Reddit reviews Julius Studio Photo Video Studio 10 ft. Wide Cross Bar 7.3 ft. Tall Backdrop Stand, Background Support System Kit with Clamp, Sand Bag, Carry Bag, Photography Studio, JSAG283

Your best bet is just doing it yourself using you iPhone and these few items from Amazon. It'll cost you about $100 for these 3 items, but you'll never have to pay someone to do it for you, so its worth it.

https://www.amazon.com/Julius-Studio-Photography-Backdrop-Background/dp/B015YHXHWQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1526082839&sr=1-3&keywords=white+photo+backdrop

https://www.amazon.com/Julius-Studio-Background-Backdrop-Photography/dp/B072BCNRTY/ref=pd_bxgy_421_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B072BCNRTY&pd_rd_r=3P35Q5G0Z2FWQG3Q4TAK&pd_rd_w=ZQN9c&pd_rd_wg=ReAuO&psc=1&refRID=3P35Q5G0Z2FWQG3Q4TAK

https://www.amazon.com/Fancierstudio-DK2-Professional-Photography-continuous/dp/B004TSCARK/ref=sr_1_7?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1526082936&sr=1-7&keywords=studio+lighting

Get yourself a box resizer and a good razor knife. Sometimes a half an ounce or less can make the difference between $5 shipping and $7+, and you will also save packaging material by not having to stuff half of a box with packing paper or bubble wrap.

Box Resizer tool On Amazon $16.99 - Free Shipping

DONT BUY BUBBLE WRAP LOCALLY AT THE STORE. GET IT ON AMAZON.

I almost never pay more than $27 for 700ft of bubblewrap. I used to spend more than that on 250ft when I was buying it at Lowe's or Staples.

Bubblewrap on Amazon for $25.88 with free shipping

Keep an eye out for something like this at thrift stores, you can find them ALL THE TIME, usually for around $5 - $7, and they are GREAT for mounting your rolls of bubble wrap on to save space and make dispensing it easy.

Clothes rack with bar

For taking photos, I use something like this setup. I place the backdrop stand behind a dresser and drape the fabric backdrop over the top of it and tuck it into my top drawer for a seamless background that I can also lean items against since it's tucked in.

Backdrop + Stand Kit $36.90 on Amazon. Free Shipping

Photography Lighting Kit $52.10 On Amazon - Free Shipping

Yes - We set up the sparkly backdrop and bought TONS of fun props at the dollar store and online. Big hits were inflatables (inflatable pickle, inflatable flamingoes), glow necklaces and LED batons, and the Mexican luchador wrestling masks. We put a big sign on an easel with our hashtag to encourage people to share their photos and videos. I rented two super bright LED lights from my photographer so that the area was really well lit for quality pics. We paid for a 2nd shooter as part of our photography package and she was basically stationed there from after dinner through the end of the contract taking pictures of guests at the station, in addition to guests taking their own pictures with their phone.

Here's the backdrop frame I bought from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BCNRTY/ref=sxts_kp_bs_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=8778bc68-27e7-403f-8460-de48b6e788fb&pd_rd_wg=zySdW&pf_rd_r=Y65QGMR8EF2PC6J56FV6&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B072BCNRTY&pd_rd_w=ICthz&pf_rd_i=photo+backdrop+frame&pd_rd_r=ce238929-391a-45ca-bec2-14844bc4c535&ie=UTF8&qid=1540929096&sr=1

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The silver sparkly backdrop was from Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/listing/263963777/sequin-photo-backdrop-sequence-wedding?ref=shop_home_feat_1

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Nicholas Cage from was from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Nicolas-Cage-Life-Size-Cutout-x/dp/B00WUN7FFI/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1540929167&sr=1-1&keywords=nicholas+cage+cardboard+cutout

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We also did cutout big heads on sticks of us (bride & groom), our cats, Guy Fieri, and George & Gil from Oh, Hello (Nick Kroll and John Mulaney) from Build-A-Head.com - they have groupons available for discounts!

