Target audience of the photo studio. How to open your own photography studio from scratch and what is needed for this: a business plan for opening. Financial section of the photo studio business plan

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 you plan to develop your business, then it’s easier to complete courses for beginner photographers and learn the technical basics, as well as the rules for working in special programs for image processing.

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 state registration in the tax authority (it is also possible, 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 - providing various kinds 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 in specialized stores and 22.22 — printing activity not included in other groups.
Then you have to register with 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, shopping center, transport interchange in the center of the city or district, business center next to the passport office, travel agency, 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.

Necessary professional equipment and software

For a photo studio you will also need expendable materials: glossy and matte photo paper(for a photo for documents, its density should be 170 grams per square meter, and for reproductions it is better to take the A4 and A5 format with a density of 230 grams per square meter square meter), printer ink, laminator consumables, 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 more reliable 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 beginner photographer and 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 for work, since photography and photocopying itself will not require much time and one person, the business owner, can easily cope with the organization of the workflow. But as soon as the business begins 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 extra work in the salon, but will also be able to significantly expand the list of its additional services.

Initial investment

Let's calculate how much money it will take to open your own photo studio, 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.

With the development and spread of technology, it would seem that photography services should have become a thing of the past. Now almost everyone has their own device for photo and video shooting, photo printing devices are available. In the wake of cheaper technology, a new genre of photography was even born - selfie. However, as practice shows, the services of a photo studio are still relevant.

And since services continue to be in demand, it makes sense to take a closer look at them, to calculate the possibilities of doing business.

This can be based on ready business plan to open a photo studio and make the necessary adjustments to it for a specific purpose. Or entrust its development to professionals.

Generally speaking, a business plan is needed for 2 purposes:

To understand the general course of things. In this case, there are no special requirements for the plan;
To receive investments, loans, or attract partners. In this case, it is desirable to execute the business plan in accordance with the recommended standards.

The description below can serve as a model for writing a well-developed business plan.

Download a ready-made business plan for a photography studio, current for 2019, you can from our trusted partners "Biplane". Download link.

The difference between a photo studio and amateur photography

The photo studio provides a range of services:

Services of a professional photographer. Usage quality equipment. Field shooting in the studio and on location. Portfolio filled with professional photos. Artistic photography. Post-processing of images.
instant photo. And don't forget the well-established market for instant ID photos.
Printing and processing of the provided photographic material. Both printing of the client's own photos, and their various processing, including the possibility of posting on various resources.
Provision of studio and equipment for rent. Another direction, which is not yet sufficiently represented on the market, is the provision of professional equipment and studios for use.
Conducting training seminars, master classes. photography, image processing, art photography etc.
Additional services. Here you can offer services in preparation for a photo shoot: make-up artist, hairdresser.

In the amateur version, the quality of the obtained images is in most cases worse, and significant time spent on refining the images does not always lead to the desired results.

Market analysis

At the first stage, a market analysis must be included in the business plan for creating a photography studio.

We need to get an answer: how much the service is in demand, who will use it, the saturation of offers. Market analysis is carried out in several sections:

potential clients;
competition;
location.

Clients, depending on the planned implementation of the photo studio, can be:

companies ordering photo services to promote their products, or for technical support of events;
models for portfolio filling;
individuals to receive quality photos or other services.

Competition in the photography market is not uniform. First of all, by territory. The greatest competition is traditionally in Moscow, St. Petersburg and in major regional centers. In small towns, competition is much lower, but the demand for services is low, and part of the services professional photography may not be needed at all.

The heterogeneity of the market also lies in the fact that the elite segments of the photo services market are quite densely occupied by a relatively small number of major players. The rest of the market is less saturated, especially with the growing demand for these services of enterprises, lovers of high-quality photos, etc.

Some consultants are inclined to believe that the placement of a photo studio near the center plays a significant role. But the Internet and advertising have largely leveled this significance. If the photo studio produces quality goods, then potential customers can ride a few extra kilometers for its services. And for outdoor photography, the location of the studio does not matter at all.

However, a studio located in a busy area is bound to be more in demand than a studio located on the outskirts of the city. This is especially true for the initial stage of work.

