So, I'm moving out of my studio apartment and it was suggested to me to keep the lease on it and turn it into an office. The idea is very intriguing because I've started to hate meeting at some cafes around here due to the rush. Most clients want to meet on the weekend or after work on the weekdays. I've found Borders, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, and Panera to be so packed at times, that there is no place to sit. It gets really frustrating trying to look for seating while the bride and company just stand there waiting. If I turn this space into an office, I can set it up in a really nice fashion with huge prints, albums, etc.

Now, for the concerns: it's on the third floor of a 3 story apartment building. Quiet and clean place for the most part - everyone keeps to themselves. However, it definitely has a residential look about it. One thing that could work against me is that people would consider it "ghetto" to not make an office in a commercial building/space. However, commercial office space is ridiculously priced.

Anyway, it's just an option - wanted to know whatever insights you guys might have.

That's actually a pretty damn good idea I think. But that's me, I don't know what clients would think of that. I think once they see what you have inside and see your work any qualms would go out the window.

Where's your loft? I was looking at moving down to my buddy's building next to the Capital downtown.

Location. Location. Location.

If it's questionable to you, it probably is.

/asim

I know when I ran my business out of my apartment and I went to get my local licesnce I had to get special permission from the apartment manager/owners and one of the stipulations was I could NOT have clients come to the apartment. I know every locale is different but that may be a roadblock.

Location Cubed indeed, but do you think people would rather meet in an overcrowded starbucks or a tiny hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, or a nicely done up quiet, personal studio that just happens to be in a residential area?

If you can afford it and you are permitted to do this...do it!
You would feel so much more in control and the clients would dig it.

Cheers
BK

Realmstalker wrote:
Location Cubed indeed, but do you think people would rather meet in an overcrowded starbucks or a tiny hole-in-the-wall coffee shop, or a nicely done up quiet, personal studio that just happens to be in a residential area?

That's the $500/month question now isn't it =)

$500...you lucky sunofa-...I'm paying $625/mo 7 miles north of downtown. It's spacious but I've always wanted a nice studio space!

Let all the Craigslisters fight over Starbucks tables.

You've already invested in a nice site and blog. Take your presentation all the way.

$500/month is nothing when you up your booking ratio by one more every two months. Or have one less client ask that you lower your price.

-m

I think its a good idea. My booking rate went from 50% to 90% when I stopped meeting in coffee shops.
I'm just about done with my new space - same property but i'm out of the basement into a seperate building and i'm very intersted to see how the better, more upscale, more professional space works out, sales wise.
Met one couple so far and booked them on the spot!

Have you thought about one of those "shared" office spaces. I forget what they're called, but the rent is reasonable, there's a receptionist who answers phones if you need it, you make an appointment to use office space for a specific time, and it's very professional looking. You could probably arrange to hang a few of your pictures there, at least just before the clients arrive, and switch them back after the client leaves. I know some photographers who do very well with that type arrangement.
Another wedding photographer I know arranged with another photographer who does not do weddings to be able to meet clients at that facility.
All kinds of options out there.

Here is the Think Like A Bride answer.
it may put off more than a few women when they see it is basically in a 3rd floor apartment. Not once they see the inside but before they ever get that far. You know they will Google Map it and take a street level look. Some (if not most) women are hesitant to venture into the unknown to meet a stranger under those circumstances.

Having said that, I agree that meeting in your own space rather than a coffee shop should/would up your close rate. Maybe just not that one. Consider using that rent money on a different studio space.

The parking is right outside the building... takes 30 seconds from parking to studio. It's just two flight of steps.

I'm intrigued to know that some of you have seen a huge increase in bookings due to a professional meeting space. Lol, I can imagine having a large LCD setup w/ some leather sofas, prints on the wall w/ nice lighting, and a stainless steel cappuccino machine ... ooooohhh yea

As far as renting other studio space, commercial spaces are going for like 2 - 3 times the price , but I'll keep looking. You never know!

Getting a studio was the number one best thing we ever did. A few years ago I would have never dreamed we would be booking weddings at the prices we are now. We just booked a 10,000 wedding and having a nice place to meet helps.

