Setting up your own home photo studio is undoubtedly a great deal of work.  For people just getting in to the world of photography consider renting existing studio space first.  If nothing else this will reinforce the things you need in your own studio and also things you don’t.  For someone who is already using rented or shared studio space frequently, the investment in a home studio will pay off.

The first thing to do is find a room that would be suitable.  Basements are logical choices because there is little or no external light to have to control.  That said,  you need a room that is about 20 feet long and at least 10 feet wide.  Just as importantly, you need a room that has high ceilings to accommodate for all of the lighting equipment and backdrops that will hang well above head height.

You are going to want to room to have a very streamlined shape so it is usually a good idea to seal off any alcoves, fireplaces or other intrusions.  The walls will also have to be finished with a non-reflective plain white paint.  Colored walls won’t work at all.  Even though they won’t appear in the photos they will still reflect light into each picture causing an unwanted hue.

Think of all of the electronic equipment you will be using.  Not only are there lights to plug in but you may even want to plug the camera into an outlet.  Along with all of these things you are going to need a place to charge batteries at what may become a constant rate.  This means you are going to have to install a lot of extra power outlets.  Don’t install them only where need either.  Put them at frequent and regular intervals throughout the room because you never know when your needs will change.  At the same time consult the electrician to determine how much lighting you can actually run without overloading the circuit. 

When you’re putting the studio together don’t forget what your overall objectives are.  You will be photographing models of some sort and these models will need a room to change.  This doesn’t mean your very own green room, but a private area with a door or a curtain is necessary.  On a similar note, think about the props that you have or plan to collect.  Make sure that you construct a place to put these.  A simple out of the way closet should do the trick.

To complete the studio you are going to need backdrops.  After all the other investments already made you might as well get a professional backdrop or two.  If you’d rather hold off and use something more economical there are alternatives.  You can purchase simple colored fabrics from a fabric store or some people suggest buying cheap white sheets and dying them however you want. 

Once it is all set up I’m sure you’ll use it often.  Still, if there are times that it’s not in use think about renting it out to your peers.  After all, someone’s gotta pay for it!