Photography Business Advice

[etnad0]

I've been in business for myself a few times so I know the business aspect of starting this up. What I need help with are the unforeseen equipment needs.

Location

In February we plan to get everything set up and running for our photography business. There is a place out here that gets 30k+ visitors per weekend, and to my surprise NOBODY is set up to take photos. The space would run me $350 per month. We'd be open 3 days per week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) from 6am - 3pm.

Why I Want To Open A Studio

We were previously running a clothing company, while at the same time dabbling in photography for about 2 years. In the mall location that our shop was at was a photography booth. On a slow day they had close to 100 customers and brought in about $1,500. That was a slow day for them. The location didn't get anywhere near 30k visitors per weekend. This new location is absolutely perfect: more foot traffic, half the rent, and amazingly we already have 95% of the equipment we need.

My partner agreed to a 80/20 split since I'm putting up the money and equipment. He went to school for photography and is much better at editing pictures than I am. I'm getting there, but not there yet. We'll be writing up the agreement between now and February 4, 2012.

The Focus

We will be catering to the foot traffic that wants to stop in and take pictures. I figure once word gets out we'll get people coming in that plan to take pictures. I guess the best way to describe it would be Glamor Shots, but not cheesy like them. We'd be doing a much broader range of photos. We'd offer CDs or print or both depending on what the customer wants.

The Equipment

I've been dabbling in video and photography for several years and I've gotten really good. Not the best but good enough to take pictures at a mall. We were calculating start up costs when we realized we can get everything started for less than $2,000 and that includes Business License ($30), SOS Filing ($75), and first months rent ($350). I already own the following equipment:

• Canon T2i
• Lights
• Umbrellas
• Green Screen Backdrop
• Lenses
• Filters
• SD Cards
• Office Furniture
• Cash Register
• CC Machine
• Computer
• Photoshop
• White Balance Card

What I Plan To Buy

• Black and White Backdrop ($89)
• Printer ($???)
• Printing Supplies
• Hire Spanish Speaking Employee

Questions

• What equipment am I overlooking?
• Does anyone have any printer suggestions?
• Any other advice in general?

 

[MLeeK]

I think you are delusional, but I hope to hear an amazing success story. There is a reason that studios like you are talking don't survive and I think you might want to do some research as to why that is.
You need to know ALL of your costs and what your price point is going to be. You have to have your lab chosen and your products priced... There is so much more to this than you have simplified there.

Are you talking a photographic printer or just a printer for your paperwork? A photographic printer is going to blow your budget alone. And the costs of in-house printing are very cost prohibitive to the end client. In house printing will bump you from being a mall studio to being very high end because of the costs associated with it. A low end printer will run you big bucks in ink and paper. A high end printer will run you big bucks in the printer and moderate amount in the inks and paper.
Lightroom3
External hard drives for storage
Proofing display-tv or projection
waiting area furniture
Props-furniture, blankets, posing stool, newborn poser, child furniture.... The list there can get really long
Wall displays
Green Screen Software
GOOD, heavy duty light stands with weights or a track system-that is the largest danger in a studio
GOOD tripod
Signage
Workman's comp
Insurance
Liability insurance!!!
Ordering/proofing software/slideshow software
Accountant
Legal advice and contracting
OH MY LORD... this list could go on for quite a while here. This is just off the top of my head


What do you have for your lights? Are they going to be adequate for what you are doing here?

 

[etnad0]

I think you are delusional, but I hope to hear an amazing success story. There is a reason that studios like you are talking don't survive and I think you might want to do some research as to why that is. You need to know ALL of your costs and what your price point is going to be. You have to have your lab chosen and your products priced... There is so much more to this than you have simplified there.

Already done. Like I said, I know the business side of it already. I haven't held an actual job since 2004 because I've been in business for myself. I didn't mention it because I have a 30 page business plan already, so to cover every single point in that business plan wouldn't make sense on a forum. With that said, most places don't have a guaranteed minimum of 30k people per weekend walking by their store either. Even if I only charged $5 per person, I'm sure I could shoot 100 pictures per day across three days = $1,500 per weekend = $6,000 per month. My price points are higher than that.

