Portrait Studio

[pictureme]

Greetings to all photographers. I've had an idea for a
business, for several years now, and I need need input from
other photographers. My idea is to open a portrait studio
for hire. I would have 2 fully equipped studio areas for
rent by the hour or the day.
I know that there are alot of good photographers, who would
like to have a facility to work in, without the expense of
purchasing lighting systems,backgrounds, and props. And
then there is the need to store all this equipment when it
is not being used.
So,I need your feedback as to whether anyone thinks this is
a good idea or not.

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[zeitgeist]

In most urban areas with a "photo' center you will find a
lot of photo studios for rent with lots of stuff to use,
usually struggling photographers trying to cover the rent.
Just look at the bulletin boards in any pro photo shop or
expendibles shop. I do know that several sucessful
photographers have a separate studio rental side, one has a
separate entrance to his large facillity so it appears to be
a separate business. they don't use all pieces of
equipment, nor all spaces so the rental side keeps a good
cash flow, and the guy learns who is upcoming and finds
people to hire or subcontract when needed.

Keep in mind what your overhead would be, rent, cost of the
equipment, etc. And how would anyone know to decide to come
to your place.

I would have a hard time envisioning it's success as a stand
alone business. Portrait and wedding photographers are
notoriously independent people and the gathering of 'stuff'
is part of the mystique, stuff that hardly gets used once a
year. Most try to expand our creative efforts with the
tools at hand.

I could see a 'co-operative' of several photographers
sharing a studio and office space. Or a studio of your own
that you rent to others.

Since a lot of photographers are running a flat fee 'you
keep the negs' type studio, it might work to promote that
sort of business and hey, for the same shooting fee, you can
shoot your own.

[Rob Grantham]

I think a Portrait Studio for hire is a great idea. We have a similar idea
working in my area. The local camera store has a studio and a darkroom for
hire. The studio rents for $20/hour( lights,backdrops and props furnished)
and the darkroom rents for $5/hour(equipment and chemicals furnished) you
supply the paper.I've used both several times and will continue. Good Luck
with your new business.
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