Angie and I have had the studio for a little over 10 months. We are going to be launching a new site soon and I finally had to take some pictures. Thought I would share a few. The location was a huge factor for us. We share the overall building with a flower shop and it is next to Hudson Gardens which is owned by the Denver Botanic Gardens. It is 2 minutes from the local community college that we teach classes at and about a mile from one of the nicest outdoor shopping malls in colorado. Upstairs is our studio and downstairs is the consultation room.
The location sounds ideal! I wish you the best!
However, something I've been wondering about for some time.
(1) When you have two floors like you mentioned, do you have an elevator? What do you do about handicapped persons, and the handicap laws?
(2) I keep hearing and seeing the phrase "boutique studio" or "boutique photographer/photography" -- what exactly does that mean? What makes it qualify for the adjective "boutique"?
(Not questioning the authenticity of the phrase. Just an ol' codger wondering about these new phrases and trying to keep up with the times.)
The boutique is ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant. We can conduct any of our business from the first floor. The sidewalk in the front is the same level as the parking lot eliminating the necessity for a ramp.
As far as the boutique title goes it comes down to describing what we do vs. walmart sears ect. Not a chain.
The dictionary has boutique as :any small, exclusive business offering a customized service.
Thanks for checking it out guys. I thought I would share it since I see a ton of threads on studios from photographers asking questions. This is our second place and it has made a big difference in our business. We are starting to see bookings that we could only wish for a few years ago.
Hassy- This is our second place. Meaning that we had a place before this one.
J Morris- The cameras are throughout the building so if anything ever happens at night we have it on tape.
Sam Hassas- Those are Awards of Excellence from WPPI meaning the print got an 80 or above score
Your front signage needs to replaced. Having a vinyl banner does not properly represent what you are showing inside. Street curb appeal is extremely important and sets the stage for your clients when they drive up.
First impressions are EVERYTHING !! You usually don't get a second chance to change someones initial feelings about you or your business created by how you choose to represent your business.
You seem to have a good color scheme within your studio, extend that out to your exterior. The exterior is too cold and uninviting....make it more WELCOMING.....
Possibly some large brass lettering with your studio name ?
Edited by hassy501 on Jan 29, 2008 at 09:17 PM GMT
Let me bounce this off you though................You are paying for a storefront, but you aren't maximizing its potential. Are you selling drapes or photographs? Get some huge canvas prints in those front windows!
The inside looks wonderful!! But I do agree with Hassy that the front signage doesn't represent you well. You need something sleek, streamlined and classy to match the interior!
Angie has plans to add some nice planters to the front of the building when the weather gets nicer. We didn't add prints to the front window because we thought they would fade and look horrible. Anyone know of a print that will last more than a few months in direct sunlight? At some point we will get another sign as its to small even though it is 3 foot by 7. It is actually metal maybe cant tell from pictures. We will get another sign at some point the signs. The signs I liked were around 2-3k
Yes having huge prints in the windows is the only way to go......even some long verticals, about three per window would be super......artsy images that would fit in that size...........gallery wraps........or maybe some loooong horizontals, window length.....awesome......make it so interesting that people just have to walk in and see what the hell is going on inside...............
You can have your prints done by a printer who uses a solvent based ink instead of pigments or dye. These will last years, especially if a UV laminate is applied over them.
Don't discount the importance of eye catching work in the windows, it will draw attention.
The company I work for does these for a restaurant chain and they have been there for over two years and look like the day we installed them (48 x 72 prints) in all of their side windows.
It's great. Good luck with it. 
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