Home photo studio business. How to open a photo studio from scratch - cost, equipment, ideas

* The calculations use average data for Russia

We solve the problem of how to open an interior photography studio from scratch. Given: a creative person who wants to realize the abilities of a decorator Conditions: 700 thousand rubles. Find: profitable business opportunity.

Today photographs are an integral part of our lives. So familiar that it’s hard to imagine how people lived without the ability to capture memorable events in photographs. Now everyone has a smartphone with a camera at their fingertips, with which they take pictures every day. However, most of us still want high-quality, beautiful photographs taken by a professional photographer in a beautiful setting.

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Therefore, it is quite natural that opening a photo studio is currently a promising business idea. Renting a space ready for photography is very profitable. This business requires relatively small investments and can quickly pay for itself. Another plus is its creative focus. After all, thanks to such a project you can realize your creative abilities and prove yourself as a designer.

The photography studio market has undergone enormous changes. Do you remember what photo studios looked like before? A white canvas against which you pose with simple props. Now the interior of photo studios can be considered a work of art. Typically, studios offer several interiors to choose from for shooting. Each interior is clearly thought out, full of interesting locations and details that can be used in shooting. Whether a person wants to come to the studio for a photo shoot depends on the originality of the design. The interior is the main component of success for a photo studio.

However, in addition to the creative component, the photography business has many organizational aspects that need to be understood in order to open your own photo studio.

How to define a photo studio concept

Planning your photo studio needs to start with clear positioning. What type of service will you provide? There can be two options: you either provide interior space for photographers who shoot there; or organize photo sessions, providing a whole range of services - from providing a studio to makeup and, directly, shooting. The first option is less expensive. Here the business owner is focused on creating the interior. The second option is more complex because it requires a whole team of professionals (photographer, makeup artist, costume designer or stylist, administrator), and is more expensive. If the entrepreneur is a photographer, then it is more rational for him to choose the second option. But according to the terms of the task, the entrepreneur is a creative person who intends to independently design the interior of a photo studio. Therefore, the essence of the project is to provide an interior studio for rent for photo shoots.

How to analyze the photography business market

To analyze the market, it is not necessary to conduct large-scale marketing research. It is enough to find out how many photo studios operate in your city and study their approximate list of services. Your main assistant is the Internet. Today, almost all photo studios have their own website or social media account. Look at what interiors are presented there, how much it costs to rent a photo studio, determine their territorial location (Yandex.Maps, Google Maps or 2GIS will help). Based on the collected data, you will be able to plan your business more thoughtfully and create competitive advantages.

To attract clients, you will have to offer something that other photo studios have not yet offered. For fresh ideas and inspiration, look at what's on the market in other regions. You should also understand that your ideas should appeal primarily to your audience. Therefore, we advise you to find out what topic is relevant among the city’s population, what is the demand for existing services. This information will help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

How to calculate how much money you need to open a photo studio

The required investment is one of the most important elements of any business planning. In order to open your own photo studio, you will need from 700 thousand to 3 million rubles. It all depends on the scale of the business, the complexity of the interior, the idea, the city and the premises. For example, if you want to buy the premises in which the studio will be located, the amount will exceed 3 million. But 700 thousand rubles is enough to open a photo studio. You can save on the premises itself - rent it; for staff – limit yourself to studio rental services; interior – carefully consider locations that can be compactly placed in the rented area, and wisely select decorative elements, choosing budget options. You can also save on renovation costs by choosing a room in good condition. By the way, this will save not only money, but also time, allowing you to launch the project faster.

We will return to the money issue later when we plan to fill the photo studio. We are still getting used to the idea that we need about 700 thousand rubles.

How to choose a room for a photo studio

If your studio is located in the city center, this is an ideal option. But achieving this ideal is not so easy: firstly, there are many requirements for the photo studio premises that are not so easy to fulfill; secondly, renting premises in the center is not a cheap pleasure. Therefore, you can consider options located in the city center, but on less traveled streets. Going far, to industrial zones, which will take a couple of hours to get to, is not the best option. It is also impossible to place a photo studio in a residential area, because it does not provide essential services to attract residents of nearby houses. You need to attract people from all over the city, so the most logical choice is the center.

Now let's move on to meeting all the requirements for the photo studio premises itself:

high ceilings - from 3 meters;

studio length is at least 8-10 m;

the required repairs must be cosmetic, otherwise you will spend a lot of money and time on remodeling;

the space should not be divided by vertical beams;

When choosing a floor covering, you should give preference to dark color and high wear resistance. Otherwise, the floor will quickly lose its attractive appearance.

On average, the cost of an 80 sq.m. premises rented in the city center is 50 thousand rubles.

Once the room has been chosen, you can think about the layout. The room needs to be divided into several zones, each of which will house a location for shooting. A good photography studio should have at least three locations. Also, do not forget that in addition to the workspace, you should provide an area for receiving visitors and a toilet.

How to choose the interior of a photo studio

So we come to the main thing - planning the interior of a photo studio. The main character who determines the interior of the studio is the entrepreneur himself. Here he can realize all his creative ideas, give free rein to his imagination and get creative.

It should be noted that, no matter how sophisticated the designers, the most popular are the following location themes:

romantic - they are designed for clients who buy family photo sessions or love stories. Such a location should be of medium size to accommodate a family. Typically, romantic locations are made in light colors, with floral motifs;

stylish locations that are popular among younger audiences. The design style is close to loft or modern and is most often decorated in dark colors;

the third room is usually called the "chameleon" because its interior changes for seasonal filming. Here you will have to change the environment frequently, which will allow you to re-attract clients and invite new clients on the eve of various events. Typically, locations are based on the theme of the seasons.

For inspiration, we have collected several interesting interior concepts for decorating a photo studio.

