Setting up a home photo studio feels like a lot until you know which few things actually matter. Portrait photographer Siobhan Brazier has been shooting in her studio for eight years. She breaks it down to the gear she actually reaches for, and we have added two picks per category so you can choose what suits your space and workflow.
Video: Photography Studio Essentials, by Siobhan Brazier for CameraStuff.
TL;DR
A working studio comes down to five things: something to make light, something to hold it up, something to shape it, something to bounce it back, and something to shoot against. That means a strobe, a light stand, a modifier, a reflector, and a backdrop. Get those right and you can shoot portraits, products, and headshots. Below are two picks for each, with Siobhan's advice from her own studio.
Where Do You Even Start?
Setting up your first studio can be overwhelming. Lights, modifiers, stands, and every brand seems to have ten versions of each. Siobhan puts it plainly in her video: "When you want to start a studio there's so much gear to choose from, lights to modifiers, light stands, it's a lot."
The good news is that a working studio comes down to five categories. Cover these and you can shoot portraits, products, headshots, and commercial work. Everything else is a bonus you can add later.
Studio Lights: The Foundation of Every Shot
Your studio flash, or strobe, decides the quality, consistency, and power of your light. Two options cover most beginner needs: one for photographers who want portability and battery freedom, and one for those who want a simple setup in a fixed studio. Both are from Godox.
Portable and battery-powered
Godox AD100Pro II
A 100Ws pocket strobe with a lithium-ion battery, high-speed sync, and USB-C charging. Small enough for a camera bag.
View
Plug-in studio kit
Godox MS200-V-F 2-Light Kit
Two 200Ws plug-in monolights with LED modelling lamps, two stands, two 60x90cm softboxes, and an XT16 trigger.
View| Feature | Godox AD100Pro II | Godox MS200-V-F Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Power output | 100Ws | 2 x 200Ws |
| Power source | 7.2V, 3300mAh lithium-ion battery | 220V AC mains |
| Key features | High-speed sync up to 1/8000 sec, 5W LED modelling light, 2.4GHz wireless | LED modelling lamps, manual control, stands, softboxes, and trigger included |
| Best for | Location shoots and portable setups | Fixed home studios |
"If you have budget for the AD100 Pro II, I highly recommend them. I have pushed them on big shoots and bigger studios. They've worked really well. The battery life is incredible and the output is strong."Siobhan Brazier, @sbrazierphotography
Conrad's Advice: whatever light you buy, make sure you have a way to fire it from your camera. For most setups that means a wireless trigger made for your camera brand, so check compatibility before you check out. The MS200-V-F kit includes an XT16 trigger; for battery strobes like the AD100Pro II, the trigger is usually a separate purchase.
Light Stands: Hold Your Studio Together
The right light stand depends on how and where you shoot. A lightweight stand is fine for corporate sessions in controlled spaces. For outdoor work without an assistant, or anything with a heavy modifier overhead, you want a heavy-duty C-stand with a wider base. Siobhan recommends matching your stand to the session rather than using one option for everything.
| Feature | Godox 260T | Neewer 300cm C-Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Height range | 97cm to 260cm | 150cm to 300cm |
| Material | Aluminium alloy | Stainless steel |
| Extras | Air-cushioned sections | 120cm extension arm, two grip heads |
| Base | Folding tripod legs | Removable turtle base |
| Best for | Standard modifiers and indoor work | Heavy or overhead modifiers, and solo outdoor shoots |
Pro tip: add wheels to your light stands. Being able to slide a light across the studio between shots, rather than lifting and repositioning it, saves real time during longer sessions.
"The use of them will be dependent on the type of session you're going to be doing. For a corporate shoot you'll want something a little bit more lightweight. If you're outside and you don't have an assistant, you're going to want something more heavy duty."Siobhan Brazier, @sbrazierphotography
Reflectors: Free Fill Light
A reflector bounces your main light back into the shadow side of your subject. No extra flash, no extra power, no extra setup time. Siobhan keeps a large Godox reflector on a stand as a permanent fixture in her studio. For travel and location work, she switches to a smaller Neewer reflector that folds down small enough for her backpack.
Large studio panel
Godox RFT-07 120x180cm 5-in-1 Reflector
A large rectangular panel with a flexible steel frame and reversible cover, for fill, bounce, or diffusion.
View
Travel-friendly
Neewer 110cm 5-in-1 Reflector
A round reflector that folds to about a third of its size, with white, silver, gold, black, and diffuser surfaces.
