Studios are often perceived as a room were musicians, painters and photographers and other artists create their art, often in a building of some type, surrounded by four walls that isolate the artist from the outdoor environment.
In the case for photographers, the ideal studio includes at least one bathroom, a make-up room, an equipment storage area, a kitchen, and in some case windows that allow ambient light to filter in. The windows would of course have the ability to be “blacked out†for controlling or eliminating ambient light, or crazy onlookers from disrupting the “set†and shoot.
In some markets, like the celebrity market in Los Angeles, owning and running a studio is a business often not even owned by a photographer. Many pro photographers in the celebrity markets don’t even own a studio because they know certain studios cater to “celebs†and many publicists insist that their celebrity clients be photographed only in those studios for security, reputation of the studio (and sometimes studio owner), location and often just the pampering that’s required for their clients, like catering and a car wash and wax detail service. Yes even a car wash and waxing of a celebrity’s Bently is a required “perk†when photographing certain celebrity clients and certain studios can cater to those needs to ensure the photo session goes well.
Since most professional photographers don’t get the opportunity to photograph celebrities, most professional studios in the world don’t have car wash bays much less a sushi bar, but they all tend to have one thing in common, four walls that isolate the camera room or “shooting bay.†Hence the perception that a studio has to be a building of some type with walls that provide privacy when needed in addition to the security a structure offers-but I personally disagree with this perception.
I like to define a photography studio as any location, indoors or outdoors, were a photographer is in control or can control the elements required to conduct a photo shoot successfully. After all, it’s not hard to overpower the sun with flash, even on a bright sunny day. It’s not hard to scrim off natural sunlight when it’s harsh light at the wrong time of day or location when the shoot can’t be stopped or changed. It’s not hard to use reflectors, indoors or outdoors for that matter, nor is it hard to feed a crew on location in the Virgin Islands any more than in an indoor studio in Texas.
Personally, it’s all about control, if you can control your production and lighting, you’ll succeed and any location and what you make of it is your studio. Though weather can play havoc, for on location outdoor studios, it can do the same for the more dry, indoor types, besides, who wants their car washed and waxed on a rainy day? Thanks and don’t forget our military service members, their families and friends–God Bless! rg sends!
