All advice welcome

**Photo Phil** · #1 (**permalink**) 25-04-2008, 10:10 AM

I am currently in negotiatons with an agent for a very usable shop front on a very busy main road in North Wales. The unit is rentable at £1000 per calander month inc. rates
I have never been a person who would stick to a set price range for my work, however if I was to secure this unit, all this would have to change.

Can anyone advise me on a good price range to set as a starting goal?

I will be concentrating on studio portraits family and otherwise, I have also secured the interest of 3 local schools for their individual and class shots once I am established in a secure professional base. So any advise on this would also be a help.

The area is not affluent, there are no other established photographers and the nearest studio is in Chester city centre (Very expensive) approx 10 miles away. I will be positioned between a stationers (wedding stationary) and a florists (wedding bouquets etc) There is also a beautitians and hairdressers nearby and a wedding car hire service. All of whom have welcomed the idea of a photography studio. There is also a great deal of support from the local community and further affield.

To start with I will be concentrating on packages of 6x4 7x5 9x7 10x8 A4 and A3+ prints.

All advice welcomed

**Eos1nrs** · #2 (**permalink**) 25-04-2008, 12:59 PM

Hey Phil

Good for you mate, nice one..
StudioPlus Software

have a gander at this mate

Dont be too afraid of prices, if you're good, you're worth it and people will travel to see you but dont go venture pricing!
Networking will be your main focus for the first few months so throw yourself into it. for your immediate neighbours just give some freebie PR shots but explain thats what they are, one off's!
surf the net and keep an eye on what goes on in portrait land. thats what i do..
are you doing online proofs? we dont as we want people in the studio making a decision there and then. works 99% of the time. light, atmosphere, presentation are all controlled by us. Lord knows how many home monitors look crap and our shots wont look the best on them..
Price wise? stay away from from small profits. We offer one free(absolutely everything is framed) but we work very hard to make sure our shots live up to expectations..being aware of you area is good but you wont get rich doing it softly softly. take it slowly but firmly. make the product you sell look like its expensive but price it under so you get the, "oh wow, thats good!"
we get our customers by stands in shopping centres then calling people who express and interest therefore no cold calling.
get yourself listed everywhere online that is free. keep googling what customers would put in and see what online directories come up etc then look carefully at spending your money. paper advertising doesnt account for where everyone looks these days
printing wise not sure what you have planned but try to FTP as much as poss to cut down on posting costs

Photo Processing, Exhibition, Display Equipment and Signage

a lab we use. save costs by putting all shots into a 20x16 or 24x20 then trim them yourself
avoid promotions where you work hard for not much return. you'll get everyone taking free offers while you run yourself ragged!

storage wise, backup dvd and this
Drobo
not cheap but bloody good, i want one!
well thats my lunch over so i'm off. hope thats all helpful and i havent taught you to suck eggs!
cheers mate
Best of luck, quite jealous!

ps
Kaleidoscope
more we use!

**Photo Phil** · #3 (**permalink**) 25-04-2008, 08:45 PM

Hey Andy,
thats great info. Thanks mate.
I'll keep you all informed of the progress as and when it happens.

**Photo Phil** · #4 (**permalink**) 28-04-2008, 01:06 PM

Hi Andy,
this shows an approx layout of new premisis

Wildigg · #5 (**permalink**) 28-04-2008, 01:35 PM

Hi Phil I wish you all the luck in the world for your new venture I fit out shops for a living so if you need any materials let me know I’ll supply you all at cost best of luck mate.
Bryan

G8PSR · #6 (**permalink**) 28-04-2008, 05:44 PM

Same here Phil , Good luck with your new venture

Mello · #7 (**permalink**) 28-04-2008, 09:29 PM

Nice one Phil!!! hope it all works out for you mate (which of course it will)....

PS: where abouts are you? (just in case you need an assistant)...Lol

**Photo Phil** · #8 (**permalink**) 28-04-2008, 09:47 PM

Thanks guys,
still a few hurdles to climb over but, I am keeping my fingers arms legs and everything else crossed.

**Paul** · #9 (**permalink**) 30-04-2008, 11:57 AM

All the best with this venture Phil, I have all my thingies crossed for you also mate!

Sounds like a great location and really like the floor plan!