Natural Light Studio Set-up {For Photographers}
February 10, 2011As I mentioned in my previous post, I get a lot of questions about my little studio set-up, so I decided to put a post together for all of the visual folks out there (like myself). When I set up in my own home, I most often use my entryway. Yes, it is a little tight to shoot in, but I have both North and South facing windows, so it is very well-lit. Here’s a pull back shot from my last commercial shoot:
I think I managed to darken up most of the mess in the background, so don’t let that distract you. 
Since you can’t see the whole area (I was backed into the corner with my widest angle lens), here’s a little diagram of the layout of the room:
As you can see, I pull the blinds up on all of the windows. I angle my set-up towards the larger windows, but I still get nice fill from the smaller windows camera left. I also prop my lovely Hobby Lobby foamboard up against the door to get a little more light bounced back on that side. Here is the final product:
There’s still enough shadow and light to give it that natural light look that I love, and I can keep a catchlight in both eyes (when she cooperates). I’ve had some questions about the set-up itself as well, so here goes! The backdrop stand is a Savage Portable Stand, I just love it! The bamboo mat was ordered from Home Depot online, and the damask backdrop is a curtain I got off of Amazon. I also picked up a length of white baseboard from Home Depot, along with the red clips holding it in place. The white fluffy rug you see in the pull back shot is one of two I bought at Hobby Lobby, I usually just lay them next to each other and you never know it’s not one big one. I believe that I’ve seen them at IKEA as well. I hope that helps! Obviously, if I’m in my clients’ home for a newborn session, I set up wherever I can get the best light, and I typically use front lighting rather than side lighting. This area in my house is just uniquely suited to good side lighting. Feel free to comment below or email me if you have any questions!
Gabrielle Bass: This looks great ! You can't even tell it's all pieces! Great job. Gives me ideas for when I get some home space to set up !
Maggie: Thanks for the pull back! It's great to see other spaces and find suggestions I can incorporate into my own space.
Maureen Martini: Hi Erin, Very nice! I would love a house with that kind of lighting. Maureen
Ashley Swallow: Awesome set up! Your daughter is a cutie!
Hannah B: Love this behind the scenes!
Autumn Moore: Can I ask you what you use to hold the backdrops in place? Also, how wide is the backdrop? Beautiful job!!! Thanks!
Lindsay: Thank you Autumn! This particular backdrop is 54" wide I believe, I try not to get anything smaller than that. Its held in place with rubber-tipped clamps from Home Depot, they come in lots of sizes! :)
Tiffany Fleming Lynn: I love the set up and the picture is as awesome as she is beautiful. Thanks for the the setup help I have a childrens shoot comeing up this is a big help.and congrats on the new addition.
Thereasa: Thats is REALLY helpful! How big is this space (dimensions)?
Lindsay: Thanks Thereasa! The entry way itself is 11'x7', but as you can see in the picture I sneak my stand slightly back into the open room next to it. Hope that helps!
Ashley: Hi, can you tell me what size bamboo mat that is? I need one for dance portraits, and I'm trying to decide on a size. Thanks!
Lindsay: Ashley, it's in the way back of my closet behind my big bin, but I believe it is 4'x6'. Putting her on it at that size was about as big as I'd go ... I did have to extend it in PS some in several of the shots. Hope that helps!