Who has studio and how do you survive?

I was wondering how would it be if I had a unit and studio, with all the pro studios have. Would I be able to make more money, is it worth it, will I be getting more of the portraits, and modelling shoots etc. for sure it sound tempting but more wedding photographers and videographers choose to work from home. Would anyone recommend to step it up in photography business and to make a big decision by renting a unit(store front)?

I have my numbers but it is important to hear what other pros have to say.

I'm part-time, but having shot 21 weddings this year, it's not THAT part-time. As much as I aspire to grow a portrait business, from a wedding perspective, I don't miss having a studio in any way. And even wedding related portraits (e-shoots, bridals, etc.) tend to be on location and not in studio.

I think there are certain styles of portraiture that are more dependent than others on studio space: babies, maternity, boudior, etc. But many others like seniors and even coprorate head shots are more often done on location.

Studio sounds tempting but when I think about overhead!? I still think doing only weddings will not be enough to make it worth a while with studio. Unless other portraits and shoots come along.

Studios are closing down all over the place. Sure a few big names will survive but they are doing other things ( think PPA and WPPI instructors) to supplement the overhead costs or they have corporate backing( think Flash or glamour shots ) to off set costs.

I cant tell you how many have closed up here in Minnesota but its been a bunch. We were going to try to go retail this year (2012) and decided against it. And the reason was that most people we photograph prefer to be photographed in their enviorment or outside for a more relaxed and natural approach. They dont want to get all dressed up and come to a stuffy studio for posed shots.

So, we made our basement into a home studio for those types or portrait needs. Our basement has a seperate entrance from the main home, we have a client viewing area,studio area,changing area, bathroom, and we live in a very nice quiet neighborhood so it works. Plus we get the tax write off. All of our studio work is done in this manner.

If you look at the PPA guidelines you will see guidelines on how and when you should consider moving into a retail location. 90% of the photographers out there are no where near the suggested levels of income to make it work. according to PPA guidelines we would need another year or two of growing the business to make it work and we will break 80K for 2012.

The studios that were at the PPa suggested levels 4-5 yrs ago cant afford to keep them open and are closing shop quickly. I usually see 5-6 per year now that are having "studio closing everything must go" sales every year from our state and local profesional orginizations. Until the economy improves and people get tired of supplementing their incomes with photography services, i think you would be foolish to open a retail location.

umphotography wrote in post #13497335
Studios are closing down all over the place. Sure a few big names will survive but they are doing other things ( think PPA and WPPI instructors) to supplement the overhead costs or they have corporate backing( think Flash or glamour shots ) to off set costs.

I cant tell you how many have closed up here in Minnesota but its been a bunch. We were going to try to go retail this year (2012) and decided against it. And the reason was that most people we photograph prefer to be photographed in their enviorment or outside for a more relaxed and natural approach. They dont want to get all dressed up and come to a stuffy studio for posed shots.

So, we made our basement into a home studio for those types or portrait needs. Our basement has a seperate entrance from the main home, we have a client viewing area,studio area,changing area, bathroom, and we live in a very nice quiet neighborhood so it works. Plus we get the tax write off. All of our studio work is done in this manner.

If you look at the PPA guidelines you will see guidelines on how and when you should consider moving into a retail location. 90% of the photographers out there are no where near the suggested levels of income to make it work. according to PPA guidelines we would need another year or two of growing the business to make it work and we will break 80K for 2012.

The studios that were at the PPa suggested levels 4-5 yrs ago cant afford to keep them open and are closing shop quickly. I usually see 5-6 per year now that are having "studio closing everything must go" sales every year from our state and local profesional orginizations. Until the economy improves and people get tired of supplementing their incomes with photography services, i think you would be foolish to open a retail location.

That's exactly what I was thinking, I would need 80K to make it work and to get that it would take lot's of effort and struggling. That idea with home studio is great I have now similar thing in my basement, my office where I edit and room where I meet my clients/ showroom, but no space for studio also the ceiling is not very high about 8 feet.