What you need to open a photo studio, costs

To draw up a business plan for a photo studio, it is necessary to calculate investments. Of course, at this stage, an approximate calculation of costs is made.

First you need to choose a place. For a full-fledged photo studio, you need a room of more than 60 square meters. meters, ceiling height not less than 3 meters (this is required to accommodate spotlights). The range of prices here is quite large. You can buy a room or rent. The price largely depends on the location. Additionally, targeted re-equipment will be required if the premises were not previously specialized.

A minimum set of apparatus and equipment is required:

At the initial stage, you can not spend money on employees, provided that you yourself shoot. But if you are not a photographer, it is advisable to hire a professional. Profit will directly depend on professional qualities photographer. Other staff is less important: administrator, technicians.

In some cases, it is advisable to carry out a full advertising campaign: street advertising, advertising in networks, on television, etc.

On average we get

From an organizational point of view, opening a photo studio is not difficult. It is enough to register as an individual entrepreneur. Licensing of activity is not required. If you plan to work with large clients, then IP is not always convenient, in such cases it is better to register an LLC, licensing is also not required.

Profit and payback

At the beginning of the work of the photo studio, you should not expect a large influx of customers. Even with a well-thought-out marketing policy, a tangible response from advertising company maybe from a month to two. Without an advertising company, the first time the flow of customers will be small. Therefore, if there are hired personnel, it makes sense to first draw up part-time or piecework contracts.

The average prices for photo studio services in Moscow are as follows:

1 hour of photography - 1,000 - 5,000 rubles.
wedding photo shoot, events - 30,000 - 50,000 rubles.

On average, we calculate approximately 2,000 rubles per hour.

Work in the first months is expected to be 2-3 hours a day, then the flow will increase. Those. about 5,000 rubles. in a day. Per month - 100,000 rubles.

As it is easy to see in the first months of work, the photo studio will bring losses. Approximately about 50,000 rubles. per month. You need to consider your financial capabilities for given term. With an increase in clients, within 2-3 months, the photo studio should reach the level of self-sufficiency.

Upon reaching an 8-hour workday, the monthly income will be from 200 to 400 tr.

Accordingly, profit - 50 - 100 tr. per month.

With this cash flow, the payback will be from 1 to 2 years, which is a good payback period for a business.

This article does not describe in detail how to open your own photo studio, this requires a more thorough study of the project for a specific purpose. The article provides only an indicative business plan.

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 creative work of the photographer, since it does not depend on factors external environment(e.g. 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. Approximate run market prices listed in the table below.

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

Portrait shooting;
Artistic staged shooting;
Shooting nudity;
Subject photography;
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. The latter include individuals and companies. 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 photography 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 number 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 a large coverage 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 people, 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.

Competitive advantages studios 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 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 appearance 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. More detailed list equipment you will find 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.

Don't forget to install WiFi 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 the staff, on the salary of the staff. 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, visits professional events, doing networking. In addition, the manager manages cash flows photo studios, 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. Wage fixed and amounts to 20,000 rubles.

Photographers are work force photo studios. 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 high quality own works. Each photographer has his own camera and computer for photo processing. Finished processed photos of the client are marked with the company logo.

Do you like photography and dream of making money from your hobby? Do you want to know how to open a photography studio and what is the profitability of this business? Let's take a look key questions associated with the creation of your own photo studio and calculate the estimated profit.

How to register

Everything is traditional here - you can arrange individual entrepreneurship or LLC. IP is much easier to work and tax, and LLC opens additional features for cooperation with large clients and advertising studios.

The most important thing in a photography studio is the equipment.

Photo studios do not need licenses or any separate documents, so you can get registered in just a few days. You will also have to obtain permission to open at the fire inspection - it is issued for the existing premises.

Types of photo studios

There are several options for photo studios. We list the key ones:

Photo salon. This is a highly specialized institution that deals with urgent photographs for passports, driver's licenses, etc. The salon also provides photo printing services.
Photo studio. Here they offer photo salon services plus organize thematic shootings for everyone. Typically, a photo studio has several specially designed rooms and various "exit" decorations.
Photo studio. This is a professional institution, ready to fulfill any wishes of its customers. Here you can hold a full-fledged photo session, hire a photographer for a wedding or other event, order a subject photo shoot.

