HOW TO START SHOOTING IN A NATURAL LIGHT STUDIO? | NATURAL LIGHT CREATIVE SPACE, DUBLIN, CA
HOW TO START SHOOTING IN A NATURAL LIGHT STUDIO
Over the past 2 years since we opened, we’ve been asked “How can I use/benefit from using a studio?” I’m a natural light photographer who mainly shoots outdoors, but I’m curious how I can add studio work to my portfolio?
This makes me so freaking happy when people ask me this. You know why? Because it shows me that people are always thinking of fun + different ways to serve their clients + their creativity. I’m always amazed by how courageous creatives can be.
I get it, trying something new is super scary and sometimes frustrating. I remember back when I was first starting out in my business (mind you, I had been shooting for a while, but only running a biz for a few months) I wanted to offer Easter mini sessions in my town. So, I came up with an idea, I dressed my (then) 18 month old son up and took some of the my best photos I had taken yet and tried to advertise to people I was offering Easter minis. Guess how many sessions I booked? None. Zip. Nada. I was devastated. I worked so hard, I felt my images were SO amazing, I had a really awesome concept… but no one was interested. I felt like all my hard work and my obvious creative genius ;) went to waste. But it didn’t.
That was in March, which meant I had an entire year to realize what had happened: I was learning. I was learning that I wasn’t good at business (yet), that I didn’t have a solid client base (yet), that I wasn’t where I wanted to be (yet) and yet, the one thing I didn’t have to learn, because I was already good at it, was trying anyway.
Was all my effort + trying a waste? No. I am so glad I decided a few months later to come up with another idea to try again (which failed). Then tried again (failed) and again (failed). Every single time I tried something new, I failed. I failed so many times I’ve lost count. I’m not kidding. But I’ll tell you what, every time I’ve fallen on my face, I’ve learned. Eventually, I succeeded. Small little successes, yes, but succeeded I did.
So, what does this have to do with how you can benefit from CSS? I’ll tell you: This is a place of trying, a place of acceptance, help, comfort, learning, growth, courage + magic. Booking time at the space is not a guarantee you will succeed; it’s an invitation to be courageous in your pursuit of creativity + learning. Will you fail? Yes. But will you learn? That’s up to you.
Simple ways to just start using the space:
Commit to a personal project. Keep it simple to start + grow as you learn.
Book the space for yourself, don’t invite clients. Bring a friend, one who is easy to be around, encouraging + patient. Talk to them about what you want to do at the space. Look around and start dreaming things up while you take a few photographs.
Create a simple offering to your clients at the space. Share consistently about your offering. Talk about how you feel at the space, how the space makes you feel and how others might feel when they are there. (Don’t forget to make reels!)
Book the space with a few photog friends and do a photo swap or create some simple videos for your businesses. Share the cost of the space + your talents. Brainstorm with them ideas on how you can consistently use the space for your businesses. Create positive energy in this space. You’ll think of things you wouldn’t have otherwise.
So, how can you benefit from using this space? By daring to be courageous enough to dream + create within it.
What is Creative Space Studios Co?
Creative Space Studios Co. is a gorgeously modern, light filled rentable natural light studio for creatives and small businesses alike to create magic in whether it’s a branding photoshoot, cake smash session, intimate couples session, boudoir, or mini sessions, this space is just for you!
Want to learn more? Take a peek at our Studio Guide!
Ready to book? Head to our booking page!