In the mid-90s the Glamour Shots™ studio I managed here in Charlotte, NC was only 900sq ft and we did $1.3M annually for nearly 5 years. We led the entire mall and won the malls award for dollars per sq ft every year. You don't need a big space to make big dollars. You just need to provide a product and service that the clients want. Great video Megan!
Gosh, you just have a resource for everything 😅 I purchased a 14x24 shed to convert into my tiny studio, came to TH-cam to look for some inspiration for how to build it out, and here you are, offering the best advice 😅I didn’t know you had a TH-cam channel with MORE amazing insight into making this business better! thank you for always showing up with great ideas and tips for EVERYTHING! 🙏
oh my gosh! Right! I'm kinda a stickler for immaculate studio presentations. It looks like this every day. I've even worked up a checklist so that our studio assistant helps out with all the details daily. We love making great first impressions with our clients!
I love the way you're able to get those environmental headshots when you step outside the studio door, awesome studio and location. What type of space in realtor terms would you call the space? Is it an office space? What other types of businesses lease from that building?
This space is really one of a kind. It's a commercial mall. But it's made almost entirely for interior designers. They've since opened up to other businesses (lucky me!) But the designed spaces look so great thanks to that unusual aim.
Hi, I am a new subscriber from France :-) Excellent video! I'm looking for the beautiful stand on wheels. Do you have a link or a reference of this product?
Oops! Sorry. Late to the game here. But I figured better late than never. I'm not sure if you have access to B&H. I mostly get all my stuff from there. But they might only be in the US. They're based in New York. I just searched rolling stand and found these. They're so great! So easy! Good luck on your search!
This really took my fantasy of my own studio to foundation! I never would've guessed it was just 757 sq. ft. My last apartment wasn't much bigger, but look at what you can do with that space!!!! Everything has both an aesthetic and practical use!!! AWESOME!! Thank you, Megan!
I hear ya! The old "takes money to make money" dilemma. How I got my start is in a home studio. You don't need a commercial studio to be successful! I was pulling in $400,000 a year out of my home. The key to business success is understanding sales and relationships. You can apply those skills in ANY location!
It's pretty cool to see how dreams can become reality. I started in a home studio for my first 7 years. Hope you achieve your dream studio too! You got this!
TH-cam took me from true crime to this video, I loved it lol.. I’m an artist in New Zealand and some of these tips will help in my small art gallery. Appreciate it!
@@tcttvradio truth! I've been just THE WORST! I'll be better. Promise! Only took me 10 days this time! Next comment... aiming for 24 hours. Let's see how it goes! Thanks for coming back to comment! 🙏I'm now doing daily videos Monday-Friday. Hope to hear from you again!
Where is your sales room and office for editing with computer, printer, storage etc? Are they in this studio space as well or somewhere else? I've been in this 950 sq ft space for too long and have accumulated quite a lot! Also I take it you don't photograph kids and have lots of props, blankets etc. Feeling the overwhelming need to Marie Kondo this place!
Let me tackle both of your questions with a couple replies, Louise! First up... sales. Believe it or not, we just order right there at that desk. Thousands of dollars per client are sold at that table. Check it out at minute @. You don't need a fancy ordering room. Everything I have is surrounding me in this space. A screen is all I need.
Second... computer, printer, storage, etc. I think what you're talking about here is where do we store our incoming packages for print delivery. We are only in the studio 2 days per week and do the rest of our work from home or at client's houses (for example: in-home consultations.) Therefore, it is easier to have packaged items shipped to our home instead of shipped to the studio. I have a small space in my home for boxes and bows and such. I don't print anything. I leave that to my pro labs. So no printer needed.
Last thing... photographing kids. I do photograph a lot of kids. Older kids and teens are my jam. But we do have our fair share of babies and toddlers. I don't shoot very proppy. I shoot kids just like I shoot grown ups shown here. So no extra storage needed.
@@MeganDiPiero Thanks for the replies.l I meant a printer for creating invoices, pricing menus and such or perhaps that is all online. I also assume your lab does the framing so you don't need to stock frames or an area to cut prints or frame. I' am answering my own questions!! Thanks again.
@@louisevessey3839 I don't print invoices. Just email. My pricing menu is a printed magazine I leave behind with the client. Here is the template for ya! megandipierocoaching.com/workshops/product-guide
I know it's been a while since we commented... But stay tuned because I have more studio tours coming up soon. Including... you'll love this... a garage studio tour. It's just a quickie. But I think you'll get some great ideas!
