As a knife maker and content creator, having high-quality product photos is essential for showcasing my work online. While I used to rely on natural light and outdoor settings and a photobox to take product photos, I decided it was time to invest in a dedicated photo studio for more control, consistency and most importantly, to be able to shoot larger items. In this blog post, I'll share my experience setting up a photo studio and some tips and tricks for anyone looking to do the same.
First, I had to choose a space for my photo studio. I decided to convert a wall of my office into the studio. It has enough space for a table, lighting equipment, and a backdrop. Fortunately, I had most of the basic equipment that I needed to take photos here but, I'll eventually get a few more lights to better my workflow. These items will be essential for creating a controlled environment for my product photos.
With my outdoors/nature theme, I utilised a lot of recycled materials to put the backdrop together. Pallet wood is rough enough and has enough character for a Rainy Day Forge backdrop. Disassembling the pallets and then painting the wall so that everything looks clean and finished was a lot of work but it was worth the effort. The photos were sharp, bright, and consistent. With my new setup, I could control the lighting, add depth and showcase my products in the best possible way.
To share my experience with others, I decided to film the process and create a YouTube video about it. I discussed three ways of taking photos of knives and demonstrated how to take product photos. It was a great way to give back to the community and share my knowledge with other makers and content creators.
Overall, setting up a photo studio was a game-changer for me. It gave me more control and consistency in my product photos, and it was a fun and rewarding experience. If you're considering setting up a photo studio, I highly recommend it. Just remember to start with the basics, invest in good equipment, and have fun with it!
