What equipment should I inspect when buying a photography studio?

Ask for a complete equipment list with make, serial number, age and condition. Walk through the studio and match every item physically. Missing pieces and items owned by the photographer personally, not the studio, are common surprises.

Test the gear. Fire cameras and check the shutter count if it is available. Look at lenses for scratches, fungus or sticky focus. Run lighting heads and strobes at various power levels and listen for odd sounds. Check batteries and chargers. A working camera with worn accessories can still slow a shoot.

Don’t overlook the computers and storage. Editing machines, colour-accurate monitors, backup drives and cloud storage all hold client work. Ask how files are backed up and where old shoots are kept. Check software licences and make sure they can transfer to you. Consider age and replacement cycles. Cameras and computers age out quickly. Ask what the seller replaced recently and what is due. Then ask an independent photographer or technician to look over the main items, and tell your lender and accountant what upgrades you might need. If anything is financed or leased, find out who owns it.

Key takeaways

• Match a serial-numbered equipment list to what is physically in the studio.
• Test cameras, lenses and lights, and ask a technician to check key items.
• Confirm software licences and equipment ownership can pass to you.
• Budget for near-term replacements on cameras and computers, which age quickly.