Does anyone here share a stuio with another photographer, but the two of you have your own separate businesses???
I am thinking about doing this and I want to get some advice..

Denise

Hi Denise,

I share a studio with another photographer. But we opened up a portrait studio together, and then we each have our own separate wedding businesses, and on top of that we work together on those weddings too.

But, it is really great having a partner. The $$$ side of sharing is obvious, but the comraderie, sharing of ideas, feeling not so isolated, is what makes it really great.

Enna Grazier has shared a space with another photographer before and each of them had their own completely separate businesses...wonder if she'll chime in because she can speak to the advantages and disadvantages better than I.

Have fun in your new endeavors!

Geneve

I also share a studio with another business/photographer. Of course having my montly rent cut in half with their contribution is a great benefit. Like Geneve said, it's also nice to throw ideas off one another and to share referrals. They also throw in a certain perspective that I hadn't thought about as far as decorations, placement of images, presentation, etc etc. So it has been a huge plus for me, just make sure it is someone you know and work with. My first photographer that split rent with me totally bailed when I expected him to be there and I had to front the whole rent a couple of months and find a replacement.

I'll chime in as someone who doesnt share a studio but has been asked to. I'm not doing it and don't think I would because

A) I love to blare my tunes while editing yet I don't like wearing headphones
B) I can design/decorate the studio with just my work, my furniture, my tastes
C) My clients won't get confused about whose studio it is or whose work they're looking at or get confused about the branding. I know I got confused the first time I saw Pizza Hut and Taco Bell together in the same space...I was thinking, "Pizza and Tacos??? Somebody's trying to save a dime at the expense of Brand image...just combine the two brands?"
D) some of reasons Dustin mentioned about his studiomate bailing on rent for a couple of months...that concerns me.
E) I live alone...and I prefer my studio be at my loft

Just the other side of the coin for ya

I've always thought the best arrangement might be between two different, but complementary styles, like a wedding photographer sharing with a portrait photog, or even a studio photog sharing with an on location natural light shooter. I'd hate to feel like I was competing for the same clients with someone in my own space, nor would I want to worry about oneupmanship or feeling responsible for the other person's successes and failures (and I would, no matter how hard I tried not to).

What about sharing space with a non-photographer? Someone like a wedding planner, or maybe a graphic designer might be a good mix. I suppose it totally depends on the space, but that might eliminate any possible overlap or competition while still bringing in people that would be potential clients for both of you. Depending on the space, even a downstairs/upstairs split might work with someone having offices upstairs and gallery/meeting space downstairs.

Just thinkin out loud.

thanks for the replies.....