In article <477ab6e2$0$30753$822641b3@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
David Nebenzahl <nobody@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> I was going to say, well, duh! Of course any business requires things
> like marketing, sufficient capitalization, etc. More basic than
> that--and I'm surprised you didn't mention *that* obvious fact--it needs
> a market of some kind.
>
> But assuming one puts in the time, effort and money, there still may be
> room for a viable business doing wet color printing, particularly since
> it will now be a "boutique" commodity, hard to find, not popular, but
> sought-after by a few who are willing to pay good money for good work.
I think it's obvious some people will pay for these services and pay
well. Getting that business, is not so simple as advertising in the
Yellow pages. For twelve years I actually have done that, with a tag
line that I do black and white printing in addition to other
Photographic services. In that time I have had no inquiries regarding
printing. None.
I have done this type of work for a few Photographers, it has not been
enough to sup****t me doing it exclusively. If one was to advertise in
say Shutterbug and other photo magazines you might draw a wider audience
of those more willing to spend the money-with out a reputation it
probably will be a slow start. Of course there are other ways if one
wants to exclusively pursue this type of business.
So I do believe it can be done. Its just trade advertising is like 600
an issue versus say the 1,200 my yellow pages ad runs per year. Without
trade ads you'll get lots of inquiries, so someone has to answer the
phone or you'll need a website or both. You can actually have too many
inquiries to appear professional if you've no way to respond to all or
are working a job as well as this venture, then word gets around your
not serious. The next thing is a certain element of "Us" photographers
are great big "D-heads" the most anal people you will ever meet and the
most critical, there are a lot of photographers that will do everything
possible not to pay you, your "fair" price. Or will pump you for
information as to how you did what what you did.
Advertising "duh" is the single biggest loss you take as a business,
short of a fire or other tragedy "imop".
Since word of mouth, is by many accounts a better course, perhaps
involvement at a local camera club, arts organization etc,..can give the
start one needs,....or maybe just a sign on the back of your SUV :)
The last thing is time value, if I take a special two hours to make an
8x10 -meaning chemical mixing etc. I have to at least charge what I
could make working for my cheapest paying client, or lets say the
average employer. Say I am willing to work for what my current employer
is willing to pay me for that 2 hours of time. In my case your minimum
cost is going to be 32.00 plus mailing or ****pping that 8x10-not
counting a percent for all business related expenses tied to getting
your business-I also have to make enough from my business model to pay
rent, and have a life. Since initially this is using available free time
to do the work, I have to question: am I the type of person that likes
spending my free time in the darkroom to do other peoples darkroom work?
I also have to ask can I be motivated when I can make a lot more
shooting images and actually seeing some daylight.
--
Reality is a picture perfected and never looking back.
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