This would only work if a good scheduling system is in place and the communication is flawless, but so far they are doing pretty good. Maybe we can learn a little from them: http://www.riverimaging.com

After I went to their open house last week, I’m actually interested in doing something like this.

A friend of mine, an automotive shooter, has a small warehouse that he uses mainly for storage. I did a model portfolio shoot there a few weeks back, using mostly my own equipment (borrowed a few C-stands). I kept thinking “I’ve got to get me one of these studio things!” I do everything on location, so having a controlled environment was a wonderful luxury.

I like the idea of having a studio. I also like the idea of generating enough business that I needed and could afford a studio. But business models change…you might not need the studio as much now as you did a few years ago. You might also find that in another few years, you need one again. It’s hard to predict.

I know a local commercial shooter who had something like 4000 ft of space, and then downsized to about 1000 because he no longer did any large product shots. Then a couple of years later, he was looking around for more space because the larger items were back in his business model. I’ve lost touch with him, so I don’t know if he’s moved again.

It definitely sounds like your studio and your home are too far apart though!

Good luck with your new plans, whatever you decide. I’m jealous of the studio, but not of the overhead.

Most of our business is conducted via phones, and e-mails, so there is just the matter of furniture and phone lines to move over, but they wanted to keep the business within walking distance for them (looks like it will be less than a five minute stroll) while not increasing travel time for employees coming from further afield.

The interesting part will be that the new location allows them to rent out office space to one or two upstart companies, hopefully this will help offset the costs of moving and set up.

It will be interesting to see all the employees consolidate under one roof and see how the business works in this new environment.

Good luck with your own revamping. Personally I’m for opening new revenue streams (rent out space evenings or during slow times to us upstart photogs looking for access to studio space).

John, you nailed it: I need to find more hours to devote to the things I really enjoy (this blog, for example) and spend less time spinning my wheels (literally).

Jan and Kirk have ideas at opposite ends of the spectrum and both are equally valid. An established studio here in Cincinnati is trying Jan’s model and I just sent them my best wishes. They have a large space to fill and I want to see them make it all work. That idea would involve more people (and, subsequently, more time spent managing) and that’s something I’m really tending away from at the moment.

Kirk, I often relate my business to manufacturing and so your idea seems to fit right where I am at the moment. We’ve grown our business over the years and increased income but increased expenses seem to negate the benefits. And we’re left with more complexity. Just curious…what did you manufacture?

Hmmm, outsourcing…how about John comes on as the IT guy, Kirk manages the business, we outsource the photography to Jan’s group and I hang out on the beach, blogging?

Thank you for your candid remarks on your business. I know what it’s like to work for yourself. I understand what it means to be competitive and at the same time downsize.

I owned a small manufacturing company. In order to grow I had to expand production. My employee’s doubled but my costs increased four fold. I needed to cut back and expand at the same time. It was constipation of the small business world.

Finally, for my business to be more competitive I subcontracted. I found a firm that in their off months laid off employees. Their off months were my busy months. We spent the money to retool the facility for my type of product.

To make a very long story short it worked. It was a symbiotic relationship that worked for many years. I lowered my overhead to just storage space and a small office in my home. The other business kept their employees year round, and increased their bottom line.

I wouldn’t count your commute in miles. I’d count it in hours. Hours seem to be so much more valuable, especially if there are things left over that you want to do or need to get done at the end of the week.

One option you should consider is whether you can keep the larger studio - which can be convenient at times, but make it pay for itself a bit more.

One of the issues many of these new photographers have is that they do need both studio space, as well as a professional appearance as they start their business. But they may not yet have enough revenue to justify having their own studio. So there may be a good opportunity to sign up a few carefully vetted local newcomers as assoicates to your studio.

I’m very much in that position myself, needing just a bit more space, and a professional location from time to time, but am not quite ready for exclusive space. So I signed up with a local group of photographers doing just that type of deal. I get a set amount of hours of studio time in the 3,300 sqft facility, lighting equipment, my name on the door, and access to the studio manager in return for a decent monthly payment and a quarterly renewable commitment.

Works out well for both sides.