View| Feature | Godox RFT-07 | Neewer 110cm |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 120 x 180cm, rectangular | 110cm diameter, round |
| Surfaces | Silver, white, silver/gold, black, translucent | White, silver, gold, black, diffuser |
| Folded size | About a third of full size | About a third of full size |
| Best for | Full-length fill and large studio diffusion | Headshots, travel, and location work |
"The one from Neewer is quite small. It folds up extremely small so it's easier to just chuck in my backpack."Siobhan Brazier, @sbrazierphotography
Modifiers: Shape Your Studio Light
A modifier controls the quality and direction of the light from your strobe. Without one, flash is hard and directional, which is unflattering for most portraits. With a large modifier, the same strobe becomes soft, wrapping, and easy to control. Siobhan shoots almost all of her portrait work on a single Godox octabox with a Bowens mount, the most common mount for studio modifiers.
| Feature | Godox UL-Box Octa90 | Godox UL-Box 120 |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 90cm | 120cm |
| Mount | Bowens S-type | Bowens S-type |
| Opening | Umbrella-style quick release | Umbrella-style quick release |
| Grid | Included | Included |
| Best for | Single portraits in standard spaces | Full-length portraits, groups, fashion |
Pro tip: if you are buying your first modifier, start with a 90cm octabox. It sets up fast and gives flattering light for most single-person portraits. Move up to 120cm when you need to cover more of your subject, or want a larger, softer source for beauty and full-length work. Not sure about mounts? Read Bowens Mount vs Godox Mount.
"I love my Godox octobox, I believe it's the 90 centimeter one. Pretty much all of my work is shot on this."Siobhan Brazier, @sbrazierphotography
Conrad's Advice: please seriously consider a quick-release softbox over one you have to build like a camping tent. The UL-Box range opens like an umbrella in seconds. A softbox you have to assemble rod by rod makes you want to leave it up permanently rather than pack it away, which often means you stop using it. You will thank me.
Backdrops: Set the Scene
A backdrop turns any room into a studio. The two essentials are black and white: between them you can create a wide range of looks. From there, a neutral grey opens up corporate portraits, product work, and anything that needs a clean, timeless background. Siobhan bought her first backdrops from CameraStuff and now runs them on a ceiling pulley system, so she can switch colours without moving anything heavy.
Many colours
Seamless Paper Backdrops
Start with black and white, then add a grey for corporate and product work. Easy to tear off and refresh when the floor gets marked.
See All Colours
Backdrop support
CameraStuff SBGS-288 Backdrop Stand Kit
A stainless steel backdrop stand with 96cm to 288cm uprights and a crossbar that extends from 1.2m to 3m.
View| Feature | Seamless Paper | SBGS-288 Stand Kit |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The background surface | The frame that holds it |
| Size | 2.70m x 10m rolls (other widths available) | 96cm to 288cm high, 1.2m to 3m wide |
| Material | Paper | Stainless steel |
| Load capacity | Not applicable | 5kg |
"The standard that you definitely need for your studio is a black and white one. You can get a lot of different kinds of work out of those two colours."Siobhan Brazier, @sbrazierphotography
About Siobhan Brazier
Siobhan Brazier is a portrait photographer based in Cape Town with eight years of experience photographing people from all walks of life. Her work focuses on diversity and capturing the natural character of her subjects. She partnered with CameraStuff to walk new photographers through the studio essentials she relies on most.
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Ready to Set Up Your Studio?
CameraStuff has been lighting South Africa's creatives since 2006, with genuine stock, local support, and a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you are unsure which combination suits your space, tell us what you shoot and we will help you build the right kit for where you are right now. Pop into our Randburg showroom, or get in touch online.
Visit Our StoreStudio Essentials FAQs
What studio lights should I start with as a beginner?
One strobe in the 100 to 200Ws range covers most beginner portrait and product work. The Godox AD100Pro II suits photographers who want a portable, battery-powered light. The Godox MS200-V-F kit suits a fixed home studio, with two plug-in lights, stands, softboxes, and a trigger in one box.
Do I need a C-stand or will a regular light stand do?
A standard light stand like the Godox 260T handles most studio setups and is easy to move. A C-stand is worth adding when you use heavy modifiers, booms, or shoot outdoors without an assistant.
What is the difference between a softbox and an octabox?
An octabox is an eight-sided softbox. It gives round catchlights in the eyes, which many portrait photographers prefer, while rectangular softboxes give rectangular catchlights. How soft the light is depends mainly on the size of the modifier and how close it is to your subject.
How big a reflector do I need for portraits?
A large panel, like the Godox RFT-07 at 120x180cm, gives you fill for full-length portraits and stays on a stand in the studio. A 110cm round reflector, like the Neewer 5-in-1, is easier to carry and covers headshots and half-length portraits on location.
Can I build a home studio in stages?
Yes. Start with one light, one stand, one modifier, and a reflector, then add a second light, a C-stand, or a larger modifier as your work grows. CameraStuff offers a 60-day money-back guarantee if something is not right for you.
Further reading: Flash (photography), C-stand, Wikipedia.
Conrad Knuist
Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist
Conrad Knuist is Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist at CameraStuff, South Africa's specialist camera and lighting retailer. With over 18 years of hands-on experience across portrait, event, and commercial photography, Conrad helps creators at every level find the right tools for their work.
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