe for guests, maybe for watching my kids (at times) and maybe for my other creative endeavors. Or maybe even to rent it out to other photographers as well. And to, of course, take great shots of the baby

At first, if I don't make as much money as the rent I was receiving, I'm completely fine with that because I'd be able to use the space for other things. But eventually, I'd like it to turn somewhat of a profit.
OK, now for the simple questions from all that long information. My budget for new equipment would be max $6000. Ideally, though, I'd like to start smaller as I learn. Can I combine my 600ex-rt's with strobes for a setup? Or just use flashes? Or start anew with a separate strobe setup? I am completely open to suggestions, ranging from using my existing equipment (with adding some kind of backdrop system for my space) to using my entire budget. I'd love some recommendations for lighting, backdrops and anything else I may be missing. I love my 85mm, 100mm and 135mm the most, so I'm hoping they're not too long for the studio.
I could add a picture of the floorplan and some pics of the possible studio space later, if that would help.
One thing that I'd like to add is that I completely understand the problems of a photographer doing paid gigs with a lack of experience. But I've kind of learned as I go with the outdoor portrait shoots and want to do the same with a studio. And I'm always completely honest with my clients about my experience and portfolio. They know what they're getting and I charge accordingly. And it's actually been going pretty good so far.
Thanks for any advice!!! (if you've made it this far)