So I intend to rent out my studio space, along with my usual gear rental. I have the gear rental figured out, but I have no realistic idea what to charge for the studio space, not to mention added trim levels (+ all lighting gear; + use of my workstation; + use some/most/all of my gear; or some combination thereof). Have any of you checked pricing in your areas? Suggestions?


Anyways, here's a portion of my craigslist ad (minus the itemized gear list):

I'm finishing up a fully outfitted studio space (purposely set up living room in a nice, accessible, quiet neighborhood), to be available for rent very soon. The space is 12 feet wide, 18 feet deep (with an additional 4 usable feet of hallway that can be shot out of, for those shots that demand a long lens), with a ceiling that slopes from a minimum height of ~9 feet to a height of ~15 feet. There's a client sitting/entertainment area, a make-up/changing area, bathroom, Wi-Fi, a rolling laptop stand that can be used to tether from, and possibly the use of my workstation (1080p monitor + 19" monitor, solid guts, Lightroom, CS3, and Intuos3 tablet) and 13 X 19 Canon Pixma Pro9000 professional printer.

I have no idea about pricing, but you are OK with strangers coming into your house and using all your gear?

How do you intend to rent it out, by the day, weekend or month? Or permanently? The rates around here are anywhere from $25-$100/hour but they're for 1000 sq ft studios on average. Some of them have gear, others you bring your own. You have about 1/4 of that space but it sounds like you have a lot of gear and the workstation is a huge bonus.

First guess, start with $50/hour and see how many bites you get. Also, step your rates so that if people get multiple hours there is a discount built in, ie $150/half day or $200/full day etc. Make sure you screen your clients and hold them to their appointments.

And all of the above advice I put together in about 10 minutes of googling, so your mileage may vary.

I agree with Ted with the rates and discounts. I'm also wondering why you'd want to open up your studio to this? Is this going to be a business down the road? Trying to cover some of you equipment cost or just having some fun?

Eventually I'd love to have an actual "School" of photography with a studio/gallery where you can come take classes, rent the studio, have shots taken in the studio, buy my prints in the gallery as well as people in the school... But that's a pipe dream at this point and will only be done out of a commercial space, not my house.

speaking of studio gear.... I need help with a basic setup possibly for the garage or second bedroom.. if Anyone would like to input.. I made a seperate thread the other day so I wont hijack this one.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

Eventually I'd love to have an actual "School" of photography with a studio/gallery where you can come take classes, rent the studio, have shots taken in the studio, buy my prints in the gallery as well as people in the school... But that's a pipe dream at this point and will only be done out of a commercial space, not my house.

That's a great idea and very feasible. I don't think it's a pipe dream at all, seeing as how you already have a lot of equipment and a ton of experience/knowledge. You could set up a commercial space very cheaply and effectively with the right game plan. Who knows, maybe NSOP will get your foot in the door for that dream someday.

Originally Posted by subimatt

speaking of studio gear.... I need help with a basic setup possibly for the garage or second bedroom.. if Anyone would like to input.. I made a seperate thread the other day so I wont hijack this one.

I'll go check it out.

Originally Posted by tardypizza

Who knows, maybe NSOP will get your foot in the door for that dream someday.

Yeah, that's the goal. It's a good experience to get things started while I'm still working a real job. If/when I ever make money here, I'd love to turn it into the online portion of a real B&M "school"/business.

Originally Posted by jjswee

I have no idea about pricing, but you are OK with strangers coming into your house and using all your gear?

By the time I allowed anyone into my house, they wouldn't be strangers. At the very least I would've thoroughly screened them (references, level of work, insurance coverage, interview, etc.).

Originally Posted by tardypizza

How do you intend to rent it out, by the day, weekend or month? Or permanently? The rates around here are anywhere from $25-$100/hour but they're for 1000 sq ft studios on average. Some of them have gear, others you bring your own. You have about 1/4 of that space but it sounds like you have a lot of gear and the workstation is a huge bonus.

First guess, start with $50/hour and see how many bites you get. Also, step your rates so that if people get multiple hours there is a discount built in, ie $150/half day or $200/full day etc. Make sure you screen your clients and hold them to their appointments.

And all of the above advice I put together in about 10 minutes of googling, so your mileage may vary.

I'd rent it by the hour or by the day/weekend, and yeah, I would have a price structure with discounts for longer term use, as well as frequent users. I'd probably require some sort of a retainer for reservations, a studio lease agreement, CCTV hooked into a DVR to cover my ass, etc.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

I agree with Ted with the rates and discounts. I'm also wondering why you'd want to open up your studio to this? Is this going to be a business down the road? Trying to cover some of you equipment cost or just having some fun?

Eventually I'd love to have an actual "School" of photography with a studio/gallery where you can come take classes, rent the studio, have shots taken in the studio, buy my prints in the gallery as well as people in the school... But that's a pipe dream at this point and will only be done out of a commercial space, not my house.

There are several reasons. The most obvious reason is to offset costs, but learning from others, networking, possible referrals are also pretty powerful reasons in and of themselves. Even if I didn't make any money from this it'd still be worth it for those reasons alone. Last but not least, it's a pilot/springboard of sorts - if this proves successful, it'll make the rental of commercial space possible (around here, viable commercial space is $2500 + utilities and up ).



...oh, and the first email I received regarding the rental, and I quote:

"Hello,

I am interested in the studio space you advertise. Please send rental costs. I will use my own camera equipment and use your lighting equipment.

I have a client that I shoot web based adult content with. Privacy and security are my largest concerns.

Thank you, XXXXXXXXXXXXX"






...that's not one of you guys messing with me, is it?

not me...

Originally Posted by mkfotos

...oh, and the first email I received regarding the rental, and I quote:

"Hello,

I am interested in the studio space you advertise. Please send rental costs. I will use my own camera equipment and use your lighting equipment.

I have a client that I shoot web based adult content with. Privacy and security are my largest concerns.

Thank you, XXXXXXXXXXXXX"






...that's not one of you guys messing with me, is it?

It sounds like you have your head about you and you've covered your bases. But I'm just guessing those aren't the referrals you were looking for.



Out of curiousity, what was your asking price per hour?

You ever wonder how the porn online has a different location every time?

People like you. :P

Thats very interesting.

I'm undecided on whether I'd do it or not. There may be some perks but there are probably minuses too.

Originally Posted by tardypizza

It sounds like you have your head about you and you've covered your bases. But I'm just guessing those aren't the referrals you were looking for.



Out of curiousity, what was your asking price per hour?

Nooot exactly what I was looking for

I haven't come up with a price list yet, not before I get more input from you guys, and do more research. Right now, I rent out a set of two B400's (lights, stands, some modifiers) at $50 per shoot so that's probably what I'll use as a reference point for pricing, a sort of data point.

Originally Posted by thechickencow

Thats very interesting.

I'm undecided on whether I'd do it or not. There may be some perks but there are probably minuses too.

Perks? Indeed!





I'd actually reduce my fees for people I could really learn from when assisting... although at that level I doubt they'd be knocking on my door looking for space in the first place. Ah well, it'll be a learning process, and evolution of sorts.l

Porn and money??????!?!


*looks around room and wonders how fast a studio could be put together