Average income of a Photography Studio?

Question

What is a good AVERAGE income for a non franchise, beginner Photography studio?

Small
Good client base
Brand new

Answer 1

For a new one?



Probably about negative $2,000 per month.



It takes several years for a portrait studio to even get to the point where they can get up to zero. Here is a good rule of thumb for an average studio



Year 1: Lose $25,000



Year 2: Lose $15,000



Year 3: Break even



Year 4: Make $15,000



Year 5: Make $30,000 (quit day job)



Year 6: Make $60:000 (spouse quits day job)



Year 7: Make $75,000



Year 8: Make $100,000 (hire employee for $30,000) Net $70,000



Year 9: Make $140,000 (Hire second employee) Net $80,000







Of course those numbers are estimates, but I want you to understand that almost all photographers lose money the first several years they are in business.



That is actually a good thing. Photographers who actually make money the first year, are usually not spending enough to build their business infrastructure and lack long term goals.

Answer 2

Let me get this straight.....If you can find a book that will help you to figure out apertures, then you finally decide between the D90 and D300, you soon hope to become a freelance photographer? Oh yeah, and you already take decent pictures, lets not forget that part. Did I get that right? Not to burst your bubble, because you're probably the type of person who would not like it, but it takes more than just a camera and a book on "mostly all aspects" of photography to work as a photographer. And what exactly does "freelance" mean to you, anyway? What, you're going to shoot weddings, freelance? Do glamor shots, freelance? Doggy portraits, FREELANCE? Freelance...... I love the answer I read earlier about digital, it is the best and worst thing to happen to photography. What I got from that statement is that everyone is enthralled with how easy it is to use a digital camera that they no longer take the time to learn how to take a competent photograph. And these days, everyone with a D90 or rebel XTi thinks they can be a pro because they learned how to use picnik. Here's some advice: Learn how to be a photographer, how to use the camera, and how to take a good photograph before even thinking about becoming a pro or "freelance" photographer - whatever freelance means.

Answer 3

Doing what sort of photography?



Although most new businesses will likely run at a loss for the first couple of years and if they survive that then the income will build up gradually.

Answer 4

"How long is a piece of string?" You don't say in what country/city/state you are, nor the type of photography you intend to major on. How do you know your client base is good if you are just beginning?