For many years, I would book studios in LA to do my model shoots; places with all kinds of fantastical props, unique backgrounds, and gear available for use. These studios were so convenient for shooting because they had space, privacy, and amenities like makeup stations ideal for art and fashion shoots. I told myself “if only I had a space in Phoenix that was my own, I could make so much more art and so much more money from freelance and rentals…”
Model: Cheyanne June; Photographer: Primordial Creative
After driving around, touring places and speaking with agents, a golden opportunity fell into my lap; a former tv station donated its studio space to a fashion house start-up, and they were interviewing in-house photographer and videographer positions. Use of the studio was to be on a trade basis- meaning I had no monthly rent due, but were I to book work they would get a percentage of the payment, and I was supposed to be available to their needs. It turned out to be a confusing deal that benefitted no one so for the last 2 years I’ve found myself without a studio to call home. This is where the great lesson came from- I didn’t need a studio to be creative. I didn’t need the burden of overhead and if I really needed a space, I just rented it! Let the ongoing upkeep and pressure be someone else’s problem!
Now, this relates to my circumstance. I consider myself a creative portrait artist which means I shoot a lot of different scenarios that benefit from being on location or perhaps don’t involve large spaces that I need to keep a consistent look in. Maybe that’s not you? Maybe you are a commercial photographer who meets with clients and needs a meeting space. You need an area where people hiring you an come in, have everything set up way in advance, they get their photos done in record time and they leave with the confidence that you will supply consistent results every time because nothing changes in your studio.
Model: Alina; Photographer: Primordial Creative
Maybe you’re the kind of artist who creates large sets and needs time and space to make these things. A studio would be right for you.
Perhaps you’re the photographer who shoots a lot of nudes and needs a private, safe space to do this. A studio is certainly helpful for that!
Maybe you’re the photographer who is also a videographer, has a ton of big expensive gear, and needs to accommodate larger groups like a band for music video shoots, or just is able to translate their vision to higher paying gigs.
What it really comes down to is what tools you feel like you need to be creative. “If I don’t have __________, I can’t make what’s in my head” is a thing I hear a lot from other people and I honestly feel that’s a challenge we need to overcome. If you think you NEED something, you probably don’t. Needs are attachments and curses. The studio spaces I know of in Phoenix are constantly hustling to be rented, constantly putting up with people bringing in glitter and screwing up their floors. Equipment is stolen or broken and people try to shoot pornos there. Is that your dream or is it what you are willing to put up with to achieve your dream?