Help! 2 Weeks to open my studio downtown!

**swimlabrador** · 03-13-2006, 06:22 PM

I have outgrown my garage studio and decided to open one downtown. It's 600 square feet on the main blvd. in our town. It's a rectangle long ways when you walk in. Can anyone who has a studio attach some pictures so that I can see how other studios look? Oh, my rent is 600 dollars. Here's the front of it.

Thank you,
Swimlabrador

**MikeNeale** · 03-13-2006, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by swimlabrador

I have outgrown my garage studio and decided to open one downtown. It's 600 square feet on the main blvd. in our town. It's a rectangle long ways when you walk in. Can anyone who has a studio attach some pictures so that I can see how other studios look? Oh, my rent is 600 dollars. Here's the front of it.

Thank you,
Swimlabrador

Hi Sue,....hummm,...I don't see the pic of "the front of it"....? This is a tough one to answer, not knowing what you have/had in your garage, and not sure what you plan to shoot. From your website front page, you have a pretty diverse list of talents, from wedding to sittings,.....could be difficult in 600 sq ft for storage, which is our chief issue. Good luck, down there in God's country,...(we had a house down on the CA side of Parker). Look forward to your studio front pics......

**brucep** · 03-13-2006, 08:14 PM

Welcome to the Photozo, Swimlabrador! One of our members, Titus, has posted some photos of his studio. You can use our Search button (above) to find them. Stephen Faust has also posted photos of his studio here. Either of these photographers can give you good suggestions about the technical setups.

Are you announcing a grand opening to the public in two weeks or are you just wanting ideas of what to do with this bargain space once you move in?

If your studio will be open to the public, maybe you can deligate one important, non-photographic area to a non-photographer assistant and that is the impression created when customers walk in. Will they feel like they're walking into a shade-tree mechanic's garage or will they feel at home in your waiting area and office?

I'm all for duct-taping lighting setups to the rafters above, but I've only done that in places where I didn't invite clients.

Good luck on your new venture! That's very exciting. Let us know how it progresses.

**swimlabrador** · 03-13-2006, 10:23 PM

I can't believe this forum won't allow jpg images. This is the way I posted them...it's the folder that says Studio in the Making...
Thanks for your input.
Swimlabrador

http://photos.yahoo.com/emilyrosesoapandbath

**brucep** · 03-13-2006, 10:58 PM

We do allow jpegs... in fact that's all we use. You'll catch on to posting... it's all in the FAQ or in the prompts when you upload the photos. They just have to be within size limits stated.

I see you have plenty of parking and a display window in front! That's worth putting a lot of thought into and ratating your display frequently to keep interest going. People may pass the window every day for months without "needing" your services. If you maintain their interest, they'll think of you when the need arises. If you don't, they'll forget you're there.

Once you get moved in and set up and have a plan, "free sitting" or "free 8x10" coupons are often helpful. I never had a storefront, and never offered a free sitting, but I intentionally did sittings at cost (without mentioning this) because I knew the customers couldn't resist buying the images of themselves. I don't know of anyone who makes a killing in sittings. The images have to sell themselves.