Rongnongno Loc: FL

This has been in my head for a few months now but...

I am more thinking of experimental portraiture than 'classic' 'run of the mill' offerings I see all around.

I have the $$$ to get the equipment but not for the studio itself as I would return to my sources.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

If you really want to do this, go for it. You say you have the $$$ for the equipment,
you could rent a place to measure the interest and work out if it is feasible.

You will never know unless you try, this project is obviously on your mind and you need to get it out of your system.

As the saying goes, "you cannot make an omelette without breaking the egg".

Good luck whatever you decide.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Stepping out is always and adventure full of anticipation and visions different than reality. Have fun with it and don't look back. Good luck.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

If you had a studio before, why did you close it??
What will be different?
By experimental do you mean Tin Type of film.
Is there any demand in your area?
What other studios are in your area and how well do they do?
Maybe start with location and environmental to avoid a commercial location to test the waters.
If your studio was in film, this age is a whole different animal.
SS

Quixdraw Loc: x

It might be better to develop a number of useful free locations and spaces that could be rented for more serious jobs than have the cost of a studio.
I doubt I have the temperament to suffer the occasional irritating customer. Based on observation here, a problem we might share. Bonne courage! Sometimes you have to scratch an itch!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Moving to Italy then all over for the next 27 years(USN, wife's career). Navy annex was her first duty station. Had a studio in partnership in Fairfax, VA.
My outlook, don't care about $$$
No, composition, lighting (using some stuff that seems to have been lost and other I want to try). Portrait only, no pet no kid under the 'age of reason'.
No, don't care, it is for me, no one else. I am not even sure I want clients!!! (free, pay only for prints)
See above, what other do, well or not, is not of my concern. I am not interested in 'making it' (financial) or local market trend. I consider only portraits, in studio.
Most certainly is. I am looking at this as 'fun' more than anything. The type of business we see around here quite often... No one really knows when they are open (2 restaurants like that!!! four or five thrift-shops, one coffee shop... Just adding to the weirdness)

Since we are both retired and not concerned when it comes to finances it should be ok. What I do not want is an obligation (rent) so I am ambivalent at the moment. An obligation of this type means you need to make a minimal that is, well, not my goal at all. There is no way I will transform one of our garages into something else, too small and ceiling is too low.

Considering purchasing an empty lot and build onto that, at least the 'obligation' would be toward something concrete vs endless payday to someone else. A 10 years loan would be ok and if I am tired of it I can always resell the property.

Jcmarino

you never want to look back on your life when you are older and say " only if I had......" Go for the gold!

dirty dave

I closed my studio a few years ago. I started missing it so I decided to try something new using the studio concept. I now have a portable studio for events and such. Sorta like a photo booth. I call shoot and print. I use the little canon selphy printer and order bulk cardboard folders. It has became a small success and now I just put on a another photographer to work the ones I can't get to. (If this is something someone else might like to do and you need some info just pm me)

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

There's a girl here in town that does portraiture and only uses certain that outdoor locations for her clients. When I was talking to her one day, I asked about it, she responded that her most of her clients were under 40 and didn't want the traditional type portrait and that the older sect doesn't bother with them anymore. Something to think about.

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

Ya know... I too have toyed with the idea of doing what you suggest and others have done. NYC has hosted several weekend events with the public invited to stick their individual heads into a pre-metered and focused spot and have an image mechanically recorded- essentially a free photo-booth- but that isn’t what I’d had in mind, and probably not what you envision either. Instead, something along the line of Disfarmer, a turn-of-the-twentieth-century photographer in Heber Springs, Arkansas who, for reasons known to himself, invited, literally, from off the street and into his studio, hundreds of his contemporaries- most- if not all of whom now exist only in the form of silver halide. Disfarmer’s effort gives us a wonderful look at that time and that place and those people. I thank him for that. But, why did Disfarmer do it? Why did he spend his resources, his time and his energy for little or no return? Why would you, Rongnongno? (that’s a rhetorical question) Why would I? (ditto) But then, why did people paint on cave walls? (no ditto) If that’s the call you hear Rongnongno, to photographically paint on the cave walls of your town, the fauna and events of your time, then that’s what you must do… good luck, good wishes, and, thank you.
Of course if my interpretation of your proposition is totally off base… “Never mind…”

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

I think you should go for it. Even though my commercial business is winding down, at the age of 73 I am now looking at what I can do creatively to entertain myself. The studio provides a great controlled environment for certain projects and I would miss having that flexibility. The lighting and a couple of backdrops encourages thinking outside of the box now that fewer people are trying to telling me what to do. I've played a little with light painting, for example, but I think there is more that can be done with that one element alone.

I don't know your age, but whatever it is, I think you're on the right track. Good luck!

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

You won't need anything fancy for selfies!!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I am too ugly for that!!!

As to age... 60.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

Like everything else, price is key. Photography has become a commodity. If you want to do it for free - or close to free - there is always a demand. Smaller demand, but demand none-the-less. But quality? No one seems to care about quality, any more. Music quality has dropped considerably, as the modalities of recordings have dropped to commodity-like levels. Food? Clothing? Most of it, very run of the mill. I was in portrait work years and years ago. I think Mathew Brady was still doing his thing then... So I sympathize for your interest in preserving the art. But there are fewer and fewer who appreciate art, today.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA