TLCarney Loc: Englewood, Florida

I am researching the idea of starting a photo editing, post-processing service as a small business in a small town. I am proficient with Photoshop being very comfortable among the layers, channels, masks, and color spaces for many years. I have been in the rat-race for a very long time and I’m thinking of leaving the race, but I can’t quite leave the rats yet. I have looked at photography as a business, and I may do that too,(I have read many of your opinons and suggestions over the years on that subject), but I like Photoshop and I feel I can make a small business with that.

This group is an across-the-board sample of photographers as anyone could assemble. For those of you who do this for a living, would you consider outsourcing your post processing to a local service? I am thinking of a rate of $25 per hour for computer time, and a complete satisfaction guarantee. I am thinking of the shops that are too small to have a full time post person, but busy enough with shooting jobs to be weighed down by the post processing work; not to mention the time and efforts to keep up-to-date with the technology.

Who else has done it? Would anyone be interested in using a service? What are your thoughts?

wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

"I am thinking of the shops that are too small to have a full time post person, but busy enough with shooting jobs to be weighed down by the post processing work; not to mention the time and efforts to keep up-to-date with the technology."

Interesting idea. What kind of shops are you referring to? Are there enough of them in your area to make a living, or would this be an internet business? If so, what is the competition? I'll be very interested hearing what people have to say.

firtree Loc: Florida, USA

I wish you well on this. I would think that there is a market for your skills. However, and I am not a photographer by any means, I would not use this service. Perhaps you may want to cater to professionals, businesses, or even magazines. Do you have any of the 'shops' that you mentioned, locally? If so, talk with the business owners and see what they have to say, if they use this type of service now or if they would consider it. At any rate, You would definitely want to advertise, using some of your post-production work in the Ads. I am not trying to discourage you, but I will tell you that my sister started her own business creating beautiful collages using snapshots and/or digitals. She had her own website, advertised her services, etc., for a couple of years. She only got 1 order, and it was from a friend of a friend. Good Luck. I hope you will find your niche.

Elle Loc: Long Island, NY

I've often thought of doing the same. I've had some very good results with photographs deemed ready for the trash pile...particularly with the aged ones, spotted and cracked where data is lost. I keep up with current versions of my "tools" and can come up with some outstanding images. Todate I've offered my services to friends free of charge although many have been willing to pay. $25 is a reasonable sum to pay to come up with a blemish free portrait or canvas ready scenic but that does not compensate for the time some might require.

Some may be willing to pay to have an ancestor's or loved ones image restored but where once PP skills were limited and not available to the masses, today..software and internet sources have leveled the playing field and amazing things can be accomplished with little graphic skills involved.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

My gut says to me that this might be a very tough go, regardless of your talent. I think most people who seek out a professional level of post processing are doing so with the idea that they will end up with a top quality print. As such, I would expect that they would seek out print labs that offer custom PP synced to their printers as part of their service. I think few people will look for, or use a service that requires they go to a second business to get the print made.

I'm thinking your best bet will be to subcontract from the smaller labs you speak of.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Why would you limit yourself to 'local'?
All we're talking about are digital files, that can pass across the internet faster than you can walk across the street.
If my business get's much larger, I'll be in the market for some outsource PP.
The biggest thing, would be to show examples of your work, both before and after.
You could start out with a business page on FaceBook, or one of the free website builders (I have my wife's on moonfruit.com)

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

I hate to rain on a parade but I get a number of solicitations on line to outsource PP work to China. Their pricing appears to be under a $25/hour rate. I prefer to do my own PP so haven't had need to use their services.

Right now those emails go into my spam folder which I emptied (permanently deleted) a few days ago. The next one I get I'll send the URL to you so you can see what you are competing against.

Good luck!

