When did you upgrade to a storefront/studio from home office/studio?

[stlouissteel]

First off, thank you for everyone who has contributed to these threads, I have learned so much in the last year about photography, the business, technical, and creative sides. Invaluable resource at this point.

I was wondering from those of you that have studios, when did you finally make the investment and what was the tipping point when you pulled the trigger?

When you did go the studio route, how big or small did you start?

Was it for financial, creative or other reasons? Also, did you buy a turn-key, find a rehab or how did your search go?

Thanks, I will hang up and listen, first time caller, long time listener...

Joe
40D, 70-200 F/2.8L IS, 50 F/1.4, 580EXII,
I have lens envy...next on the wish list lights, reflectors, 5D and 24-70...

[RDKirk]

I started home-based, moved to a retail studio, then moved out of it when all my business became purely locational. At some point, I may buy or build a house that is designed to be a studio. More likely, I will open a small retail gallery/office.

According to very precise survey data from PPA's Studio Management Services, operating a retail/storefront studio is one of the primary ways to avoid making a profit. Even for commercial photographers, if there is any way to avoid that overhead and operate purely from occasional rentals or on-location or from your home--take it.

Studio Management Services looks closely at how overhead relates to the cost of sales for each job. They've found that a photographer who does not run a retail studio can afford to allow his per-job cost of sales to rise to as much as 35% and live comfortably, but a photographer who owns a retail studio must ruthlessly keep his cost of sales below 25% just to stay afloat. That is not easy to do--the building is a money pit unless your business is very, very busy. Generally, running a profitable retail studio goes hand-in-hand with a business large enough to support "staff." Judge it in that manner: When your business is large enough for you to need two or three permanent staff, then it's large enough for you to need space to seat them.

Statistically, the most successful portrait studios are those operated from homes designed or remodeled for studio purposes. By far, statistically the least successful of all photography businesses are wedding photographers with a retail studio.

Yet, it's also true that having a "real business location" can be extremely important to establish a new professional. One option for many (and especially for wedding photographers) is to have a small retail space just to carry out consultations, viewings, and such. That provides the "professional business look" without as much overhead.

[aepoc]

One option for many (and especially for wedding photographers) is to have a small retail space just to carry out consultations, viewings, and such. That provides the "professional business look" without as much overhead.


I like this idea very much!

[stlouissteel]

RD,
Thanks, exactly what I have been finding in my research as well.

I appreciate you sharing your experience with everyone, very insightful.

Looking forward to seeing other responses on this issue.

Joe

[golfecho]

Thanks, I will hang up and listen, first time caller, long time listener...

Joe


bw!

[stlouissteel]

bw!


Does that make me a troll?