Are you talking a photographic printer or just a printer for your paperwork? A photographic printer is going to blow your budget alone. And the costs of in-house printing are very cost prohibitive to the end client. In house printing will bump you from being a mall studio to being very high end because of the costs associated with it. A low end printer will run you big bucks in ink and paper. A high end printer will run you big bucks in the printer and moderate amount in the inks and paper.

Really? If I needed a printer for paperwork, I could use the ones I have. I'm talking about a photo printer and who said it would blow my budget? When I said $2,000 that's usually just for legal fees and rent. That's why I specifically mentioned the license, sos filing, and rent. It's very difficult to get into a space here for less than $2,000 but I have the opportunity to do it for $350 per month and I can take that out of my book royalties (I'm a published author) without a problem. With that said, if I can't make the minimum overhead per month, I can just end it. The lease is month to month with no obligation on my part.

As far as the printer, that's good info to have. I know the printer that the other shop had wasn't super high end and they had reasonable prices. I can also get ink relatively cheap so I'll find out the exact cost once I select a printer. Any suggestions on a specific printer? A low end and a high end suggestion would be nice.

Lightroom3 (NEED IT)
External hard drives for storage (HAVE IT)
Proofing display-tv or projection (HAVE IT)
waiting area furniture (NEED IT)
Props-furniture, blankets, posing stool, newborn poser, child furniture.... The list there can get really long (NEED SOME OF IT)
Wall displays (NEED IT)
Green Screen Software (HAVE IT)
GOOD, heavy duty light stands with weights or a track system-that is the largest danger in a studio (HAVE IT - a friend of mine built one for an indy film we worked on)
GOOD tripod (HAVE IT)
Signage (NEED IT - I have a personal friend that will make one for me at cost.)
Workman's comp (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Insurance (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Liability insurance!!! (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Ordering/proofing software/slideshow software (HAVE IT)
Accountant (MARRIED TO ONE THAT HAS A DEGREE IN BUSINESS ACCOUNTING)
Legal advice and contracting (HAVE A LAWYER FOR CURRENT BUSINESS AND WILL USE THE SAME)
OH MY LORD... this list could go on for quite a while here. This is just off the top of my head

I added my responses to your list above. Let me point out that I know for a fact that I missed some of the equipment that I have such as multiple tripods, external hard drives, etc. Please don't make assumptions about me. I'm pretty good at business and I've been collecting equipment for over 3 years now just from doing it as a hobby.

What do you have for your lights? Are they going to be adequate for what you are doing here?

I have 4x 1k lights. My partner has 3x 1k lights. If that's not enough I can buy a few more, but I'm sure that should be more than adequate at first.

 

[MLeeK]

I think you are delusional, but I hope to hear an amazing success story. There is a reason that studios like you are talking don't survive and I think you might want to do some research as to why that is. You need to know ALL of your costs and what your price point is going to be. You have to have your lab chosen and your products priced... There is so much more to this than you have simplified there.

Already done. Like I said, I know the business side of it already. I haven't held an actual job since 2004 because I've been in business for myself. I didn't mention it because I have a 30 page business plan already, so to cover every single point in that business plan wouldn't make sense on a forum. With that said, most places don't have a guaranteed minimum of 30k people per weekend walking by their store either. Even if I only charged $5 per person, I'm sure I could shoot 100 pictures per day across three days = $1,500 per weekend = $6,000 per month. My price points are higher than that.

Are you talking a photographic printer or just a printer for your paperwork? A photographic printer is going to blow your budget alone. And the costs of in-house printing are very cost prohibitive to the end client. In house printing will bump you from being a mall studio to being very high end because of the costs associated with it. A low end printer will run you big bucks in ink and paper. A high end printer will run you big bucks in the printer and moderate amount in the inks and paper.

