Starting a photography studio and gallery has always been a dream of mine. So I was at studio night last week and I was thinking it’s probably time to make a plan, and by plan I mean a plan to meet my goal: in 5 years I either want to have my own studio space, or to be renting one regularly.

So how to get there from here?

Well I need three things:

1. Get much much better at lighting.
2. Build both a solid online presence and in person network.
3. Develop a unique and recognizable style.

So these are the steps I’m currently taking to accomplish the first point.

• Lighting classes – I’ve signed up for several, and I plan to continue this. Watching how people are studio nights build and craft an image by adding and changing lights is great, I need to get more experience so that I can do this myself instead of following other people’s setups.
• Develop a solid online presence. One thing I’ve come to appreciate the last few years is the power of networking. I’m not great at being extroverted with people I don’t know, but luckily for me the internet exists. So this blog, studio nights, and regular posting online are great for that. But studio nights and workshops are there to help build my confidence to run my own set. I do need to continue to look into AI tools to help build my online presence (I think Google searches will transform into Chatgpt discussions instead and I need to be setup for that.)
• Developing a unique style takes time and it takes practice. I’m patient, this will come.

Oh and I want to do the whole thing on film.

These are my near term goals that I’m not doing yet but will be starting over the remainder of this year. Both of these are doable using my pets, action figures, or myself as a model.

• Practice solo at least once per month with a single light setup.
• Replicate lighting setups I admire, then experiment with variations.

My year two goals:

• Start designing my own lighting setups for studio nights.
• Begin building a small personal lighting kit for home/portable use.
• Get feedback from lighting mentors/peers once per quarter.
• Pick 2-3 repeating visual motifs (e.g., backlit haze, minimal composition, harsh shadows) and start weaving them into my work.
• Begin creating BTS videos and posting them online.

My year three goals:

• Begin offering test shoots to collaborators where I control lighting entirely.
• Try a few advanced film lighting scenarios (e.g., gels, multiple strobes, mixed lighting).
• Develop a few cornerstone content pieces that answer likely AI/search questions:”How do I shoot film in studio?” or “Best lighting setups for medium format portraits”
• Publish a strong series (8–12 images) that explores one concept fully.
• Compare my first-year style log with current output, and revise my direction based on patterns in lighting, posing, subject material, composition, and overall style.

My year four goals:

• Offer portfolio-building sessions for others where I rent studio space. Do this once per quarter.
• Lock in my visual identity (color palette, design motifs, composition style, preferred gear).
• Portfolio site tuned for AI discovery (structured content, Q&A, artist statements)

Finally, year five:

• Launch a signature body of work that defines my brand.
• Regularly rent studio space (ideally 1–2x/month or more).
• Transition to my new domain/website (I already have the name picked out!)

So there it is. One gap you might have noticed that’s missing is the business plan. How am I going to monetize this. Well, I don’t think I am. I think it remains a personal project for my own creativity.