I just Googled "Photoshop Services" and the top result was "Photoshop Experts $10/HR+-...." Hmmmm :-(

Here's one: http://www.retouching.info/

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

TLC, as with any business, it's absolutely possible to make it work. I have a friend that is very good at PP and does some PP for various pros as well as teach and tutors PP, but he is a top notch photographer first and has demonstrated that he knows what needs to be done.
I also know a couple of pros that don't do their own PP. These photographers are very good at PP but know that a Pro at PP, is to PP what they are to photography.
My suggestion is to put a portfolio together and shop it around. I assume wedding photographers will be the biggest clients. If one thinks you a good fit for their style, that would be the way to break in.
Good luck
SS

TheDman Loc: USA

Hehe, just looked at the samples on that site - the "background replacement" example featured a horribly cut out Eiffel Tower. 8-)

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

OK, OK, I've read the OP's post, and I've read the responses. Yes, I do think the OP is going to be charging a higher rate than many similar businesses. BUT I think TLC has a lot of advantages in the market place, including a background in CAD drafting, 3D modeling & photogrammetry. These are not the kinds of skills a hobbyist can generally claim. Even if they are listed just interests, being able to "talk the talk" is important in drawing clients. As a local, the OP probably has a fair number of contacts who can provide that ever-so-important mouth-to-mouthing advertising.

But what I believe can make TLC a success is that all important phrase, "complete satisfaction guarantee" and developing a business where that is a major objective. "Go to TLC; that is a business that gives a new meaning to customer satisfaction!" In this world of BS promises, if the OP can build a business based on that reputation and can bach it up with testimonials, the business has a large lead right out of the gate. Best of luck!

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Well there are certainly a number of things to consider:

1) how much demand would there be (keeping in mind that the competition will be, as mentioned, everyone from Chinese outsourcers to post production departments of pro labs)

2) How much would customers be willing to pay - and would you give a quote before working on the image? If you assess it to be 3 hours worth, will the customer be willing to fork over $75? If it actually takes you 4 hours, will you eat the difference?

3) Jim and Sharpshooter make good points about most folks looking for this kind of work probably expecting high end prints as a result (otherwise what's the value - viewing on a computer screen makes for a lot of slop)

Perhaps approaching the Pro market with a book of your work and even taking on a couple of jobs gratis to prove your mettle would be the best approach - certainly if you are accepted in their world your reputation will build up and folks from elsewhere will be willing to give you a try.

In any event, you need to write a business plan if you're serious, and in that plan take into account your most realistic (not most optimistic) expectations as to how many hours a week you will need to bill out in order to maintain your lifestyle, and hat that would translate to in terms of work. Next is ascertaining if you need to upgrade your computer gear - calibration monitor? Drobo drive? more RAM? Then it's on to a marketing scheme - how to get the word out - again, offering (initially free) services to local pros might be a way to go. And if they are pleased with your work, then you can start thinking of doing it full time.

In other words, think about all the aspects. If you start an LLC, will you need a lawyer to create whatever forms (like NDAs) you might need? Don't forget about having to pay taxes on your income (as suing you breach that threshold, which of course you hope to do). But then again perhaps you could deduct the room in your home at tax time as it would be for business - unless you plan to open a storefront (and if so then add that cost into your calculations).

Just some things to ponder...

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Have you considered teaching Photoshop Post-processing skills/ doing classes. There seems to be a lot of people interested in learning those skills and are willing to pay for classes.

TLCarney Loc: Englewood, Florida

Thanks for this idea, Photographer Jim, I had not thought of looking at the other side of imaging - the printers. A lot of print shops do advertise photo-retouching but that falls on the same guy who is doing the printing, packaging and paperwork.

TLCarney Loc: Englewood, Florida

Thanks robert-photos for the persepective. Yes, there will always be some who can or who would dare charge less, ond some who will charge more. I am trying to evaluate my skills set as well as the demand (interest) in my services. I chose $25 an hour as a starting point but I may have to consider packaging services in some cases as in taking on a wedding set that may require extensive correction work. A fair price for good servic.

TLCarney Loc: Englewood, Florida

Thanks, Mogul, marketing is a key part of any small business and bulding the rep for devlivering on-time and within budget is almost a lost art these days. Until I have built that rep, I have to give the clients a warm feeling that they will end up with the service they expected. If that means extra effort on my part until I can get an efficient workfolow going, well that's what will make it work.