Really? If I needed a printer for paperwork, I could use the ones I have. I'm talking about a photo printer and who said it would blow my budget? When I said $2,000 that's usually just for legal fees and rent. That's why I specifically mentioned the license, sos filing, and rent. It's very difficult to get into a space here for less than $2,000 but I have the opportunity to do it for $350 per month and I can take that out of my book royalties (I'm a published author) without a problem. With that said, if I can't make the minimum overhead per month, I can just end it. The lease is month to month with no obligation on my part.

REALLY? you needed to get pissy about it? You didn't specify and there are some major differences there. I am NOT a mind reader. The rest of your garbled sentence there I am yet to un-garble and I wonder what it has to do with what I said about a printer anyway?

As far as the printer, that's good info to have. I know the printer that the other shop had wasn't super high end and they had reasonable prices. I can also get ink relatively cheap so I'll find out the exact cost once I select a printer. Any suggestions on a specific printer? A low end and a high end suggestion would be nice.

Now why would I bother seeing how you are pissy about the fact that you KNOW you missed some equipment and I shouldn't make assumptions about you???

Lightroom3 (NEED IT)
External hard drives for storage (HAVE IT)
Proofing display-tv or projection (HAVE IT)
waiting area furniture (NEED IT)
Props-furniture, blankets, posing stool, newborn poser, child furniture.... The list there can get really long (NEED SOME OF IT)
Wall displays (NEED IT)
Green Screen Software (HAVE IT)
GOOD, heavy duty light stands with weights or a track system-that is the largest danger in a studio (HAVE IT - a friend of mine built one for an indy film we worked on)
GOOD tripod (HAVE IT)
Signage (NEED IT - I have a personal friend that will make one for me at cost.)
Workman's comp (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Insurance (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Liability insurance!!! (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Ordering/proofing software/slideshow software (HAVE IT)
Accountant (MARRIED TO ONE THAT HAS A DEGREE IN BUSINESS ACCOUNTING)
Legal advice and contracting (HAVE A LAWYER FOR CURRENT BUSINESS AND WILL USE THE SAME)
OH MY LORD... this list could go on for quite a while here. This is just off the top of my head

I added my responses to your list above. Let me point out that I know for a fact that I missed some of the equipment that I have such as multiple tripods, external hard drives, etc. Please don't make assumptions about me. I'm pretty good at business and I've been collecting equipment for over 3 years now just from doing it as a hobby.

Um, I THOUGHT you asked for a list of things you possibly left out... Evidently that's NOT what you want, you want a pat on the head and a someone to tell you that you're brilliant and you covered it all???

What do you have for your lights? Are they going to be adequate for what you are doing here?

I have 4x 1k lights. My partner has 3x 1k lights. If that's not enough I can buy a few more, but I'm sure that should be more than adequate at first.

And... Apparently you could care less whether you succeed or fail, so... Go for it! I'll stop by while I am in Vegas this year and have you do a quick headshot in your cross between a photo booth and wal-mart studio.
I wish you all of the success you can possibly imagine and hope your attitude doesn't get in the way. Cheers!

 

[etnad0]

And... Apparently you could care less whether you succeed or fail, so... Go for it! I'll stop by while I am in Vegas this year and have you do a quick headshot in your cross between a photo booth and wal-mart studio.
I wish you all of the success you can possibly imagine and hope your attitude doesn't get in the way. Cheers!

I didn't get "pissy" lol. I'm a sarcastic person. Sorry if that hurts your feelings. You seem to make up your own assumptions and create a world all in your head about other people without knowing much about them. As far as the printer comment, I clearly said I already own a business. What business doesn't have a paper printer? I also said I'd be offering photo prints before asking about the printer... maybe reading comprehension should have told you I wasn't asking about a paper printer. My fault for thinking you were being a smart a** about my question.

Yeah, I did want a list, which is why I responded to each item. You named some stuff I have and some I didn't, but you seem to be offended by almost everything. Glad I'm not married to you lol.

I don't have an attitude about anything really. It amuses me to see other people mad or think they know it all. Maybe you should just ask people what they ACTUALLY mean or intend instead of making things up and getting butt hurt about it. People like you don't need an internet connection. lol

 

[MLeeK]

I think you are delusional, but I hope to hear an amazing success story. There is a reason that studios like you are talking don't survive and I think you might want to do some research as to why that is. You need to know ALL of your costs and what your price point is going to be. You have to have your lab chosen and your products priced... There is so much more to this than you have simplified there.