You can support the romantic style with a chic hanging bed decorated with a canopy and flowers. It looks very beautiful and gentle. Miniature swings will also look interesting, which will help create lively shots in motion. But a romantic interior does not have to be in light colors. A country style location - a hayloft, a romantic inscription on a wooden wall and a mini-picnic - will look stylish and unconventional. Why not romance?

Within the walls of a photo studio you can imitate the space of the street. For example, equip a cozy courtyard with a beautiful door, a veranda or a fence covered with grapes, a bench and a bicycle left near it.

To maintain a stylish loft, you can make a brick wall or a gradient background that imitates plaster. A chalk board will be an interesting addition - inscriptions and drawings on it can set the mood of the photo; designs made from light bulbs that look good in the frame; stylish armchairs and step-ladder racks.

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You can provide creative details that make the interior special. Attach a bicycle to a brick wall, decorate a window in an unusual way and turn it, for example, into a porthole, “grow” a magic tree in the studio, cover one wall with different wallpapers, creating several backgrounds for photographs. It is also important that the interior contains many interesting details that clients can interact with (books, pillows, musical instruments, three-dimensional letters, etc.).

How to equip a photo studio

There will be a minimum of lyrical digressions here - only dry numbers.

Renovation of the photo studio premises - 150 thousand rubles.

Equipment - 150 thousand rubles, approximate list of equipment: light sources (from 4 pieces), umbrellas for transmission and reflection, curtains, attachments for reflectors, synchronizers, mounting installations, stands, herons, tripods. If you are afraid of incomprehensible names, you can contact companies that provide ready-made sets of equipment for photo studios. To choose the right equipment, you can consult a professional photographer.

Decorations – 250 thousand rubles.

Business registration – 20 thousand rubles.

Rent of premises – 50 thousand rubles.

Total: 650 thousand rubles.

How to legalize a photo studio

While our studio is being renovated and decorated, we can take care of organizational issues. First, you should register your business. For a photo studio, the LLC or individual entrepreneur format is suitable - it all depends on your personal plans. It is safer to register an LLC, but registering an individual entrepreneur is much easier. As an individual entrepreneur, you will be able to conduct basic accounting and choose a simplified tax regime. As for the registration of activities according to OKVED, code 74.2 (Activities in the field of photography) is suitable for a photo studio - it includes several subsections.

To operate a photo studio, you do not need to obtain any licenses; a standard package of registration documents is sufficient. But it is required to obtain permission from the fire inspectorate to open a photo studio in the selected premises.

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It is also worth mentioning inspections, which sometimes frighten entrepreneurs. Photo studios do not belong to the category of the consumer market that inspectors are closely interested in. Therefore, there should be no difficulties with the control authorities. The main thing is to keep the premises clean and tidy and provide high-quality services.

Another important issue is the search for personnel. A photo studio requires at least 2 people for the position of administrator who will work in shifts. If you want to save money, you can become one of the administrators, reducing labor costs. The average salary of one administrator is 25 thousand rubles. You will also need to hire a cleaner who will monitor the cleanliness of the premises. It does not have to be included in the staff.

How to advertise a photo studio

Promotion of a photo studio is usually carried out via the Internet. Beginning entrepreneurs place special hopes on social networks. And for good reason. Practice shows that Instagram gives the greatest return when managing your account correctly. After all, the photo studio business is based on high-quality photographs, so this resource is best suited for promotion.

First, you need to photograph the studio locations yourself, and in the future you can ask photographers to use their work to demonstrate the locations. Contacts, examples of work, decoration options, information about promotions, and reviews should be posted on social networks.

You can promote your studio through collaboration with photographers. And the now fashionable word “collaboration” would be appropriate here. What is their logic? You independently invite photographers to shoot in your studio, in exchange for providing the location, he undertakes to post information about you in his account. Essentially, this is an association for the purpose of mutual benefit: the photographer gets a photo shoot in a beautiful interior, and you get advertising for your photo studio.

You can also attract customers with profitable promotions and offers. Organize a drawing for a certificate for a photo shoot in your studio; provide a discount on certain days; Organize a promotion to support family photo sessions at a discount. All these actions will have a positive impact on the promotion of your studio.

When planning a business, most entrepreneurs focus on two parameters: required investments and profit. It's time to ask the question - how much can a photo studio earn?

To give a specific answer, you need to determine the cost of services. To do this, we look at the prices that competitors set. Each city has a different price level. But on average, 1 hour of renting a photo studio will cost 1,300 rubles. You can count on 120 hours of rented filming per month (that is, approximately 4 hours of filming per day). In this case, the revenue will be 156 thousand rubles. Then the net profit will vary in the amount of 70-80 thousand rubles. During weddings and New Year's holidays, this amount can increase significantly due to increased demand. With an average monthly profit level of 100 thousand rubles, you can recoup the investment after 10-12 months of work.

How to assess the risks of a photo studio

Any business involves risk. You should take into account all possible difficulties that may arise when opening and operating a photo studio. This will allow you to quickly respond to threats or avoid them altogether.

The first risk is outdated props. The specifics of the work of a photo studio require constant updating of locations and props. Irrelevant, out-of-fashion props are unlikely to decorate the photo and interest the client. Therefore, the owner of a photo studio should always be on trend - monitor trends and change the content of the studio in a timely manner.

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The next type of risk is increased competition in the market. To reduce the impact of this risk, it is necessary to regularly invest money in marketing, improve the level of service, conduct competent work with clients, and create unique offers on the market.

Another risk is the seasonality of business. In the summer months there is a decrease in demand, but the most active months for photo studios are November, December, February and March. To minimize the risk, during low sales, organize competitions for free photo shoots and distribute gift certificates. You can also expand the list of services. For example, rent out a room for holding any events (birthdays, master classes, etc.).

