What do you need to open a photography studio? PR-actions and marketing of the photo studio

A photo studio is a great idea for a business. On the one hand, such a business does not require special financial costs at the start, and the business owner himself can work in the salon. On the other hand, a photo studio can become a starting point for creativity, and eventually turn into a well-known photo studio. How to open a photo studio and what you need to know about the specifics of ID photos?

A little about the photo for documents

Everyone will agree that everyone takes ID photos from time to time. Such photographs are needed when applying for a job, when entering any educational institution, when issuing an internal and foreign passport, passes, badges, medical certificates, identity cards, student cards and other things. And this means that there will always be work in the photo salon. But, of course, there are some specifics here too: for example, the main influx of customers, as a rule, is in the summer and autumn months. The main contingent at this time are applicants and vacationers. But the decline in demand usually occurs by the New Year. It is then that income is provided by additional services that must be offered to customers.

Do I need to be a professional photographer to work in such a salon? Technically, anyone can take a photo for documents (even those who do not know the basics of photography). You just need to invite a specialist to correctly set the light and prepare the equipment. This can be done once a month, and the rest of the time you can use the equipment according to the set parameters. But if business development is in the plans, then it is easier to complete courses for beginner photographers and learn the technical basics, as well as the rules for working in special image processing programs.

Normative base

Many are interested in the question: how can a beginner open a photo studio? I must say that it doesn’t really matter here whether you are a beginner or not, since anyone can cope with simple photographic equipment. But if you plan to provide document photography services to citizens, you will have to study the legal requirements on this issue.

The thing is that for a passport photo, for example, there are certain requirements that must be observed. You can get acquainted with them by studying the order of the Federal Migration Service of December 7, 2009 N 339 with changes from 2011 and the orders of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 785, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs N14133, the FSB N461 of 06.10.2006.

Business registration

So, you finally decided to open a photo studio? Then you need to draw up a business plan for a photo salon and start registering your own business.

• Buy or rent suitable space for a photo studio.
• Pass the state registration with the tax authority (you can also, but at first the IP will be easier and more profitable).
• Choose a tax system (simple or patent).
• Decide on the OKVED codes: 74.81 - activities in the field of photography, 74.8 - the provision of various types of services. And if you plan to sell accessories or photocopy as additional services, then it would also be right to choose 52.4 - other retail trade in specialized stores and 22.22 - printing activities not included in other groups.
• Then you should register with the Pension Fund and other organizations.
• Make repairs and bring the room in line with fire regulations.
• Get strict reporting forms or a cash register.

Choosing a room: looking for a "bread" place

Particular attention should be paid to finding a suitable location. Of course, ideally, it should be located where hundreds of potential customers pass every day, for example, a shopping center, a transport interchange in the center of a city or district, a business center next to a passport office, a travel agency, and educational institutions. Naturally, the rent in such places is not the lowest, but a photo studio will need a maximum of 12 square meters, so you should not be afraid of a high rental rate - it will be covered by a good demand for photo services in such places.

Repair and furniture

After the conclusion of the lease agreement, the premises must be put in order, repaired and prepared for work. This means that you should install a hanger for visitors' clothes, a couple of easy chairs, an administrator's desk where a computer, printer and other office equipment will be located. A mandatory attribute of such an institution should be a mirror. In addition, you can keep a “duty” jacket and tie for clients. This will help out in cases where the client urgently needs to take a photo for documents, but he is not ready for this.

Required professional hardware and software

The photo salon will also require consumables: glossy and matte photo paper (for document photos, its density should be 170 grams per square meter, and for reproductions it is better to take A4 and A5 formats with a density of 230 grams per square meter), ink for a printer, consumables for a laminator , replacement cartridges for copier.

The issue of software deserves a separate discussion. To work, you will need a couple of programs that will help you quickly and efficiently process photos and take pictures of the desired format: for example, a program for photos for documents from AMS Software with formats for all types of documents and Adobe Photoshop, which is useful for processing the finished image and eliminating existing defects (of course , it is safer to purchase licensed programs).

Additional services: increase the chances of a decent income

As for additional services, they are simply obligatory for a photo salon. This is necessary in order to increase the efficiency of the business and not be completely without income at a time when the number of people who want to take photos for documents will decrease. What additional services can you provide? It all depends on what equipment and skills you have. If you are a novice photographer and are still uncertain about working in graphic editors, then you can provide simple, but very popular services:

• photocopying;
• recording photos to external sources of information;
• scanning;
• photo printing from electronic media on photo paper;
• printout of publications, articles, dissertations, term papers and other things;
• sale of various accessories and photographic equipment (accumulators, batteries, albums, frames, etc.).

