After Christmas when I said that I’d gotten a studio in a bag kit, a lot of people expressed a lot of curiosity about it. There were so many questions that I decided to do a blog post and show what it looks like and how we work there. Hopefully, we can make it interesting enough that you won’t fall asleep.
Last Fall, as I was lamenting the shorter days of Winter that were looming closer, I began to peruse the internet and I found a kit that had a lot of things that are nice to have if you’re a photographer. I sent the link to my mom and said that it was something I would really, really, REALLY like to have for Christmas. I showed it to Mr. Taleteller as well. I was mainly excited about the backdrops. Using the lights intimidated me quite a bit, to tell you the truth, but I have seen the results that some people get and I was definitely up for the challenge of trying them.
I’ve been using our attic as my creative space for a while, but I would not have called it a professional studio by any means. I laughed a few times when people mentioned wishing they could see my “studio.” It was a sheet draped over two old rocking chairs that my grandmother gave me or Duck Taped to the wall. It has a wealth of natural light, which I love, but that doesn’t help any if there’s a grey day or at night. Still, it was a space of our own and Bunny and I did the best we could with what we had.
Now, I have lighting that allows me to control where it goes and even its intensity. I can diffuse it or use colored gel filters to add more red, blue or yellow if I want. I have a couple of umbrellas that work with the remote flash so I get a better effect without the dreaded green eye. I also have three different backdrops to use; white, black and one that’s splattered pink, yellow and purple. My wonderful husband also got me a backdrop stand that wasn’t included in the kit. I also have a reflector with a silver side and a gold side, but I haven’t played with it yet. I used to use an old mirror before to try to create the same effect, and it’s not quite the same. There are barn door and honeycomb kits, which are used to control what kind of lighting you have and where the light goes.
Of course, with the new studio set up, Bunny is even happier upstairs, too. She has a tub of favorite toys up there that she can play with, and she considers that space our private domain. While I’m fiddling with things up there, she can usually be found lounging on the day bed, which I do sometimes use for photos, too. Bunny loves being up there, and I’m hoping I can get a small space heater to put up there soon to make it more comfortable on the days that are really brisk.
A lot of people also ask how I get Bunny to pose for the camera. Honestly, a lot of that is just her natural flair and the chemistry between us. She has posed up there for me enough times to know the routine, though. When we go upstairs, she is often in position before I even have the camera ready. However, there are things that we have done that have helped her to really enjoy her time up there. I start taking pictures of our dogs without the flash. I’m also careful not to invade their space too much with the camera, either. They get rewarded with treats a lot, and they know that there’s a positive association between the camera and getting paid. We’ve worked up to her modeling status through doing it on a regular basis and learning a few basic commands. She knows “stay,” “stand,” “down,” “sit,” “leave it,” and “look” to name a few. If I really need her to look somewhere besides at the camera, I either ask my husband to help, or I use the tripod and camera remote to get her to look where I need her to.
I hope you’ve enjoyed our little tour of the studio. It’s one of my favorite parts of the house, and I think Bunny’s, too. I’m lucky to have a space in the house that isn’t needed for something else so that I can work and create there. It’s our own little corner of the world and we love it.
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Your studio is really neat! Those lights must have been intimidating at first, but I can see how they would be a real boon. And of course the camera loves Bunny
You are very lucky to have the studio space. I love the lighting and backdrop kit you got too and I’m a bit jealous. Maybe I can put that on my Christmas list for next year.
Cindy
I love it. Congrats on your little studio. The kids will shine. And, your photography will take off like crazy.
Love the tour! And I’m so totally jealous
A REAL space, where you can actually set something up and leave it there. Must be wonderful. 
Plus all your nifty new lighting and draping things. The patterned backdrop is just perfect for Bunny – but will Kuster get a manly one of his own? 
Gosh, that does look fun!! And you have a whole room to dedicate to it – lucky you. Mind – I could have if I tossed out the small-house-worth of junk I have lying around!
Not sure that pink background suits Bunny’s delicate colouring though. She needs a stronger colour!
You are so lucky to have your studio. You are definitely missing your calling as a dog photographer.
I love your “studio”! Didn’t every little girl want to have a room like that ~ a room with slanted ceilings? I know I did! Makes you feel as though you are up in the treetops.
Forget about “man caves”, us girls need our own rooms too!
Photography is 80% light. How cool that you can create perfect light everyday.
Your studio looks like a fun place to spend the afternoon.
Thanks for the tour. Quite the setup. I’m still just working with natural light.
You are seriously a serious photographer
You got all the bling and lights and action. Pretty awesome cool! Bunny is a natural. I am sure she’s naturally very easy to photograph as she loves to please you. I however is too lazy for gears of this sort… i don’t even use a flash.. hahhahahaa.. or a tripod. Maybe i should get a bit serious about gear. Thanks for sharing your studio with us.
Sam is the same as Bunny. He loves to pose. I’d love one of those kits. I use a bankers lamp for my lighting, sheets, etc right now.
Have fun – what an awesome Christmas gift!
Sam
Who that is awesome. Can’t wait to see all the new pictures with your studio stuffs. Not that they were beautiful before. When are you going to start taking appointments. BOL Sniffs, The HoundDogs
Thanks for the tour. I can’t wait to see what you do over the next year as you experiment with your new toys.
I’ve been trying to set up a space to shoot videos for my other blog. So far the dining room is the best spot. But artificial lights don’t work well and we don’t have many sunny days here. Every time the sun comes out, I feel like I have to run downstairs and shoot a video.
Maybe once I earn a few dollars, I can buy a video kit in a bag and get results more like yours.
