Studio on a Shoestring Budget with good results?

I'm so jazzed, my hubby got me a little nikon digital thats smaller than my cell phone. My old mavica has a huge lense on it and wasn't exactly built for portability.

Anyway, heres my question. I have access to some office space in the building at work, that I would like to convert to a small studio for some boudoir photography. I'm not a pro, so I don't have a lot to invest in backgrounds and lighting. I was hoping you folks could give me some suggestions? The room in question has a large window on both the south and west wallsm with blinds, as it gets pretty bright in there in the afternoon. the space itself is about 15 x 20. The existing lighting is fluorescent (blecht)

Any and all feedback appreciated! Thanks folks! :D

It's quite hard to make a studio without a lot of prior knowledge of what you want, and without a lot of money to invest. Is your clientle already large enough to support having a studio?
And you're going to be using a point and shoot for studio work? NOthing wrong with a point and shoot other than it's lack of options what would prove useful in a studio settting.

Lighting will be very important. I've seen where some folks are using continuous lighting with good results. Several people are using shop lights they got at Sears or Home Depot. Fairly inexpensive. Just be sure to white balance for them. Depending on the size of the room, ventilation and A/C they could get warm. As long as they don't get hot they'll probably do well. While shooting keep the flourescents off.

Boudior photography - well you probably need a bed or a settee, or soft mat on the floor covered with a rug or other presentable material. Backgrounds could be simply some curtains from Wal-Mart. You'll probably want to figure some way to change backgrounds. This could simply be a couple of curtain rods or curtains on heavy taut cord that would enable you to pull off to the side and out of the way.

thanks for the input! i am in love with these handpainted muslin backgrounds...they would be great for fantasy shots or even redecorating a room! I get all excited, heehee! check them out!

http://www.artwon.co.kr/artwon/?plug=bbs/plugboard.php&bo_table=muslin_xcanvas&s=1

I get all excited when I find something new and less expensive than domestic, redecorating brings new ideas to mind designwise and with imaging... but then, I'm always thinking in terms of design ;)

thanks again,
Rhonda :D

There are several other places to look for backgrounds.

www.backgroundsbymaheu.com

www.virtualbackgrounds.net

www.thepierceco.com

www.dennymfg.com

www.chicago-canvas.com

www.skaeser.com

www.coleandcompany.com

www.signatureBackgrounds.com

www.digitalbkgrnds.com

www.horizonbackgrounds.com

www.studiodynamics.com

www.backdropoutlet.com

Ooh, good to know, will check them out too! Thanks so much for the feedback! :D

Rhonda

Adorama makes slave flash units that will screw into a regular light socket. They cost about $20 for the slaves and $23-25 for the master slave which will plug into the camera's pc socket.

They aren't as strong as monolights, but they are also MUCH less expensive.

excellent to know, thanks so much, DrLynn!

;)

Rhonda