Well, if you have been working for a long time and have certain professional skills, then you can do photo retouching, creating retro photos, printing photo paintings, restoring old pictures, making booklets, business cards, inserts, wall posters, collages, photos on mugs, key chains, T-shirts.

Advertising

Of course, the location of the salon is of great importance, but advertising is a must for business. In addition to a bright signboard, you should make announcements and posters that can be pasted on the nearest streets, and business cards that are best placed in the mailboxes of residential buildings. You can also leave information about the salon in nearby institutions that will refer their clients to you.

Staff

Starting a business, it makes no sense to attract additional labor to work, since photographing and photocopying itself will not require much time and one business owner can easily organize the workflow. But as soon as the business starts to gain momentum and there will be more customers, it makes sense to hire an intelligent employee, since it will be difficult for the owner himself to cope immediately with the performance of work duties, and with the provision of additional services, and with reporting and documentation.

If you decide to hire a photographer, then it is better to choose someone with skills in special programs, versed in photo design. Then you will not only free yourself from unnecessary work in the salon, but will also be able to significantly expand the list of your additional services.

Initial investment

Let's calculate how much money is needed to open your own photo salon, given that the area of ​​​​the premises is 12 square meters, and the cost of rent is 3000 meters per square meter per month.

If we talk about the payback period of a business, then this is an average of six months or a year. It all depends on the cost of rent and client flow. But with the constant expansion of the range of services and the high quality of work, you can quickly return all initial investments and earn good money.

High-quality and high-quality photographs are becoming more and more in demand, so the business idea of ​​​​opening a photo studio is gaining popularity. Nevertheless, work in this area is painstaking daily work; you won’t be able to earn fast and much here (unless you are engaged in wedding photography). Solid investments will be required, the main part will be spent on the purchase of equipment. Estimated payback period is 1 year. In the article, we will consider a business plan for a photo studio from scratch with calculations.

Let's consider a detailed business plan that will allow us to evaluate our capabilities, estimated costs and expected profits.

Advantages and disadvantages of opening a photo studio

In the table below, we consider the advantages and disadvantages of a business. The main target audience of the photo studio is people with an active lifestyle who want to live brightly and beautifully.

Opening a photo studio: registration with the tax office

In order to open a photo studio, you first need to register with the tax office at the place of residence. In our opinion, the most optimal form would be the registration of an individual entrepreneur, since this legal form requires a minimum amount of documentary reporting to the tax authorities. Previously, in order to provide services to the population, it was necessary to be only on UTII, from 01/01/2013 the choice of the tax regime became voluntary. Consider the advantages of registering individual entrepreneurs and LLCs in the table below.

If services are provided to the public, then in the financial statements you can use a strict reporting form (BSO) instead of a cash register (KKM). When selling goods, BSO cannot be used / article 2, paragraph 2 of Federal Law No. 54-FZ of 05/22/2003

OKVED codes when registering a photo studio:

74.81 - Activities in the field of photography (main activity).
22.15 - Other types of publishing activities.
22.22 - Printing activities not included in other groups.

Mobile photo studios. Practicum Strobius

Photo Studio Business Plan: Market Analysis

The demand for photo services is gradually growing. The niche was partly occupied by large players, but there is a place for a new studio.

Potential clients (target audience)

• companies in need of brand advertising;
• ordinary people.

Competitors

The main competitors are private photographers. Professional studios usually specialize in model and magazine shoots, private photo shoots are rare. There are about 400 photo studios in Moscow, and even fewer in other cities. Coverage is small, given the territory of the capital.

To obtain a territorial advantage in attracting customers, we choose a place with a minimum concentration of competitors.

Photo studio services

The photo studio business plan assumes that private photo shoots bring the main income. Additional services of a photo studio can be:

• master classes in various areas of filming;
• artistic processing of photographs;
• creation of souvenirs (magnets, cups, photo books, etc.) based on photographs;
• print pictures;
• creating images for shooting (performed by stylists and makeup artists).

With a lack of orders, we use the rental of premises for profit. Often studios are rented out overnight. Renting a room with high-quality equipment is more expensive.

