Renting out a studio area...

We (my husband & I) have been looking at several options for me to move into a studio, we've weighed out a home studio and feel that moving to a studio is the best option for right now.

The best rental that we have found is in a downtown historic area! It'll be perfect! It's in an 100 year old building, with original doors, flooring & exposed brick wall- it has a ton of charm! The location isn't the busiest street in the downtown area but it's close to a popular salon & cupcake store amongst other great businesses so people will be walking/driving by!

My one concern is that there are at least 3 if not 4 other photographer studios in the same 2 block area. I do feel that I have something different & unique to offer than the other photographers but I also feel like it could be looked at negatively for being 'just another photographer moving in."

I just wanted to know what others thought about renting a studio rental with so many other's close by!
The rental landlord told me it's a lot like restaurants, everyone starts wondering what the other offers & starts shopping around. But I just don't know if that really is accurate!

Any helpful thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Firstly let me preface this by saying that I do not run a studio but have know some people who do.

From what I have been told, I would not bank on getting lots of "walk in" customers irrespective of the location of your studio.

Customers that you do get will be driven to your store by your marketing and whatever promotions you do. It has been said here before that if you open a studio and sit behind the desk waiting for clients you will go out of business very quickly indeed.

For that reason I do not see the existance of the other studios as being a big problem, however I do not necessarily see it as being a positive factor either.

It is common for motor traders to group together as in doing so they will generate a higher footfall albeit at the expense of greater competition - this works for them because even with the internet people go out looking at cars they will buy - I just don't see people saying "I want a family portrait, lets go look at some photographers studios"

Other things that I would rate higher are things like the buildings suitability, how much investment will it take to make it usable as a studio, is there local parking available for clients, is the studio accessible for dissabled clients etc.

I worked from various studios in London (longer ago than I care to remember) and they were nearly all one of many studios in the same building.

I see it as a really positive thing, it actually makes you more credible being in amongst other professionals. It creates a buzzy atmosphere. It is also great to mingle with other creative people and providing they are easygoing, you can all share tips, equipment, clients even.

It isn't usually direct competition with each other, if you get the right place, more a synergy.

Depends upon your niche in photography, but getting clients is often best done by other means than footfall past your premises. A great way can be to get a Google Local/Places listing for your business and get a website at top of the searches for your area - not that hard to do.

Patrick

I've been in business for 2 years now & really feel that I have a great clientele already. I do have a google local/places listing for my current home address & hope that changing to this new location won't hurt my rankings! & my website & blog have been ranking higher & higher as the months go so I think that is getting there!

This studio won't require a lot of work, just paint on one side of the wall, some of my artwork, furniture & maybe a rug! Well and of course a desk & office equipment.
I currently have been working out of my dinning/living room- which has been suitable but not sustainable for a business nor is it very comfortable for my clients! They haven't minded but I want to give them the best I can!

My personality is not one who will just sit around and wait for clients to walk in. I see myself as someone who will sit a table outside the door & allow anyone who walks by to sit & just chat!

I will be doing open houses & other events in my studio to try & lure the community in! Thedowntown area does a lot of events as well so I will always try to be open on those evenings as well!

@Universal Riches: What you said about it being amongst other professionals makes you more credible makes a lot of sense! I haven't personally met any of these photographers but I hope they are easy going & not easily bent out of shape when a new one comes in!

Thanks for the advice so far! I'm feeling more & more like we are going to go for it!

SnapsbyPoteat wrote in post #12967262
Thanks for the advice so far! I'm feeling more & more like we are going to go for it!

It really sounds to me like you've found a place that inspires you.

If it was me, I'd just pop in to see the other photographers, get a feel for them and anything they have to say ... all the time trusting your intuition. If it feels good, then go for it. I find that probably the most important thing for inspiration is my environment, the place you've found sounds like where I'd like a studio, off the mainstream, quirky and characterful.

Be interested to hear what your area of photography is, if you'd like to share.

Patrick

I'll be the devils advocate.

I am assuming you have run the numbers of all associated costs of occupying the building for a minimum term and if you have, those numbers are easily covered by a client base that will not let you lose sleep at night.

It's a common response in a thread like this, you get one half that tell you to go for it and let your creative spirit run wild, then people like me come along and stick you in the vein with a shot of kneecapping. I don't mean to be derogatory and suggest your capability of making tonnes of money is impossible. I am saying, your living room expense to a commercial square footage expense is very different.

As for the close proximity of other outlets, survival of the fittest. If you have what the general public want, it doesn't matter if there are a 100 photo studios on the same street, you will be dominant. If you join the herd, you will be swallowed.

If you ever go to get gas most likely you notice that at an intersection there will be several different stations. If you buy fast food most likely there will be several choices all within walking distance. The strategy is that while competition is next door the number of choices increases consumer traffic for that area and inevitably that increase will make it's way to your business. Do not be worried about competition. More traffic will result. Focus on art and the quality of service you wish to provide. You may end up with some of your competitions clients one day when their photographer can't make the appointment or are shopping for another photographer.

i would go look at the other studios and see if you can compete with there look and there price, i know a lot of people will say people pay more for better, ect... BUT in this day and age - price is a real huge factor for a lot of people