Any location photographers here?

[babuszka]

Hi all, I just thought I'd pop in and ask a couple of questions.
I'm planning on moving to CA in the future and starting to do wedding photography/portraiture on location. Mainly doing that b/c of the amount of cost it takes to have a studio and it being southern california...also because unlike the midwest, the weather is quite lovely and obviously doesn't change every damn week...

I've seen some location photographers on here, primarily wedding photogs who don't have a studio, and it works fine for them and they make a living.

For any of you location photogs, have you lost a huge amount of business because of the fact that you dont have a studio? I would think in a place like sunny California, locatoin photography would just flourish. I am concerned with people not hiring me simply because I don't have a studio. I know that with wedding ONLY or if I do both, I'd have to market to a specific group which might not care about a specific studio setting, but I wonder if many people would not consider me simply b/c of that...

(Btw, before anyone advises me, yes I know it'll be hard and the percentage of success of slim, so just post your thoughts on the above topic....)

Thank you :D

[koppiwrite]

I guess there is really no way of knowing how many I LOST because of not having a studio. When clients look at your site and you work they should know your style. They know that studio work isn't "your thing" and they are typically ok with that. They choose you because of your style, quality etc, not necessarily location. Plus, play it up like it is a selling point. I tell them that we can use locations that are important or meaningful to them (this works great with engagement sessions) and it helps us customize their portrait experience.

[babuszka]

I guess there is really no way of knowing how many I LOST because of not having a studio. When clients look at your site and you work they should know your style. They know that studio work isn't "your thing" and they are typically ok with that. They choose you because of your style, quality etc, not necessarily location. Plus, play it up like it is a selling point. I tell them that we can use locations that are important or meaningful to them (this works great with engagement sessions) and it helps us customize their portrait experience.

Thanks for the reply.

Well studio would be good because you do have a lot of control but I love location b/c people seem to be more comfortable in nature or in their surroundings - it might bring their personality out more.

[Gentleman Villain]

One of my best friends is a wedding photography at a beach town in Orange County. He didn't have a studio for more than 10 years and just worked on location. He wasn't quite able to get enough work to make a living and still worked a second job as a photo lab manager. He found another photographer to share a studio with and it didn't take long until he had more work than he could handle and was able to quit his lab job. He's now able to charge much higher fees and also has since moved into his own studio to use for some commercial jobs during the week and no longer has to share with another photographer

Just wanted to share....everybody has a different approach to business and what worked for my friend might be different than what works for you. In my friend's case....most of his photographs are taken on location but he still needed the studio to book the jobs and confidently charge higher rates. He's very happy about moving into the studio.

[babuszka]

Gentleman Villain, thanks!
Well what I was considering is since I would be starting out - not much contacts, practically a noob when it comes to having some sort of "presence", a good business choice (I think at least) would be portraits too, senior portraits, headshots, to get my name out there and to pick up some money while I'm starting out.

The down side, is some photographers have a hard time changing their "niche" midway through their career. That's what sucks. I would love to only do wedding/portraiture, not really senior portraits, more of "lifestyle" type of pictures.

When its business though, you gotta think about what will get you out there and help you make a living. The more things you do, the easier is for your name to get out there.

I just don't know how hard it will be to make a transition if I do combine studio portraiture with what I would like to do.

[Gentleman Villain]

My friend is totally Southern California...he grew up out there and understands the whole culture of the area. He kinda reminds of Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. HIs attitude has a lot to do with how successful his business has been and he knows his way around that part of the state....I'd say the hardest part for somebody from the midwest moving out to the West coast is actually gonna be cultural more than technically photographic....just getting along with people and understanding what they will pay for and how they want things presented is probably the hard part...

Good luck to ya man...I hope it works out for ya :)

[babuszka]

My friend is totally Southern California...he grew up out there and understands the whole culture of the area. He kinda reminds of Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. HIs attitude has a lot to do with how successful his business has been and he knows his way around that part of the state....I'd say the hardest part for somebody from the midwest moving out to the West coast is actually gonna be cultural more than technically photographic....just getting along with people and understanding what they will pay for and how they want things presented is probably the hard part...