Large studios have a large selection of equipment and scenery for photo shoots, so it is difficult to compete with them. To do this, you need to have a unique selling proposition (USP) for your business. For example, focus on water photo shoots, or honeymoon photo shoots, or maybe b/w photography.

Initial equipment and advertising costs

We find a suitable room with a minimum area of ​​100 m². We carry out cosmetic repairs if necessary. We buy a "starter kit" of equipment:

• three softboxes of 500 J;
• reflectors;
• reflector;
• several racks;
• color filters;
• air conditioner.

As services expand, we purchase additional equipment. We choose reliable and wear-resistant equipment, especially if you plan to rent it out. We prefer expensive equipment of well-known brands.

You will need a computer with a good monitor to process the images. The best option is an Apple iMac (high-quality screen matrix), but a regular designer monitor will do.

We conduct an advertising campaign in social networks and the Internet (the best solution is to use Yandex.Direct). To find an effective way of advertising, we study the methods used by competitors. Estimated advertising cost is $10,000. In the future, advertising costs will be reduced.

Let's estimate the total amount of expenses for launching a photo studio (the costs are presented rather conditionally):

• premises (monthly rent) - $ 1500-2000;
• cosmetic repairs - $ 2000;
• computer with monitor and software - $5,000;
• the minimum set of equipment is $ 5,000-15,000 (as you can see, this is one of the largest costs);
• air conditioning - $ 500;
• advertising — $10,000 + $1,000/month.

Total - $ 24,000 excluding hiring staff. At the initial stage, you can not hire employees, otherwise the costs will increase.

Expected profit

Every month, in addition to renting a room, you will have to pay for utilities (mainly electricity) - $ 500-700. We are not currently hiring employees. The cost of consumables, taking into account possible breakdowns of equipment - $ 400, monthly advertising - $ 1000.

Total monthly costs - $ 3400.

Let's calculate the monthly earnings of a photo studio. The minimum profit per hour is $30. The first months we work 2-3 hours a day, after a year - 12 hours a day. That is, after 12 months, the monthly net profit will be $ 7,000.

Promotion and advertising

The best method of advertising according to most photographers is satisfied customers. They bring acquaintances and friends in 80% of cases. Therefore, the improvement of the quality of services should always be. We attract customers using search engines and social networks (for starters, Yandex.Direct with a one-pager will work well).

Evaluation of the attractiveness of a business by a magazine site

Business Profitability	(4.0 out of 5)	Business Attractiveness 4.0
Project payback	(4.0 out of 5)
Ease of starting a business	(4.0 out of 5)
Opening a photo studio is a cost-effective and fast-payback business. You can avoid high personnel costs if you yourself are the only employee of the company. The most significant line of expenses is the purchase of equipment for filming and the rental of premises. Key business success factor is advertising and promotion of your business, on which you need to focus 80% of your time, since it will determine the survival of your business. For beginners entrepreneurs, the best option would be to open a franchise business, a packaged business solution that already contains all the main indicators of a business model.

It may seem that a photo studio or photo salon is a business idea only for professional photographers. In fact, any enterprising person can open it. It is very profitable to rent a room ready for photography. This business is characterized by a quick payback and relatively small investments. We will talk in detail about how to open a photo studio in this article.

• Opening a photo studio from scratch
• Deciding on the format of the photo studio
• Choosing a room for a photo studio
• What equipment do you need to open a photo studio?
• How much money do you need to open your own photography studio
• Step-by-step plan for opening a photo studio
• How much money do you need to open a photography studio
• How to choose equipment for a photo studio

Opening a photo studio from scratch

First of all, you need to figure out how such an institution differs from a photo salon. There really is a difference. In the photo studio you can take creative, artistic pictures, change images, scenery. Ideas here are born in a creative stop. In addition, the photographer not only shoots people and objects, he can also make their computer processing. In the photo salon, the choice of services is much more modest. There, clients are rarely offered outdoor photo shoots, album or book design, although any creative person can do it with their own hands. The photo studio, on the other hand, offers customers a full range of services, a creative approach and always high quality.

