Do you need a studio?

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by hdctx

The original reason for the question was to verify that shooting in client's homes and on location is an accepted business practice. Having a studio isn't an either/or, it's just not in my budget right now. From the comments here, it looks like I should consider opening a studio with extra lockable offices and renting out access to other photographers.
Has anyone used the executive office rentals as presentation or client meeting space? Seems like it might be cost effective.
Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I just downsized my studio to a couple of offices (one for a sales/camera room and one for my office/workstation room), so yes I do think that the way business is an executive office rental would be a good way to go.
Wayne
Photography by Design

[Coelus]

I don't want to think about not having a space now that I've had one for about 18 months now. If nothing else it's a place to go and practice/experiment/turn off the phone and work quietly when needed.

That being said I lucked into my space, and it's free. While it may be a great Batcave, it's not great for business. Waay off the beaten path, not client friendly year round, and not set up as I would really like. But, I think it's been great for a first place while I'm still transitioning to full time. It's given me a lot to think about in what I do and don't want in a space when I do go full time. It's kind of like your parents giving you the crappiest car they can find that will still get you to work and back when your a teenager. At first you think it's the greatest thing in the world because you have nothing to compare it to. Before long the love affair is over and you know a little more about wants vs needs.

What I've figured out so far is:
I don't need as much shooting space as I thought I did. It would be nice, but not required.

I don't need prime retail space. People are paying to come to a refurbished barn in the middle of a cow pasture currently. Yes, I need better than that; but location isn't as important as a restaurant or a retail goods business. At least not in my area for the work I do. YMMV

I need more storage space than I thought I did. I got a great deal on 20+ rolls of seamless from a studio that was closing. It was great till I had to figure out how to store it. It a PITA to have to walk over gear bags and such that have to live in the shooting space.

I have a mini kitchen in there currently. That is on my requirement list for a full time space. It has come in handy several times. Why spend money and time on fast food when you pull an all nighter, fresh tasty snacks for clients, emergency darkroom, etc.

Good A/C and heat. Right now the current place is almost unusable. With the A/C running full blast for 6 hours it couldn't get 600sf below 85. I won't make clients suffer through that.

Good parking/access. Currently instructions for getting to the space include 'make sure to close the gate behind you so the cows don't get out' and before the drought 'It's rained quite a bit, do you drive a truck?'. Not exactly professional, even in the country.

These are things that I'm looking at in particular to my situation and where I want to go with my business. I also tend to be more of a tortoise than a hare so I'll spend my time looking for something that's a great deal for my needs rather than getting the first place I can sign a lease on.

[pbyd]

John,
I think you nailed most of the real needs of a space. Over the years I have had camera rooms that were up to 39x29 now I am working out of an office that is Soooo Much Smaller 11x21 but it does work just great. I have found that no matter what size your camera room is, you will fill it up. Storage is never big enough, and the office could always be larger. Remember size is not everything,
Wayne
Photography by Design