A classic salon practically does not require investments and a professional team - anyone can take photos and print them. It is more difficult to organize a photo studio or photo studio, but these establishments bring more profit.

What services does the photo studio provide?

If you want to know how to open your own photo studio from scratch, then first check out the list of services provided by such establishments:

Wedding service (photo and video).
Outdoor photo shoots (including thematic ones).
Studio photography.
Object shooting.
Making photographs for documents.
Conducting advertising photography.
Children's photography.
Family photography.

A good photo studio needs professional photographers

Additionally, the studio can provide the following services:

Creation of a special hairstyle and makeup.
Arrangement of premises for shooting.
Creating a thematic image.
Organization of outfit rental.
Post-processing and printing of photographs.
Creation of “photo pictures” (inserting photos into frames).
Restoration of old photos.

The studio is good precisely because it can provide related services, which, with the right approach, bring up to 50% of the total profit.

Read also: How to start a children's party business

How to choose a room

Where is the best place to organize a photo studio? Our step-by-step instruction will give you the answer to this question. Best of all in the central areas of the city or on the main street. Minimum area premises - 65m2, ceiling height - at least 3 meters. A big plus is the parking nearby. In the room itself, you will need to organize a dressing room, a dressing room and a wardrobe for storing costumes. average price rent similar premises- about 40-45 thousand rubles a month. If you plan to carry out thematic photography in the scenery and with make-up, then you should equip the studio with a full-fledged bathroom and shower for visitors.

How to furnish a room

Try to design your photo studio discreetly and monotonously, avoiding unnecessary variegation and bad taste. All attention should be drawn to the model, not the walls or decoration. Most professional photo studios simply paint the walls white/beige to get maximum contrast and post-processing. But it is more correct to use color combinations. You should have a white (light), black, green, gray and pink background for various photo shoots. Fabric, paper, plastic, silk screen printing can be used as a material. Red brick is well suited to create an industrial style, so do not rush to make repairs and cover the walls with plaster.

No need to decorate the photo studio with colorful colors and patterns - everything should be strictly

Necessary equipment

For a professional photo studio, you need professional equipment, because you plan to take not only photos for documents, but also to conduct subject / thematic shooting. Most money you will spend on the purchase of equipment. You will need to purchase:

2-3 professional cameras.
A set of lenses.
Softboxes.
Tripods.
A set of backgrounds, decorations, costumes.
Curtains and reflectors.
Sources of light.
Reflective umbrellas.
Flashes with wireless triggers.
Nozzles, diffusers, filters, etc.

Note: buy cameras and lenses from the same company so that they are interchangeable. So you will save in the future on equipment, changing only the “carcasses”, and not the optics.

Additionally, you will need to purchase furniture - a couple of sofas, armchairs, chairs, tables. In the dressing room you will need a large mirror, a manicure set, a table, a hanger, an iron.

Be sure to bring the internet into the studio, get a few computers and appropriate photo editing software.

team

Who to hire in your studio? It all depends on the size of your business and your preferences. There are photo studios in which the owner takes care of everything - he shoots, deals with taxes, looks for clients and processes photos. But this approach is only possible if you have few customers.

The photo studio should be large enough

The second option is to involve third-party photographers. This is usually done if the studio receives a lot of orders for events, but does not cope with them itself.

With the development of digital technology, the market for photo services is expanding. Thematic photo shoots in nature and in the studio, family and individual, are becoming popular. Today, anyone can open a photo studio and turn photography from a hobby into a business. creative person- it is enough to follow the developed plan.

Choice of business concept

For a photographer, a studio is a way to combine hobby and work, the ability to shoot regardless of weather conditions, to vary the surroundings for interior photo shoots. If you have achieved recognition as a photo artist, opening a photography studio will be a prospect for development.

When planning a business, take one of the existing concepts as a basis:

Interior photo studio. For productive work, you need to rent or purchase a room and decor items. In the absence of a stable request from clients for interior photography, the studio pays off only by leasing it to novice photographers and providing related services (stylist, hairdresser, make-up artist, and others).
Home photo studio. The possibilities of a photo lab created on the basis of an apartment are limited to portrait photography.
Photo salon. A small room with a minimum of equipment for making photographs for documents.
Children's photography room. The concept is designed for loving parents who want to capture their babies in professional pictures.

