Bad or good idea in this day and age?

Chile Chef

I was thinking about opening a photo studio once I got my asa, but then I got to think why? they could go to sears, Wallmarts and so on if they needed some prints.


And I'm thinking its a bad idea because of the resession that's still going strong.

Art Scott

Chile Chef wrote:

I was thinking about opening a photo studio once I got my asa, but then I got to think why? they could go to sears, Wallmarts and so on if they needed some prints.


And I'm thinking its a bad idea because of the resession that's still going strong.

It just means you will have to work harder......Wal maart and such are cracking down on the people who bring in cd's wanting to print pro pics......I have had a hell of a time getting my own photos printed at times when all I was doing was a test shot of something.........even tho I have everything copyrighted in my full name and always have ID to prove who I am....i still run into probs.

In this area....all of the in store studios are gone....no more K-mart, Wal Mart or target studios.....the only ones left are 1 in a sears and 1 in a pennies store...so the rest of the studios are privately owned, which is good I am getting fewer and fewer people contesting my prices with the famed "Well at Wally world I could get this for $4.95".....to whit my answer was a simple...."Okay go for it...good bye".......it catches them off guard that I would just send them off to a sub standard studio like that.

Chile Chef

Art Scott wrote:

It just means you will have to work harder......Wal maart and such are cracking down on the people who bring in cd's wanting to print pro pics......I have had a hell of a time getting my own photos printed at times when all I was doing was a test shot of something.........even tho I have everything copyrighted in my full name and always have ID to prove who I am....i still run into probs.

In this area....all of the in store studios are gone....no more K-mart, Wal Mart or target studios.....the only ones left are 1 in a sears and 1 in a pennies store...so the rest of the studios are privately owned, which is good I am getting fewer and fewer people contesting my prices with the famed "Well at Wally world I could get this for $4.95".....to whit my answer was a simple...."Okay go for it...good bye".......it catches them off guard that I would just send them off to a sub standard studio like that.

Thank you for the reply, Art.


I was thinking since I will have 3 mediums & and 1900's clothing, modern clothing, and about 8 back drops and good studio lighting I think I should be ok?


Well that's my plans and let my mother do the book keeping since I am not very good at math!


The 3 mediums would be a large format camera, digital SLR, Film SLR, Cd's so they could get a semi poleriode photo on cd while they wait for their 8x10, 35 m photo's and they could keep the negs.

Awais Yaqub

Some market research to find some gap in market will be helpful.

Chile Chef

Awais Yaqub wrote:

Some market research to find some gap in market will be helpful.

When the time comes, I will go ahead and do a lot of research!

Cygnus Studios

Chile Chef wrote:

I was thinking about opening a photo studio once I got my asa, but then I got to think why? they could go to sears, Wallmarts and so on if they needed some prints.


And I'm thinking its a bad idea because of the resession that's still going strong.

There is a recession every 6 years on average. Some people suffer, some people thrive during these times.
If you want to open a studio, you need to focus on the business end. This is what will get you through good and bad times.
Here in California the unemployment is over 11% and the state is all but bankrupt, yet there are still quite a few who are prospering and prospering well.
You really have to know your market and how to tap that market. Simply opening the doors and expecting people to walk in and hand you money is not a good business practice. Yes, some get lucky, but most succeed through hard work and knowledge.

Chile Chef

Cygnus Studios wrote:

There is a recession every 6 years on average. Some people suffer, some people thrive during these times.
If you want to open a studio, you need to focus on the business end. This is what will get you through good and bad times.
Here in California the unemployment is over 11% and the state is all but bankrupt, yet there are still quite a few who are prospering and prospering well.
You really have to know your market and how to tap that market. Simply opening the doors and expecting people to walk in and hand you money is not a good business practice. Yes, some get lucky, but most succeed through hard work and knowledge.

So your saying in essence, Find a keg, Buy a tap, Tap the keg, Drink until the keg is dry?

Cygnus Studios

Chile Chef wrote:

So your saying in essence, Find a keg, Buy a tap, Tap the keg, Drink until the keg is dry?

Exactly. If you won't do it, someone else will. Life is full of choices.

Photog4Christ

Chile Chef wrote:

I was thinking about opening a photo studio once I got my asa, but then I got to think why? they could go to sears, Wallmarts and so on if they needed some prints.

FWIW... Walmart (yes, that's their official name now... no more "Wal-Mart") just opened a new store in my town and there is no portrait studio at this location. Don't know how that has to do with the current situation, but just thought I'd mention it.

msf

Photog4Christ wrote:

FWIW... Walmart (yes, that's their official name now... no more "Wal-Mart") just opened a new store in my town and there is no portrait studio at this location. Don't know how that has to do with the current situation, but just thought I'd mention it.

Plus you can take pictures of things that in store studios cant, like pets.

Also the people that go to walmart for pictures probably shouldnt be your target market. some people enjoy having more than 15 minutes to have their picturs taken in, and presented to them. And at Christmas, those studios are usually over booked, so people have to turn somewhere else. : )

Right now im doing picturs on location, but Im thinking about getting a studio in September for the winter. Not many people like having thier picture outside in the damp coldness it would seem.