Before I plunk down the $$$ for Alain Briot's Marketing DVDs I wanted to raise and ask the following.
Times are challenging and I am looking to get out of the cubicle. We spend our summers in a very nice rural area north of NYC, with plentiful photo opportunities, good light and also with a comercially interesting target market in terms of NYC residents that flee the summer heat (i.e. folks like us, but then much wealthier).
I am considering opening a place with gallery / workshop space, focused on local images with perhaps the odd non-US of Rockies/West image thrown in. In addition, I would offer Saturday training sessions, focused on how to improve vacation pics. I would perhaps add interior/(environmental)portraiture. I would be visible on local farmer's markets, art fairs etc etc, and advertise in local media outlets.
Frankly I am surprised to see that while I know that a number of photographers have the same ambition in this geographic area, nothing has visibly materialized.
Location is key, obviously, and the opportunity is seasonal here, but I would like to hear from others who are toying with the same idea, perhaps in the same region or elsewhere and see how we can leverage plans, ideas, thoughts, pitfalls and opportunities.
Please comment here in the forum, or reach out by email/pm.
Thanks!
Mark