Tour a Chicago Portrait Photographer’s Studio

Photography Tips  •  Portrait Photography  •  Studio Photography

At some point in time, you must have imagined what a professional photographer’s studio looks like. Whether you’re thinking of setting up a studio for yourself, or you just want to see how the pros work, it’s a good thing to understand firsthand. In today’s video, this is exactly what we’re going to do. Professional portrait photographer Manny Ortiz takes you on a tour of his studio and talks about his studio setup:

You’d imagine that a photography studio is usually packed with cameras, lenses and lights. But as you can see in the video, there’s more than just the gear. Ortiz has quite a lot of other things that help him make the photography process easier, add ambiance to the environment and enhance the overall aesthetics.

Ortiz has a good number of v-flats, light modifiers, strip lights and softboxes. More than the camera that you use to take photos, it’s the lighting that determines the quality of your photos. If you’re wondering how pros achieve that distinct editorial look, those lights and modifiers are key ingredients. He even has two separate areas with different sets of backdrops. This way, he can easily switch between the two depending on the look he’s going for. How cool is that?

Then there are the smaller—but still important—objects, such a portable tray, an editing desk, a mirror, a blower and a vanity table. While they’re not necessary to take great photos, they sure make the lives of the photographer and model a whole lot easier.

What do you think of Ortiz’s photo studio? If you’re looking to set up one for yourself, be sure to take some notes.