586: Photography Studio Special – Studio buying and leasing advice for photographers

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

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Welcome to part one of a two-part series, where we dive into everything you need to know about buying or leasing a photography studio. Whether you're considering owning a space or working from one, this episode will guide you through the essential considerations before making that big decision of signing a lease and paying rent or taking out a loan to purchase your studio space.

I'm thrilled to have three incredible guests joining us today, all from different genres of photography.

We have Alex Cearns from Houndstooth Studio in Western Australia. Alex is a highly accomplished pet photographer, published author, and successful studio operator with extensive experience in multiple studio spaces. You may remember her from episodes 290 and 524 of the PBX podcast.

We also welcome Elle Payne, a newborn photography business owner and mother of two. Elle is one of the biggest sponges when it comes to taking in business concepts and ideas and, more importantly, her skill in quickly implementing, testing, and refining those ideas to see what works. Elle was featured in episode 429 of the PhotoBizX podcast.

Finally, the incredibly talented Michael Anthony is joining us from the USA. Michael is an experienced wedding and portrait photographer who is building a new studio from scratch after leasing and working from his first studio. He was previously featured in episode 446 of the podcast.

Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting to consider your own studio space, this episode is packed with valuable insights from some of the best in the business. Let’s get started with this photography studio special on buying and leasing advice for photographers.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

Introduction to Studio Ownership: Discover the perks and challenges of owning or working in a photography studio and why it's a game-changer for many photographers.
Alex’s Studio Journey: Alex shares her experience of moving from a home studio to a dedicated space and why separating work from personal life was a crucial step for her.
The Benefits of a Dedicated Studio: Alex discusses how having a professional studio boosts privacy and creates a more polished experience for her clients.
Michael’s Studio Evolution: Michael takes us through the transformation of his studio from a wedding-focused space to a portrait-driven business, thanks to the need for dedicated client sales appointments.
Elle’s Studio Transition: Elle talks about her move from a home-based studio to a commercial space, and how consistency in her newborn photography setup has made all the difference.
Studio Setup Costs: We break down the costs involved in setting up a studio – from affordable IKEA cupboards to construction hurdles – and why budgeting is essential.
Hidden Studio Expenses: Alex, Michael, and Elle reveal the often-overlooked expenses like parking, signage, internet, and building insurance and why they need to be factored into financial planning.
Final Studio Advice: Our guests wrap up with key takeaways: having a clear vision, budgeting wisely, and finding a supportive landlord to set your studio up for success.

Alex Cearns

You can really just make it fit what you need. Look at your business practices. If you are doing online purchase appointments on Zoom or you know different mechanism, you don't need a room for that…So I think just make sure that it meets your needs really clearly. And I think if I could do it differently, I would just really look at streamlining business practices before I went got a whole house that was costing me $4,000 a month that I didn't really use. – Alex Cearns

If you're going to invest money in your business, your business has to be making you that money to invest in the first place. – Alex Cearns

I think it's important to specify that a studio to me is just this empty room. If I just need a shooting space like what Elle said, you can have a backdrop stand with a backdrop on it, some paper roll and a light on the stand and you know, maybe one or two other lights, that's all you need at the bare minimum. – Alex Cearns

A business only runs as fast as you put your foot on that accelerator. – Alex Cearns

Houndstooth Studio

Alex Cearns Consulting Website

Houndstooth Studio on Instagram

Snappy Women Facebook Group

InspHIGHER with Alex Cearns Facebook Group

Down to Earth Photo Breaks with Alex Facebook Group

Episode 290: Alex Cearns – How to build the countries most successful pet photography business

Episode 524: Alex Cearns – Photography business rules for success and profit

Elle Payne

Budget 10% of your overall revenue for rent. – Elle Payne

I'm not a creative person. I can't photos outside. I can't take photos in somebody's home with different lighting. I am just not good at it. I needed a space that I could set up and I could control everything so that everything is the same for every session…I just want to sell the same thing over and over again. – Elle Payne

I have hired nurses just to keep with the theme. I wanted to, rather than teach a photographer how to do newborn photography, I would rather teach somebody who knows newborns very well how to actually take photos because like I said, I don't do anything creative. So it's just I will teach them how to take those photos. At least then I'm not worried about the babies and my staff. I've hired nurses that actually taught me how to be a nurse. So now I've taught them how to be a photographer. – Elle Payne

Always Belle Photography

Always Belle Photography on Instagram

Always Belle Photography on Facebook

Episode 429: Elle Payne – When business and service become the motivator over great photography

Michael Anthony

Location is very, very important when you're choosing a studio space. I've learned that, you know, because in the first studio we chose was just something close to our house. Close to your home doesn't always mean it's going to be a great location and accessible for clients to get in. As you know, I was in Los Angeles, it's the traffic capital of the world. You know, so being outside of the city where all of my clients had to come out to us, that was a little bit of a hike and I can tell you guarantee you we lost a lot of business because of it. – Michael Anthony

My advice would be to put your studio in a place where your ideal client is going to be. – Michael Anthony

My business would not be where it is today if we didn't have that dedicated space to be able to do sales appointments out of and be able to, you know, transform our business from mainly a wedding studio into a portrait studio. – Michael AnthonyIf you can find a place that's pretty much done already, that would be the biggest recommendation I could find for any photographers listening because it will save you a ton of money over doing a new build. – Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony Website

Michael Anthony on Instagram

Michael Anthony on Facebook

Michael Anthony on TikTok

Episode 446: Michael Anthony – How to build a seriously successful wedding photography business

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

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In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Alex, Elle and Michael shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Alex, Elle and Michael or want to say thank you for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help both me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Thank you!

Thank you again for tuning in, and a big thanks to Alex, Elle, and Michael for sharing their valuable insights on building successful photography studios. From navigating the challenges of moving to a dedicated space to managing hidden costs and adapting to evolving client needs, their experiences offer invaluable guidance for anyone looking to take their studio business to the next level.

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 586: Photography Studio Special – Studio buying and leasing advice for photographers appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.