Garage studio or rent a space?

[Mike Nicholls]

I'm considering opening a small studio, and I wonder if I would be
better off using my garage as a home studio or renting a small
retail space?

I understand that the retail space would be more expensive, but
would the expense be offset by increased exposure from using a
storefront?

Or should I just try to get a foot in the door at an existing photo
business (maybe as a sub-contractor on minority-oriented projects?)

I am brand-new to this (bet you couldn't tell) and would appreciate
any information/insight/hindsight you guys could offer.

Thanks.

Hi

I think a home office/studio is just fine. Great convenience and low overheads. You wake up at work. Hmmmm. However looking further down the track when your business booms, you may like to think about a leased commercial position. At some stage you may wish to move on from your business to another type of business or employment (or even retire). It will be far more difficult selling your home based business than a "walk-in, walk-out" sales proposition in leased offices with an established geographical presence.
Mike

 

[Rinus Borgsteede]

Selling the goodwill in a business as personal as photography is something you cannot plan for. The answer is in your budget. I have had a business aand was eager to get my name above the window on a very large sign. I found that that is not a bad idea if you have the money. Without money (5000.00 dollars is just enough to pay for film and prints and replace a camera body on saturday afternoon when your other one packs it in) you are best to build from within. A garage gives you a tax write off that comes off your income. You already own it. Now you get money back from the IRS. A business location costs money and you have to earn a lot to pay for it. Also consider that you cannot leave that place without someone being there to keep the door open. That other one needs to get paid also! If you have a spouse that could be there, it means they cannot have a good job elsewhere that pays for medical insurance. The costs are going up, way up. The only drawback in a home business is whether the zoning laws in your city allow you to have that business in your home. I suggest you check that out as well. I bought a new house in a properly zoned area and use at least half of my house for the business. It is a giant tax write off and with half the revenue of a commercial location, I am still bringing home twice as much money. Above all, the landlord I am paying is me!. Living in your business also allows you to find a suitable scenic location where the outdoors could be your backdrop. Good Luck.
Rinus

 

[JIM NODLER]

I totally agree with Rinus! I was in a commercial location for 25 years and decided to go the home route when I moved to a different town. Built a house with enough dedicated studio space and large enough camera room - approximately a 3 car garage and couldn't be happier. My whole house payment is less than I was paying for a smaller commercial space.

Selling the goodwill in a business as personal as photography is
something you cannot plan for. The answer is in your budget. I have
had a business aand was eager to get my name above the window on a
very large sign. I found that that is not a bad idea if you have
the money. Without money (5000.00 dollars is just enough to pay for
film and prints and replace a camera body on saturday afternoon
when your other one packs it in) you are best to build from within.
A garage gives you a tax write off that comes off your income. You
already own it. Now you get money back from the IRS. A business
location costs money and you have to earn a lot to pay for it. Also
consider that you cannot leave that place without someone being
there to keep the door open. That other one needs to get paid also!
If you have a spouse that could be there, it means they cannot have
a good job elsewhere that pays for medical insurance. The costs are
going up, way up. The only drawback in a home business is whether
the zoning laws in your city allow you to have that business in
your home. I suggest you check that out as well. I bought a new
house in a properly zoned area and use at least half of my house
for the business. It is a giant tax write off and with half the
revenue of a commercial location, I am still bringing home twice as
much money. Above all, the landlord I am paying is me!. Living in
your business also allows you to find a suitable scenic location
where the outdoors could be your backdrop. Good Luck.
Rinus

--flashman

 

[Jimmy Brunet]

This should be a great shoot! Good luck and let us see those images.

--Jimmy Bwww.pbase.com/jimmybru/galleriesNon-digital again, N90, Yashicamat G, Nikon Lite Touch 120zoom