Photo gallery: types of studios

Create a list of services in accordance with the requests:

individuals (family and individual photo shoots, shooting events);
commercial companies (photos for printing on souvenirs, shooting goods for advertising catalogs, corporate events).

Additional sources of income:

cooperation with glossy magazines, shooting branded products;
photo shoots with novice models for portfolio;
artistic processing and retouching of the best shots;
services of a hairdresser and makeup artist;
instant photo;
release of souvenir products;
master classes and lectures on image processing;
hourly studio rental during downtime.

Souvenir products with photo - additional way earn

At the beginning of a creative journey, form a set of additional services in accordance with the budget. Choose ideas that do not require huge costs and specific equipment.

Benefits and Risks

The cost of photo studio services varies from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles per hour, and additional costs are minimal. The profitability of a business is high if possible risks are prevented:

increased competition;
seasonality of demand (probable downtime);
low liquidity (impossibility to sell the studio in case of collapse).

In conditions competition do not overcharge for services. Look for an individual approach to customers - develop a discount system for regular customers, come up with bonus student programs. To minimize risks, provide professional services, collect and offer portfolios to clients. During downtime, run contests for free photo shoots and distribute Gift certificates. Hire a team of qualified employees who can work in your absence, ensuring the stability of the company.

Step-by-step instructions for opening a photo studio from scratch

To open a photo studio from scratch, a novice entrepreneur needs to go through five stages:

Business registration.
Room selection.
Purchase of equipment.
Studio decor.
Personnel selection.

Business Registration Documents

You can register the activity of a photo studio in the form of a company with limited liability(LLC) or individual enterprise (IP). The advantages of an LLC are the possibility of expanding, creating a network of branches and attracting funding from external sources. Positive sides IP - a simplified registration process, no need to conduct Accounting, the ability to spend the proceeds at your discretion.

Documents for registration of IP:

notarized application form No. Р21001;
certified copy of the passport (all pages);
receipt of payment of the state fee in the amount of 800 rubles.

By default, when registering an IP, it is set general system taxation (OSNO). If you have chosen another type (simplified system or single tax on imputed income), file an application to change the tax system (notification form 26.2-1).

Documents for registration of LLC:

application form No. P11001 certified by a notary;
articles of association;
meeting minutes or sole decision the founder on the establishment of the company;
certified copies of the identity cards of the founders;
receipt of payment of state duty 4000 rubles;
if necessary, an application for a change in the taxation system (notification 26.2-1).

Minimum authorized capital limited liability companies - 10,000 rubles.

When registering a company, select the types of planned economic activity in accordance with OKVED classifier. Possible options for a photo studio:

photography activities (74.81);
printing activities not included in other groups (22.22);
other publishing activities (22.15).

After sending the documents to the registration authority, proceed to the choice of premises.

Studio location and space requirements

The success of a photo studio depends on its location. When choosing a room for a future studio, analyze the factors:

remoteness from competing companies;
convenience of accommodation for customers, distance from bus stops public transport availability of parking spaces;
Possibility to install outdoor advertising structures around the building.

The minimum height of the room for the installation of lighting equipment and the podium is 3 m, the optimal one is 3.7 m. The width of the pavilion for shooting is from 5 m, it is necessary to place a paper background. The length is calculated as the width multiplied by two.

The gray background reflects light evenly and softly without interfering with shooting

In addition to the stylized pavilion, the studio should have:

screen;
dressing room;
shower cabin;
foyer with reception desk;
technical room equipped for printing photos and providing related services.

If funds are available, additionally equip a relaxation room with a tea table and a vending machine with drinks.

Photo shoot equipment

After choosing a room, proceed to technical equipment studios. Install four or five light sources and attach softboxes to them. Additionally, purchase:

reflective umbrellas;
classic hard light reflectors;
racks for light sources;
portrait dish;
herons and holders;
flashmeter for measuring exposure;
nozzles in the form of curtains and honeycombs;
paper backgrounds with mount;
flash synchronizers;
interior items, props;
mirror and steamer in the dressing room;
computer and photo retouching software.

