Designing a photography Studio

Jan 15

How I Create My Set Designs for a Photography Studio

Welcome! I’m Madison Sobotka, the owner of Studio 8 Lincoln and Omaha. In this blog, I’m going to walk you through my process of designing set spaces for our photography studios. This includes coming up with ideas, creating mood boards, and marketing them to our renters.

1. Generating Ideas for Set Designs

The first step in designing a set is research. I gather inspiration from a variety of sources, but Pinterest is one of my main go-to platforms. I spend time pinning different styles, color schemes, and layouts that align with the vision I have for the studio. Sometimes, these ideas come together over months or even a year of collecting visuals. Once I have a strong direction, I start refining the concept by selecting specific elements that will bring the design to life.

For example, one of my recent projects involved revamping the branding area in our Lincoln studio. I wanted to create a fresh and inviting look, so I focused on white couches, plants, and modern furniture pieces. By narrowing down my aesthetic, I could start making concrete decisions on what to include in the space.

2. Building a Mood Board in Photoshop

Once I have a clear vision, I take all my inspiration and start piecing it together in Photoshop. Mood boards are essential in translating my ideas into a visual format that not only helps me but also communicates my vision to others.

I start by gathering images of furniture, decor, and design elements that align with my concept.
Using Photoshop, I remove backgrounds from product images and arrange them in a way that represents how the final set will look.
I adjust elements, resize items, and use tools like ‘Transform’ and ‘Distort’ to create realistic compositions.
To enhance realism, I add drop shadows and tweak colors to match the overall theme of the set.

For example, in the Lincoln studio redesign, I selected a kidney-shaped couch from Wayfair, a custom-built white desk, and artwork featuring neutral tones. By combining these elements in Photoshop, I created a preview of how the space would look once fully set up.

3. Sourcing and Purchasing Items

Once I finalize the mood board, I move on to purchasing the necessary items. I typically shop from:

Amazon – Great for chairs, decor, and smaller furnishings.
Wayfair – My go-to for larger furniture items.
Local Stores – Sometimes I find unique pieces that add character to the space.
Custom Builds – My business partner is skilled at building custom furniture pieces, allowing us to tailor designs to fit the studio perfectly.

4. Marketing the Set Designs

After finalizing the design and purchasing items, the next crucial step is marketing. Our primary clients are photographers who rent the studio, and they need to know what’s coming so they can plan their shoots accordingly. To ensure this, I create content and share it through various channels:

Social Media Posts – I post mood boards on Facebook and Instagram to inform photographers about upcoming sets.
Email Campaigns – Sending updates to our renters allows them to schedule bookings in advance.
Website Updates – I keep our website updated with upcoming set designs so photographers can easily access information.

5. Bringing the Set to Life

After all the planning and preparation, it’s time to set up the studio! I document the entire process, from unboxing furniture to arranging the final setup. This not only helps us fine-tune the space but also gives renters a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into designing their shooting environments.

We love keeping our clients in the loop so they can share the set designs with their own clients. This allows them to pre-sell mini sessions or book full shoots in advance, ensuring they make the most of our studio spaces.

Stay Tuned for More

If you’re interested in seeing the final setup, make sure to follow along with our next video! We’ll take you behind the scenes as we bring these mood boards to life. Plus, we’ll share links to all the products we use so you can shop for your own studio or home setup.

Be sure to subscribe and check out our blog regularly for more insights on set design, photography tips, and business strategies!

Don Farrall