gman7403 Loc: Illinois

I am strongly considering starting my own photography business. I plan to concentrate primarily on portraiture but eventually would like to begin some wedding photography also. I will be doing some landscape work but that will primarily be on a personal level. Any suggestions for a good, professional lab that will allow me to offer prints and/or packages to my customers without causing them to take out a bank loan.

I would like to add I am new to this Forum and love the indepth responses I see from so many different sources. I have spent many hours going into the archives.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

you are in luck - this has been answered many times.

Just go up to the search function and type in "photo labs"

gman7403 Loc: Illinois

Appreciate the info. Doing that now.

gman7403 Loc: Illinois

By the way Captain, I took a look at your web site and really enjoyed it. Nice work. Any others out there that have not visited Captain's site need to do that. Worth the visit.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

One that has received numerous good reviews on this forum is White House Custom Color. I have used them a few times with good results.

jepoplin Loc: Steamboat Springs, CO

Loo at Bayphoto. And it depends on your site's platform... you may be able to integrate the lab to your site.

TGanner Loc: Haines, Alaska

I have been very happy with Pro-DPI.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

I have been using cg pro prints for canvas prints and my clients are quite pleased so am I because their prices are very reasonable. I actually use my local Costco for paper prints. Again the value is good and my customers are pleased. That's my 2 cents.

starseedaz

I also use the same print sources as you. I have researched canvass prints and CGPro is the cheapest. I have also been pleased with Costco Prints for years

Robeng Loc: California

Gman,

If you're starting out, I would recommend Bayphotos because they have out standing customer service and support. They are based in the U.S. and when you call them you get someone that speaks English you can understand.

I have used them a lot without any complaints.

Rob

www.robeng.smugmug.com.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

While I would agree with that -and I use Bay Photo a lot - you can say the same thing about ALL the good labs: ACI, WHCC, Burrell, H&H, ProDPI, Nichols, Millers, etc.

Heather Anne Loc: Moncks Corner Sc

I use National photo labs and the pictures are great, and they have set up if you don't have a place for your customers to order, you can set up a site through them, and set your own prices, they take their price of of that and then deposit the rest into your account. I love the pictures I have had printed there, they do books, small and large sizes, metallic, and sports stuff like pins, trading cards, anything you can think of for photos that people might be intersted in. Just go to
nationalphotolabs.com

starseedaz

I have opened a business called "The Darkroom". I am the only such facility in all of Northern Arizona. 4 Beselor's (23CII) and potential for 2 more beselor's and 2 4x5's one is a beselor and one is an Omega; plus all the equipment needed for film developing, printmaking and matting. I have a couple of marketing ideas with the local high school and 2 photo clubs in town. Plus the 2 colleges in town. My plan is to rent lab time to those that love B&W but don't have a darkroom, students who are dead lining on assignments and to teach how to do the whole process! Any ideas for succeeding?

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Here is the best 2 tips you will ever get:

You MUST sell face-to-face. Posting photos online and expecting people to buy is a loser. The worlds WORST way to sell portraits. It can work for non-commision, speculation stuff, but when someone hires you, they deserve good service. They need you to help them decide.

I don't care what excuses you might come up with why you cannot do it, you have to do it. You can use a laptop computer if you have to, but if you want to succeed, you will buy a good projector, a high-quality screen and you will either have them come to you or go to them and show the images BIG.

There is software specifically for selling, but you can use Lightroom or Photoshop. The sales software helps you keep track of pricing and allows you to project in actual size.

Second tip: Your policy will be that they must purchase at the showing. Nothing ever goes online and there are never any paper prints/proofs that leave your possession. It works - guaranteed.

If you were in Colorado, I would tell you to sell online. That way you would go out of business soon and not be competition!.

Well...tip #3 - Take a few in-person courses in portrait lighting and don't become one of these "on-location, natural light, lifestyle" wannabes.

lorne Loc: Calgary, Alberta

Hi Captain C... went to your site... grat work. something you might want to think about... Your watermark says photography... your talent is in your eye and not what method you use to freeze that creation. I feel you don't need to say photography your branding is your NAME you just chose the camera to transform your thoughts to paper as a digital image instead of a paint brush. Great feeling in your images.