OOPS!

I live in a fairly small town outside of Dallas. My long term plan was to setup up a studio because I couldn't find any in existence. Well, i found out today there's a guy about two miles from me, and apparently he's pretty good (http://www.tomcharlesp​hoto.com) I did notice his prices were really high though. I'll likely look elsewhere. Being a "high-end amateur" I look to set up a studio within a year or so, and I'd like to do it where no one else is around.

Are you afraid of the competition

Just kidding, and wish you all the luck with your studio.

You could set up a studio out in some remote wilderness, and there will be no competition around, for a reason.

If you expect to attract portrait customers, then you really can't expect them to drive all day to get to your studio. In fact, most portrait studios that I am aware of have chosen a location close to potential customers, or across the street from a shopping center.

---Bob Gross---

You ought to succeed because you are really good, not because of location. "Really good" means one or more of the following:

1) Great with customers.
2) Very creative in ways that strike people.
3) Your own unique style, whether creative or not.
4) You have a special niche with deep expertise.

It should NOT be how much you charge. That's a dead-end street.

Guys, come on; there's a reason companies do the same thing. MANY companies specifically locate in places where there is NO walmart. If a market is saturated, it's saturated.

And I'm not talking about moving into the wilderness; just in a part of town where there doesn't seem to be anyone else around.

So you think I should move across the street from an established pro who's been there a whlie and compete for business in the same area? Why would I do that?

Be practical here.

I don't think that one photographer, two miles away, and with "really high prices " is exactly a saturated market. If you're close enough to Dallas to fairly describe your location as "outside" it, you should be more concerned about the competition from photographers in the city. Whether you're next door to this guy or 5 miles away is pretty much irrelevant; you'll get your clientele from:

1. ads
   
2. phone book listings
   
3. word of mouth
   

Those were my thoughts also. However, I would imagine that he gets a lot of business from this area. he does senior portraits and the high school is less than a mile away! I do think the location matters slightly here. but you're right, we're so close to Dallas, I'm sure I'd be ok. STill, I'm planning on locating maybe on the other side of our small town, again, no reason to voluntarily locate right by another photographer without compelling reason.

Thanks

The other thing to consider is your business license.

In some cities, the business license and cost is a big deal. In other cities, they don't care very much. You might want to look into licenses and make sure that you are not creating a problem for yourself.

---Bob Gross---

If I may speak in general terms, there is actually an advantage for similar businesses to locate near each other. Forgot the exact academic term, but I call it "the food court" effect. Not sure that it will apply to your situation though.