Thus, you can determine the main advantages and disadvantages of opening your own photography studio. After weighing all the pros and cons, you can make a final decision about opening this business.

Table 1. Pros and cons of opening a photo studio

current business creative business promising direction high income	high competition illiquid business

Setting up a simple home photography studio can be very rewarding for any photographer. Whether you're a professional portrait photographer or a designer who needs to capture product photography, a home studio will give you the opportunity to work, and most importantly, learn and experiment. Let's look at a few basic points needed to create a home photography studio.

Room.

First of all, you will need free space - the more the better. If it is possible to free one of the rooms, or at least part of it, as much as possible from furniture and other things, do it.

Ideally, it would be great to completely empty the room before filling it with photography equipment. In real life this is unlikely, there are a lot of things in the house besides a photo studio, so you will have to put up with cramped spaces.

In the room, you will need tight control of the light conditions at all times of the day and night. Natural lighting can certainly be useful, but consider closing the windows tightly, completely blocking any natural light that could spoil the light picture.

Another point that should not be forgotten is temperature. Especially if you plan to work constantly and store equipment in the studio. For example, in summer a room can heat up on its own from the sun and operating lighting equipment to very high temperatures, which is not very good for photographic equipment. In addition, models sweating from the heat or shivering from the cold are not the best subjects for shooting. Therefore, think about maintaining an optimal climate and temperature in the room.

And the last thing you should think about is sound insulation. If you are only going to take photos, then this will not worry you much, but if you are planning to also video, then you should think about how much extraneous sounds, for example noise from a busy road outside the window, may disturb you. In this case, it is well worth considering investing in some sound insulation.

Backdrop (background).

Every good studio has several backdrops against which photographs are taken. You'd be wise to ditch the expensive "professional" backdrops you may have seen in hardware stores in favor of something simpler. You need something with a dense, uniform color and unnoticeable texture.

Backdrops are usually made from a variety of materials, including cotton, canvas, vinyl, and plain paper. The easiest and cheapest choice for backdrops is plain paper, especially if you can find it in large rolls.

But if you want to get a more professional studio and achieve better results, it’s still worth spending money and choosing inexpensive material for the backdrop in a photo store or having it sewn to order.

However, for starters, for the first experiments, a simple white sheet or a roll of wrapping paper will do just fine, with which you can build something similar to the photo below.

Light

Lighting is the most difficult and expensive part of the studio. Choosing studio light is not an easy task and is the subject of a separate discussion.

In short, there are two types of light. Constant and impulsive. Constant is cheaper, but generates a lot of heat in the studio and is not as versatile as pulsed. With pulsed light you get much more power, very good light quality and much more options. But it also costs noticeably more.

To get started, you can purchase a simple, inexpensive studio light kit. But for a good result, be prepared to fork out a decent amount in the future. And no matter how much you would like to save money, it is better to immediately buy an inexpensive set of pulsed light with two or three flashes rather than a permanent one. For a small home studio, this will be enough to get excellent results in various situations, and over time you can expand the kit.

Umbrellas and softboxes.

When looking at different lighting kits, you may find yourself going back and forth between whether an umbrella or a softbox is best for your studio. Unfortunately, there is no exact answer, since both have their pros and cons. At the same time, both perform their task - softening the light.

Umbrellas are usually cheaper and more versatile. They often come with a reflective surface that allows you to control the light output - you can make the most of the light by bouncing it, or reduce it by removing the reflector and directing the light directly through the umbrella material. Umbrellas spread light over a fairly large area and they work well in large spaces or when photographing a group of people. In addition, umbrellas are more mobile than soft boxes; they are faster to assemble and install.

Most professional photographers work with both umbrellas and softboxes at the same time to achieve better results. But if you're on a budget, an umbrella is a great place to start.

Entourage and costumes.

What is often not thought about is the multitude of crazy and at first glance completely unnecessary accessories and other junk. Taking a portrait is an incredibly boring process for most people, so using dress-up costumes and anything that can make the shoot fun and enjoyable and get the models excited can be very helpful.

So it will be useful to keep in the studio all sorts of nonsense such as stupid sunglasses, wigs, toy jewelry and other nonsense that will “stir up” the most complex clients - from clerks to children, causing a smile, a good mood and a relaxed state.

The main thing is to make the person relax. A photo of a person with a tense face “like a passport” will always lose to a photo taken in a relaxed atmosphere.

Photo supplies.

Don’t forget about the specific and often necessary equipment for the studio. This could be a refrigerator and a plasma TV or laptop, but first of all, think about the essentials. For example, you will definitely need a tripod or even two. You may need remote controls or cables to control the camera remotely.

If you use flashes, consider wireless controllers for them. Don't forget that a small stepladder can be very useful for choosing a specific angle or hanging a backdrop. And also a mirror, for those who at the last moment before shooting decide to check what he looks like.

And further. Be smart about your spending and try to understand your goals. Otherwise, creating a home studio can milk a lot of money out of you, some of which you will spend on expensive, but unnecessary or rarely used things. Therefore, always think carefully about what will be useful for you and what will not. Perhaps inexpensive constant light will suit your specific purposes, so you don’t necessarily need to invest in pulsed light, etc.

Well, that's the main thing. Don't be afraid to learn and experiment - shoot more, try new approaches and you yourself will understand what you need most. Remember, a home studio is only the first step to “get your teeth into” and understand the basic principles of working in a studio. And then you will either begin to improve your own studio or find a suitable professional one.

Working with photography in a creative studio can be both challenging and rewarding. In the beginning, when you are just taking the first steps to improve your photography skills, you always start using the available light. It takes very little time for most people to realize that creating very beautiful photographs in low light conditions, especially indoors, can be extremely difficult. Looking for answers on how to get around the low light problem ends up buying faster lenses and better cameras. But the better and more expensive camera device cannot properly capture dimly lit areas. In the latter case, it becomes flash photography, a topic that scares many photographers.

