The Essential Photography Studio Equipment List

As a photographer you should never underestimate the importance of having a reliable studio equipment list. Without this you are likely to waste time searching for and purchasing items. Here we provide our essential studio equipment list. We suggest you make a note of the brand and model number of each item. This will allow you to search online for additional information.

Equipment

Studio lighting

This is probably the most important and most expensive piece of equipment in a photography studio. We suggest using natural light if possible. However, if you are working with a limited budget and have to use artificial light it is still possible to create great images. You will need an assortment of lights including:

Bulbs: You will need a variety of bulbs to suit the different types of photographic lighting. A general rule is the larger the wattage the brighter the light.

Cords: These will usually come in a range of lengths. The standard is either 150cm (59”) or 300cm (118”). Cords can be purchased in various colours and sizes.

Tripods: Tripods are needed to support the camera and lights. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials and weights. We suggest looking at the weight of the tripod as this will be a factor in determining the stability of the tripod.

Camera: The camera is the tool you will be using to photograph. You will need one with interchangeable lenses. We suggest starting with a basic 35mm SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera. This is the most common type of camera used in professional photography. There are many different models available.

Lenses: You will need a variety of lenses to suit the different types of photographic lighting you are working with.

Clothing: If you are working outside, you will need to protect yourself from the weather. You will need a wide range of clothing, including hats, raincoats, gloves, umbrellas, etc.

Pens, pencils, paper: In order to create your images you will need a range of equipment including pens, pencils, paper, etc. We recommend buying a pack of pens, pencils, erasers and other stationery. You can buy these in any stationery store.

Bags

We suggest having a range of bags to hold all your equipment. It is useful to have a few of different types of bag. You will need:

Large/medium sized camera bag – This will be used to hold your camera and lens. You will also want to have a variety of different lenses.

Medium/small camera bag – This will be used to carry your camera, lenses, and accessories.

Pencil case – This will be used to keep your pens, pencils, etc. together.

Duffel bag – This will be used to hold all your equipment when travelling. You will also want to have a backpack or rucksack for carrying this around.

Storage

It is important to have a secure place to store your equipment. We suggest using a large closet in your studio. You will also need to make sure you have enough space to work. You will want to consider:

Location of the storage area – We suggest placing it at the back of the room to maximise the amount of natural light.

Size of the storage area – We suggest keeping your studio space as large as possible. You will need a minimum of 6m x 4m.

Monitor

You will need a monitor to see your photographs and videos. We suggest using a large screen television monitor. You will want to make sure the resolution is at least 1024 x 768.

Hard drive

You will need a hard drive to save your work. We suggest buying a large capacity external hard drive.

Computer

We suggest you purchase a PC that is capable of running software for:

Photography – Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.

Video Editing – Adobe Premier, Final Cut Pro, etc.

Accessories

Here is a list of some of the accessories that we suggest you buy:

Studio lamps: We suggest buying a range of studio lamps. These will usually be included in a package. You will need an assortment of different types of lamps.

Headphones: To listen to your music whilst you are editing your images and video.

Computer desk: To work on your computer comfortably. We suggest purchasing a folding computer desk. This will allow you to fold it away when you are not using it.