inside the new photo studio
In December I promised a look at the new photo studio when there was something to see - here it is! We’re really happy with the new, downsized digs and it’s probably 90% complete. The new studio is where my time has been going, along with the photo a day project. Sorry I haven’t been keeping up with comments here on prophotolife and the follow up to my prior post. I hope to have a day this weekend to pull those things together.
Our approach for the studio move was to pitch (or donate) about 75% of what we’ve accumulated over the years and concentrate on simplification. So far it seems like a smart move. The most visible benefits are that our expenses and daily commutes are only a third of what they were before. We’re also estimating a couple of sizeable jobs that will all be done on location and the creative atmosphere of the building is a benefit. The pieces are fitting together in the way that we’d hoped, so far. Given the economy and the typically slow month of January, we’re in the best “new year” position we’ve seen in recent years. And have I mentioned enough how much I’ve wanted a natural light shooting space?
Being leaner and more efficient should also create more time for growing the business and require less time just trying to keep up with overhead. We’re brainstorming ways to further integrate still photography, video and our problem solving capabilities to advertise our rather unique abilities.
And, for anyone that’s interested, the dining room table, chairs, coffee table, overhead lamp and counter top were all from the local IKEA and were relatively affordable. We already had the other elements: leather couch from my basement, office furniture, wall photos and base cabinets. The only thing left is to get some new images up and add a few more bits of personality.
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Compliments for your new studio! I really like it
Looks fantastic, congrats Jim!
All the best with the new studio, looks great. Any chance that you could give us the dimensions of the studio area? L X H X B
John.
I was worried that you were going to do away with ProPhoto Life for you new adventure. I was reading through some of you old blogs and was looking for a new instructional lighting video.
I like the new studio. K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple. It’s very clean and very organized. As I always say to myself when I tear apart the garage “Every place has a thing… and every thing has a place”.
Cheers
It is fantastic to see you on new place!
Everything is so… NICE!
..and I have got a hint from you!
Some days ago I have a problem: What is better - white or silver “beauty dish”?!
- Probably white one (70 cm) is better.
Like yours
Best wishes
Torun Observer
Hi Jim,
I really liked seeing your new studio! I hope it will be the creative and productive space you wish for. One question, borne of the fact I am converting a small room into a post processing/studio, is the colour of the wall behind your monitor mid-tone gray? What colour do you think is optimal for wall in the type of room I am trying to create?
Best wishes,
Balliolman,
England.
Wow - what a fantastic space.
Great natural light, you should be very proud of what you’ve achieved. I would love to have/work in a studio like that.
One day!
Jim, nice space! Clean. I bet it will be easier to work with. You have a great space for natural lighting. I wish I did not live at the other end of the country so I could come see it in person. I would also love to meet you and do some shooting with you….maybe someday.
You’re living my dream! What a fantasic website and blog. I’ve seen a lot of your movies. Keep it up! Could you please give me a comment, in a professional point of view, on my pictures stored on my website http://www.klickklick.nu. It would mean a lot to me! Sign the guestbook under the link “Lämna en kommentar” / Rickard from Sweden
Like the look of the new studio, That natural light area looks really cool. This is the kind of studio I would like. A change is as good as a break as they say. What I would suggest is have the plasma screen nearer the table, so you have some way of showing to your clients. Integrating video and still imagery can be done I have been researching this for over a year.
The only thing I had noticed was the lack of changing area for models.
The height of the studio is awesome everyone worries about backdrops, but they always forget about height. So much room above. It also looks so tidy.
I wish you all the best, been spending the last five minutes looking for your concrete stands?
Good luck
Rich
Looks like you’re right on track and thriving. I’m sure you’ll get lots of business soon, if you aren’t already. Best of luck to you!
Your new setup looks wonderful!
I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for all of the time that you’ve devoted to creating the truly helpful videos. I intend to watch them again and again until it all sinks in.
Consider me one of your fans.
The best of luck and inspiration in this new year!
Congrats to your new fab studio! Such an ambient light room has always been my dream as well
Looks great so far cant wait to see what you pump out of the place.Cant stay tidy forever,best get to work and make that place look lived in. Craig
I Love the new space! Congratulations and enjoy
Hi Jim,
I can only imagine how exciting it must be to see this project comes to conclusion on one hand and a fresh start on the other.
The shooting space looks great and so is the post processing station.
All the best
Jim… That studio looks great. It has me drooling and wishing I had a space like that!
Do you have any plans of posting any samples taken with light from that big window of yours?
You happy little boy
Congratulations on your new studio Jim. It looks very nice.
I wish you more success in 2009.
wow! I’m definitely digging the new setup. I was there on a school trip with dave witt from oip&t and it definitely looked different.
nice studio.. i hope i can build my own next year
Looks very nice!
I also like simple and clean designs.. and having things organized
looks good from here!!
I missed reading comments for a handful of days and - wow - such a great response. I’ll try to respond to some question from memory here:
I’ll be shooting a natural light portrait in the studio tomorrow and hopefully a shot will end up on the photo a day blog soon.
Shooting space is 24′ L x 20′ W x 12+’ H.
I like the white beauty dish (that’s the way it was delivered. In theory I think it should be a touch softer than silver.
Very observant eyes noticed the lack of stick-in-a-cans! There are a few, we left the majority with the other photographer we shared the old space with. Time to whip up a new batch. And no, there’s not a model changing area and that’s something I miss. We have very large ladies and mens rooms just down the hall so they have to deal with that slight inconvenience. We’re putting up a small mirror / light / makeup table between the office and studio areas soon.
I think that covers it. Sorry for such a delay in getting the comments online! In case you ever wondered why I approve them first, well, the spam filter caught 4,996 spam comments in the past two weeks! Imagine if all of that was going straight into the website. That’s a lot of deals on ringtones…
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