Alicia, that's Falcon Eyes 68TD. It is a FABULOUS light! Every time you see me speaking to the camera (minus the opening scene), I was lit by this bad boy. I love it because you can power the light up and down. And you can also change the color temp.
I really enjoyed this video. It is very informative and I especially enjoy your dedication to practicality in your layout and expense structure. I'm curious to know what brand and model studio stand you use for your camera? Thanks, again for this very useful information.
Hey there, Kenneth! Thanks for all your kind words! I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
This is a great video. Like all you do lots of information!!! Just wondering the other color paper: yellow, dark green and pink rolls. Where do you storage those because in the remote paper rack there is other 4 colors. 🤔🤔
Hey there, Gloria! I have most of my favorite colors just stored up in the fotoconic 6-roller system (up in the ceiling.) I have a few extras that I keep stored vertically in a tiny little storage space in the back. It was so tiny, I couldn't get it in the tour. But all you need is a little bit of space.
AHH big congratulations on your fantastic studio Megan. How great you made the interior. I just love it and it is so inspirational. I wonder if you can share the name of that stand on which you placed the camera...i dont know what its called in English...you rolled it back and forth to keep an eye on distance....thank you so much for sharing. It was a great watch!
Hey, Charlotte! Thanks for watching! The camera mount you're talking about is called a "camera stand" or "studio stand." They seem to be a bit old fashioned and are hard to find. But I absolutely LOVE this! You can drop it down almost all the way to the ground-- great for photographing little kids!
Wonderful video, thanks for sharing about all you’re using. Could you please let me know what studio stand you’re using for your camera? Thank you in advance.
Sure thing! I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
Megan awesome video, can you show a link to the studio stand? Also I shoot video and our client, City Mattress has a store we shoot at down the street from your studio. Small world!!
Wow! Paul! What a crazy small world! I love how the internet connects! Here's the info you requested.. I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
LOVE LOVE LOVE! Which profoto light are you using with the 4x6 light? Is the B1X500 to heavy combined with the large softbox or do you use the B10 Plus which is so much lighter? Do you also use sandbags with that set up? Is your studio in a business center or mall?
We use B1's and B10s. We use the B1 with the 4x6 soft box because, yes, you're right... that soft box is HEAVY. We hope to find a solution in the near future to take the weight off the light. I was hearing about a bracket in Rise to the Top that you mount to the soft box. That might be helpful.
oof! That's a tough pill to swallow! I hear ya! But I have good news too! I actually started in a HOME STUDIO. Worked out of my home-- the primary bedroom-- for the first 7 years in biz. Best of all, it didn't limit my revenue. I was able to do $400,000 a year out of my home studio. Hope you find a great solution too! Cheers to your success!
Oops! So sorry I missed your questions. Better late than never, I hope? As for the stands, I just searched "Rolling stand" on B&H and found some great options. But I can't recall which ones I ended up choosing. I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
Here you go... I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
Hello! I am building a small photo studio, 15'x16'x8' I want to paint everything in matt...white maybe a wall in gray, and the floor is bright gray vinyl. My question is how many walls to paint in gray? I will be doing small family portraits, planning to have 9' x3 rolls of seamless paper mounted on one wall. Potentially around holidays to have some holiday 2 or 3 backdrops in...also which lights do you recommend?
These are all GREAT ideas! I like having the versatility of using my walls as backdrops. Based on what you described, if I were in your shoes, I would probably do 3/4 of the space gray and maybe leave one wall (on the long side) white for the option as backdrop. Since your floors are gray, I'd probably want more of a gray/gray/gray vibe. The white wall with gray floors might annoy me because of the difference in color contrast. I usually like things being more matchy. For lights, I use the Pro Photos-- the ones with the option for continous light which I find somewhat helpful for video.
@@MeganDiPiero thank you for replying! Yes, your video and story was an inspiration for me. I did painted actually only one wall in gray and I am having on the opposite side paper rolls from the ceiling in white gray and black. I also did very successful Christmas photo shoot with those, painted backdrops that I stretch on…
Love it! Love that you are soaking this in, Nelly! All colors are Sherwin Williams paint-- FLAT finish so you don't have shine. MAIN wall color (the coffee color) is Tony Taupe SW7038. GRAY panel and corner= Dustbin SW9161. BLUE panel= Whirlpool SW 9135. BLACK panel and corner= Dark Night SW 6237
Oof every time I hear about American real estate prices it makes me cry in maple syrup. It's about 2-3x as much per square foot for a cardboard box up here.
