Yep, that’s right there are only 5 items you need to create your home studio, and they’re cheap! When transitioning to making photography your business, it’s so easy to get caught up in buying the ‘right gear’ in order to be professional. But this blog post will show you how little you need and how little it can cost you.

I’ve got to confess that when I first started putting together a home studio, I was allll about making sure I had the ‘right things’. And that was making sure I had the gear that made me look like a photographer with a home studio. I bought the fancy lights, I bought the scaffolding stands and the backdrops, and yet the things I consistently use in my studio shoots are things you have around the house and would most likely make you laugh

So, for fear of sounding like Yoda, I’m here to tell you that fancy studio gear does not a good photoshoot make! And that money saved has a better use towards more important aspects of starting your photography business.

Without further ado, here are the 5 Cheap Items You Need To Create Your Home Studio

 

 

 

1. White Foam Core Board

Photography is essentially painting with light. So in a studio setting, it’s all about manipulating that light and making it go where you want.

And a big old piece of white sturdy foam core is one the best ways manipulating light the light available. As you can see the one I have is getting some ‘softer’ looking corners now as I’ve used it so much, but it still does the job. The foam core has a matte finish so there is no reflection created. It serves purely to bounce the light back onto the subject you are photographing.

I got this one from Officeworks for $9.00 and it’s been a gem! A vital piece of your home studio kit and it’s under a tenner andwill last you a good couple of years. You can’t complain about that!

 

 

 

 

2. Blu-Tack

“Blu-Tack?” I hear you say. This is ALWAYS in the top drawer in my studio because I use it ALL the time. To be honest it’s now in my shoot bag when I go to a client shoot;  you really never know what you’re going to need for a shot. If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen my ‘behind the scenes’ videos from my studio shoots and how I use Blu-Tack. From sticking makeup bottles down to hold them in a flat lay to elevating other props in the scene or composition.

 

 

 

3. Step Ladder

This step ladder is the most recent addition to my home studio kit. It also has been super hand out on client shoots as well. When it comes to shooting flat lays in my studio this helps get the right angle over the desk in my studio. I had been using my old chair as a step up but found myself bending down to get the right level for the shot. This beauty from Bunnings though did the trick, and it only cost me $21. 

 

 

 

4. Diffuser/Reflector

The fourth and probably one of the most used things in my studio is my Diffuser and Reflector. I had seen reflectors pop up a lot when I researched gear other photographers were using in their kits. The diffuser is great for dispersing the amount of light that falls on and around an object. Before I picked up this packable 5-1 kit, I used to use an old white bed sheet.

But I tired of tucking it into the gap above the roller blind to try to hang properly. In the end, I needed something quick to assemble and easy to store when I wasn’t using it. I bought a bigger size than I probably needed, but it still stores down to this small circle! This 5-1 Kit I bought of Amazon is fab and you can pick up a slightly smaller one for around $30. 

 

 

5. White Poster Paper

White poster paper acts as a fantastic blank surface for any product shoot or flat lay. A piece of large white paper can transform any surface in the house into a shoot location. It acts just like the foam core board, in that it bounces light back on to the subject. It can often be better than using vinyl backdrops that have a shine and have a reflection. The best thing about using White Poster Paper is that is so readily available; a quick, cheap and effective alternative.

 

So there it is, my 5 cheap as chips items you need to create your home studio! I hope that this list has made you realise that, you do not need a whiz-bang set up. All you need is good light and simple tools that help you bounce, redirect and manipulate the light to create the images you want. Just remember “Fancy studio gear does not a good photoshoot make! “

What are your fave cheap and cheerful items in your home studio? Let me know!

Much Love!

 

 

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