Does a Photographer NEED a Studio?

The short answer is NO! You don’t need a college degree either. The truth is you really can just pick up a camera, charge x amount for x type of photography, and be very lucrative. Social media and educational videos have made this easier than ever to achieve but the question is do you need a studio? There are drawbacks and benefits to having a studio.

big Expense

Prior to writing this blog, I did a quick retail space search for Northern New Jersey. A studio space in this area can run you anywhere from $16 - $90 a square foot. That is $24,000 - $135,000 per year for a 1,500 sq ft depending on the location. If you can still make a profit from your photography then get the studio. If that isn’t a route you want to take, you can stick to outdoor portraits, events, on location sessions, or you can rent a studio for the amount of time needed.

Convenience

I went the way of not having a studio. Photographing a newborn session was a task: getting props out of storage, packing the car, going to the client, unpacking and setting up the props, photographing the baby, breaking down, pack the car, and putting props back in storage. Not only is this a pain but it also limits how many sessions I was able to take in a day. With a studio I would hypothetically be able to book a newborn every 3 hours. If I was able to book from 9-5, I could photograph 4 sessions in a day. At $1,000 for my base newborn package, that would be $4,000 in one day (not including editing time). I can leave my props. I can edit with no interruptions.

opportunities for extra income

Depending on your leasing agreement, you more than likely will be able to rent out your studio space when you are not booked, editing, or answering emails. I’ve seen studios charge hourly, half day, and full day rates. You can choose to charge for equipment and props as well. Another opportunity I would throw out there is hosting a Meetup. Meetup gets a percentage of what you charge so make it worth it. Teach a lighting or posing class. Photographers would line up for a pricing class.

Clearly, there are risks that go with a studio. The rewards can outweigh the risks if you have the proper plan, customer service, and photographic skill. Only you know if you are able to put in the work to make your studio a successful one. There are certain corners you can cut. Instead of a retail space, have an in-home studio. When it comes to the business of photography, one can get very creative. So… do you need a studio?