There's a glimpse of it in the beginning. Believe it or not, we just order right there at that desk. Thousands of dollars per client are sold at that table. Check it out at minute 1:17. You don't need a fancy ordering room. Everything I have is surrounding me in this space. A screen is all I need.
Are you saying 7 foot ceiling is low? Or high? I find it frustratingly low. But luckily I found some solutions to work with it. Gotta work with what you've got!
@@MeganDiPiero way too low. Claustrophobic if I had to ever live in a 7 foot ceiling height. Specially westerners who are generally tall. I'm Indian and most of our houses are 10 ft ceilings. Great work on how you made it work. 👍🏽
SO inspiring!! I have 800' and my rent is $500/keeping me in under that 5% so I need to stay put and make better use of my space. This definitely helps! Thank you!
Such a well done video showing what you can do in a small space. The great thing is that I recognize some of what you are doing in my own home studio but you are that next level that I really need - Thank you, Thank you so much for the inspiration!
That's awesome! I started with a home studio too! You definitely don't need a commercial studio to rock those sales! I pulled in $400,000 a year in my humble home studio. Wishing you the same kind of success! Cheers!
This is so gold, Megan! Thanks for sharing. I have turned my small shed into a live streaming shed, it's small and is not even fully done yet but it's a money machine lol
Thanks for inspiring me to share more info. I've been in touch with my favorite vendors to see if we can put together a list of all items in use. But in the meantime... you're right! The most popular requests are the rolling light stand and the motorized backdrop. Let me share those links with you.
The backdrop stand a friend got for me in Europe. But one of my students found a US based version. Here you go: www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGJLPHG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&fbclid=IwAR1D1CHnOSN0lynsxX0yRsbdytv0wT7VonkUpA9YsftnnzERQkjN5DBmBtw
Thanks so much, Seshu! This is literally the FIRST video. We will get on the ball and start having videos roll our more regularly. Was waiting for the book to be done. And then it's GO time!
We had a few challenges to work through. And a good handyman figured it out. Because of the way the ceiling is unfinished and open (with light tracks dropping down from the ceiling), we decided to not build the walls all the way up. Instead, they are anchored at the bottom and then there's a pole that they anchor to at the top too.
My potential studio space is an in home office. It’s about 350 sq ft. Changing room would be my powder room/guest bath. Any tips for such a small space?
Good point! 🤣 I think almost every photographer EVERYWHERE thinks their studio is too small. I once knew a guy with a 10,000 square foot studio and he confessed: "if only I had an extra 2000 square feet." 🤣
My friend got me this in Europe. But one of our students shared a link to a US brand. Here you go! www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGJLPHG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&fbclid=IwAR05sLvtsmFLNfralf5gIrewfTUmwTxkEQMf6EGztKw6jTdrmtOgTBTUclI
yes! The rent is quite high here in my market. I always get jealous when I visit friends in other regions who tell me they have the same square footage in comparable locations for 1/5 the cost! DOH!
Simone, I wish I could! But that camera stand (also known as a studio stand) was a gift a friend gave me. Are you in Rise to the Top? You are, right? I think I saw some folks sharing links to camera stands in there yesterday.
Jerome, my friend! There are nicer ways to provide feedback than this. We're here to support each other as portrait pros. Admittedly some of the pickup clips were not done with professional gear. But one of my favorite mottos is: "Imperfect action beats perfect inaction." Have a good one!
Oops! Cut off. Let me try again. All colors are Sherwin Williams paint-- FLAT finish so you don't have shine. MAIN wall color (the coffee color) is Tony Taupe SW7038. GRAY panel and corner= Dustbin SW9161. BLUE panel= Whirlpool SW 9135. BLACK panel and corner= Dark Night SW 6237
Hey, Leslie! Alas, that reflector company is no longer in business. But if you wanted to search to find a used one, the brand is Sweetlight (formerly: Larson.) Also, you could ask in Rise to the Top and see if anyone else has a suggestion. Always important to have a great reflector!
You are so inspiring Megan, and your video is extremely helpful! I have to mention though that the music is quite distracting and I wish I could hear you better over the upbeat non-stop tunes.
In the mid-90s the Glamour Shots™ studio I managed here in Charlotte, NC was only 900sq ft and we did $1.3M annually for nearly 5 years. We led the entire mall and won the malls award for dollars per sq ft every year. You don't need a big space to make big dollars. You just need to provide a product and service that the clients want. Great video Megan!