However, the thought of setting up a home studio with lighting can seem like a scary prospect. But studio flash is not a complicated art, just a combination of basic lighting principles and camera skills, while the required kit has become much cheaper and easier to use. And it completely depends on the photographer, what kit he buys, and how much he spends. You can get rid of using a large polystyrene board as a reflector, or you can expand the softbox to almost life-size.

But I want to save money. Then the best place to start is with a home studio flash kit. This set offers a number of advantages. First, it will give you control over your exposure. High flash power means you can use lower ISOs and therefore produce images with less noise. Secondly, a studio flash kit effectively gives you control over depth of field, as increasing or decreasing the power allows you to open or close the aperture.

However, the biggest benefit is control over the quality of light a studio flash produces. You can choose whether it will be diffuse or sharp, a wide beam or a narrow beam, and you can choose to have it radiate from any angle. Therefore, setting up a studio may not be as costly as it seems.

Basic steps to open a home photography studio

It is necessary to take clear and structured methods in the process of setting up your home photography studio. To understand what you will have to do in the future and calculate costs, you must follow the following instructions:

• Determine location. The place that is chosen should be wide, spacious and comfortable. There will be a lot of equipment to install here, and you will need space for: backgrounds, equipment and even people. A hidden location is more suitable than an outdoor location, but if you plan to take more outdoor shots, then this is a great place to set it up. However, this may interrupt the process (there will be all kinds of disturbances, such as nosy neighbors, etc.). Nothing in the room should be too bright, or it will take away from the quality of the photo. Bare walls work best. Comfortable, cream carpeting creates a pleasant ambiance.
• Create a waiting room (optional). If a professional touch is needed, you can create a waiting room where clients can sit back and relax before having their photos taken. This room should not be as spacious as a “photo room”. But it should be quite large. Chairs and/or a few couches should be set up so clients can take a seat and look around. This room should be bright, warm and welcoming. You can hang some of your past work on the walls so clients can observe and compare. Magazines can also be provided for entertainment. You need to create a pleasant atmosphere by exploring wall and carpet options. It is advisable to do everything so that clients feel like guests.
• Set a schedule and hire help (if needed). If you do not plan to create an entire photo studio yourself, you will need responsible, dedicated people to help. It takes somewhere between 2-8 people to successfully run a photography studio. Once this process is complete and a good team has been assembled, scheduling can begin. This is something you need to discuss with your current employees.
• Make seamless paper backgrounds. A good photography studio has a wide selection of backgrounds for photographs. Clients expect quality designs, landscapes and solid colors to complement their photographs. Backgrounds should not be sloppy or unprofessional. You should have several backgrounds to choose from (solid white, solid black, and perhaps a few decorative ones). They should be large enough to take up the entire frame. You can use gels on background lighting to customize the look (a solid white background can appear red with the help of gels). You can create your own backgrounds to save costs:

1. Take a sheet of 300x300 cm muslin and dye.
2. Take a sheet of canvas (size as above) and paint it - this will be heavy and require a lot of dye.
3. Look for used backgrounds.

Cosmetics and accessories. Clients want to look their best in photographs - after all, they pay good money for it. You can hire a makeup artist to apply makeup on them. You need to purchase a medium-sized mirror that can help you apply makeup. In addition, it is worth considering providing accessories for photographs such as: hats, jewelry, wallets, etc. This can make the photo more interesting and stylish. Clients will be pleased with the tremendous help and will strive to ensure that their photography turns out great.

• Determine prices. Prices are an important factor to consider when setting up a photography studio. Too high a price will quickly scare away customers. However, costing it too low will make profits meager. It's worth looking at prices in your area. You need to set a price per visit and also charge for printing. You need to take into account the factor of employee salaries, the cost of studio equipment and your personal experience.
• Post a price list so that clients can see it.
• Name the studio. Every photography studio needs a name to attract clients. The name that is given can make or break such a business. It's worth discussing your name choice with your colleagues and thinking about your business. What are the strengths? How can you express this in a few words?
• Advertise the studio. Now that the location, workers, props and even the name have been created, it's time to start advertising your photography studio. Before you start advertising, you need to make a list of all the strengths of the studio. Why does the client want to come to this photo studio? It's important to create colorful, eye-catching ads that highlight these strengths.
• Start a business.

Studio equipment

In the field of photography, you can find numerous professional photographers who have never touched a flash. Some of them couldn't do it for financial reasons (unfortunately, it's quite common among professionals that flash photography is extremely expensive), some of them were too afraid or too busy to try it, others felt like they never needed it . Most photographers tend to connect the flash to their cameras (in Auto/TTL modes), point the camera at the subject and take pictures. And when their flash breaks after firing 20 times, they will blame Nikon for overheating badly. Sounds familiar?

If people are paying for photography work, you need to know how to work in different lighting situations. And the best way to learn flash photography and get good results from it is to constantly work and experiment with it. Setting up a small, affordable photography studio at home is a great way to get started. You can learn a lot just by photographing your family and children at home. Even if you take photos for fun, why not experiment and learn something new? To build an affordable photography studio at home, you need to consider some basic and must-have tools and then expand your studio lighting options.

The very first thing you will need to decide is what you need to work with. An inexpensive way to find studio lighting is to use continuous "hot" (tungsten) or "warm" (fluorescent) lights. You can buy two light stands with umbrellas. But this type of setup has its own problems, and it won't teach you how to deal with low light.

If there is an interest in continuous lighting, it is better to use it before using flash. Then you will definitely understand what is needed, and you can get the maximum benefit from the equipment.

Many high-end studios use continuous lights because they can precisely target the light as needed. For professional studio photographers, precision and consistency are often required. But for someone just starting out, there is no need for this.

