hello all

[shutterbug81]

I am extremely new to photography ..i got my first setup and have been taking some really nice shots ..i was thinking about taking up photography as a side job ...i do liquidation sales and my office is a mezzanine ..it bug me because i could not make money off this space since pallets wont fit up there due to over head pipes..and i rarely take customers up there to talk so it is basically a home away from home .i wanted to make a studio up there

the floor space is 10 feet wide by 17 feet i have a 9 foot clearance but the beams are just under 7 feet tall i could take out my desk and make it 17 feet by 25 feet if ti was a dedicated area ..i can make an office down stairs if need be.

i will be putting new floors and paint etc to make it look better .my question is the ceiling clearance too low for a proper studio .i am not really looking to make any money off the venture just fill my day with my new found love and maybe cover the cost of the space .

Thanks all

[theantiquetiger]

Welcome to the forum.

Those beams maybe blessings. You could use them as your backdrop/lighting holders.

[shutterbug81]

sweet so it is possible to do shots with standing adults, with ceilings that low.

thanks for the info

Mike here from the gta in Ontario

I have a feeling i will have lots of questions moving forward i am a complete newbie ,and i am sponge at this point for knowledge in this great hobby/profession . I think i have found my new passion in life with but i know there is a mountain of information i have to gain.

thanks again

[theantiquetiger]

It might be a little tight for standing adults with it only 7' high, but like I said, you could use those beams to your advantage by attaching lights/strobes and backdrops. Even backdrop holders and light tripods can get expensive.
You could do child portraits or seated adult portraits.

[Marko]

welcome to the forum!

[shutterbug81]

8thank guys ...have you ever heard of a lastolite hilite 8x7 background ..do you think it will work well in this space

[Runmonty]

Welcome shutter bug. It is good to have you on the forum.

You say you are extremely new to photography. This is actually a great place to develop your craft. Post lots of photos for critique and comment, and I am sure you will benefit from the experience.

I cant comment on the studio space nor the proposed background I am sorry.

Now, I don't wish to dampen your enthusiasm, and I do admire your drive and desire to start a photography business, but just be aware however that every second person who has bought a nice camera is trying to do the same thing. The industry is littered with people who take a few nice shots and then unrealistically try to translate that into a business. Some will succeed, but most will not. To make a go of it you will need to consistently turn out good quality images, and also have some point of difference. That may be marketing, or your style, or concentrating on an under serviced niche market. If you are looking at portraiture, then interpersonal skills are crucial. I haven't seen any of your photos so cant comment on the quality of your work, but would love to see what you are doing.

I really dont want that to sound negative, but I would suggest you think about those few points I mentioned before you go spending any money.

[mbrager]

Welcome to the forum. I am one of those "every second person" Runmonty is referring to. I have established a photography business in Calgary and it is just as RM points out: there is a lot to consider.
However, based on the information in your post and the difficult-to-decipher sideways photo in your post, I have some questions around the light. So what happens when you turn out the overhead fluorescents? Is there other ambient light from windows? Shooting photos with the fluorescents on will affect your photos, especially if you use flash or strobes. Ambient light will also impact your photos by casting unwanted shadows and light spots on your photos. Other questions: do you have any experience using strobes or off camera speedlights? Are there adequate electrical outlets? How do you intend to learn to use the equipment you need (besides the camera and lens, of course)?
Your specific question about a background indicates you have been shopping around and doing some research. Good idea. You will probably need to cover as much of the background as you can, unless you can use what is there as a prop or blurred background. This is a creative choice. Many photographers prefer a single color background to make the subject stand out, but sometimes props are preferable.
The antiquetiger also makes a good point: using some ingenuity is always an asset in photography, and quite often you can Macgyver a solution. Also, having some Lightroom and/or Photoshop skills is a necessity.
I wish you well and look forward to hearing more questions and/or seeing some actual photos.