Rural Studio

[Bill M]

I live in a very rural area. For those of you that live this way, how do you get people to come work with you. I get my wife in the studio occasionally along with my grand kids but that's about it. Any thoughts are appreciated.

[janikphoto]

If you are looking to drum up business, networking is a key tool. Set up a workshop for the local 4H club, teaching the kids how to shoot - but pitching yourself to the parents for senior/student pics. It doesn't just have to be 4h... any social club that has potential clients is a gold mine.

[Bill M]

Great idea. I'm willing to do some free for portfolio building just haven't been able to get the word out.

[sldi]

You have to show a value in your rural setting. For people that spend all there life in a big city, a relaxed rural setting could be the greener grass on the other side of the fence. Be careful with the FREE stuff, but helping aspiring "models" can benefit both of you.

[Bill M]

Thanks John, I appreciate you thoughts.

[andyz]

What attributes can you create in your rural area that they don't otherwise have? You can create outdoor sets, a pasture, oak trees, cedar fence, flowers grown in a particular pattern, of a special color, etc.

[bondarnes]

Wow, what a great opportunity to create a "Portrait Park"! I had one at my studio with almost a dozen outdoor sets. Almost every session included images from one or more of the outdoor sets. Start thinking of your rural studio as an asset rather than a liability and use that as your USP (Unique Selling Point) in all your marketing.

[Bill M]

Thanks both Andy and Don. You both have made me start looking at this in a different light, no pun intended.

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Hey Bill, You might want to check out Clark Marten, he lives in rural Montana if I'm not mistaken and he does quite well for himself. www.clarkmarten.com