I'm buying a backdrop and stand setup. AKA, Muslin holder.

Just looking for any advice on what to buy. Maybe there's a favored brand or standard for this type of thing?

It will be used for portraits and product photography.

This Julius Studio one seems entry level and slightly more favored on amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BCNRTY/ref=psdc_3444601_t1_B00E6GRHBO

I also need the muslin backdrops, in at least white and black. Would also like medium grey. I guess I could make use of green.

So maybe this package?
https://www.amazon.com/Julius-Studio-Adjustable-Background-Backdrop/dp/B075SQG2HW/ref=pd_sbs_421_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B075SQG2HW&pd_rd_r=F6YC1P4VZKX44WD280RP&pd_rd_w=0Lhev&pd_rd_wg=LZm7z&psc=1&refRID=F6YC1P4VZKX44WD280RP


Thanks

If you want the camera to just see whatever product, and arms/hands, it will need to be as close to directly overhead as possible.

But since you only have one tripod at the moment, I might suggest trying to place the camera as directly over your daughters head as possible. Have her sit, and then position the tripod legs so that the camera can be just above and as much out in front of your daughters head as possible, so that she will basically be sitting under the tripod.

Please secure the tripod, because I was 15 once and the thing might probably get knocked over at one point.

A better solution for this particular angle you mention would be to get two stands and a crossbar, such as those made for holding photographic backgrounds.

Add to that a clamp with 1/4-20 mounting screw and you can safely attach the camera to the crossbar, have it overhead, and not worry so much about things being knocked over. This also get the camera out of the way should you want to setup a second camera for shooting a different angle.

Clamp: https://www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Ballhead-Multi-function-Adapter-Ronin-M/dp/B00DJ5XH4O/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1540209251&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=camera+mount+clamp&psc=1

There are better and worse options, and since I don't know which camera you have at the moment, here is a generic type of mount that could work for the situation.

The background stand:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072BCNRTY/ref=sxts_kp_bs_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=8778bc68-27e7-403f-8460-de48b6e788fb&pd_rd_wg=E8goB&pf_rd_r=JDNSYA2WH7VPFQXK5NWX&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B072BCNRTY&pd_rd_w=ydei2&pf_rd_i=photo+background+stand&pd_rd_r=78d3d95b-dba0-4370-b6ec-4ba5c7cac38b&ie=UTF8&qid=1540209393&sr=1

This is something cheap that would get the job done, and with the clamp would allow you to position the camera over the table.

However, if the camera is larger than a basic mirrorless a6300, another solution might be in order.

Here is an overhead tripod that might support a bit more weight if you had a full size DSLR:
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Magnesium-Aluminium-Overhead-Professional/dp/B073ZC46SL/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1540209508&sr=1-3&keywords=overhead+camera+tripod

The problem being it doesn't allow for great positioning, just like your current tripod.


Hope these ideas help.

I am trying to setup a very beginner's studio in my basement. I have a 25 feet by 20 feet space (no windows) that I plan to use. Would this equipment work for me?

1. Julius Studio 10 foot wide backdrop stand
   
2. [Cowboy Studio 10x12 feet grey muslin cloth] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VCW6G0/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER) (Or for a small studio, should I go black or white instead?)
   
3. Neewer 37" beehive octagon softbox (will this work with my Yongnuo 560 speedlight?)
   
4. Neewer s-type holder with bowens mount (Does this fit the softbox?)
   
5. Impact air-cushioned light stand 8' (And this will fit the holder?)
   
   Would love to hear opinions on these, and also if I am buying stuff that will work with each other.
   
   Thank you!

I haven’t tried this, but perhaps a photography background stand with curtains or fabric that matches your venues draped around it or tied to the side?

Here’s a stand I found on Amazon

And you can add any curtains or fabric you like draped around to hide the legs. You can find black sequin curtains for pretty cheap

You might try one of these plus one of these.