Hey! Can I contact you?
Brilliant, Charlotte! You're a true leader! Thank you for sharing!
Gosh, you just have a resource for everything 😅 I purchased a 14x24 shed to convert into my tiny studio, came to TH-cam to look for some inspiration for how to build it out, and here you are, offering the best advice 😅I didn’t know you had a TH-cam channel with MORE amazing insight into making this business better! thank you for always showing up with great ideas and tips for EVERYTHING! 🙏
Thanks so much, Christa! So lovely to hear your kind words! Hope the studio is going well!
Hands down one of the best videos I have watched on TH-cam. I am so inspired!
Thank you so much! I'm so glad I could help you out!
A billion dollar presentation!
...And the studio is so freaking clean.
Thanks Megan, you just helped somebody 😊
oh my gosh! Right! I'm kinda a stickler for immaculate studio presentations. It looks like this every day. I've even worked up a checklist so that our studio assistant helps out with all the details daily. We love making great first impressions with our clients!
This presentation was a perfect 10, great job Megan. Thank you
Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it!
Megan this is great. My studio is a tiny fraction of this but you already gave me some good ideas to get started with its setup.
That's so cool! I'm glad you are finding solutions! Keep on rocking!
Megan - This is a refreshing and fun video to watch! I love your enthusiasm and energy! joe homsy
Thanks so much, Joe!
I love the way you're able to get those environmental headshots when you step outside the studio door, awesome studio and location. What type of space in realtor terms would you call the space? Is it an office space? What other types of businesses lease from that building?
This space is really one of a kind. It's a commercial mall. But it's made almost entirely for interior designers. They've since opened up to other businesses (lucky me!) But the designed spaces look so great thanks to that unusual aim.
I'm opening my studio on August 20 and I'm so nervous. Good ideas that I can glean from. So beautiful
I'm late to the game. But cheering you on nonetheless. I hope your new studio is treating you right!
this was absolutely killer. Thanks for sharing
Thank YOU! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
This is so inspiring 🤩 thank you so much, you just got another follower 😊
Thanks so much! That makes me smile!
Wow, this was so awesome! Now I have to throw out all my chairs though lol! Thanks Megan!
LOL. I don't blame ya. I'm with you on Marie Kondo-ing it all!
Do you have a link for that motorized backdrop holder? That thing would be such a life saver!
Sure thing! I just found it on amazon by searching: Fotoconic 6 roller.
@@MeganDiPiero thank you!
This is amazing! You did what i was thinking about! 😄 absolute great and got some new ideas to implement in my studio!
Fabulous! I'm so glad you got some new ideas! Happy to help out and confirm your good instincts!
Hi,
I am a new subscriber from France :-)
Excellent video!
I'm looking for the beautiful stand on wheels. Do you have a link or a reference of this product?
Oops! Sorry. Late to the game here. But I figured better late than never. I'm not sure if you have access to B&H. I mostly get all my stuff from there. But they might only be in the US. They're based in New York. I just searched rolling stand and found these. They're so great! So easy! Good luck on your search!
So inspiring and i love your ideas. Thanks a lot for making this video! #philippines
Thanks for watching from the Philipines, Andrew!
This really took my fantasy of my own studio to foundation! I never would've guessed it was just 757 sq. ft. My last apartment wasn't much bigger, but look at what you can do with that space!!!! Everything has both an aesthetic and practical use!!! AWESOME!! Thank you, Megan!
Happy to inspire! Glad you enjoyed it!
I love the transformation of the studio. I want to start photo studio business here in Philippines, unfortunately i don't have fund
I hear ya! The old "takes money to make money" dilemma. How I got my start is in a home studio. You don't need a commercial studio to be successful! I was pulling in $400,000 a year out of my home. The key to business success is understanding sales and relationships. You can apply those skills in ANY location!
Yay first video first comment!!
Thanks so much for kicking it off!
@@MeganDiPiero hahah welcome
Elegance.... My Dream Studio.
It's pretty cool to see how dreams can become reality. I started in a home studio for my first 7 years. Hope you achieve your dream studio too! You got this!
AMAZING! So gorgeous and inspiring. P.S. LOVE your jacket ;)
Thanks so much, Erin! And thanks for the props on the jacket too! It's my fave!
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! This is how I'd like to start my mornings 🥰
Awesome, Ty! Happy to get your day going right!
TH-cam took me from true crime to this video, I loved it lol.. I’m an artist in New Zealand and some of these tips will help in my small art gallery. Appreciate it!
