I'm constantly debating this issue within myself. (Yea I'm wacko talking to myself, but there are worst things in life) :-)

I currently have a home studio/office and meet potential wedding clients at a local coffee shop where I show them my work. I'm in the process however of converting our living-room in the main entrance of the house to a meet and greet area for potential wedding customers with framed enlargements, albums, place to sit and talk etc..

Just when I think this is the best approach (and most affordable) I drive buy a vacant commercial location and start thinking "wow that would make a great studio".

Does everyone else do this? Maybe some of you already have stand alone studios. I really like the appointment only style but also see the status advantages of a separate studio.

What's everyone take on this?

I personally would vote against the separate location unless you are a volume company (or want to be). If you are sticking between 25-40 high grossing weddings, an external studio doesn't really make a difference in booking for that clientele (at least, that is what we have found). Obviously, if you are meeting clients in your home, making the meeting area look more like a dedicated meeting space helps, but we found that clients will book us just as readily in a Starbucks, our home office, or in a leased office space (we tried it for a year). If they like your work and personality, they'll book you whether you have an office or not.

Add to the above opinion the cost of commercial space in your area (here it can be $700-$3000/mo) + extra utilities, gas, and the loss of the home office tax write off, and you would need to do a significant volume of extra work just to break even on the commitment.

On the other hand, if you are high-volume (say 50-100+ weddings/year), I would definitely go with a commercial space.

Hope that helps!

oops...see my post on bottom!

Hey Alan...

We too work directly out of our home... There is a really interesting thread about this topic on the pictage forums right now, and Dane really had some insightful opinions... Maybe he will show his face on here and enlighten us as well

We have not had any difficulties booking and working from our home. The front entrance (living room) has been decorated specifically with work in mind. We have set it up as Nathan's work space as well as a space for him to meet with clients.
This works out well because I can be upstairs with the kids while he is meeting with clients. We even have a mini-fridge and microwave up here in case on of us begins to starve if one of his meetings goes over.

Only drawback is to make sure that the setup works well for your family... Don't lock your wife and child in the back room while you meet... that will only work for just so long before she loses her mind! (Voice of Experience talking here!)

Interested in seeing what everyone else has to say...

Hey Alan...

I understand your feelings about this...I also meet my clients at restaurants and such.

I have home studio. I also have a family to take care of...when my son was born 4 years ago, I wanted to stay home with him. Even though my business is growing, I still like the fact that I can choose my hours and not have to be staying at another location, paying rent at that place etc etc, when I can keep that money and get more cams and lenses!....that's just me....and the season that I'm in with my business. Who knows...maybe when my son is older...but I just like having too much freedom right now.

We're working on landscaping our property and building like a little botanical garden with a koi pond. Hopefully next year we can start building a mother in law type of house to be my future studio....but lord heavens...it has taken 10 weddings to finally get somewhere with it.

Peter

I agree that it's far more affordable and obviously more convenient to have the home office home studio. This is really what I prefer.

And as far as the number of clients issue... I'll just be happy when I can break the 20 mark:-) Last year I did 7 weddings, this year I have 10 booked so far. I think I'd prefer the 25-35 good quality clients track rather than the 50 plus but you have to crawl before you walk.

Amber

Even though my home doesn't have an upstairs I think using the living-room is going to work well. Glad to hear someone else is using this model and likes it. And your right about not locking my wife and daughter up in a back room while I'm meeting with customers. Fortunately my daughter is very respectful of Daddy working with customers. Plus I like her growing up around the business. I think it will be really good for her.

Katherine,

I like your idea of building a "mother-in-law" house. We are getting ready to add a pool however and this will take most of the space in the back. Housing in Central Florida has gone absolutely through the roof in the last couple years so getting a larger place is out for now.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

I work out of my home as well & find that I am quite comfortable working this way. I would need a large volume of work to be able to afford a lease & everything that comes with it.

We meet at a local Barnes & Noble over coffee whenever we need to, maybe one day we can lease but as for now we are doing quite well.

Cheers,