I'm graduating very soon (march 2007) and i was thinking about my future by setting up a business (amongst other small ventures i already have), and have thought about seriously setting up a studio. the studio would basically provide services such as:

1) glamour shots
2) portrait shots
3) groupie shots
4) photo packages
4) etc.

now, considering i have 500k-1m pesos budget with financial help from my dad, what essential equipments would i need to have to do the basics from:

1) lenses
2) flash units
3) optimum height and area space of the studio
4) backdrops
5) etc.

if this pushes through, i want to upgrade my 400D to a 5D. Of course, i won't be the only one running the studio but will hire people as well. moreover, i know i'm still a beginner but i know i can pick things up pretty fast.

anyone care to help?

I'm graduating very soon (march 2007) and i was thinking about my future by setting up a business (amongst other small ventures i already have), and have thought about seriously setting up a studio. the studio would basically provide services such as:

1) glamour shots
2) portrait shots
3) groupie shots
4) photo packages
4) etc.

now, considering i have 500k-1m pesos budget with financial help from my dad, what essential equipments would i need to have to do the basics from:

1) lenses
2) flash units
3) optimum height and area space of the studio
4) backdrops
5) etc.

if this pushes through, i want to upgrade my 400D to a 5D. Of course, i won't be the only one running the studio but will hire people as well. moreover, i know i'm still a beginner but i know i can pick things up pretty fast.

anyone care to help?
here's a brief price stuff youre looking at.. equipment-wise
2 aurora fusion plus monolights .. about 60k
you'll also need accessories like barndoors, soft boxes, umbrellas, snoots, gobos. (price would depend what you want to get)
flash trigger - about 2k
optional (flash meter - price depends on what brand and model, about 7k up)
atleast 2 backlights . about 10k
though 4 backlights would give you even lighting...
ups for flash strobes ( so that in the event of power shortage / surge) your expensive monolights wont be damanged. price depends on what brand and model... 3k and up
backgrounds, basic black, white, red, blue, yellow, purple.. roughly about 12-15k
stands, looking up at about 2-3k each, youll probably need about 4 or more
tripod this varies what kind you would buy, manfrottos cost about 20-30something thou, pod with head.
background system, cheapest would be about 4-5k , the machine type would be even more expensive.
about lenses, small studios doesnt really require Ls, but if you want Ls... then 24-70 (about 60+k)would be good for studio stuff. for big groups, 17-40 L (about 30+k) or 16-35 L (about 60+k). you dont really need the long 70-200 (about 60+k). unless you want to stand far away from the subject that is...
re cam, nothing's wrong with your 400D, unless you want more megapixels that is. the 5D is like a hundred thou plus K.
optimum height for the ceiling. if you have high ceiling, its great. probably about ten feet, but atleast 7 would be better. length, about 12 feet. width, depends how big the group is...
as for additional backdrops, muslins are good, specially for grad pics. though i personally prefer simple backdrops, it all boils down to your taste.
you'll probably need props and stuff. the budget on that will depend how fancy you get :P
the success of the studio would probably depend on your location, your marketing skills, plus the talent of the photographer.

good luck :)

oh wow! thanks a lot ma'am! I'll keep you posted on the genesis of the studio nalang po! that really took some effort on your part po to reply to my very demanding question.. thank you x1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000!!! :D

oh wow! thanks a lot ma'am! I'll keep you posted on the genesis of the studio nalang po! that really took some effort on your part po to reply to my very demanding question.. thank you x1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000!!! :D
la lang.. noticed kasi that no one's replying youre question, im just giving you what i know. :P

Looks like what you plan is a walk in type studio, rather than a high end commercial studio, so I think you are better of with 3 units of 400d over a 5D.

Buying the equipment is the easiest part - it's when and how you're going to hit breakeven that you probably should be working on. Rent, electricity, salaries, marketing, and other expenses is easily 75t a month. Where do you plan to open your studio?

@kengo - yep, i just wanted to be in the beginner's side first. thanks po for the suggestion. i'll write that down. :) i might even consider it if budget allows.

@ems - thanks po talaga. by the way, saw ur websites, galing po ng mga pictures niyo, idol!

i was thinking of setting one up after my graduation. :) yup, i've been doing some small research regarding business operations and it can easily account to that much po. however, it will not be my main source of livelihood after college, it's more of a "professional" "hobby" rather..

better start with equipment and services where you could have a quick ROI of all your purchases. If you plan to do advertising shoots as well your lights need more juice. where do you intend to set up???

better start with equipment and services where you could have a quick ROI of all your purchases. If you plan to do advertising shot as well your lights need more juice. where do you intent to set up???

hello sir, thanks for your reply po. i intend to set up here baguio city..

well there a lot of students there which are cam whores...put up a price that is not too bad with alot of patience and probably some extra help kaya bawiin sa picture picture...suggest that you stick with the 400 d's than the 5 d para madali ang bawi. that kind of business dali malaspag ang camera. Dunno about how well they pay for advertising there but usually in provinces expect more x deals than actual cash... Two cents...

hello sir, thanks for your reply po. i intend to set up here baguio city..

Then you may want to survey what is needed in Baguio and what is already available. That way, you are addressing unmet needs.

If you want a seminar on the business of photography - there's one at Filipinas Heritage on March 24. You may want to get into their mailing list.

If you want some tips, try going to www.adphoto.com.ph/business.

Harvey

@greg- ok, note taken. :) thanks po ulit. :)

@harvey- ok, i will do that, survey. thanks for the link. i'm browsing through it right now. will post again after.

thanks po sa lahat. :)

with that big budget half-a-million to 1M

you should flaunt 2 100k++ 24" iMacs as Photo Editing Devices
at least 1 32" Widescreen LCD inside your studio -> so that your customer subjects can instantly see what you're taking.
and buy the most colorful and classy props you can find in expensive interior shops.

If i'm your customer, I will never forget your studio!

just a thought ...

Hi Paul! Congratulations on your graduation!

The suggestions posted for your studio equipment are great. I suggest you take a look at the leading studios in Baguio and look at their setups and try to find out what their markets are. When I was into studio photography the main market then were students, specially graduation packages - Baguio being a university city. If that's where you're going, then you'll need people who can do layouts/programming for soft yearbook annuals on cd or dvd and layouts for press-ready pages. Yes, you'll have to offer a total package to be able to compete.

Next, as the saying goes - "location, location, location!"

The other thing is - being just out of college yourself, take a look at what other photography services students will be needing which have not been tapped. You'll notice i'm concentrating on students here as they make up a large percentage of Baguio's population. This can be your bread and butter market. The rest (glamour, advertising, etc)should be icing on the cake.

Or you can go in another direction altogether. Up to you. Join the lecture or seminar as suggested earlier then come back and study your options.

Good luck Paul!