Opening a Rental Studio

[RiseAbove]

So I am pondering to open a rental studio, to offer photographers a nice big studio with controlled lighting and all the strobe equipment evaluable to use at will. I have been building the business plan for a few months now and I guess I am looking for some opinions from photographers. I am looking at it from the prospective of a photographer that didn't always have access to nice equipment. If anyone wants to chime in and tell me what you think, below are a few questions I have that I would love to hear some feedback. Thanks

1. Pricing. This studio will house 3 separate studios. 2 for portraits and 1 that could fit a car. the large one $120 hour, $400 for 4 hours, $800 all day. the smaller ones $75 hr, $250 for 4, $450 all day. This includes all equipment and help from myself or my assistant. What do you think of the pricing and or what price would this service make it worth it to you? These are rough numbers here.

i know there are a few studios that rent out their space (sorry if im steppin on some toes). I would like to know if this would work? Do you know of studios that made it like this or didn't? And for the photogs that are interested in something like this, what more would you like? What would bring you out to the studio?

Thanks a lot guys

[park]

Where would the studio be located?

[RiseAbove]

I would rather not say at this point. If everyone could just give me their opinion if it was in their town and I can sift through it. Sorry if it sounds weird but I would rather not say where yet.

[rab3rd]

Well, where its located could have a bearing on the hourly prices.

[ggeen]

I always liked the concept of studio rental. I found a great place near home that I can take the odd portrait session. I will not comment on pricing because I do not know where you are located. I suggest that you search for studio space in your area and check out their pricing. If they have been in the business for a while, my guess is they already figured out what the market will bare.

Finally I will end with this. What drives you? and does the goal of opening rental studio space support this internal drive?

[L Stegall]

I would love to find a studio near my house to rent when I needed. The key to me is location, location, location.

[kayumangi]

I usually rent and for the most part i prefer using my own lights rather than the studios because im more familiar with mine plus i dont want to be fiddling with new gear on a paid gig.

Location affects pricing so i cant really say if your pricing is reasoable or not. The Houston skyline studio has flat pricing but their space, both ceiling and floor area are very generous, i reckon you can fit a small truck inside.

[kayumangi]

I forgot to add from my POV having lots of interchangeable backdrops and variety of props and furniture makes it more appealing than brand new lights, plus i want to work privately because some clients want to, so having the studio owner present during a shoot is not idea for me.

[RiseAbove]

Originally Posted by ggeen

I always liked the concept of studio rental. I found a great place near home that I can take the odd portrait session. I will not comment on pricing because I do not know where you are located. I suggest that you search for studio space in your area and check out their pricing. If they have been in the business for a while, my guess is they already figured out what the market will bare.

Finally I will end with this. What drives you? and does the goal of opening rental studio space support this internal drive?

Thank you for your thoughts. I have scoped out the pricing of other shops around town and thats where I got the pricing, But they are photogs that are renting out their own studio. I am looking to do this strictly for renting to photogs and video guys.

My end goal is to provide a service for photographers. I want to build a community and networking through this space. Have classes and showings. I like to be around creative people and I could help them out and have access to the studio too, I could quit my day job and be around something i Love.

[Sonny]

From what I can remember, studio rental was a big deal around here about three years ago. After investing in the equipment, furniture, and 'office space', many of these place didn't recoup their money and eventually shut down.

I'm not saying renting a studio can't be done in cities like Houston or Dallas, but these markets are already flooded with full-timer studio photographers that rent their studio when not in use.

It's a tough call but good luck.

[RiseAbove]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

I forgot to add from my POV having lots of interchangeable backdrops and variety of props and furniture makes it more appealing than brand new lights, plus i want to work privately because some clients want to, so having the studio owner present during a shoot is not idea for me.

Oh there would be lots of privacy. I would only offer my assistance if needed.

Thanks for your thoughts. I was planning on going with lots of props. And I would accept someone using their own lights. no bigy. My idea is driven by not having anything when I started off. I want to eazz that process for others.

[RiseAbove]

Originally Posted by Sonny

From what I can remember, studio rental was a big deal around here about three years ago. After investing in the equipment, furniture, and 'office space', many of these place didn't recoup their money and eventually shut down.

I'm not saying renting a studio can't be done in cities like Houston or Dallas, but these markets are already flooded with full-timer studio photographers that rent their studio when not in use.

It's a tough call but good luck.

So were these gus photogs rent out there space or did they start a business geared for renting to the public.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by RiseAbove

So were these gus photogs rent out there space or did they start a business geared for renting to the public.

Renting to the public.

[kayumangi]

Beau I know how you feel as I still feel the same way sometimes but I know I just can't afford to open my own.


As for the studios that closed, if I remember correctly one was owned by a Make-Up artist and the other was a part-time shooter so I guess you could say they were dedicated so most of the time they were available.

The part-time shooter dude got the ire of TPF because he was spamming everyone about his studio.

The MUA got sick I think.

One more thing that I might add, in Houston the studios used to offer Co-OP type arrangements where photographers pay a small fixed monthly rate and they can schedule themselves accordingly, wish some of the studios here brought it back.

[hue-e]

I haven't read every response so I appologize if it's already been asked, but what brand of lighting gear will you have?