The apartment thing probably wont work though. People don't know if you own it or its just a fly by night rental community. Its there perception that you have to worry about (not saying it is)

I think the only way to do an apartment or condo is a gated community in a nice part of town like Mike Colon does.

If you want to look professional and get upscale clients you should look at renting a room in an office building.Even a small 200 sq foot room could work. I am sure you could find one for the same or less than an appartment. Almost any space in a commercial area will make your client feel better about your business. In todays economy I can't see why you could not find something for a fair price.

On the other hand if you can live in a 4million dollar home forget the commercial office space....the home will say enough!

A residential space can make an excellent office/meeting place, but often is not adequate for a shooting studio.

Residential ceilings in USA are seldom more than 8-1/2 feet high, which is not really high enough to boom a hair light above a full length standing portrait.

The larger your subject (i.e., couples, groups, etc.) the larger the space you need, especially between the subject and the background.

Good luck,
<Chas>

mauriceramirez wrote:
Let all the Craigslisters fight over Starbucks tables.-m

.. NOT nice, judgemental and uncalled for.

My 2c

Wedding photography is one of the lowest cost of entry businesses anywhere .. talk to some of your friends who own a restaurant, car dealership, doctors office, or retail outlet about how much it cost them to start & maintain their operations .. likely in the six figures.

So a photographer spending the relatively few dollars to have a nice meeting space is not really a lot by comparison.

I've had the main living room area in my home converted into a meeting / studio space for the past two years and it's perfect ... all my sales & contractual stuff is right at hand and meetings just seem to go so well. I just can't see meeting in a Starbucks or apartment building .. you create an immediate credibility question in a customers mind about how likely will it be that this guy will be around in 18 months to shoot their wedding.

This year we move the business out to a storefront location and I expect business to double at a minimum ... plus now is a great time to negotiate hard with property managers on lease rates.

Is there an elevator? You need to be code to be a business.

Marcel VanEerd wrote:
mauriceramirez wrote:
Let all the Craigslisters fight over Starbucks tables.-m

.. NOT nice, judgemental and uncalled for.

My 2c

I don't see what's so insulting about it. Pure statement of fact.

I've bought and sold many lenses at Starbuck's. Indeed the one across the street from SF's Academy of Art on Market St is particularly rife with bargains on lenses. And while they consistently have a good Americano, I still prefer Peet's. ;-)

-m

My booking rate meeting with clients is the same.. about half.. whether I meet at starbucks or I meet at a photographer's studio. I personally see no benefit to having a studio space if solely as a place to meet with clients.

Now, one could argue that my booking rate is low-- and maybe it is, I can't say why it is.. might be a personality thing... but my own evidence suggests that I just meet at the bookstore / coffee shop and save that $500 a month for better equipment, better advertising/prints/website or just better living. Save up for three months, get a 24L/ 35L / 50L / 85L. Save up for 6 months, get a new 5D Mark II. Save up for 7 months, get a 300/2.8L IS.

it's all about net profit. If having the overhead nets you more than you would otherwise without killing you with the workload, then go for it. If not, keep your overhead low and save some time and energy. Booking 20,000.00 of new work may not be worth it if it costs you 15,000.00 and 100's of extra hours of work for the privilege.

ken

You need to:
a.) get permission from the landlord;
b.) make sure you're properly insured; and
c.) check out the zoning laws for running a business from this location.

My day job is for an Insurance Inspections company. In almost every account we have if you have a business on the same property as a residence, your home or renters insurance gets cancelled, no questions asked.

mauriceramirez wrote:
Marcel VanEerd wrote:
mauriceramirez wrote:
Let all the Craigslisters fight over Starbucks tables.-m

.. NOT nice, judgemental and uncalled for.

My 2c

I don't see what's so insulting about it. Pure statement of fact.

I've bought and sold many lenses at Starbuck's. Indeed the one across the street from SF's Academy of Art on Market St is particularly rife with bargains on lenses. And while they consistently have a good Americano, I still prefer Peet's. ;-)

-m


Mmmm. I didn't know you were talking about lenses, b/c that hadn't come up yet. I took your comment to be directly related to meeting with respect to booking weddings.
Now, as a Canadian I'm supposed to apologize. Sooooooooooooorry!