conservation

By Stephanie A. Smith and Megan Just. As seen in Professional Photographer's Web Exclusives.

Conserving energy in your photography business is remarkably easy. The changes you can make are so subtle that you'll hardly notice anything is different. But the ecological payoff of your green actions is anything but subtle; small efforts make a huge collective difference to our environment. And while you're busy saving the Earth, you'll be entertained by watching your power bills plummet. Here are some easy ways you can conserve energy in your photography business:

Natural Lighting

It is obvious that shooting outside uses less energy than shooting inside. When possible, make the outdoors your default shooting location. For the inevitable indoor or studio sessions, consider mitigating the power drainers like studio lights. Use a space with skylights and lots of windows if you can.

Swap your traditional light bulbs for Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs). CFLs, although they cost a little more up front, will end up saving you about $100 of electricity for each light bulb per year and they will last 10 to 15 times longer than standard bulbs. Regularly taking little steps like these to reduce the power demand that comes from shooting indoors will add up in the long run.

Electronics

Taking the time to set the hibernate, power off, and energy conserve functions on your advanced electronics will conserve a great amount of energy while extending the life of your electronics. For example, set sleep modes to cycle after 15 minutes of idle time. PC users can download a software program called CO2 Saver to save energy.

For items that cannot be preset to power off, be conscientious about manually turning them off when not in use. You can save yourself time and effort by plugging all the small electrical appliances in a room into one power strip. This way, you only have to turn off one button at the end of each day.

For sensitive equipment like computers and printers plugged into a power strip, perform a proper shut-down sequence and turn it off before shutting off the power strip. Check the specifications of your power strip to make sure it can handle the energy use of the appliances plugged into it. According to IdealBite.com, if 10,000 people used a power strip and actually turned it off when they were not in the office, they, as a group, would save $300,000 per year (that is the equivalent of 38 Nikon D3Xs!).

Before you depart on your next travel photography trip, physically unplug all your electronics. Appliances that are off but plugged in will still draw electricity, especially if they are the type that has a status light or display. This can include your battery chargers, cell phones, DVD players and televisions. These electronics all continue to draw current even when they are turned off, are not charging, or do not have anything plugged into them.

This is known as "phantom" energy use, which can account for 5% of an individual's home energy use. To prevent phantom use, unplug it! Yes, even the inconvenient items like your alarm clock, coffee maker, printer, TV, and the actual power strips themselves.

Look for power supply that is hot to the touch. Heat is a waste product of excessive energy use, and an indicator that an appliance is drawing excessive power. You can purchase an inexpensive energy meter, such as the Kill-A-Watt, to see which appliances are drawing the most phantom power. When it's time to buy a new piece of electronic equipment, be sure to buy an item that has an excellent Energy Star rating.

Heating And Cooling

Did you know by making several small adjustments to your thermostat you can save up to 10% on your energy bill? According to Energy Savers, for every one degree you turn your thermostat down for heating and up for cooling, for eight hours you can save 1% on your energy bill. Cranking up the heating and cooling in our homes is unnecessary if we can regulate our comfort by layering clothing, opening windows, and using fans to circulate air. Open a window before you reach for the fan. Put on a sweatshirt before you turn the thermostat up.

The Minnesota Municipal Power Agency says that by turning on ceiling or floor fans, you can raise your thermostat four degrees without affecting your comfort. Additionally, using shutters, blinds, or insulated window shades to control the amount of sunlight entering your studio can reduce the heat buildup in the summer. Older windows have a very low insulation rating; replace single pane windows with double pane. There are new federal tax credits available for energy efficient windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, water heaters, solar panels ... the list goes on! Check out the details at EnergyStar.gov.

Finally, take advantage of the free energy assessments that most energy providers offer. You can also inquire with your energy provider about renewable energy source options.

For more simple ideas on how to conserve energy in your photography studio, visit Greener Photography.

Photographer Stephanie A. Smith specializes in candid images of pets. She lives in Tampa, Florida. PawsitivelyPictures.com

Megan Just is a freelance writer with a degree in Natural Resources from Oregon State University. MeganJust.com

Resources

Greener Photography

Ideal Bite

365 Ways To Live Green, Diane Gow McDilda, F + W Publications, 2007

"Is Phantom Energy Haunting your House?"

Kill-A-Watt Energy Meter

We asked what conservation methods you were using in your home and business and here is what you said:

    * Bike commuting.

    * Opening windows and using ceiling fans instead of A/C.

    * Composting food waste.

    * Vegetable garden.

    * Exercising the power of purchasing locally.

    * Changed all bulbs to energy efficient bulbs.

    * Turn off electronics, unplug when not in use.

    * Program to sleep after several minutes of non-use.

    * Use energy star appliances.

    * Turn off lights not in use.