Photo gallery: equipment and props

Buy if necessary reflex camera and a set of lenses. When choosing a camera, contact manufacturers specializing in the manufacture of photographic equipment - Canon and Nikon. Do not read advice on the forums - focus on technical specifications devices and your own needs. List important features professional camera:

matrix size;
matrix resolution - from 13 MP;
ISO matrix sensitivity - from 10 to 25,000;
the ability to manually change settings;
dimensions and weight.

Studio decoration

When designing a studio, consider General requirements to filming locations. Paint the walls and ceiling in neutral gray, and lay hard-wearing matte linoleum of the same shade on the floor. If the studio has a window, install a curtain rod over it and hang blackout curtains.

Equip the pavilion with ventilation and air conditioning systems, consider the location of outlets that is convenient for moving equipment. There are three options for the design of the studio:

a simple gray room without decorations;
hall with colored backgrounds;
themed room.

Using the last design option, do not forget to change the scenery depending on the time of year. In winter, set up a Christmas tree, lay a fluffy carpet on the floor and scatter artificial snow. In summer, decorate the room with flowers or style according to the beach theme.

Decorating the studio New Year

In light pastel colors, design an area for shooting children and couples in love - it will be popular with studio tenants and clients, increasing the profitability of the business.

Recruitment

The photographer is the main "weapon" of the photo studio. If you have realized as a photo artist and plan to work independently, do not hire employees at first. Having successfully worked for two or three months and received the first income, invite an administrator to maintain a client base and a cleaner.

If you are opening a photo studio as a business, not doing photography, pay attention to the selection of a photographer. At first, it will be he who will form the image of the studio.

Having formed a client base and promoted the studio, hire specialists on a contractual basis to provide additional services:

make-up artist for applying makeup;
hairdresser to work on hairstyles;
stylist to create an image;
seller for the sale of related products.

The make-up artist forms the image of the model

A photographer, make-up artist and stylist can not only provide services directly, but also conduct master classes for beginners on shaping the image of a model, correct lighting or image processing.

Promotion and advertising of photo studio services

To attract customers, advertise the studio's services on available resources. Create a site or group in social network and upload your portfolio the best works. Think about how much your services will cost, place the price list in the public domain.

Sign contracts for the maintenance of large corporations - they will invite you to shoot their own events. Other advertising opportunities:

discount system;
Gift certificates;
promotions and sweepstakes;
installation of banners near the studio;
advertising on television and radio.

To form and maintain the image of the studio, participate in creative exhibitions of professionals.

Financial plan - expenses and projected income

When opening a photo studio, plan for one-time and monthly expenses and try to predict income. Approximate calculations are summarized in tables.

Table: calculation of initial investment

Table: monthly expenses

The average cost of a photographer's services is 1,000 rubles per hour. The average daily employment is 3–4 hours. The rest of the time the studio is rented out at a price of 900 rubles per hour on weekdays and 1200 rubles per hour on weekends. The average daily employment is 3 hours.

Table: projected monthly income

Is it profitable to open a photo studio: reviews of entrepreneurs

At first, you will work at a loss to yourself. But if you manage to develop the project and develop a customer base, ensuring the full loading of the premises, the photo studio will begin to make a profit. This is confirmed by the feedback from entrepreneurs from business forums.

A successful photo studio should have a “trick”. It should not be just a room where you can take pictures, but a stylized salon with a thoughtful interior design and interesting photo zones. Creating a creative space requires financial costs.

Alexandrof

I have been following photography business trends since 2011. There are more than 40 studios of various types in St. Petersburg, and 1-2 of them close or change direction every year. Studio - a good option for the established photographer who wants to save income during the winter. If it is possible to attract 20-30 customers per month and rent out the premises, the studio will pay for itself.

http://www.biznet.ru/topic188946.html

In the work of a photo studio, a range of services can lead to success: photo for documents + on-site shooting + photo processing + sale of souvenirs. In other cases, it will be difficult to earn bread and butter.

http://www.penta-club.ru/forum/topic/87654-want-to-open-a-photo-studio-in-small-siberian/

Video: how to open your own photo studio

The business plan contains approximate figures that you can adjust depending on the region, your own needs and the request of the target audience. Before you open a photo studio, calculate own business plan based on the suggestion and act accordingly.