Organizing a photography studio for model photography

Before buying any prop for a photography studio ask yourself these two key questions: how often will I use it and do I have room for it?

You can’t predict exactly how often you’ll use a prop but you can have a pretty good idea. It’s safe to assume that a chair or two or a chaise longue will be useful at some point. So will a full- length mirror. These are probably the biggest props that you’ll have to buy. Don’t buy a bed, they’re far too suggestive, they’ll just make your model feel uneasy.

Model on chair

Studio props around the home

It’s a good idea to buy furniture that you like and can live with rather than buy it specifically for the studio. This way, if they don’t get used in the studio they can be used around your home.
The Victorian hall chair that this model is posing on was originally bought for a Victorian era home. It’s a likeable piece of furniture and can also be used in a studio.
Some furniture is ok for the studio but is pretty unsuitable for use around the home. Cane chairs
are ok for the studio, they can be adapted to different poses and backgrounds, and they’re light and easy to move around the studio.
But they aren’t very suitable for use around the home – they aren’t comfortable to sit on for long periods.

Photography studio finances

Really, it’s a financial decision. If you’re buying furniture that will definitely be ok for your home and might be ok for the studio you can spend as much as you like on it. If you’re buying furniture that will be ok for the studio and might, just might, be ok for your home, don’t spend too much on it.