Already done. Like I said, I know the business side of it already. I haven't held an actual job since 2004 because I've been in business for myself. I didn't mention it because I have a 30 page business plan already, so to cover every single point in that business plan wouldn't make sense on a forum. With that said, most places don't have a guaranteed minimum of 30k people per weekend walking by their store either. Even if I only charged $5 per person, I'm sure I could shoot 100 pictures per day across three days = $1,500 per weekend = $6,000 per month. My price points are higher than that.

Are you talking a photographic printer or just a printer for your paperwork? A photographic printer is going to blow your budget alone. And the costs of in-house printing are very cost prohibitive to the end client. In house printing will bump you from being a mall studio to being very high end because of the costs associated with it. A low end printer will run you big bucks in ink and paper. A high end printer will run you big bucks in the printer and moderate amount in the inks and paper.

Really? If I needed a printer for paperwork, I could use the ones I have. I'm talking about a photo printer and who said it would blow my budget? When I said $2,000 that's usually just for legal fees and rent. That's why I specifically mentioned the license, sos filing, and rent. It's very difficult to get into a space here for less than $2,000 but I have the opportunity to do it for $350 per month and I can take that out of my book royalties (I'm a published author) without a problem. With that said, if I can't make the minimum overhead per month, I can just end it. The lease is month to month with no obligation on my part.

As far as the printer, that's good info to have. I know the printer that the other shop had wasn't super high end and they had reasonable prices. I can also get ink relatively cheap so I'll find out the exact cost once I select a printer. Any suggestions on a specific printer? A low end and a high end suggestion would be nice.

Lightroom3 (NEED IT)
External hard drives for storage (HAVE IT)
Proofing display-tv or projection (HAVE IT)
waiting area furniture (NEED IT)
Props-furniture, blankets, posing stool, newborn poser, child furniture.... The list there can get really long (NEED SOME OF IT)
Wall displays (NEED IT)
Green Screen Software (HAVE IT)
GOOD, heavy duty light stands with weights or a track system-that is the largest danger in a studio (HAVE IT - a friend of mine built one for an indy film we worked on)
GOOD tripod (HAVE IT)
Signage (NEED IT - I have a personal friend that will make one for me at cost.)
Workman's comp (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Insurance (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Liability insurance!!! (WILL GET IT ONCE PAPERWORK IS FILED FOR BUSINESS)
Ordering/proofing software/slideshow software (HAVE IT)
Accountant (MARRIED TO ONE THAT HAS A DEGREE IN BUSINESS ACCOUNTING)
Legal advice and contracting (HAVE A LAWYER FOR CURRENT BUSINESS AND WILL USE THE SAME)
OH MY LORD... this list could go on for quite a while here. This is just off the top of my head

I added my responses to your list above. Let me point out that I know for a fact that I missed some of the equipment that I have such as multiple tripods, external hard drives, etc. Please don't make assumptions about me. I'm pretty good at business and I've been collecting equipment for over 3 years now just from doing it as a hobby.

What do you have for your lights? Are they going to be adequate for what you are doing here?

I have 4x 1k lights. My partner has 3x 1k lights. If that's not enough I can buy a few more, but I'm sure that should be more than adequate at first.

No assumption made. It's there. black and white. your words.

 

[etnad0]

The fact is, you were WRONG. I wasn't pissy at all. Like I said ASSUMPTION. My fault for expecting people to use common sense when I mentioned photo printing and asked about a printer, I won't make that assumption again.

 

[MLeeK]

Yeah, if you don't want anyone to make any assumptions you probably should do the same... Your post does NOT read the way you seem to be pushing things now.
It reads (in short form):
You have started a business plan (NO MENTION of a full plan anywhere) and you've realized you can do this all for less than $2000 out of pocket start up costs. You know you need to get those few legal/license, etc things and the amounts. With the rest of your $2000 budget you have that laundry list of things and need the second laundry list. What have you forgotten in there?