    * Insulate non-air tight windows.

    * Use LED light when possible.

    * Shoot by natural light whenever possible.

    * Shoot locally whenever possible, and use/refer to local, vendors when possible.

    * Use cross ventilation and fans instead of the air conditioner, etc.

    * All computers/equipment are unplugged (some via power strips) when not in use.

    * The studio is only heated/cooled when in use. It's well insulated too!

    * re-use packaging material and recycle everything I can.

    * Use all rechargeable NiMH batteries for my equipment.

    * I shut down my computer at night time and turn off lights when I leave a room.

    * Using fans instead of AC, heating below 67, using the US Mail pick up vice delivery

    * Fridge is full and will be doing carbon offset.

    * We chose a location that had skylights so we don't use any lights in the daytme (actually one flourescent in an office).

    * We use Greener Printer for most of our marketing pieces and biz cards- 100% recycled (50% post consumer) papers and soy inks.

    * We try to be as paperless as possible as far as admin. goes.

    * I ride my bike to the studio everyday. We use an on-demand water heater at home and at the studio- tankless.

    * Computers are turned off when not in use for more than 8 hours.

    * Lights are off, as a new window has been installed in the office to allow for more natural light.

    * I open windows to regulate temperature when the weather is pleasant, but otherwise keep the thermostat between 65-70 degrees farenheit in the winter and 70-75 in the warmer parts of the year.

    * I turn off everything I am not using.

    * Instead of using the air conditioner regularly, we utilize our ceiling fans and floor fans during the summer. We turn off our computers, monitors, and speakers whenever they are not in use.

    * I limit my paper and energy use as much as possible.

    * I keep all of my client proofing online,

    * All invoices and record keeping are kept to a digital medium to avoid printing.

    * I limit all packaging in product delivery.

    * I unplug all computer and photography equipment from outlets when not in use.

    * When I require print deliveries, I make sure multiple orders come at the same time to lessen carbon emissions.

    * I am currently looking for a solar powered battery charger. All regular lights use low energy bulbs.

    * Lights, printers, computers and other electronics are turned off when not in use. We generally do not run the A/C but use the fan or windows for fresh air as much as possible. (Except in the summer, because that's insane to do in Texas!)

    * We use a combination of turning off unused lights and installing energy-efficient bulbs for our lighting needs.

    * We only use air conditioning if the building is in use, and then only if we really need it.

    * We line-dry in appropriate weather instead of using the electric dryer.

    * We use the small toaster oven instead of the large oven whenever possible.

    * I purchased a new Toyota Prius hybrid (45 MPG!!!).

    * I turn all power strips off at the end of the day.

    * I use Dell computer designed to waste as little energy as possible.

    * Cold water for washing clothes

    * Promotion of greener photographic products through my blog.

    * Financial support of energy conservation initiatives.

    * Promotion of preserving natural areas through my photographs.

    * I drive my scooter as much as possible.

    * My windows are open and fans are on therefore allowing more air flow and less a/c.

    * I recycle everything as well as recycle my friends that live in areas that don't have recycling.

    * I work from home and have 3 other gals I shoot with and we always carpool. I have changed my delivery days to one day only and map it out, any other stops I need to make such as post office, Kinkos.. are all mapped into it. I also no longer use lights...

    * Avoiding 'phantom' energy drains such as plugged in chargers and appliances

    * I'm on the HOA Board in my community (home-based business) and apply all my conservation-minded thinking there as well.

    * I use window light to light my office/ studio rather than lamps throughout the day.

    * The hall/ bathroom lights in my building are on timers.

    * I pay for clean energy through my electric company.

    * I have recently become a NuRide supporter, their clients receive a discount on services in turn encouraging them to carpool more often.

    * No electronics, or electrical devices, are left in the on position when not in use.

    * Thermostat is set at 68 in the winter and 75 in the summer (we use the ac for one week in summer otherwise it is open windows and ceiling fans).

    * I use the library instead of purchasing books.

    * Solar outdoor lights.

    * I specific live within walking distance to both metro & train to cut down on car travel that doesn't require large amounts of gear.

    * I have implemented delivering files both finished & scouting via an internet upload cutting way down on both packaging and the use of delivery sources.

    * I have a small business partnership with carbonfund.org to offset all greenhouse gas emissions my studio is responsible for through normal operations as well as through travel for jobs.

    * I encourage all my clients (brides) to purchase carbon offsets for their wedding. I am also working on developing an online directory for green wedding vendors and I have written a number of articles for various web sites on how to incorporate low-impact ideas into weddings.

    * All studio plants are water by 'reclaimed' resources.

    * Carpooling with other photographers along on landscape shoots

    * Album and prints are made in the US and we email our files for printing.

    * We go paperless whenever we can.

Drive a fuel efficient vehicle.