🤣That's hilarious! Quite a departure! But I'm glad we found each other!
@@MeganDiPiero only took you a year to comment back lol
@@tcttvradio truth! I've been just THE WORST! I'll be better. Promise! Only took me 10 days this time! Next comment... aiming for 24 hours. Let's see how it goes!
Thanks for coming back to comment! 🙏I'm now doing daily videos Monday-Friday. Hope to hear from you again!
Where is your sales room and office for editing with computer, printer, storage etc? Are they in this studio space as well or somewhere else? I've been in this 950 sq ft space for too long and have accumulated quite a lot! Also I take it you don't photograph kids and have lots of props, blankets etc. Feeling the overwhelming need to Marie Kondo this place!
Let me tackle both of your questions with a couple replies, Louise! First up... sales. Believe it or not, we just order right there at that desk. Thousands of dollars per client are sold at that table. Check it out at minute @. You don't need a fancy ordering room. Everything I have is surrounding me in this space. A screen is all I need.
Second... computer, printer, storage, etc. I think what you're talking about here is where do we store our incoming packages for print delivery. We are only in the studio 2 days per week and do the rest of our work from home or at client's houses (for example: in-home consultations.) Therefore, it is easier to have packaged items shipped to our home instead of shipped to the studio. I have a small space in my home for boxes and bows and such. I don't print anything. I leave that to my pro labs. So no printer needed.
Last thing... photographing kids. I do photograph a lot of kids. Older kids and teens are my jam. But we do have our fair share of babies and toddlers. I don't shoot very proppy. I shoot kids just like I shoot grown ups shown here. So no extra storage needed.
@@MeganDiPiero Thanks for the replies.l I meant a printer for creating invoices, pricing menus and such or perhaps that is all online. I also assume your lab does the framing so you don't need to stock frames or an area to cut prints or frame. I' am answering my own questions!! Thanks again.
@@louisevessey3839 I don't print invoices. Just email. My pricing menu is a printed magazine I leave behind with the client. Here is the template for ya! megandipierocoaching.com/workshops/product-guide
Beautiful studio and work! Now I need to rethink my 22x24 ft garage lol
Mary, you can make it work! That 24 foot length is totally doable.
I know it's been a while since we commented... But stay tuned because I have more studio tours coming up soon. Including... you'll love this... a garage studio tour. It's just a quickie. But I think you'll get some great ideas!
Excellent video, thank you!
Thanks so much! Happy to inspire!
You are SUCH an inspiration, Megan!!!!! What type of lighting are you using at 8:42?
Alicia, that's Falcon Eyes 68TD. It is a FABULOUS light! Every time you see me speaking to the camera (minus the opening scene), I was lit by this bad boy. I love it because you can power the light up and down. And you can also change the color temp.
I really enjoyed this video. It is very informative and I especially enjoy your dedication to practicality in your layout and expense structure. I'm curious to know what brand and model studio stand you use for your camera? Thanks, again for this very useful information.
Hey there, Kenneth! Thanks for all your kind words! I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
This is a great video. Like all you do lots of information!!!
Just wondering the other color paper: yellow, dark green and pink rolls. Where do you storage those because in the remote paper rack there is other 4 colors. 🤔🤔
Hey there, Gloria! I have most of my favorite colors just stored up in the fotoconic 6-roller system (up in the ceiling.) I have a few extras that I keep stored vertically in a tiny little storage space in the back. It was so tiny, I couldn't get it in the tour. But all you need is a little bit of space.
AHH big congratulations on your fantastic studio Megan. How great you made the interior. I just love it and it is so inspirational. I wonder if you can share the name of that stand on which you placed the camera...i dont know what its called in English...you rolled it back and forth to keep an eye on distance....thank you so much for sharing. It was a great watch!
Hey, Charlotte! Thanks for watching! The camera mount you're talking about is called a "camera stand" or "studio stand." They seem to be a bit old fashioned and are hard to find. But I absolutely LOVE this! You can drop it down almost all the way to the ground-- great for photographing little kids!
Love this idea, but dang! Super expensive!😂
Megan you are an inspiration to many but I am your biggest fun ❤️
Ewa! You are so lovely! Thank you for this!
@@MeganDiPiero 😘
The studio I'm moving into from my current studio is 1500 sqft and 1700/month But it has 20ft ceilings! oh baby!!! :)
oh my gosh! The dream!! Congrats on that amazing find! I'm just a touch jealous!
