Asking Price: $550,000

Gross Revenue: $242,789

Gross Revenue Comments: Owner Intentionally Limiting Revenue

Cash Flow: $121,700

Inventory: $1,000 (Included in Asking Price)

FF&E: $54,000 (Included in Asking Price)

Real Estate: $250,000 (Included in Asking Price)

Seller Financing: Case-by-case consideration

Dream business for any professional photographer in state-of-the-art facility!


Established in 2000 by a veteran digital photographer whose work is featured in the Masters in Photo Hallmark® Greeting Cards series, this ultra-modern studio sits in a “big city” loft located in the heart of Main Street America. In the owner’s words, this business “literally has the capability to create, print and produce everything” relating to photography, graphic design and advertising.
Capabilities for this full-service portrait, fashion and commercial photography studio include shoots in large, medium, and 35mm film formats as well as 35mm and medium format digital systems. In addition to the owner, the in-house team includes the talents of a graphic artist and a marketing director. The graphic design department lays out billboards, brochures, postcards, print collateral, tradeshow booths, back-lit displays and archival-quality coffee table books. The ad agency side of the business creates, develops and executes a variety of regional marketing campaigns. The studio offers one-day turnaround for most projects through an established relationship with one of the largest professional printing labs in the country.
The focal point of the main gallery is a stylish, custom made, stand alone counter for viewing work product. A beautifully designed reception area inspires artistic energy upon entrance to the studio. With over 5,000 square feet of space, a full 2000 square feet is dedicated to photography and includes an overhead garage door entrance for motorcycles and automobiles, window transoms for natural light, two digitally equipped shooting areas with over 55 remote-controlled backdrops, a computer room servicing the remote camera system with wireless transmitters interfaced with client-stationed monitors for instant reaction and feedback, storage for a generous selection of props, and a make-up room with color-correcting light. A partial equipment list includes state-of-the-art cameras, lenses, photography lighting with power pack wireless connection to camera, hair lights with booms, barstools and posing tables.
The graphics room features a large pigment graphic printer with capabilities for vinyl-grommet signage, canvas, linen and paper. There are two additional offices, a kitchenette, storage closets and above-ceiling storage, and a convenient loading dock. Within the building are six linked Macintosh computers. An impressive viewing room is furnished with stadium-style theater seating, contemporary can lighting and projector screen. Customer viewing sessions offer a personal slide show set to music with options for selecting cropping, retouching, painting affects, color treatment and print sizes. The viewing room alone has proven to drive profits. When the “customer sees it bigger, they buy it bigger,” says the owner.

Growth/Expansion: A new owner could increase sales by accepting additional contracts from area schools and little league teams. The business has done little to no advertising, and does not have a website or Internet presence. The current owner feels that even minimal advertising would require an additional team of employees to handle increased sales volume.

This business is ideally situated in the county seat of Carthage, Missouri with its rich Civil War history and proximity to Route 66 and Joplin. Carthage is known as “America’s Maple Leaf City,” and is recognized for its abundance of arts, cultural activities, and historical attractions. The city is also home to Leggett & Platt (a Fortune 500 company), as well as several other employers of all sizes and industries.

Year Established: 2000

Employees: 2 full time - 1 part time

Facilities: The loft-style studio is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and originally served as a post office and boutique law firm. After three years of renovations performed by the owner, the two buildings/addresses were brought together by joining separate gas meters, adding new exhaust venting, electric service, lighting, surround wi-fi speakers, phone cables and a new roof. Utility expenses are kept low as a result of this “building-within-a-building” technique. The original brick walls of this 5,000 square foot space serve as a dazzling gallery of the photographer’s work. The meticulous renovations reflect a modern mix of eclectic jazz inspiration, enhanced by architectural details like nickel lights, corrugated-steel countertops, wood flooring, metal ceilings, exposed 100 year-old brick and textured faux-painted walls with oak trim.

Market Outlook and Competition: The business enjoys three-year contracts with school districts for annual and graduation photos as well as established relationships with little league teams and motorcycle/automobile enthusiasts. The owner currently works four hours a week, and turns away more work than he accepts. There are no other studios in the area with such expansive capabilities.

Management Training and Support: Seller is willing to establish a consulting agreement based on the level of expertise of the new owner.

Reason For Selling: Multiple business ventures