Therefore, despite its relative complexity, it is better to first learn how to use flash. There are several basic guides to flash photography. This will be the most expensive part of the purchase. "Strobes" or "Speedlites" (depending on whether Nikon or Canon are used) are compact flash units that can be used both on-camera and off-camera. For off-camera setup, the flashlight is removed from its camera and placed on a light stand. This is the configuration that is used to create the first studio. The nice thing about speed lights is that they pack enough power for everyday needs - from lighting up one person to a group of people. They're also expandable - you can start with one high-speed light and add more flashes in the future for more creative photography.

All the leading DSLR manufacturers make LEDs that are proprietary to their cameras. Nikon calls its flash system the "Nikon Creative Lighting System" with a lot of built-in automation. Canon and Sony also have their own comparable flashes. All three provide a variety of options for speed lights, from basic to high-end models used in commercial photography. Nikon currently offers three accelerator options for DSLRs: SB-400, SB-700 and SB-910. For a single lighting setup, the cheapest way is to use the SB-700 in an off-camera configuration and use the camera's built-in flash to trigger it.

If you have an entry-level DSLR, there are several options. The first option is to buy a command unit such as the SU-800. The second option is to buy a set of PocketWizard Plus III devices. If you have a Canon DSLR, you can start with the Speedlite 320EX or 430EX II, both of which can act as "slaves". Many of Canon's new DSLRs, such as the 7D, can also act as flash commanders. Total cost: from $250 to $550.

Like cameras, there are all kinds of lights to choose from. To run indicator lights under controlled conditions, one usually chooses the most affordable lights that can be found. You don't need anything super powerful to fire the flashes.

You will then need an umbrella adapter that will sit on the light stand - this will hold both the flashlight and the umbrella (to soften the light that comes from the flash). The best inexpensive two-in-one adapter is the Impact Umbrella Bracket with Adjustable Boot. If you're lining up two lighting setups, you might want to consider purchasing the Impact Digital Flash Umbrella Kit. The total cost of the kit is about $60.

No background support system needed. You can find and use a white bed sheet or colored muslin as a background. But if you want something nicer and more portable (for photographing corporate clients), it is recommended to buy a good background support system.

You'll need a couple of other things with the background system. First, you need to decide whether to buy a paper backdrop or muslin. Paper is cheaper and if it gets dirty you can just cut out the dirty piece. Plus, you don't have to worry about ironing. But it requires a lot more storage space. Don't forget to take a couple of adjustable clamps to hold the paper.

These are the most basic tools to start with. Once you start using more advanced flash techniques, you can start learning the best light modifiers, shaping tools, flags, and other tools for complete control.

Studio lighting can seem daunting if you've never done it before. However, it is not as scary as many people think. Using a simple home studio kit with a few flashes and a few basic accessories can produce great results in no time.

There are many home studio lighting kits to choose from. A basic home photography studio kit includes everything you need to get started. Here are some of the key tools that can be used to create classic studio lighting techniques:

• Flashes. Most kits have two flashes. Along with the flash, there is a modeling light. Most have a switchable "slave" that allows one flash to be triggered by another, so you only need to connect the camera to one of the heads.
• Constant light. Studio flash is all about positioning the light source away from the camera. They support flashes, which means they can be positioned at the desired distance and angle to the subject.
• Photo umbrella. The flash is aimed so that the light is reflected on the subject. They are available in a variety of reflective surfaces - usually white, silver or gold.
• Softboxes. They are a little more complex, but they create a softer light with more even illumination.
• Snoot and honeycomb. Both of these tools help focus or “focus” the light. They are ideal for use as a highlight or to highlight a specific part of an image.
• Reflector. A simple reflector can be really helpful in a studio lighting setup, especially if you're only using one light. You want to use it the same way you would use natural light - to bounce light back onto your subject and fill in any shadowy areas.

There are several lighting methods:

1. The shutter speed you choose is less significant in the studio, but it should be fast enough to avoid camera shake. However, you also need to be careful not to set your shutter speed faster than the camera's specified sync speed. On most cameras this is usually 1/200sec or 1/250sec.
2. Flash power is measured in watt-seconds. Each part is 400 watts, which is approximately the number 64. This is normal for general portrait work.
3. Switch the camera to manual and use the histogram and LCD to judge the exposure and the effect of the lights. Use the switches to change the power of the lights and aperture.
4. To connect the camera to a light source, you need a sync cable or wireless trigger so that when you press the shutter, the lights turn on at the same time. Some wireless ones are now so cheap that this is the best option since many popular DSLRs don't have the PC jack needed to use a more traditional sync cable.

Basic expenses for starting your own photography studio

A professional photographer will need at least two professional cameras. You need to have a professional grade backup camera.

The equipment needed will vary depending on whether it is portrait photography or wedding photography. The following list is exactly what is recommended to buy for a beginner:

• Cameras. Nikon d750 is the best camera for wedding photography. For portrait photographers - 2 Nikon D7500 cameras. Wedding photographers need 2 Nikon D750 cameras.
• Lenses. As for lenses, the following are recommended for both portrait and wedding photographers: Nikon-50mm-1.8, Nikon 35mm f/2.0, Nikon 50mm f/1.8, Nikon 85mm f/1.8. Also, for wedding photographers: Nikon 70-200 f/2.8.
• Other equipment. Wedding photographers will need at least 2 flashes for their camera. Nikon SB-700 is recommended. You will also need to purchase camera bags, memory cards, reflectors, light stands, flash triggers, etc. This will depend on the style of photography.

Because costs will vary depending on location, market area, and type of business, the costs listed are universal for most cases.