Haha it's ok your work is different than mine so keep killing it girl!@@MeganDiPiero
Nice video! Tks for sharing! Happy Weekend
Thanks so much! And a happy week to you!
Wonderful video, thanks for sharing about all you’re using.
Could you please let me know what studio stand you’re using for your camera?
Thank you in advance.
Sure thing! I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
Pure awesomeness!
Thanks so much!!
Genius, I’m so inspired
Thanks awesome! Cheers to your success!
Megan awesome video, can you show a link to the studio stand? Also I shoot video and our client, City Mattress has a store we shoot at down the street from your studio. Small world!!
Wow! Paul! What a crazy small world! I love how the internet connects!
Here's the info you requested.. I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
LOVE LOVE LOVE! Which profoto light are you using with the 4x6 light? Is the B1X500 to heavy combined with the large softbox or do you use the B10 Plus which is so much lighter? Do you also use sandbags with that set up? Is your studio in a business center or mall?
We use B1's and B10s. We use the B1 with the 4x6 soft box because, yes, you're right... that soft box is HEAVY. We hope to find a solution in the near future to take the weight off the light. I was hearing about a bracket in Rise to the Top that you mount to the soft box. That might be helpful.
I guess there's no hope in Canada where rents for a similar size commercial space in office building or mall would be 5-10x your cost.
oof! That's a tough pill to swallow! I hear ya! But I have good news too! I actually started in a HOME STUDIO. Worked out of my home-- the primary bedroom-- for the first 7 years in biz. Best of all, it didn't limit my revenue. I was able to do $400,000 a year out of my home studio.
Hope you find a great solution too! Cheers to your success!
Thanks! Good luck!
Thank you! You too! Let's keep on rocking!
Helpful
Thanks, Michelle!
thanks for this is so inspiring me.
Thank YOU! Happy to inspire! Good luck with your biz!
Hi Megan! What sort of stands are your lights on? And what is that camera stand/rolling tripod that you have? Thank you!
Oops! So sorry I missed your questions. Better late than never, I hope?
As for the stands, I just searched "Rolling stand" on B&H and found some great options. But I can't recall which ones I ended up choosing.
I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
Love this video!
Thanks so much!
Great stuff! could you link for the studio stand please
Here you go... I really love the manfrotto studio stand. Here's the one I ended up getting: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/134542-REG/Manfrotto_806_Mini_Salon_190_Camera.html And you'll also want a swivel head for your camera. I'm pretty sure this is the one I got: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html
Fantastic Video.
Thanks so much, Ann!
One more question. What size of roll paper do you have ínstales in your studio? Thank you in advance
I really like the 108 inch rolls! They are quite versatile.
Hello! I am building a small photo studio, 15'x16'x8' I want to paint everything in matt...white maybe a wall in gray, and the floor is bright gray vinyl. My question is how many walls to paint in gray? I will be doing small family portraits, planning to have 9' x3 rolls of seamless paper mounted on one wall. Potentially around holidays to have some holiday 2 or 3 backdrops in...also which lights do you recommend?
These are all GREAT ideas! I like having the versatility of using my walls as backdrops. Based on what you described, if I were in your shoes, I would probably do 3/4 of the space gray and maybe leave one wall (on the long side) white for the option as backdrop. Since your floors are gray, I'd probably want more of a gray/gray/gray vibe. The white wall with gray floors might annoy me because of the difference in color contrast. I usually like things being more matchy.
For lights, I use the Pro Photos-- the ones with the option for continous light which I find somewhat helpful for video.
@@MeganDiPiero thank you for replying! Yes, your video and story was an inspiration for me. I did painted actually only one wall in gray and I am having on the opposite side paper rolls from the ceiling in white gray and black. I also did very successful Christmas photo shoot with those, painted backdrops that I stretch on…
@@viktor928 , nice solutions! Bravo!
I've watched it 5 times now, lol. What paint colors did you use for the walls?
Love it! Love that you are soaking this in, Nelly! All colors are Sherwin Williams paint-- FLAT finish so you don't have shine. MAIN wall color (the coffee color) is Tony Taupe SW7038. GRAY panel and corner= Dustbin SW9161. BLUE panel= Whirlpool SW 9135. BLACK panel and corner= Dark Night SW 6237
@@MeganDiPiero Thank you. Might be using one or more of the colors.😊 Amazing work.
About what focal length do you typically shoot at?
Hey, Dwan! My fave is to shoot with an 85 prime. I shoot with this about 90% of my studio sessions.
