alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

I've been asked to recommend the appropriate size for a small portrait studio to be located within a university library office suite. Studio will be used only by librarian photographers to photograph library staff and student workers for photos to be used in library blog and semi annual printed newsletter. Suggestions, anyone?

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

The size is dictated by the setup to be used, and the effect needed regarding background blur.

For this type of photography, though, shooting "candid" images of the people involved doing things associated with their work is always better than the, "Stand here." Click. sort of thing.

You might want to consider simply acquiring a quality, high ISO shooting (without image degradation) camera which can allow the photographer to catch candid, even semi set up candids, of the personnel involved, doing what they do. It is infinitely easier to shoot such images today with digital cameras than it ever was when we did it on film. We used to call these sorts of shots "Environmental Portraits."

That said, to do the posed portrait, you can get away with maybe 8x8 feet, depending on the lighting, but I strongly advise going the candid route. Much better for publication, as it draws the reader in to the story when it is more personable.

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

WE, mostly I, have been gdoing candids, but boss wants a studio. I agree, people are more comfortable in their work spaces or other location of their choice. Thanks for the info.

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

i would think 12-12 min.bigger would be better,lights take up room,and people if you are shooting groups

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Well if you are shooting against a backdrop you would need at least an 10 foot wall to accommodate the support and paper. Then I would say at least 8 feet or better for the corresponding length.

George

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

For decades now, I've been doing something I call Studio In A Jar (thank you Frank Zappa). I use a small 400 or 800 WS Speedo power pack, two light heads, one in a large umbrella the other on the pop up back ground. Another small light stand holds a pop up white reflector for fill light. I shoot tethered into a laptop. I even bring a professional drummers stool for seating. Results look much like studio shots sans hair light, etc. but still very nice. Can be set up in reasonably tight space. I normally use a Canon 1Ds mkII with a Canon 135mm f2....
I just bought a second Canon 580 EX II speedlight and am planning on replacing the Speedo gear in this setup with them. I can walk in an office with an entire STUDIO IN A JAR in one trip.
All the above based on head and shoulder shots...

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Mudshark,
That is a great setup, I also have a 1DS Mark II, your portable setup sounds fine especially with the two 580s.

George

mgemstone Loc: Chicago/Cocoa beach/La/NY

If you are talking about just headshots of one person, you need an area 5 ft. wide by 8 ft long with at least 8 ft high ceilings. This is about the minimum space that wedding photographers use. You can get images of 2 people close together if need be. You can use the flash on you camera or get an external flash with a bracket and cord to raise the the flash higher to eliminate red eye. You probably have a publications department on campus that could help you with these decisions. They or some other related department may have cameras that they loan out to departments for a few days as needed avoiding much of the initial capital cost.

myts10 Loc: SE Ohio

I have seen 2 of these type setups. One was an ID photo area about 4 foot square. Computer controlled camera, black background, flash and of course passport type type picture of a face.
The second was set up in a closet about 3 feet deep with white walls and a very bright overhead light. The camera was on a tripod stored in the closet with a chair. They opened the door, turned on the light, moved the tripod out to a mark on the floor and took the shot. Not much of a 'studio' but seemed to work for them.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Boss must have a lot of money left in the annual budget to waste on seldom-used lighting and background equipment.

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

If this is the case...your job is to eliminate the "seldon-used" part............

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

I'm doing my best - we actually do a fair amount of photography for a blog and a semiannual print newsletter. The photography is the fun part of my job!