The following expenses will be required:

• Costs for registering a photo studio as a private enterprise.
• Annual accounting services: for filing tax returns at the end of the year, etc.
• Insurance (if desired).
• Photo samples. If customers can't see products, they will be less likely to pay for them.
• Legal fees and photo contracts.
• Computer software. (For example, an iMac costs $1,299).
• 2 redundant hard drives.
• Screen calibrator.
• Purchase Lightroom and Photoshop.
• Web site. Having a website that is not just a free site is absolutely essential.
• Other photography business needs. Many photographers start a business without any idea of ​​how to actually run it. They don't know how to get new clients, how to attract them, or even how to get them to buy their services. To avoid wasting time and money, the following tools and courses should be included in your startup costs: A Photographer's Guide to Pricing and a Community of Professional Photographers.

Business plan

Before you buy a camera and create a website, there's a little prep work you need to do:

1. Determine the points of the business plan. This detailed document serves as a roadmap outlining how this will be beneficial. This affects things like cash flow, expenses, ownership and competition.
2. Access your financial needs. As part of your business plan, you need to gain access to startup tools. You will need business licenses, insurance, a website, and accounting software. If the studio requires office space, you will need to research commercial leases and include monthly expenses and utility costs in the plan. Most photographers need help starting a studio. You can ask friends and family for financial support. Whether asking for help from friends and family or applying for a bank loan, you'll need a plan before you open your business.
3. Calculate your personal finances and calculate your possibilities.
4. Gain professional experience. You'll need to show your potential clients what you can do, and working with a professional photographer is a great way to gain some experience and start building a portfolio.
5. Buy a camera. If you buy used equipment, you can collect all the equipment for about $5,000.
6. Come up with a pricing plan. This is a difficult question for every photographer, especially when starting out. You need to find out what hour of time costs how much. For every hour spent filming, about three hours will be spent editing. You need to take this into account in your prices.
7. Invest in a website. The site must demonstrate the work. This is what customers will want to see. You need to keep your site organized by dividing galleries into categories. Include a picture of yourself and a page that describes your work experience. Contact information is also required. You must include pricing information on your website.

Marketing and development of a photo studio

Now, after organizing a photo studio and purchasing all the equipment, you can attract clients by following these steps:

1. Create your own brand. You need to figure out what makes your studio unique and use that to brand your business.
2. “Join” groups, forums, clubs, and photography groups.
3. As a photographer, you not only need to have insane composition skills, but also communication skills. Not only must the client trust the photographer, but also bring and bring others. If necessary, you can meet with your clients before the shoot.
4. Use social networks to promote yourself. It's best to start with one or two sites and use them consistently. Facebook is a good option, but you may want to lean toward one of the more visual social media channels like Instagram.
5. Google Ads. You can take part of your marketing budget to buy keywords that generate more traffic to your site.
6. Team up with charities.
7. Create an email list.
8. Keep a photo blog. A blog is a great way to establish authority in your field. This is an open platform to showcase your photos.
9. Make a savings plan. It takes time to make a profit from a photography studio and requires even more money in your savings account, but saving money should be a priority as it grows and becomes more popular.
10. Reinvest in business. Once you have at least three months worth of income to run your studio, you can start thinking about reinvesting it. With new lenses and improved editing software, new technologies can improve the product. To make the right decisions, you need to make a list of the items you need.
11. Diversification. Over time, you can add certain elements to your business that will help diversify your income stream. You can add maternity and newborn photography to your list of services. Instead of generating all of your baby run income alone, you can generate more money by branching out.
12. Continue to learn and improve your skills. You can supplement your classes, watch instructional videos, or schedule time to photograph something completely unrelated to your photography career.
13. Hiring assistance. First, you will need to perform all the functions: shooting, editing pictures and placing print orders. Once the business is established, it is a good idea to delegate responsibilities. To do this, you need to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. You can find a freelancer to help you in some area.

As with any new business, there will be ups and downs with a photography studio, but if there is a commitment to photography, it is easier to build a solid reputation as a photographer with your studio.

A good photograph is comparable only to a brilliant printed work, which over the centuries has not changed its content, but at the same time every family wants to have it. It is for this reason that many novice entrepreneurs decide to open a photography studio, a business plan for which is created similarly to all other types.

Who is it aimed at?

This type of income is more suitable for entrepreneurs who have sufficient patience, do not want to take unnecessary risks, and know how to wait for a full return on their investments. This can be explained by the fact that the demand for photography is growing steadily, but it is doing so quite moderately in comparison with other industries.

Business profitability is ensured only if there is sufficient start-up capital. A project can be launched only if a business plan for a photo studio is ready, and it describes in detail all the moments and nuances of this type of activity, organizational factors and financial issues. for this type of activity is quite high, about 2-4 years.

Despite the fact that what is planned is characterized by a very specific degree of clarity, there are a huge number of difficulties that can make this business segment quite difficult to start. You should not only consider the business plan of a photo studio, an example of which will be presented below, but also important points regarding the direct activities of such an organization.

Consumer market

Clients can be roughly divided into two large groups, taking into account target needs. Legal organizations actively use the tool in the form of a photograph to position their brand and its further development. For ordinary citizens, the need for photography arises as an aesthetically useful attribute intended for recording important life moments: anniversaries, weddings, baptisms, etc.

A business plan for opening a photo studio should also take into account such a new trend as updating your own portfolio for girls and boys who are active on a variety of Internet resources and social networks. In this case, there is an urgent need to obtain a high-quality image.

Photo studio options

The choice of the format of the project being developed affects a lot of additional factors that the entrepreneur will have to take into account to one degree or another. When drawing up a business plan for a photo studio, it is necessary to determine the priority direction, because it determines when the launched project will begin to generate profits. Any of the described options, with the proper approach, can provide a high level of income.

