Pixiq

There are lots of advantages to working in a studio, even if it’s the temporary basement set-up I used to make the photograph that kicks off this post. The biggest advantage is control. You don’t have to worry about the wind or changeable weather and have total control over the lighting. The biggest disadvantage is cost: One of my guiding principles is not to go broke on equipment and while the photograph was made with inexpensive light equipment, none of it was free. Starting with two inexpensive monolights, a lightbank, umbrella, lightstands, background stands, and a background!

Initially I kept adding to the amount of equipment used and increased the amount of space devoted to this temporary studio and as a chilly Colorado Winter approaches. Then over time, I took apart phase 1 to prepare for the next generation, which flipped the space in the opposite placing any models near my furnace. This gave me just enough space to shoot full-length shots. And now, as I write this I prepare for phase three: We are moving to a new home with a finished basement and a finished room—with high ceilings—that will let me set up Phase three of my glamour studio and when it’s fully operational, I’ll post the first examples here.

Space is more than just the final frontier, renting it can be expensive too. For example, studio rental prices in my area start at $30/hour or $250/day and go up from there. My basement is just sitting there collecting junk but you don’t have to shoot in any studio. Here’s a glamour photography secret for you: You don’t need a studio; the world is your studio!

Joe is the author of "Joe Farace's Glamour Photography" published by Amherst Media and available from them, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and bookstores everywhere.  For tips on a daily basis follow Joe on Twitter at www.twitter.com/joefarace.