The art of photography is developing rapidly today. First of all, this is due to the emergence of new technology, and, therefore, new opportunities.. The equipment is always selected only professional. In addition to technology, the studio should have several options for interiors. Ideas for its arrangement should be fresh and exclusive. Creative people can make it with their own hands. There may be several options for decorations. Usually they are made for generally accepted holidays. Often people cannot pay for the full rent of the premises. In order to attract customers, promotions and mass thematic photo shoots are held. For example, you can invite several couples to take pictures on Valentine's Day, arrange a costume shoot for Ivan Kupala, and so on.

Here are some types of services to offer to clients:

In addition, you can arrange master classes in teaching photography to beginners. Usually any photographer can rent a professional studio. If the equipment in it is at the proper level, then there will always be those who wish. For pictures on documents, a small room is usually allocated indoors.

Deciding on the format of the photo studio

Now a little about what ideas can be for a photo studio. One of the most common themes is love. The scenery for wedding photo shoots or love stories can be very different: from Chicago in the 30s of the last century, to cute angels and clouds. Most accessories can be made by hand. If there is no time for this or the ability, then hand-made masters will always offer not only original things for decorating the room, but also accessories for the shooting itself: three-dimensional letters, pictures, and so on.

Another business format is a children's photo studio. You need to create the right environment. For example, equipment for a children's photo studio can be built with your own hands. These are various swings, slides, decorations with “cartoon characters”. Here you can offer parents to rent several costumes.

Some photographers set up a do-it-yourself workspace in their home to cut costs. If the area is limited, then the maximum that can be done is portrait photographs and photographs for documents. Another option on how to make a photo studio at home is to always work on the road, and at home in the office only refine your masterpieces.

The total investment amount is 758,000 rubles.

The payback period starts from 10 months of work.

The term for reaching the break-even point is 3 months.

2. Description of the business, product or service

The activity of the photo studio is based on providing clients with professional photography in the interiors of the studio. The main advantage of studio photography is professionally set lighting and the use of additional equipment. In addition, studio photography provides more opportunities for the photographer's creative work, as it does not depend on environmental factors (for example, weather). In other words, the client gets the opportunity to take a large number of photographs in a short period of time against the background of various scenery using several images.

The cost of renting a photo studio varies from 1,200 rubles per hour to 3,000 rubles per hour.

The more interior zones, made in various stylistic directions, are presented in the studio, the more expensive is one hour of renting this photo studio. Also, the rental price is affected by the quality and cost of finishing materials and decorative elements. The studio, whose interiors are furnished with Italian furniture and author's decor from famous designers, will set a deliberately high price for the room. However, this requires a huge initial investment, which is considered inappropriate within the framework of this business plan.

The photo studio provides clients with two main services - photography with a full-time studio photographer and renting a studio to work with your own photographer. In both cases, the costs of using the premises are borne by the client. An approximate range of market prices is shown in the table below.

Studio photography includes various genres, the most popular of which are:

1. Portrait shooting;
2. Artistic staged shooting;
3. Shooting nudity;
4. Subject photography;
5. other genres.

For staged shooting, it is extremely important to have props and decorative elements that will create the necessary atmosphere in detail.

For subject photography, a special set of equipment is required. The purchase of such equipment will increase costs, which, however, pay off very quickly, since almost all enterprises and organizations that produce and sell goods order professional photography to fill websites and online stores.

3. Description of the market

The clients of the photo studio are both photographers and end users - customers of photo shoots. Among the latter, individuals and companies are singled out. Individuals usually order individual photography, family photography, photography of children. As for working with the b2b segment, orders are received either for corporate shooting of employees, or for professional shooting of products for an online store or website content.

The target audience is the determining factor when choosing the interior design of a photo studio. If your main clients are young people aged 18 to 30, then styles such as loft (brick walls, external wiring), vintage (underlined antiquity), country (rustic style), shabby chic (white and pink colors) will be popular. , a large amount of textiles, forged furniture). As for filling the interiors, such props as a motorcycle, a leather chair (the zone of a successful leader), a wrought-iron canopy bed, etc. will be in demand.

For family photography aimed at an audience of 30 to 45 years old, you need to set up a sofa, a soft area with an artificial fireplace, or a beautifully set dining table. Such styles as Provence, classic, modern will enjoy popularity.

The ideal option would be to reach a large target audience. This can be achieved through a variety of room design: for example, within one hall, you can create from 4 to 8 different zones. Each will be designed in a certain style using suitable props and other decorative elements.