Awesome
Thanks for watching! More videos coming right up!
Oof every time I hear about American real estate prices it makes me cry in maple syrup. It's about 2-3x as much per square foot for a cardboard box up here.
Totally laughing out loud to: "it makes me cry in maple syrup." 🤣 That made my day!
Great video! So jealous.
I'm glad you were inspired. My friend likes to call it "healthy envy." That's a great way to describe your dreams (and yeah, a bit of jealousy too). 😉
In London such a plan it will not work, also depends on who or what do you want to work with.
Yes, every region is different. Rooting you on to find success in the way that works great for your market!
You are Amazing... straight to the point.
Thanks so much! Really appreciate it!
🙏🙏💪💪💪
Where's your sales room?
There's a glimpse of it in the beginning. Believe it or not, we just order right there at that desk. Thousands of dollars per client are sold at that table. Check it out at minute 1:17. You don't need a fancy ordering room. Everything I have is surrounding me in this space. A screen is all I need.
7 ft tall ciel8ng? Is that normal in the west? Jeez
Are you saying 7 foot ceiling is low? Or high? I find it frustratingly low. But luckily I found some solutions to work with it. Gotta work with what you've got!
@@MeganDiPiero way too low. Claustrophobic if I had to ever live in a 7 foot ceiling height. Specially westerners who are generally tall.
I'm Indian and most of our houses are 10 ft ceilings.
Great work on how you made it work. 👍🏽
@@Whatreally123 thanks so much! And yes! I'm with you! I prefer the high ceilings. 10 foot sounds marvelous!
You're a genius
Well thanks so much! 😊
SO inspiring!!
I have 800' and my rent is $500/keeping me in under that 5% so I need to stay put and make better use of my space.
This definitely helps! Thank you!
So glad you had that insight, Deanna! Making changes will help you make the most of your space. Good luck!
Such a well done video showing what you can do in a small space. The great thing is that I recognize some of what you are doing in my own home studio but you are that next level that I really need - Thank you, Thank you so much for the inspiration!
That's awesome! I started with a home studio too! You definitely don't need a commercial studio to rock those sales! I pulled in $400,000 a year in my humble home studio. Wishing you the same kind of success! Cheers!
This is so gold, Megan! Thanks for sharing. I have turned my small shed into a live streaming shed, it's small and is not even fully done yet but it's a money machine lol
Love that you echoed back "Money making machine"! LOL. That made me smile! Keep on rocking!
Thank you, Megan, I've been wondering about how to set up a studio. I have a garage. And a lot of work to do on it. :)
Roy, that sounds like a great opportunity! A garage is likely pretty close to the same size as this. Just chopped off a bit.
Inspirational! Thanks Megan. With a couple changes, this tour would work well for customers as well.
Thanks for that idea! I was wondering about filming something like this for clients. I think you're onto something!
@@MeganDiPiero Have you done a Matterport 3D or similar tour of the studio?
Great video, thanks for taking the time with this one!
My pleasure! I loved this video so much that I'm queuing up even MORE studio tours!
Love the video, please post the links for the roller lightstands and all equipment!
Thanks for inspiring me to share more info. I've been in touch with my favorite vendors to see if we can put together a list of all items in use. But in the meantime... you're right! The most popular requests are the rolling light stand and the motorized backdrop. Let me share those links with you.
The backdrop stand a friend got for me in Europe. But one of my students found a US based version. Here you go: www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGJLPHG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&fbclid=IwAR1D1CHnOSN0lynsxX0yRsbdytv0wT7VonkUpA9YsftnnzERQkjN5DBmBtw
These are my fave rolling stands: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/917857-REG/impact_lsp_sfb8_folding_wheeled_base_stand.html
@@MeganDiPiero Love it! Thank you!!!!
This was incredibly helpful, thank you!
Thanks so much, Bree! Glad you enjoyed it!
How have I not subscribed to your TH-cam channel before today? Well, that's been corrected. Thank you for continuing to inspire all of us!
Thanks so much, Seshu! This is literally the FIRST video. We will get on the ball and start having videos roll our more regularly. Was waiting for the book to be done. And then it's GO time!
Awesome video!!!! Is this like a high-end mall? GREAT SPACE and awesome use of it!
Yup! It's actually a design center-- specializing in furniture stores. I was happy when they opened it up to additional businesses!
Love it beyond words!! Thanks for the financial information as well as the aesthetic images. Very helpful!! 🙂
My pleasure! I'm really glad I could help!
