Studios

Hi, I need to do an assignment about the safety hazards ina a photography studio. The assignment asks the following: ‘The learner has to understand and apply the safety regulations regarding electrical hazards. The leaner must also identify and apply risk and safety analysis applicable to the studio environment and lighting equipment’.

Are their anyone that could help me get answers for this ?

Well, for starters, standard electrical outlets are usually 15-20 amps, but some of the larger strobe power packs can pull as much as 30 amps, which could cause a fire hazard if the wiring was done incorrectly (some people just pop a 30-amp breaker into the circuit breaker box without regard for wire gauge). Also, modeling lights can get much hotter than standard incandescent bulbs, giving a potential for severe burns or fire hazards.

Third, still relating to strobes, it is possible that a flash bulb can actually break upon discharge and toss glass fragments around. I’ve only seen it happen once, but I’ve heard many stories.

Fourth, and STILL sticking with strobes: monolights atop light stands are very top heavy and prone to falling if not careful. Same could be claimed for hot lights. During a college photo class I came within inches of forever scarring a beautiful young model when, in my nervousness (she was a NUDE model) I knocked over a hot light, catching it mere inches from her hip. <whew>

Learn how to choose the right light umbrella with expert photography tips from a professional photographer in this free online photography instructional video clip.

Expert: Rob Mitchell
Bio: Rob Mitchell has been shooting fashion for more than 15 years, having worked with some of the countrys top models and magazines. He has photographed the Rolling Stones, Santana and the Beach Boys.
Filmmaker: Rob Mitchell

Duration : 0:2:22

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Do you think using my name (Jane Doe Photography) or using a catchy name is better for business? I was leaning toward using my name in the title, but it’s likely that I’d get married within the first few years of business and change my name (and my name is already too long to hyphenate it).

What suggestions for names do you have for a portrait photography studio? I don’t like anything too precious or cheesy. Thanks!

After your great grandmother. Or things which inspire you.

I really want to start my own photography studio, but my head spins just thinking about it! Money is the problem. I have none, and don’t know anyone who has it to invest. I have the education, and started a business plan, but need a grant. My credit isn’t good enough to get a loan that size.

You stand a greater chance of getting a government-guaranteed loan through the Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/financing than a government grant. Read the SBA Financing page to learn about criteria needed for borrowing

It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK – lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov – these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants — all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same – hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business — THERE’S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT – Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women’s Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women’s business center that will train women entrepreneurs

I suggest you read the following books to get ideas of how to finance your business:

Financing Your Small Business http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1572484500/powerhomebizguid
Small Business Financing: How and Where To Get It http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0808007386/powerhomebizguid
Financing the Small Business: A Complete Guide to Obtaining Bank Loans and All Other Types of Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580626815/powerhomebizguid
The SBA Loan Book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158062202X/powerhomebizguid
Angel Capital : How to Raise Early-Stage Private Equity Financing http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0471690635/powerhomebizguid
Financing Your Small Business (Barron’s Business Library Series) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764124897/powerhomebizguid

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center’s Foundation Grants for Individuals Online http://gtionline.fdncenter.org . It’s a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don’t have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

I am trying to set up a in-house photography studio and am looking for realistic scenic backdrops that are decent priced. Most places have the hand-painted muslims ones that look very unreal. I’m especially interested in those that have an asian flair (japanese gardens, etc).
I’m looking for the pull down backgrounds, not digital.
These backdrops are very popular in the asian community. Many couples go in for these studio shots where the backgrounds are not real, but very realistic. For instance, you have the couple wearing a traditional asian outfit and have the picture being taken in front of a matching traditional scenic background. I hope there will be photographers who know where I can get these backdrops.

Search under professional photography supplies…….
Goodgle it or try cnet.

A cool look into the Hardy and Nance street studios of Houston

Duration : 0:4:1

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I want to set up a photography studio, i want to paint half white and half black and i dont want to use backgrounds for these colors. What is the best paint to use? i want it to be the deepest darkest black, and the brightest white but it can’t be reflective.

Black, white or mid grey – and use Matte paint.

I want to take a picture for Valentine’s Day, I know about Bad Kitty Photography, but does anyone know of a less expensive studio similar to that? Something more than just a Sears shoot.

Nowadays, get a friend to shoot you with a digital camera. If they have photoshop they can make you look awesome, nip tuck, enhance all that good stuff. If you have any other questions about how to edit on photoshop or camera settings feel free to e mail me.
Good luck.

I am a beginning photographer and want to go to an art school to major in photography. I have an extra bedroom and would like to make it into a small studio. I would take pictures of people and animals. I was thinking of getting a few backgrounds and some lighting. What do you suggest?

Keep it simple and work up your gear as you find the need for it (read that as, as your knowledge and experience grows and you work your way through the course). Some backgrounds and constant lighting would be a good start, leave the expensive flash gear for later.

Go with digital (even though your course may have a film content) as its easier to colour balance from any light source, is far cheaper, post processing is a lot easier because you can do it visually. You will learn faster and if you can get good results from digital with its limited dynamic range, film with its latitude is a doddle.

Forget all the darkroom gubbins, the college will have all that.

Would you go to a photography studio if the photographer didn’t have a college degree in photography, but had a solid portfolio and good prices for his work?

Bits of paper saying someone has been to college mean absolutely nothing whatsoever.
It is what their work is like which defines a photographer.

So, Yes, I would go to a photographer who did not have a degree.