If we talk about the statistics of studio attendance among various groups of the target audience, then about 50-60% of clients are girls from 18 to 30 years old who order shooting for posting photos on social networks.

As for the competition among photo studios, the main criterion for difference is the design of the premises. Not all studio creators are ready to invest in unusual and expensive props. In addition, some studios focus on only two or three types of shooting or work with a limited number of photographers.

Since there are 16-20 photo studios in a city with a population of about 1,000,000, we advise you to visit each of them before opening your own studio. This will help you evaluate the level of service of each competitor, see all the details and even the quality of the equipment used. In addition, by communicating with the administrator, you can roughly estimate the level of employment of each studio, and then analyze this data.

The competitive advantages of the studio are:

• Customer service quality.

Timely reminder calls, hospitable administrator, a tour of the filming space, the opportunity to relax and have a snack (tea / coffee / light snacks).

• Opportunity to order photography in the studio, and rent a room.
• High quality equipment.

Several sets of lighting equipment.

• Possibility of subject photography.

A separate set of special equipment.

• Additional inventory for spectacular shots.

The studio has a powerful floor fan and a smoke generator.

• At least 5 interior zones with unique props.

There are no analogues of decor and interior items in other studios.

• Possibility of taking photos in the bathroom.

Photo studio website with photos of interiors and portfolio of studio photographers.

4. Sales and Marketing

5. Production plan

It is more profitable to carry out state registration as an individual entrepreneur. Two main codes are indicated as the type of activity:

70.20.2 "Rental of own non-residential real estate"

74.81 "Activities in the field of photography."

Even if at the initial stage you decide not to form a staff of photographers, but only sublease, you should indicate both types of activity. The fact is that ordering photography from a studio photographer significantly increases the price for the client and, as a result, increases the profit of the studio owner. That is why, sooner or later, you should recruit a staff of photographers working under the brand of your studio.

After completing the registration, you need to select a room.

The room of the photo studio includes not only a room for photography.

Be sure to allocate a separate dressing room for changing clothes for clients, as well as for preparing for shooting (make-up, hairstyle, trying on images). In addition, the studio needs a bathroom. If there is a technical possibility, then you can install a bathroom that will be used for filming and will become an additional element that sets you apart from the competition.

The total leased area will be from 80 sq.m. It is important to note that for this type of business, location does not play a decisive role. Therefore, you do not have to look for a room in the very center of the city. On the contrary, a room with the required ceiling height (from 3 m or more) and the absence of partitions over a large area is easiest to find in the industrial area of ​​the city. Photographers and clients allocate time in advance for photography, so they are ready to come to any part of the city. The main thing is that your studio should be easily accessible by public transport, and parking should be provided for motorists.

The next step is to renovate the premises. Despite the fact that the repair of a photo studio includes the organization of several zones, its cost will be moderate, since you are focusing on the appearance of the design, and not on the quality and reliability of the materials used.

To ensure that all finishing materials and decorative elements are harmoniously combined with each other, you should hire an interior designer. A design project with the selection of materials will cost you about 30,000 rubles.

The price of the project depends on the amount of space occupied. About 100,000 rubles will have to be allocated for finishing materials and labor. Props and decor should be bought by hand. In this case, you will be able to save a lot and keep within 150 thousand rubles.

Then you need to purchase professional equipment. It includes softboxes, reflectors, beauty dish, reflectors, etc. A more detailed list of equipment can be found in the investment table (section "Financial Plan"). Also, do not forget about the installation of sound equipment, since photography is always carried out with background music. The best solution would be to purchase Bluetooth speakers with the ability to connect from any portable device. Such speakers will cost about 15,000 rubles.

Do not forget about installing a Wi-Fi router. Your customers will appreciate the ability to scroll through their Instagram feed at any time or instantly post a couple of finished photos.

The next step is to find staff. You need to find two young people for the position of administrator. Indeed, it is better to hire guys, because the studio needs a person who can fix small problems in the equipment, advise the photographer on the use of equipment and call the master in time.

As for the formation of the staff of photographers, they must be carefully sought. You can hire individual photographers for each type of shooting. Thus, it will be easy for you to distribute orders, and each photographer will have the opportunity to become the best master in his specialization.

6. Organizational structure

The staff consists of administrative staff (studio manager and administrators) and photographers.