Looks awesome Megan! Congratulations. Versatility is the key!
Thanks so much, Perla!
no...
I noticed the wall moved when you leaned on it. Are these mobile walks
We had a few challenges to work through. And a good handyman figured it out. Because of the way the ceiling is unfinished and open (with light tracks dropping down from the ceiling), we decided to not build the walls all the way up. Instead, they are anchored at the bottom and then there's a pole that they anchor to at the top too.
My potential studio space is an in home office. It’s about 350 sq ft. Changing room would be my powder room/guest bath. Any tips for such a small space?
How's it working out? Sorry I missed your comment! Oops!
I really like that you have the separate space for changing. That will help a lot!
Ms Megan, This is not a small studio😁
But it's very beautiful
Good point! 🤣 I think almost every photographer EVERYWHERE thinks their studio is too small. I once knew a guy with a 10,000 square foot studio and he confessed: "if only I had an extra 2000 square feet." 🤣
@@MeganDiPiero 🥰 well done Ma'am
where did u get those motorized backdrop machine? thank u :)))
My friend got me this in Europe. But one of our students shared a link to a US brand. Here you go! www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGJLPHG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&fbclid=IwAR05sLvtsmFLNfralf5gIrewfTUmwTxkEQMf6EGztKw6jTdrmtOgTBTUclI
This is fantastic!
Thanks so much!
Looks high rent to me. Bigger by far than what I have.
yes! The rent is quite high here in my market. I always get jealous when I visit friends in other regions who tell me they have the same square footage in comparable locations for 1/5 the cost! DOH!
Hi Megan. Great video! Could you please give me some information on the camera roller stand? I'm looking for something like that for a while. Thanks!
Simone, I wish I could! But that camera stand (also known as a studio stand) was a gift a friend gave me. Are you in Rise to the Top? You are, right? I think I saw some folks sharing links to camera stands in there yesterday.
@@MeganDiPiero thank you, yes I am...I'll look to find the post, thanks
This is the best video I have ever watch on TH-cam!
whoa! Thank you! I'm smiling ear to ear! Stay tuned for more studio tours coming up!
Invest in a professional microphone then 😶
Jerome, my friend! There are nicer ways to provide feedback than this. We're here to support each other as portrait pros. Admittedly some of the pickup clips were not done with professional gear. But one of my favorite mottos is: "Imperfect action beats perfect inaction." Have a good one!
Thanks for the tour! Beautiful space you’ve created
Thanks so much, Gregorio!
Amazing video! Thank you!!!
Thank you! So glad you liked it!
Lotta great stuff in here!
Thanks so much, Andy!
Thank you Megan for this great video
My pleasure! Thank you for commenting!
Great video, Megan!
Thanks, Stephen! Glad you liked it!
Great job!👏 Do you happen to know or remember which grey paint color you used on that one section of wall?
Oops! Cut off. Let me try again. All colors are Sherwin Williams paint-- FLAT finish so you don't have shine. MAIN wall color (the coffee color) is Tony Taupe SW7038. GRAY panel and corner= Dustbin SW9161. BLUE panel= Whirlpool SW 9135. BLACK panel and corner= Dark Night SW 6237
@@MeganDiPiero Thank you! Just getting ready to paint some walls in our studio.😊👍
@@MeganDiPierofound it! This is what i was looking for ❤
Hi Megan! Love this video, where did you get the large reflector? An what profoto lights are you using?
Hey, Leslie! Alas, that reflector company is no longer in business. But if you wanted to search to find a used one, the brand is Sweetlight (formerly: Larson.) Also, you could ask in Rise to the Top and see if anyone else has a suggestion. Always important to have a great reflector!
Oh! And the ProFoto lights are B10's and B1's.
@@MeganDiPiero thanks I'll take a look around! I have a maybe 3' round but i hardly break it out, just seems too small.
@@MeganDiPiero thanks, I am putting together my studio wish list lol
Thank you for the very practical tips and the awesome way you deliver the message. 🥰 great video
Thanks so much, Jenny! I just fired up the video series again and I'll have shorts and more long form videos coming your way!
You are so inspiring Megan, and your video is extremely helpful! I have to mention though that the music is quite distracting and I wish I could hear you better over the upbeat non-stop tunes.
Great feedback! Thanks, Veronica! Will tend to that in the future.
The info provided and the level of production with this video is crazy.
You’re a great presenter 🔥🔥
Thanks so much! This comment made my day! Glad you liked it!