Do You Need A Photography Studio?

A question I’m often asked when I teach my 1-2-1 newborn photography mentoring is, “Do I need a studio to be a professional photographer?” It completely depends on your finances, your photography style and the kind of lifestyle you would like. 

STUDIO OR IN-HOME SESSIONS?

When you start your newborn photography business you may question if you need a professional photography studio. Choosing between having a studio or doing home newborn & family sessions can really shape your style of photography. Here are the pros and cons of each to help you make your decision! 

DO I NEED A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO?: STUDIO PROS

So let’s analyse if you need a studio or not. There are so many benefits to having a studio such as convenience, time-saving, consistency and having all your photography kit at your fingertips. Having a studio also increases the look of professionalism. 

NO TRAVEL WHEN YOU HAVE A STUDIO

Sessions are closer to you, or if you have a home studio, you don’t have to travel to go to work. This saves time as a result, leaving extra time for editing, travel and saving on the costs of travel.

PROFESSIONALISM

A studio can appear more professional to clients (although this outlook is changing as home sessions become more popular). 

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

Everything is set up and organised for each session, which results in a smoother workflow. Lighting and temperature are controlled by you which makes the sessions flow smoothly. 

A STUDIO PROVIDES CONSISTENCY

Lighting is the same for every session, so your work looks consistent. The backdrops and set-up are always the same and consistent, so clients can see exactly what their sessions will look like. 

ALL PROPS & OUTFITS AVAILABLE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Everything is set up and stored in your studio so you can reach for it during a session if inspiration strikes, a poo-nami happens, or the mother wants a bit of variety. 

CAN PHOTOGRAPH MULTIPLE CLIENTS PER DAY

As you don’t have to travel to clients, you can photograph more sessions per day. 

STYLED STUDIO SESSIONS

Studios make it easier to create elaborate setups (like Christmas minis) and use studio lighting.

DO I NEED A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO?: STUDIO CONS

When decided if you need a photography studio for your business, it is also important to factor in the downsides to having a studio. This includes financial expenses, being limited to location because clients have to travel to you and less creative inspiration because it is the same environment every time. 

FINANCIAL IMPACT

It can be expensive if you rent a studio and have overhead costs. Energy costs can also be more due to heating & lighting equipment for newborn sessions.

CLIENTS HAVE TO TRAVEL TO YOU

It can be harder to get clients with newborns to travel to you if they don’t live close to your studio. You are reliant on more local clients. 

REPETITIVE & LIMITED CREATIVITY IN A STUDIO ENVIRONMENT

Sessions can feel repetitive because your set-up is the same every session.

LESS PERSONAL CONNECTION

In a studio there is no personal connection for the clients to draw on for inspiration. It is harder to use a storytelling approach or lifestyle look in a studio.

DO I NEED A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO?: HOME SESSION PROS

When deciding if you need a studio for your photography business, it is also important to examine the benefits of doing home sessions such as the marketing angle it provides, the creative element, personal connection provided by the home and the financial benefits. 

MARKETING

It is easier to market to clients with newborns as they don’t have to leave their home (they don’t have to pack everything and the kitchen sink to come to a session). New parents can be scared to leave the house with a newborn, and making clients’ lives easier is important! You can also sell them on the personal element of capturing their baby in their first home and the legacy value that will have on the images. Coming to clients also feels like a luxury service and you can market it as such. 

CREATIVITY

Each home inspires a different look and mood! It can be so exciting to walk into a new home with different lighting, furniture and colours and let that inspire the mood of the entire session. It can feel challenging to shoot in a different place every session, but it keeps your work exciting and creative. 

PERSONAL ELEMENT

Shooting in a home is highly personal and emotional. You can use a storytelling approach to capture a family’s story in their home. You can capture the baby’s first nursery, the family pet, and incorporate any personal objects or heirlooms that are important to the family (for example, an antique cot that has been in the family for years). Sessions feel more authentic, natural and emotive in homes as you can capture natural interaction. 

FINANCIAL

There are no overhead costs when travelling to client homes.

DO I NEED A PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO?: HOME SESSION CONS

When considering if you need a photography studio for your business it is also beneficial to weigh up the downsides to doing home sessions. These include travel, time, physical demand and inconsistency. 

TRAVEL

Travel to clients can feel cumbersome, take a lot of time and can be expensive. 

TIME

Packing for sessions and setting up at the home can take additional time. 

GREATER PHYSICAL DEMAND

Travel, packing, setting up and carrying equipment can take its toll physically.

HAVE TO BRING YOUR KIT WITH YOU

You have to bring all your kit to client homes. Packing can take time and you can’t bring a huge variety of Client Closet items. 

ONE SESSION PER DAY

You may be limited to how many sessions you can do per day due to travelling to homes. 

LIGHTING

Lighting can be inconsistent and unreliable if you’re using natural lighting. 

INCONSISTENCY

Your set up isn’t consistent every session so your work may feel inconsistent, and it can feel overwhelming walking into different homes every session. It may feel difficult to create a consistent brand with consistent editing and a cohesive overall look. 

LIMITED CONTROL OVER ENVIRONMENT

Temperature and Lighting can’t be controlled by you. Decor, clutter and size of the home can negatively affect your images.

So do you need a photography studio or can you get away with just doing home sessions? Well, it completely depends on you and your preferences. How do you want to work? Do you enjoy change every session or would you love the consistency of a studio? Only you can decide what works best for you!