The head of the studio makes decisions on the internal content of the studio, on the replenishment or reduction of staff, on staff salaries. He chooses the main directions of development of the studio, specialization in the types of shooting. Determines the marketing strategy and ways to promote the studio. Interacts with the media, develops the brand of the organization, attends professional events, and is engaged in networking. In addition, the head manages the cash flow of the photo studio, distributes profits, regulates the cost of working capital. For his work, the head receives 30,000 rubles a month. If the profit received is insufficient to pay this salary, then it is reduced, which stimulates the head of the studio to work more in the next month or change the direction of the studio.

An administrator is a person who is constantly in the studio. He should be able to deal with studio lighting, know the intricacies of setting up equipment. His task is to record clients, receive visitors, show the studio, accept payment and ensure that all technical equipment is in good working order after shooting. In his spare time, he performs tasks assigned by the manager.

Since the studio works 7 days a week for 10 hours, two people are needed for the administrator position. Working hours - 2 working days after 2 days off. The salary is fixed and amounts to 20,000 rubles.

Photographers are the workforce of a photography studio. The staff of photographers can include from 1 to 10 people. Professionals unite in studios to work under a single brand. Their task is to maintain the reputation of the company with the high quality of their own work. Each photographer has his own camera and computer for photo processing. Finished processed photos of the client are marked with the company logo.

Which simply cannot be unprofitable. Photo studios, as a type of business, are especially in demand among young start-up businessmen who seek to open a profitable and promising enterprise at low cost. How to open a photo studio, where to start and what costs will be required - the answers to these and other questions are contained in our new article.

In order for a photo studio to make a profit, you need to think through each step in detail:

1. Analyze the market situation and competitiveness of the future photo studio. Choose the format of the studio, determine the range of potential clientele.
2. Prepare the necessary documents for the implementation of activities.
3. Rent or buy suitable studio space.
4. Get the equipment for shooting at the highest level.
5. Hire staff.
6. Develop and implement a photography studio PR marketing plan.
7. Calculate the ratio of initial and current costs and expected profit.

Analysis of the market situation in the service sector and competitiveness

When analyzing the services market, the first thing to determine is the circle of potential consumers interested in your services.

The most popular photo studio is in:

• firms that need printed advertising materials - banners, signs, flyers and others;
• ordinary people who want to replenish their home photo album with fresh pictures;
• fashion models - they need professional high-quality photos to fill their portfolio.

When choosing a studio format, one should not forget about the unique circumstances, the main of which are:

• security of the population;
• amount of starting capital;
• urban population;
• presence and number of competitors.

A photo studio from scratch is not, so there can be no competition in this environment. Be sure to analyze the activities of competitors at the planning stage of the studio and decide how exactly your project will be able to attract customers.

This feature could be:

1. Providing unique services that competitors do not provide.
2. Reduced price for the provision of a particular service.
3. Expanded range of services.

What is your photography studio like?

If you decide to go into the photography business, you must clearly and definitely imagine what it will be like. The same studios may seem only to amateurs, professionals distinguish the following types of photo business:

1. Home photo studio. Such a business involves conducting on-site filming events and processing the footage at home. The advantage of a home studio is that you do not need to pay for renting a room for work and its repair.
2. Photo salon. This studio format provides for the smallest initial capital, since little equipment is needed for work - printers, a computer with Adobe Photoshop or another editor installed, equipment for photographing documents. The owner himself can work in such a studio, which allows you not to spend money on staff salaries.
3. Mini photo studio. This option is popular with novice businessmen with a small start-up capital, since the cost of organizing the work of the studio will be minimal. In addition to studio shooting, mini-studios are engaged in printing multi-format photographs, their artistic processing, printing on related products - ceramics, fabrics, and so on. A complete studio. This business is suitable for entrepreneurs with experience in large businesses.
4. Complete photo studio requires impressive costs, and it does not pay off quickly - it is worth counting on making a profit from such an enterprise no earlier than in 1.5–2 years. Filming in a professional studio is carried out in specially equipped premises, and thematic photography is organized to attract clients - for example, New Year's or Valentine's Day.
5. Baby. The activity of such photo studios is focused on the main clients - children, respectively, the premises are decorated in fabulous cartoon forms, costumes of popular characters are purchased. The services of such a thematic studio are quite popular among customers with children, since every parent wants to capture their child in high-quality photographs.

Documentation of the activities of the photo studio

To conduct photography and open a photo studio from scratch, obtaining permits and licenses is not required, but you will have to visit state registration authorities.

