Store Front or In Home Studio

[tonyr0584]

I currently use a small area in our home for my studio. I have an opportunity to rent a small building that would be great in terms of the increased size along with the location aspect. My question, does anyone have a personal pref as to one or the other and are there really any large benefits to having either? Does it help to have a store front versus in-home studio?

[Tumeg]

I think customers would feel more comfortable going to a studio\store rather then your home.
And with a store\studio, you will get lots more business because of the comfort, and because people will see it when walking\driving by, ect.

[ssim]

If your focus is portraiture then I agree with Tumeg on his reasoning. Lots of couples are more comfortable using established store front even for wedding photos.

It is a big step. I've known many that have gone this route only to see a for lease sign in the window in a short period of time. This is a business now rather than just doing some shooting out of your home. I would make sure that you have a solid business plan that is realistic and has allowances for those periods of time when you are going to go without customers. Setting aside for those rainy days, so to speak.

[Francis Farmer]

I disagree. If you are planning on shooting inside alot, then a set aside studio is better than trying to cram it all in one room of you house.

But if you are an onlocation only photographer, then you can advertise, and succed without a store front.

I have several women in my area doing just that. In fact I have just sold my 3600 square foot building and will be a location photographer. Yes I will probably do less volumne, but my overhead will be alot less, alot.