Let’s face it. If you are a mom or dad with a camera, you probably have a home studio in some fashion or another. Our homes become the setting for all of our photos anyway, but every so often we want a little something different in our photos that don’t involve our home furnishings (or in my case – the huge pile of laundry that never makes it off the couch.)
In my very early days of mommy photography I escaped from the chaos of my house with a simple black or white sheet. I had only little babe back then and it was easy enough to get the picture I thought I wanted without much fuss. I had no one to impress but myself, so my lack of gear and lighting at the time didn’t stop me from capturing memories and they shouldn’t stop you either.
Here I set up a black sheet in my son’s baby bathtub to capture a moment with his rubber ducky.
Although I thought this image was the worst at the time, I look back at it with so much fondness and now I don’t even mind the graininess. It’s just me and my first born – in our first home studio selfie
This was actually my black sheet setup for my birth announcement. There are so many things wrong with this photograph, but it’s mine and I love it.
Eventually, however, I wanted a little more out of my images so I made my first “studio” purchases and got a background stand, three muslin backdrops and two light stands with photography umbrellas. There were no frills here, trust me, but I made this purchase over 8 years ago and I still use the background stand and one of the muslin backdrops to this day! The lighting on the other hand, left me wanting.
Here I am with baby number 2 and my new backdrop and lighting setup.
My wonderful photo junkie assistant was gracious enough to led me his time and talent to create these images.
You can see how much a little bit of lighting can start to improve your portraits.
Long story short, after going through several different lighting options, many many backdrops, and working my way around the house to find the perfect little corner I could always shoot in, I eventually ended up in the basement of our new home in VA 2 years ago where I set up shop and even began bringing my new clients for indoor kids’ sessions. I finished the space off with many many, many many many props.
I updated my home studio, for what I didn’t know would be the very last time, with a gorgeous new wood floor and and a faux brick background. I also changed to an autopole backdrop system that allows for easy use of multiple backdrops. I even studied and became more comfortable with OCF (off camera flash) and got to capture these beautiful moments as my last hurrah in my home studio.
After all is said and done, having a home studio has been wonderful. I’ve been able to grab my kids and capture beautiful memories the moment inspiration would strike. I’ve been able to grow and learn right in my own home and stay immersed in my photography everyday… just as a photo junkie mom should! It’s been a blast and I’ve loved sharing memories with all who would view them. I will continue my journey as a photo junkie, but it’s time to take this show on the road… if even if the road ends just up the street. So thank you for all who have supported my home studio ventures over the years… and to those who even ventured over and braved my chaotic house and family to let me capture your memories as well. I love you all and I can’t wait to see you in my new studio opening soon in the beautiful Tackett’s Mill, Woodbridge VA.
Enjoy some more home studio moment’s from the past:
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