So cool! If I need to get Riley to look at the camera, I just hold a ball above it…which is kind of tricky while holding the camera, so your methods seem much better. I know you’ll really be making use of the studio and have a lot of fun and great pictures come out of it!
Wow!! Viewing your set up and photos I think I better stop posting photos on my blogs!
LOVE the last photo so much!
Loved the studio tour. I’m so glad you got what you wanted for it for Christmas. I love all the photos of Bunny. My boy Blaze is my “poser” but he’s not quite as good at it as Bunny
As for a space heater, I got a nice little one recently to use in my travel trailer and when that’s put up, I use it in my office at home. It’s a compact Infrared heater. That style of heater was recommended to me by hard core campers because it’s safe and doesn’t get hot to touch all around like other heaters. I found a good on sale and it looks like its either still on sale on back on sale. I have been very happy with it: http://www.amazon.com/Lifesmart-Compact-Square-Infrared-Heater/dp/B0094XU8VK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1357914031&sr=8-4&keywords=infrared+heater
Another cool type of heater that would be cool for effects and use in your photos is an electric fireplace. It probably would not warm up the whole space, but it does put off some heat. You can use without the heat just for looks. Here’s one that’s not too expensive (but still more than the infrared): http://www.amazon.com/Duraflame-Freestanding-Electric-Remote-Control/dp/B005NCC3PU/ref=sr_1_6?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1357914329&sr=1-6&keywords=electric+fireplace
The attic is definently perfect (minus the chill) for taking pictures. That is one problem I have with taking pictures of my pugs is the lack of natural light. I hate to use the flash and it results usually in the “blue/cataract” eyes. I wish there was a camera that took that into consideration…the lack of natural light but not a flash use.
What a lovely set up you have there with such nice toys to play with! And perfect use of attic space.
What a great studio!! And we did NOT fall asleep. It was all very interesting. And that Bunny is such a natural and is right at home in front of the camera.
Blessings,
Goose
WHY OH WHY did yo has to show dis light kit to my mum? You does know her is readin’ dis donchoo? Her has been lookin’ into some but my dad is cheap….you knows dat too. But I do be more interested in dis payment plan you has. How comes I not gets paid in treats fur my modelin’? I has to talk to Bunny bout dis.
Your photography is always just beautifuls and you always capture the dogs’ personality brilliantly.
Puddles
Oh my! It’s like a Hollywood movie set. Cool!
Benny & Lily
What a great tour….my “studio” is in the basement. Only bad part about that is that the girlz are no longer allowed to join me to due hip and arthritis issues. I miss having them down there with me. I’m going to have to check out the kit link….thanks
I couldn’t help myself to tell you if you have iPhone download this app “Strobox” and you can have a diagram of the studio lightning set-up before you go into the studio
have fun being a pet photographer haha …
I LOVE Kathy’s idea for a heater – one of those electric fireplaces! I’ve seen them at Sam’s and Costco and wanted to get one for my house. Not necessarily for heat but for the aesthetic value. They’re so pretty. Would look great in photos, I think.
Regarding photos, you are about a million miles ahead of me. I use my cell phone camera for all my blogging. I just got a new iPad with a camera so I’m getting ready to go outside to take pictures with it – if it will ever stop raining.
My best photos of Those Brindle Kids turn out to be candid shots. If I try to pose any of them, their expressions suggest they think they’re in trouble!
Best studio ever!
Hugs,
We have our own little studio as well although it’s in an unused room in the basement and more cramped than I’d like. I love the open space of yours! Of course, the first time I’ve used it with the hounds was for our Christmas photo. We have a lighting set up as well. Now if I can just get Bettina and Blue to pose…
Thats a great gift to get! Would Blueberry come and sit across the table from Sister?
Cute!
Jo
What a wonderful gift. Is there a treat in that tea cup Bunny?
“Hopefully, we can make it interesting enough that you won’t fall asleep”
BWAHAHAHAHAH! *Clutches Chest* BWAHAHAHAHA!
You must have put a treat in that tea cup so that Bunny would stare at it so intently…. Thanks for the look see at your studio in a bag, I’m considering buying something like that for taking pics of dog collars.
That’s so amazing and I know you are going to love it. I can’t wait to see what you and Bunny come up with!
I’ve been waiting for this. How interesting! I love looking at people’s studios and work areas. They are always interesting. You have a lovely area, and I love all the pretty props. The bond between you and Bunny is so special. I hope you will do more posts and tell us all the neat things you learn with this kit.
Bunny is the perfect model. I love your little studio, would love to have something like that of my own!
Thanks for showing us your new set-up. Looks like you’ll have a lot of fun ‘playing’ with your new ‘toys’! You really do get amazing shots of your dogs…and it’s obvious how much Bunny adores you. I was enjoying the Flickr daily dog challenge, but sadly had to give it up for now because of time constraints. Some day I hope to be able to do more with my Gwyn photography. I especially love the last picture in this post…I imagine Bunny going “Hey! That stuffie’s got more tea than me!!!”
Very cool! That kit seems like a really great thing to have. I look forward to seeing what you can do with your new gear.
Mum so envies your studio… But, Bunny, we know you are the Most important part of it!
–MissVeil
Well how cool is that! You and Bunny with a special space and a wonderful new kit of toys to play with together! Fun!
Thank you for the very enjoyable tour!
Waggin at ya,
Roo
What a great little spot for the two of you. If you’re looking for a little heater to keep things warm, I just bought a Lasko ceramic heater for the RV. It doesn’t get hot to the touch, so it’s safe for the dogs to be around, and it really cranks out the heat! Mine has fan, low heat and high heat settings as well as a dial to select how warm you’d like it. I picked it up at the local hardware store and couldn’t be happier.