Photography/videography coworking studio in Mountain View

[archerships]

So, another option I’m considering is a photography co-working studio in Mountain View. If you’re like me, you would like to do more studio work, but you don’t have easy access to an adequate studio space or lighting. The plan is to buy a space large enough for a nice studio, outfit it with lights and accessories, set up some desks/lockers, and rent it out to others who would like a part time studio space. As I envision it, it would work something like The Hat Factory in San Francisco, but specialized for photography and videography.

The space I’m considering has 1800 square feet plus bathroom with shower. The ceilings are 17 ft, and there is one
skylight. There is an office of approximately 350 sq. ft.

Right now, I’m thinking $100/month, 3 month minimum commitment. That would buy you access to the common desk area, wifi, and 2 hours of guaranteed studio time (i.e. access to the lights, backdrop, etc.) Studio time would be allocated first come, first serve (i.e. the first people to
sign up would be able to pick their hours first) General operating hours would be between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Each member would have a key to access the studio during the operating hours.

A few questions:

Have any of you worked in a photography co-working studio before? If so, what did you think of it?

What amenities would make such a space compelling for you? (Cyclorama, overhead lighting rails, props, etc.)

How much do you think I should charge? Fee schedule?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Original: craschworks - comments

Comments

[djdigit.livejournal.com]

Mind if I forward this to a professional photographer friend of mine and Tina's? He may be interested, but even if not, might have good feedback.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Sure, feel free. Thanks!

[almus.livejournal.com]

That would be me.. And yes, I would be interested.. How many people would you need to get to make it worth while? How about having different buy-in amounts based on how many hours a week you want access? As for the outfitting of the space.. I would want to see the space first but off the top of my head, lights, curtains (for privacy if there are multiple shooters at the same time), light modifiers (snoots, grids, soft boxes, gels, etc..) some of the initial people going in may have some of this they can lend to the space to get the start up costs down, I do..) backdrops (Muslin and paper)..

Also, for me anyway, there would need to be some ability to use it after hours. I tend to get allot of shoots in the evenings after work that go till midnight or later.

And lastly I question if 2 hours is enough for the base time allotment.. I don't know about everyone else but with models showing up late, + time setting up lights, and backgrounds.. outfit and makeup changes.. 2 hours is a very short shoot.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Well, the number of people I need to make it worthwhile depends on how much people are willing to pay. At $200/month, for example, 5 people (other than myself) would make it worthwhile. The fewer the better, as we have a limited number of guaranteed parking spots (4).

How about having different buy-in amounts based on how many hours a week you want access?

I'm cool with that. As I envisioned it, each member would get 8 hours/month, to schedule as they see fit during the month. This would come with the base membership, and they could buy more if they needed it.

How much do you think you would use such a space? Which times would you expect to use it?

I also thought about charging more for more popular timeslots. I imagine 6- 10 p.m. on weekdays and the weekends will be popular time slots.

How much would you be willing to pay/month?

Also, for me anyway, there would need to be some ability to use it after hours. I tend to get allot of shoots in the evenings after work that go till midnight or later.

I'm cool with that. My principal concern is that this would be a live/work space for me, and I would need to get some sleep. Hence, the 10:00 p.m. cutoff. But I'm willing to go to midnight or later if a) the noise can be managed b) I can trust the members to lockup when they're done.

If you like, perhaps we could meet to discuss options? My email: crasch@gmail.com Phone: 650 773 6419.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Why would it close after 10pm?

Because I don't want to staff it after that time.

I think 2 hours isn't enough studio time and $100 is a little low.

2 hours is the guaranteed studio time. I doubt most people will use all their studio time each week, so if someone needs more, they can negotiate with the next person for more time. Perhaps 3 hours would be better. Note that they'll still have access to the rest of the place, just not the studio.

What would you charge?

[exvapi.livejournal.com]

If you will have staff, why do the renters need a key?

As months don't have even weeks, how will you balance the difference?

Maybe consider an hourly, after hours, rate (really high) to the folks that just have to have it NOW cause the project is due tomorrow and they have just not been able to get to it. Enough to cover double time for the staff and a nice profit for the house.

[crasch.livejournal.com]

If you will have staff, why do the renters need a key?

So someone doesn't have to get up and let people in and out all the time. Since I will have photographic equipment there for common use, I don't want someone to just be able to walk in.

As months don't have even weeks, how will you balance the difference?

I was thinking that I would assign each person X hours/month, which they could allocate as they pleased. The first people to sign up would get their first pic of hours.

Maybe consider an hourly, after hours, rate (really high) to the folks that just have to have it NOW cause the project is due tomorrow and they have just not been able to get to it. Enough to cover double time for the staff and a nice profit for the house.

Thanks for the suggestion. It might be something I offer.

[cramer.livejournal.com]

And if you use those nifty RF cards (proxima?) you'll have a log of how long people are using the space, sort of. (more than one person can walk in per "swipe")

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Neat!

[exvapi.livejournal.com]

If everyone has a key, how will you keep them out when you are not open and staffed?

[crasch.livejournal.com]

Two locks. One that they can open while the place is open. One that only I can open.