A friend is considering converting an approx 1800 square foot space into a studio.

He is considering to offer a couple of backdrops but no lighting. This would basically be a blank canvas space to use.

There is no natural light so it would be excellent for low-key as well as high key shoots or where absolute control of the light is important. Dark walls and a high dark ceiling mean light will only be where you place it.

The space is often used for photo-shoots and they have hosted workshops, exhibitions and many other events. It is located just out of the town centre, only a 10 minutes walk from the mainline train station.

At this stage they are just looking to gauge interest before committing to financial outlay for background systems etc. Rates would be reasonable, maybe £15 an hour midweek with discounts for longer bookings.

Any thoughts, comments or suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks
Gary

The lovely misspixie as shot by one of the participants at a workshop in this venue. ©Theodore Crush 2010

I'm local so could potentially be intererested

Martin

I'm fairly local and would be interested

Alan

Very few studios are busy all the time. Will £200 (assuming 2 days hire every week throughout the year cover the fixed costs - rent, rates, services,staffing cost etc.

Probably worth him talking to an accountant & putting a business plan together & making a decision based on it.

Remember to remind people about taking out proper insurance, payment for fire extinguishers, PAT testing and all the other hidden extras that you will need to do to keep your head above water in these hard economic times.

Thanks for the interest, concerns and comments.

The place is a live music venue and currently also rent the space out as a rehearsal location for musicians and dancers. As such they meet all of the required fire safety regulations, insurance, planning and everything else.

At the moment they are pretty busy most evenings of the week and this was an idea to help bring in some daytime business.

I've already advised them not to buy lighting unless they are prepared for a serious spend. If they buy a couple of cheap light, it won't make anyone happy, so I think it's best that they aim at people who can and would bring there own.

They will never be able to cater to the type of photographer who wants to turn up for a 1 hour booking with everything set up and ready to go. The asset they have is a wonderful space.

For the photographer like me who typically shoots at home, the possibility of a big space at a reasonable cost is very attractive and certainly worth the effort of dragging my lights down there. The one thing I would want, would be for them to have a decent background system, hopefully with 2 or 3 choices of background.

For them to make that investment would require interest from a few more photographers, hence this forum.




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