Full-size photo studio

If you decide to open a photography studio, a business plan can be drawn up so that it will be an organization providing a full range of services in this area. For these purposes, you will need an interior room with decorations, costumes, and all types of photographic equipment. A business plan for a photo studio in this case should also include additional ways to earn money in the form of renting out premises for short periods of time or for conducting photo shoots; production of gift items and various souvenirs, conducting master classes with practical exercises.

Photo salon

This option involves creating only the official type of photos. In this case, a business plan for a photo studio can be called the simplest, since this option is a budget option, designed for starting a business. Success is predetermined by the location, that is, the premises should be chosen correctly.

Photo studio for children

This version of the project is aimed at parents who want to capture their kids in all their glory. To meet the corresponding demand, a stylized interior space will be required, and thematic scenarios with a full set of necessary attributes will not hurt. Even a ready-made business plan for a photo studio of this format is not suitable for beginners, since it is aimed at organizations with powerful

Mini studio

This is an analogue of a full-length studio, which allows you to work in all sorts of industry areas. This option is convenient for starting, as it has a broad prospect for growth and further change of specialization.

Regardless of what format of the photo studio is chosen, success will be regular as a result of providing high-quality services in this area.

Competition

An aspiring entrepreneur will find himself in a situation where he will need to fight for clients against two types of opponents: large-format studios and private photographers. The former prefer to cooperate with large customers in the form of magazines, modeling agencies and others, so they will not be a real obstacle for a small photo studio with limited capabilities. But private photographers are focused on medium and small consumers, just like the aspiring entrepreneur himself.

We can propose an optimal strategy for an entrepreneur who intends to open a successful business and has already drawn up a business plan for a photography studio. Taking into account the small concentration of existing photo studios and the insufficient saturation of this niche, you should select a location that will be remote from the concentration of photographers and small firms.

Necessary costs. Business plan

It should be understood that there is no maximum limit for this area, so the calculation uses the average photo workshop, which is capable of conducting high-quality and diversified activities in this area. A ready-made business plan for a photo studio with calculations will contain the entire list of expenses expected to open it. The list of variables, that is, one-time expenses, must include the following:

Legal preparation of all documentation that may be required - 40-60 thousand rubles, depending on the region;

Costs associated with repairs and subsequent decoration of the premises - 250-300 thousand rubles, depending on the initial indicators;

The purchase of a set of working equipment may require an amount of 200-600 thousand rubles, depending on the chosen direction and format of activity;

Purchase of office furniture - 150-300 thousand rubles;

Other expenses and accessories - from 100 thousand rubles.

It turns out that the amount of variable expenses is 740-1360 thousand rubles.

There is also a list of costs that are constant. Among them the following can be noted:

Stands, holders, tripods;

Camera and set of lenses;

Decorative background with fastenings;

Flash meter;

Synchronizers designed to ensure normal operation of flashes;

Dressing room equipment;

A computer with good performance;

Auxiliary attributes not initially included in the photo studio business plan (sample). Example: background, etc.

Staff

The initial staff usually includes the following specialists:

- Photographers They can be either young specialists with a high-quality portfolio or experienced, reputable professionals. The first option will provide certain savings on labor costs, and the second will guarantee a flow of regular customers. The ideal ratio is one to one between experienced and novice professionals; in this case, you will have a successful photo studio. The business plan, calculations and indication of all costs must be contained in a single document.

- Administrator a photo studio must have one, and for smooth operation you will need at least two of them. A good administrator not only resolves any issues professionally, but also promptly prevents possible problems.

- Technical staff must be in any photo studio, the number depends on its size. Employees must have a shift schedule with the possibility of substitution if necessary.

- Content Marketer undertakes obligations related to creating the studio’s image on the Internet and its promotion. This sector currently contains the vast majority of potential customers, so it is definitely something to keep in mind. If you intend to open a photography studio, your business plan must contain this point.

Opening dates

This point completely depends on the chosen business format and the availability of investment funds. Depending on the situation, the period can range from 1-3 months to 6-8. If we are talking about entrepreneurial maximalism in conditions of a significant shortage of funds, then the period will be from 9 months. The main wasters of time include the search for financial institutions, investors or partners who could provide the required amount of funds.

Marketing plan

A business plan for opening a photography studio initially assumes that this is a very expensive idea, the implementation of which requires a lot of funds, and it is impossible to count on a quick payback without a good influx of clients from the first months of work. Therefore, advertising is organized in three directions: among regular customers, through traditional means of presenting information, and through Internet promotion.

In order for visitors to start talking about the photo studio, it is necessary to choose an individual approach to everyone, non-standard options for realizing wishes, and also provide services at a high professional level. Only in this case will it be advisable to create a photo studio, for which a business plan is being developed. To use the traditional form of presenting information, it is necessary to attract an advertising agency with a proven reputation, capable of notifying everyone about a new photo workshop in the shortest possible time. Promotion on the Internet requires constant support, taking into account consumer trends and trends.

Even if a business plan is being created, you should not ignore such important tools for positioning services as discounts, bonuses, promotions, prizes, etc. This approach has already been tested and works.

Planned revenue and payback

It is influenced by many factors, among which the following stand out: location, professional services, and the right advertising campaign. With proper and systematic organization of activities, you can count on an average annual income of 600-800 thousand rubles. Such indicators provide a full payback period of no more than 4 years. An aspiring entrepreneur should understand that in the photography business, numbers are relative indicators that have limitless opportunities for growth. From the first days, you don’t have to try to create an expensive project, since there are nuances and circumstances that will correct it in any case. It is better to organize a moderate start with an emphasis on the high quality of services provided.

conclusions

For a new studio, income depends on the level of workload and the quality of services provided. And it doesn’t matter whether there is a ready-made business plan for a photo studio with calculations or not; it is necessary to approach this issue with all responsibility and understanding of the current market situation. Loading for an organization that has just started its work can only be ensured under conditions of proper advertising. If it is not fully organized or has the wrong approach, the new photo workshop will have every reason to close in the first half of the year.

