Although a modern layman might think that the photo studio has become obsolete as a business, this is not so. And even though today almost everyone has a digital camera, and you can easily print pictures at home, the services of a professional photographer are still in demand among representatives of a progressive society. Therefore, in this article we will look at how to open your own photo studio.
Is there any reason?
A lot of people, especially the fairer sex, want to have pictures where, on a professional level, all factors affecting image quality will be taken into account, starting with professional equipment and ending with the right lighting.
Such demand is explained both by the usual desire to have beautiful photographs, and by the need for high-quality images for portfolios, advertising, various catalogs and booklets.
Professional shooting is also required during various city-scale events, various exhibitions, presentations, etc. Although the owner of a photo studio can get a tangible part of their income from banal photographs as well.
If desired, you can provide your services at weddings and corporate parties.
Moreover, renting a studio with an established price per hour will also help to get a good income. There are not so many professionals who are able to take pictures at a high level, so competition in this matter is permissible to create a successful business.
So, if you are still wondering how to open your own photo studio, you are on the right track. Entrepreneurship of this kind is the kind of activity you can expect a good and stable income from.
What is the difference between a professional studio and a photo studio
Before creating a business such as a photo studio with your own hands, you need to understand what an activity is like at a professional level and why it should not be confused with a regular photo studio.
The first and key difference of the studio is the presence of professionals in it who are fluent in both photography skills and image processing methods, understand how to make color correction, retouching, and know how to work in a creative format. All this will allow you to give out a wonderful unique product that will favorably differ from ordinary photographs.
Photoshoots at home
Moreover, professional photographers are able to take high-quality pictures even outside the studio. Photo studio workers, for example, do not have enough skills to work professionally on the road. Here you should immediately pay attention to such a side as ideas for a photo shoot at home.
There are people who are shy (do not like, do not want) in a photo studio, but at home they feel comfortable and do not mind getting professional photos. And this must be taken into account in their entrepreneurial activities. Here in such cases, you can offer ideas for a photo shoot at home with the departure of a professional photographer. The most popular images for shooting at home are:
1. Awakening. The image in this case can be gentle and sleepy, or it can be funny and messy.
2. The cook. Filming takes place, naturally, in the kitchen.
3. The image that is most suitable for girls is a playful maid.
4. For guys, the image of a repairman is suitable.
This is only a small part of the possible ideas that can be realized with proper imagination at home.
Where to begin
To start, as in any business, you need to draw up a detailed plan, which will spell out all expenses (rent, repair, equipment, advertising, etc.), take into account possible risks and consider ways to reduce them. When the business plan is ready, it is worth collecting all the necessary documents. There is no need to register an LLC, since most of the customers will be individuals.
At the initial stage, it is worth registering as an individual entrepreneur who will provide photo services. OKVED code in this case is indicated in the charter documents 74.81. After you need to do a search for a suitable room. If possible, you can buy it, well, and if things are more modest with the budget, then renting will be enough.
How to choose the right room
As in any business where the level of income depends on the number of visitors, it is better to rent a room in the city center. Firstly, it will add solidity to the image of the studio.
Secondly, residents of any district can reach the center. When choosing a room, it is worth considering the fact that its area should not be less than 60 square meters. m., otherwise it will be difficult to work. By the way, 50 of 60 square meters. m. will be used to work with customers.
To make visitors feel as comfortable as possible, it is important to take care of the presence of a dressing room in the studio (it is simply necessary for a quality photo shoot) and a waiting room with a comfortable sofa and armchairs. Good ventilation is also important. Service should be up to standard.
In order for the studio to find a place for all the necessary equipment, the ceilings of the premises should not be lower than 3 meters. It will be nice if the studio conditions allow photographers to work with both studio lighting and natural light, which will require several large windows.
By the way, it is natural light that is most preferable for working in the dressing room. The nuances relating to the premises play far from the last role in the quality of the pictures, and therefore in the income level. Therefore, if you want to open a decent studio, you will have to find the appropriate premises.
Equipment you can't do without
How to open your own photo studio without the necessary equipment? Of course, no way! Therefore, in this paragraph we will consider everything that is necessary for productive work. In the event that the studio will open from scratch, you will need a set of necessary equipment and equipment, which should include:
- A set of lenses for all types of work and a professional-level SLR camera.
- Tripods, herons, holders and stands for light.
- Paper backgrounds of various colors and mounts for them.
- Flash meter.
- Classic reflectors and portrait plate.
- At least 4 light sources.
- Flash sync.
- Umbrellas for reflection, umbrellas for clearance, softboxes and nozzles on them.
Make-up room does not hurt to equip an iron with steam function, ironing board, large mirror, screen. Do not forget about comfortable furniture for a photo studio, which will be in harmony with the overall interior. Also, for a photo studio you will need an office desk, a computer and the necessary software for the photographer to work properly.
Staff
If the owner of the studio himself is a professional photographer and opens a studio to expand his activities, then he will only have to hire an administrator who will be responsible for all organizational matters and work with clients (recording, calls, greetings).
If you need to hire a photographer, if possible you should pay attention to professionals who have already established themselves in the city. Of course, people with experience and portfolio will want decent financial motivation. However, professionals will help to attract customers and quickly raise the studio rating.When the business is on its feet, it makes sense to consider the candidacy of young professionals with a good level.
Marketing
You can find the right professionals and immediately voice the fact of the appearance of a new photo studio on forums on the Internet that are dedicated to photography.
It also does not hurt to visit the relevant groups and pages on social networks. Do not ignore the popular city publications.
Local radio resources can help a lot. In other words, it is necessary to make sure that those who need high-quality photography learn about the new professional studio.
It is worth carefully considering what to call a photo studio. The name should be bright, capacious, memorable, which will remain in the memory of a person. This is an aspect that will work for the owner of a photo studio, to attract the attention of customers. How to call a photo studio is up to you. It all depends on preferences and imagination.
It is also worth developing a system of discounts, bonuses and various savings accounts. The more bonuses, the better. At the same time, one of the best methods to express oneself remains a high level of service. If customers like the quality of work, they will certainly share their impressions with their friends, colleagues and friends. And this means a stream of new visitors.
The financial part of the business
What are the costs involved in opening your own business?
1. Rental of premises. It will take about 30 thousand rubles.
2. Purchase of equipment. On average, about 100 thousand rubles will be required.
3. Salaries to staff. This will require about 60 thousand rubles.
4. About 60 thousand rubles will be required to create a site, to acquire the necessary software.
5. Advertising activities will require at least 10 thousand rubles.
This is the minimum cost. Thus, the amount of initial capital should reach at least 260-300 thousand.
