Photographer Stuart Schwartz gives photography tips for a home photo studio setup with suggestions for photography lighting equipment for beginners.

Whether you’re getting started with still life photography or looking to set up the perfect studio portrait lighting this guide to photography studio equipment will help you get a great basic photography studio setup with minimal fuss. Read on for my recommendations on studio lighting equipment, light modifiers, basic photography grip, and the camera accessories most useful for your studio lighting setup.

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Studio Lighting Gear

The Arri 300 is the perfect tungsten light to get you started shooting still life photography in your own studio space. This professional photography lighting has a spot-to-flood range that allows you to pinpoint hard light on your subject or wash it in a soft, wide field of continuous lighting with a simple twist of a knob.

A good sturdy photography light stand capable of holding the weight of any light you will be using in the studio or for many other studio purposes. The arm adds a lot of flexibility for lighting options, use as a seamless background stand, or as a photography reflector stand. You’ll probably want a few for your photography lighting setup.

Good to anchor photo light stands or stabilize anything that is shaky. Recommended for any studio lighting setup.

Studio Lighting Modifiers

An excellent quality defusion material to soften light. Use over windows to soften direct light for natural light photography or on your studio lights for diffused light photography.

A great product for manipulating and controlling light, easy to bend and shape to direct light the way you want.

The best material for reflecting light or cutting light from your subject. I suggest having both white foam board and black foam board.

Grip and Accessories

The best tape there is for your photography studio setup or any photographic situation, strong and easy to rip and remove, no gummy residue.

Professional quality, non-reflective surface available in an array of colors and sizes

Professional quality, non-reflective surface available in an array of colors and sizes

Great to clamp and hold anything in place.

Great to clamp and hold anything lightweight in place.

Camera Accessories

These are absolutely the best cables for tethered shooting in the studio or on location (they connect your camera to your computer). Be sure the tether cable is compatible with your camera and your computer.

These are absolutely the best cables for tethered shooting in the studio or on location (they connect your camera to your computer). Be sure the tether cable is compatible with your camera and your computer.

A necessity when shooting with very slow shutter speeds and otherwise can be helpful when shooting in the studio. Be sure the shutter release is compatible with your camera.

A Hoodman loupe is great when using live view or when reviewing images on the back of your camera especially in a sunny situation.

Adobe Photography Plan​

This is our number one tool back in the studio when we are ready to review our shots. We do receive a small compensation when you subscribe through our site. It does not cost you any extra and helps us to continue providing you with expert-level content.

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