Good luck to ya man...I hope it works out for ya :)

Well I'm actually not from the mid west, I lived in South Florida for most of my life and I love that environment. My husband lived in Southern California for most of his life so it won't be anything new. Im actually looking forward to getting out of the midwest.

I'm sure it will be a lot of hard work, but I'm actually looking forward to working hard instead of going to boring classes every day.

Thanks though, appreciate it!

[KHatch]

Fuzzy Dunkel ( http://www.duenkel.com/) is a very successful location photographer.

[Picture North Carolina]

I'd say the hardest part for somebody from the midwest moving out to the West coast is actually gonna be cultural more than technically photographic.

Being born and raised in SoCal, I can unequivocally say ain't that truth! But also noteworthy is the culture shock of somebody like myself who moved from SoCal to the east.

The bottom line? Know your markets - know your customers. Before plunging head first into the cold, deep end of the pool, do market research.

[JBMills]

checked out fuzzy's site, great looking shots!

[babuszka]

Being born and raised in SoCal, I can unequivocally say ain't that truth! But also noteworthy is the culture shock of somebody like myself who moved from SoCal to the east.

The bottom line? Know your markets - know your customers. Before plunging head first into the cold, deep end of the pool, do market research.

I can only imagine what type of culture shock someone thats been in a small town all their lives would encounter!
I feel sorry for those people b/c they might leave with a bad impression of those areas.

[babuszka]

Fuzzy Dunkel (http://www.duenkel.com/) is a very successful location photographer.

He has very beautiful photos!

[DanteCaspian]

One of my best friends is a wedding photography at a beach town in Orange County. He didn't have a studio for more than 10 years and just worked on location. He wasn't quite able to get enough work to make a living and still worked a second job as a photo lab manager. He found another photographer to share a studio with and it didn't take long until he had more work than he could handle and was able to quit his lab job. He's now able to charge much higher fees and also has since moved into his own studio to use for some commercial jobs during the week and no longer has to share with another photographer

Just wanted to share....everybody has a different approach to business and what worked for my friend might be different than what works for you. In my friend's case....most of his photographs are taken on location but he still needed the studio to book the jobs and confidently charge higher rates. He's very happy about moving into the studio.

That is a good story!
Thanks for sharing!

[RDKirk]

Not having a studio is a handicap you have to overcome to gain certain business, although having one is a definite economic burden that you have to overcome to stay in business.

Wedding photographers are most able to do without a studio because their work is or can be wholly on location. Their primary consideration is where to hold consultations and sales sessions. Many do those in the clients' homes or in "alternative" business locations like coffee shops, but those can be problematical because of the lack of control you have of the premises.

Those portrait photographers marketing to high-end clients (which is, frankly, where the sustainable business actually is) can also do most of their work at their clients' locations because these will be people with homes they will want to showcase.

For a new portrait/wedding photographer, a studio is part of the "validation" that prospective clients are likely to look for. In my early years, there was not a single person I introduced myself as a photographer to who did not ask, "Do you have a studio?" or "Where is your studio?" With so many people running around with brand new cameras, prospective clients want to know if you're "real" or just a fly-by-night.

But for the already-established professional, doing away with a studio is quite viable. He already has a name, already has plenty of business by reference.

Even if you don't have a full studio, it's very helpful to have at least a small commercial office space in which to do consultations, sales presentations, and to show your work and personality.

The big thing right now for portrait photographers is the "boutique" studio that is designed to attract women clients (who are the people most likely to make the photography buying decision). In that case, the studio--or commercial office--must be an extension of your personality, the kind of place that invites women to do business with you because they like and trust you as a person. It's hard to do that in a coffee shop or a day-rental space.

The space does not have to be on main street or in a mall. My studio is actually part of a quaint "village" type area that houses "personal" businesses such as therapists, an old book store, a gift shop, and even an astrologer. I work totally by appointment, so "foot traffic" is irrelevant, and I'm most often away on location anyway.

Yet, as mentioned, you have to pay for space, and to a great extent it may be space you seldom use in terms of actual hours spent in the room.

[babuszka]

hey thanks for your guys' replies,