Photo salons, photo studios - at first glance, it may seem that this type of business has lost its popularity. All those who think so are deeply mistaken. It would seem that what new things can be done when digital technologies burst into our lives. Now almost everyone knows how to take photographs and print pictures. Then why do we need salons where masters work miracles?

In the modern world, the photo services market is developing by leaps and bounds. Photography has long won our hearts and has become an integral part of everyone’s life. This type of product enjoys constant success among the population of all social classes and positions.

The leading place in the segment of this market is deservedly occupied by private entrepreneurs and enterprises in need of advertising products, as well as ordinary people who give preference to high-quality professional photos. We present to your attention a business plan: “How to open a photo studio?”

The relevance of this type of business

Home purpose This type of creative human activity is to provide everyone with good photographs that meet high aesthetic requirements.

Priority task– provision of services of the highest quality.

Photo salons and photo studios are especially relevant among novice businessmen. If desired, an amateur can develop into a real pro and open a photo studio from scratch with a list of various services. For example, you can offer clients to use the services of a professional makeup artist - everyone will want to make their appearance even more attractive. The owner of the salon will be able to get double benefits from this.

To sum up the above, we can safely say that the most relevant area today is the service sector, which includes photography.

Analysis of the photography services market and competitors

Analyzing this area of ​​business activity, at the moment its state can be characterized as transitional. This is due to the fact that the digital technology market is just emerging and taking shape in Russia.

Several can be defined indicators characterizing the development prospects of this type of business.

• The Russian Association of Trading Companies and Manufacturers of Household Appliances conducted research, which revealed that approximately 40% of Russian families own cameras. At the same time, there are significantly more film cameras than digital cameras.
• The modern market is not sufficiently saturated with new generation equipment. There is a fairly high risk of purchasing low-quality products.
• Sales volumes of digital cameras are steadily growing, which indicates that the consumer market is not fully saturated.

Today we can state the following fact: with an increase in the number of sales of cameras, the need for the provision of photo workshop services is significantly reduced. Photo processing and printing technologies have become more accessible. Almost everyone has an inkjet or laser printer at home. Scientific developments make it possible to obtain high-quality images at home at an affordable price.

Analyzing the industry market in this area, we can conclude that a surge of interest in this type of business is still ahead. These forecasts are associated with an increase in sales of professional equipment. There is no strong competition in the market at the moment. Therefore, my advice to everyone is to get involved right now.

An analysis of competitors suggests that there are not many professional studios in Russia that are ready to compete with European standards. Therefore, when starting your own business in this area, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. If you decide to try your hand at creating beautiful photographs, you need to attend courses or seminars of famous artists, learn from them how to take high-quality photographs, try to create a creative atmosphere in your team and try to find a creative approach to each client.

What does it take to open a photography studio?

In order to open a photo studio, it is not necessary to have a license, it is enough to be an individual entrepreneur. As in any other business, it is important to take a responsible approach to choosing premises and recruiting personnel.

Premises and decoration

At the very beginning of a business, it is preferable to rent space for a photo studio.

The location of the salon should correspond to your work preferences. If you plan to carry out only corporate orders, then it is quite possible to use premises in an industrial zone.

To serve private clients, you need to choose a building closer to the city center, close to a large number of people. These may be educational institutions or government agencies. Do not forget about convenient parking spaces - if they are absent, it is unlikely that a wedding procession will be able to drive up to your salon.

The main requirement for the premises for a photo studio is the ceiling height - it must be at least 3 meters, the area - at least 50-60 sq.m. The largest number of square meters will have to be allocated for shooting space. The equipment will take up a lot of space, so you won’t be able to save money. You will also need a place for a make-up artist and an area for the administrator.

It is not possible to convert an ordinary apartment into a professional studio - the height of the ceilings will not allow this. If the ceiling is not high enough, it will be impossible to install lighting for high-quality photography.

The design of the studio will depend entirely on the preferences of the photographer. The walls are usually painted white or gray - the main thing is that they are in the same tone. The windows are covered with blinds or thick curtains - this is necessary for long exposure photography.

The wedding business requires a lot of dedication and significant investment. But, nevertheless, this type of business is known for its profitability. , how to open your own wedding salon and make money from it.

Costs and profits

How much does it cost to open a photography studio?

In addition to the costs of opening a studio, you will need to invest some money in equipment, props, furniture and some elements to create additional coziness.

You will have to invest about 250 thousand rubles from your own funds, and you will also have to attract bank loans.

The main assets are:

• camera – about 70 thousand rubles;
• lens – 100,000 rubles;
• flash – 20,000 rub.;
• lighting equipment – ​​150 – 200,000 rubles;
• details - 25 - 30,000 rubles;
• computer and household appliances - about another 80 thousand rubles.

According to approximate calculations, you will have to spend about 500 - 600 thousand rubles in the first few months.

Is it profitable to open a photography studio?

At first, you will work at a loss, since in order to attract customers you will have to reduce prices. A photo studio can only make a profit if it is fully loaded, with an 8-hour working day for the staff and your full dedication.

With proper loading, a photo studio can work up to 12 hours a day within a year. All initial investment will pay off in about a year.

The profitability of a photo studio is about 80% - this is a pretty good figure. With competent and efficient organization of work, in a year you can make a profit of up to 200,000 rubles. per month.

Summary

There are so many good specialist photographers on the market. In order not to make a mistake when choosing personnel, you need to carefully read the resume of the applicant for the position.

A document designated as a “resume” should always be at hand for every specialist. It describes the professional “life” and abilities of the applicant. Finding an employee using this document is much easier.

Thus, a well-drafted business plan for opening a photo studio will allow you to calculate in advance all the pros and cons of this enterprise, and will help in choosing equipment and recruiting personnel.

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