SO... forgive me for not reading between your lines and seeing your sarcasm as the pissy attitude it comes out to be.
Done.

 

[Dillard]

The thing you need to keep in mind is that 5+ people a week join this forum and ask the same question. Granted, you seem to much more prepared then the others, but it gets old. People bring the same questions time and time again. Photo printers are EXPENSIVE (the reason so many people order prints online), and by stating you have a $2,000 budget automatically puts doubt it readers minds. You should have stated your questions more clearly or included a more detailed summary of what you already have. It came across to me as slightly pissy too, so you may want to reevaluate yourself as a writer before you attack others.

Best of luck

 

[etnad0]

Yeah, if you don't want anyone to make any assumptions you probably should do the same... Your post does NOT read the way you seem to be pushing things now.
It reads (in short form):
You have started a business plan (NO MENTION of a full plan anywhere) and you've realized you can do this all for less than $2000 out of pocket start up costs. You know you need to get those few legal/license, etc things and the amounts. With the rest of your $2000 budget you have that laundry list of things and need the second laundry list. What have you forgotten in there?

SO... forgive me for not reading between your lines and seeing your sarcasm as the pissy attitude it comes out to be.
Done.

I asked about equipment and I clearly stated that I have the business side of this handled. Insurance, etc. is all business. Like I said, check your reading comprehension before getting an attitude. I said all that in the first post. Maybe the $2,000 wasn't clear. I'll give you that, but my budget is a lot larger than that.

 

[etnad0]

The thing you need to keep in mind is that 5+ people a week join this forum and ask the same question. Granted, you seem to much more prepared then the others, but it gets old. People bring the same questions time and time again. Photo printers are EXPENSIVE (the reason so many people order prints online), and by stating you have a $2,000 budget automatically puts doubt it readers minds. You should have stated your questions more clearly or included a more detailed summary of what you already have. It came across to me as slightly pissy too, so you may want to reevaluate yourself as a writer before you attack others.

Best of luck

There is no such thing as an original question to be honest. I'm sure we all see the same questions all the time. I'm aware that printers are expensive, which is why I asked for suggestions on a printer. What I usually encounter is people that like to give answers to any and everything except what is being asked, then get an attitude with the response. If the last person had asked for clarity instead of starting off with "your delusional" she wouldn't have gotten the response she did. If it was perceived as an attack, maybe you should read what she said to me to begin with.

If she didn't want to be helpful, she didn't need to respond. She chose to and I responded back.

 

[MrsLittle]

It can cost you $2000 alone for props. I would never walk into an empty studio with only lights and a backdrop, unless you plan to take those creepy "mall photos" that make you look like a ghost in front of a cheesy background of hearts and stars.

 

[etnad0]

It can cost you $2000 alone for props. I would never walk into an empty studio with only lights and a backdrop, unless you plan to take those creepy "mall photos" that make you look like a ghost in front of a cheesy background of hearts and stars.

That's why I asked about what I needed. Do you have any actual advice?

 

[2WheelPhoto]

ding ding ding another winning thread right here

 

[CCericola]

Can you post some examples of your photography?

Green screens are fine for video. They suck for still photography. I would invest in white and black muslins. You need more than one. What if someone gets sick on the one you have or an accident happens? And you will need something much more durable than the $89 cheap muslins.

Another idea is investing in a virtual background projector. Virtual Backgrounds Then all you need is 1 screen and it is pretty cheap to make slides.

I'm not from Vegas. But who is getting up at 6am to get pictures taken?

Continuous lighting, again, ok for video, but not what you want to use them for. You will want strobe lights or you will be working in a sauna.

For printers take a look at used equipment. I've seen Fuji Frontiers on ebay for as low as $10k

Garage sales and thrift stores are great for props. And I am still amazed at what people give away on Craigslist. If you need things fast try TJ Maxx/HomeGoods/Marshalls (all the same company) They have things like curtains, chairs, stools etc... If you are in a hurry to furnish props.

You need backups for EVERYTHING. Cameras get dropped, cards fail. Printers go down.