For a novice entrepreneur, the best option is that it is inexpensive and does not have any particular difficulties. The disadvantage of entrepreneurship is the risk of losing your property in bankruptcy and the inability to pay debts.

Multiple partners can. But this is somewhat more complicated - it will be necessary to hire an accountant, to contribute authorized capital.

In the event of debts and bankruptcy, the founders of an LLC run the risk of only authorized capital. Large clients, as a rule, are more willing than with individual entrepreneurs, but if the main clients are private individuals, then this will not matter.

To ensure the operation of the photo studio, you must purchase the official licensed software for each computer you use.

Space for a photo studio

The choice of a studio space should be approached especially responsibly - it should be high (at least 3 meters, this makes it possible to correctly place lighting devices) and spacious.

"Sharks" of the photo business recommend renting premises with an area of not less than 70 square meters, which will allow organizing a full-fledged shooting at 50 meters, and installing equipment on the remaining ones. The prosperity of a photography studio directly depends on how conveniently it is located.

When choosing a location for the studio, you need to consider the following factors:

• the proximity of competitors;
• the possibility of advertising outside;
• Is it convenient for clients to get to the studio.

It is better to locate a photo studio closer to the center of the district (if the city is large) or closer to the city center, so the traffic of customers will increase.

Photo studio equipment

It is impossible to carry out activities in the field of photography in the absence of equipment. A high-quality camera is essential for studio and location shooting.

When choosing a technique, choose reflex camera and be sure to purchase several lenses for it for diverse shootings. For photo sessions, you need powerful light sources in the amount of 4 pieces.

For the camera you need:

• holders height-adjustable tripod;
• racks for attaching light;
• herons.

From the studio equipment you also need:

• umbrellas;
• honeycomb nozzles;
• exposure meter;
• multi-colored backgrounds made of paper or fabric, holders for them;
• softboxes;
• props.

In the dressing room you need to place:

• mirror;
• shower room
• a screen for changing clothes;
• chairs and tables.

The administrative department will include:

• printers for printing photos in different formats;
• computers with Internet access and installed licenses;
• comfortable furniture.

Do you need staff for your photography studio?

You can run a small photography business, provided that you yourself know how to take beautiful pictures, process pictures and find clients, without involving third-party labor. In all other cases, hiring workers is indispensable.

You will need:

• Photographer. You can find a suitable photographer through bulletin boards, social networks, through acquaintances. Be sure to study examples of the work of a potential employee before concluding an employment contract with him. If your views on how photos should look are radically opposite, then you are unlikely to work together.
• Administrator. This person will coordinate the work of the studio, solve organizational problems, and also deal with advertising, search and record clients.
• If the budget allows, then hire a hair stylist, who will do hair and makeup for clients before shooting. The services of a beauty specialist are popular even in everyday life, and before taking pictures they are simply necessary - every client wants to look great in the photo.

PR-actions and marketing of the photo studio

Until a client base has been developed, you can resort to the following methods of self-promotion:

• - on forums, bulletin boards, city portals;
• in print media - newspapers, magazines;
• on television and radio;
• on bulletin boards and by delivering brochures to mailboxes (if the potential clientele of the photo studio is concentrated in one area or the city where the activity is carried out is small.

Photo studio business plan

An approximate calculation of the cost of the studio is as follows:

• rent - from 35,000 rubles per month;
• photographic equipment - from 80,000 rubles at a time;
• other equipment - from 50,000 rubles at a time;
• advertising - from 50,000 rubles;
• licensed software - from 50,000 rubles;
• administration room - from 40,000 rubles at a time;
• payment of utilities - individually;
• current materials - from 30,000 rubles;
• monthly - individually.

When working, as a rule, an additional purchase of something is required, so when calculating costs, include another quarter of the planned budget in the budget.

With the right management of the photo business, in a year the photo studio will be able to work daily about 12 hours(Initially, you should not count on a workload of more than 4 hours a day).

Simple calculations (7 days of the week * 2,000 rubles for studio shooting per hour) show that after a year, the photo studio will not only fully pay for itself, but will also bring a stable profit. The average annual income from the photo business is about 180,000 rubles.

Photo business - which, with the right approach, will not only pay off the initial and ongoing costs, but also bring good profits.

How to open a photo studio? Tips from a professional photographer in a new video: