Business Decisions

I made a financial decision and closed the office this month.  William Boyd Photography is still in business but without a formal meeting location.  On average, I met with one to two clients a month last year, wasting a ton of money in rent and upkeep.  The majority of my clients are out-of-towners (New Orleans, Ascension, Iberville, and North Shore), so I have been traveling to meet and deliver.  If business picks up significantly, I will reconsider, but until them just give me a call or email me!

Back in the saddle again ...

I've taken about a two-year hiatus, mostly shooting only friends and family.  I am back to work now - new office, new attitude, and a renewed spirit.  I will be posting more images soon!

LIMBO ...

Limbo as in 'between' home and no studio ... I finally moved out of the studio at 12:30 a.m. on November 1st - I actually mopped it for the last time later that morning at 7. For those of you who had the privilege to visit me there are probably saying 'what took you so long.' Shortly after Katrina, commercial property rates in Midtown/Downtown Baton Rouge skyrocketed at least 40%. As a part-time operation, either I had to increase my fees, book more clients, move into a less-than-desirable location, or drive across town. I took option C for 18+ months - now don't get me wrong, the few sessions I actually photographed in the studio were awesome. But, parking, the neighborhood, maintenance, and "perception" were just too much to continue. I'm looking at two properties right now (Florida and Industriplex). Neither are close to my residence, but parking, maintenance, and perception are all positive. So hopefully in the next two weeks or so, I will be in a location and if I carve out a little time, I'll roll out a new web site.

Generator or new cameras?

Gustav had me thinking lately? Should I have purchased new cameras to replace my aging fleet or purchased a generator for my home? It's been at least two days since we've had electricity at both my home and studio. No AC, not lights, no phone, no internet ... I'm actually on LSU's campus right now in my wife's office using the wireless internet, trying to catch up on email and a few orders.

So for the amount of money that I spent on camera equipment, I could have purchased a generator that would power a good bit of my house (no AC or washer/dryer). Am I suffering from buyer's remorse? Not at all - I love my Fuji S5's!

For those of you who have tried to contact me over the past few days, I hope to be up and running by the end of next week - hopefully power will be back on.

On a sad note, this will probably be my last month in my studio. Sad in that I have to hurriedly find a new and better location.