How many square feet for studio?

4 years 8 months ago #654179 by CatherineW
I know much of this has to do with budget, so just to be clear that isn't part of my question.  I want to know how many square feet can I get away with for a studio.  I've started looking around at places and noticing sizes are starting around 400sq ft and on the high end upwards of 3000 square feet, which is larger than my home.  

If you were setting up a studio for portraits, how many square feet would you say would be a minimum needed?  

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4 years 8 months ago #654180 by Nikon Shooter

CatherineW wrote: If you were setting up a studio for portraits, how many square feet would you say would be a minimum needed?  


For that purpose, portraits — say waist up — not much. A well
know chain of photo supplies manages with cubicles no more
than +/- 8'x5'. 

I used to have a fairly larger studio in the days but now I have
21'+30' and that is enough for all my needs nowadays… not on-
ly portraits but full figures and families too, and table top work.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 8 months ago #654183 by Janos
Mine is 12.6' x 14'.  It's not huge, but it works for me.  Most of what I shoot is in the field anyway.  


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4 years 8 months ago #654196 by CharleyL
It will depend a lot on what props and gear you have. You might want to view Irene Rudnyk's latest YouTube video. She shot portraits of her sister using outside light and the front half of her backyard storage shed. It can be done.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvxMnqJQHkc&t=0s   No gear at all other than a reflector, a backdrop and cameras.

My present studio is 17 X 26' and is a former 2nd master bedroom in the upper floor of my home. I have a 6 X 10 closet off this room for the gear storage, but I have 10' wide ceiling mounted backdrops on rollers, air conditioning, and a makeup area with fridge and coffee in the 7 X 13' hallway at the top of the stairs. I'm doing quite well in this space. 

Charley


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4 years 8 months ago #654223 by Peter Nunez
+1 CharleyL made some good points.  

OP - will you be using this space full time?  Are you looking to have any other people working with you? 


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4 years 8 months ago #654324 by Carry
500 to 700 should be fine for a smaller studio.  


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4 years 8 months ago #654327 by Nikon Shooter

Nikon Shooter wrote: … now I have 21'+30' and that is enough for all my needs nowadays… not only portraits but full figures and families too, and table top work.



When I moved my operations some 18 months ago, I took
this shot of the new studio in a charming country house.


Light is free… capturing it is not!
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