Mobile Location Workspace

[Songman45]

I'm a working action photographer and our company's specialty is equestrian events. We operate 4 trailers each with viewing stations and a work station for on-site printing and CD burning. My previous experience has been either portraiture or crime scene (former law enforcement officer). This business is owned by an uncle (all three of my uncles are horse photographers in different parts of the country) and I have been working with him since September, following some life altering experiences.

I'm from near Dallas, TX and this business is anchored in Virginia. We travel up and down the East Coast photographing breed shows, walking horses, and hunter jumpers. The travel is fine but I have been home but three days since last September. The work is steady and established; the company is in its 9th year of equestrian work. I've been lucky to shoot at some of the most prestgious venues in the country. I am good at what I do both behind the camera and behind the keyboard. Now I have the urge to take another direction.

Someone chime in on the viability of a mobile setup like this:

Start with a completely gutted full size cargo van. Do cabinets for storage and a counter top for a work station. Add roof top air. Wire the inside for 120 VAC and terminate the connection at the rear with an external plug. Put one of those platforms that slide into a reciever hitch on the back. A Honda EU 6KV generator and gas cans go there.

Trick out the inside with some nice lighting and outstanding wall covering. Now I'd have a production facility on wheels. I'd prefer to use a laptop and external hard drives rather than desk top. I'd rather not go after events and venues where viewing stations were a must, if unavoidable an awning on the passenger side or an EZ-Up Tent would be simple. Some tables and a few laptops and quck networking would do the trick.

My dream gigs would be corporate evnts, banquets and awards cerimonies. For those I'd have space in the hall for the production end; Or, I'd have the option of my own space. Similarly, school dances and the like would have ample space for both shooting and production. If I could get sold on the chroma color (green screen) I'd do those.

Anyone doing anything close to this? Trailering means additional registration, taxes, insurance, and maint. I've never grown fond of our pulling a 16 foot trailer behind a 40 foot motor home for 12 hours, then trying to stab the trailer in some wet field. If I had a business that did not require living space I'd gladly skip on the diesel drinkin motorhome. For the difference in fuel alone a motel and dinner out would not be an unreasonable trade off.

Last idea. I'd have a nice graphics set for the exterior of the van and probably utilize it as a daily driver. It would be my rolling billboard. And no matter where I was, I'd be ready to work.

So what do you think?

[Fast Eddie]

I think you're onto a great idea -- and there are many opportunities beyond what you mentioned. Assuming you could generate enough revenue on a regular basis (to break-even, at the very least), it sounds like a viable venture.

Good luck. I hope you do well.

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by Fast Eddie

I think you're onto a great idea -- and there are many opportunities beyond what you mentioned. Assuming you could generate enough revenue on a regular basis (to break-even, at the very least), it sounds like a viable venture.

Good luck. I hope you do well.

Thanks Eddie,

You see it too. My reasoning for packaging a mobile operation in this manner is to offer flexibility and manuverability. Thanks for the well wish.

[flashmedic]

another avenue to investigate...a friend of mine considered buying a used ambulance or heavy rescue truck. Some fire departments replace these very frequently and they are far from used up by the time they are retired...and they resell cheap! Cabinets, inverter & air conditioning/heat are already in place, as well as the scene lights for outdoor/night work (most states require you to remove the flashers). Most also have a plug in (though I'm not sure how they are wired, exactly).

just a thought...let us know what you get, and some pics after it is finished

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by flashmedic

another avenue to investigate...a friend of mine considered buying a used ambulance or heavy rescue truck. Some fire departments replace these very frequently and they are far from used up by the time they are retired...and they resell cheap! Cabinets, inverter & air conditioning/heat are already in place, as well as the scene lights for outdoor/night work (most states require you to remove the flashers). Most also have a plug in (though I'm not sure how they are wired, exactly).

just a thought...let us know what you get, and some pics after it is finished

I just learned about another event guy who did remodel an old ambulance. Its worth looking into. As i understand most have diesel engines, that might be a plus for longivity but a bite in the fuel budget. They gotta be cheaper than the crazy used Sprinter vans I've seen. 2 years old with 15,000 miles and around $30K (almost the price they sold for new). Still hammering at this one.

[fire_photog]

This guy had a neat idea.

Randy Smith Photo, Commercial Photographer in West Palm Beach, Fl., local and worldwide

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by fire_photog

This guy had a neat idea.

Randy Smith Photo, Commercial Photographer in West Palm Beach, Fl., local and worldwide

Yes he did. I wonder what one of those retired units can be picked up for? Thanks for posting the link.

[fire_photog]

I know when I was still involved with the fire service, stuff like that was sold at auction. The municipal auctions would probably be the place to start and the thing with ambulances is that while they might have higher mileage or hours on them, they are very well maintained most of the time.

[Mark McCall]

Originally Posted by Songman45

Last idea. I'd have a nice graphics set for the exterior of the van and probably utilize it as a daily driver. It would be my rolling billboard.

I've always wanted to put splashy graphics on my vehicle.
A local DJ gave me his spin on it.

"Expensive equipment inside, come get me".

[fire_photog]

Originally Posted by Mark McCall

I've always wanted to put splashy graphics on my vehicle.
A local DJ gave me his spin on it.

"Expensive equipment inside, come get me".

That is a good point. It is a fine line between advertising your business while not giving that info away......

[flashmedic]

on the other hand - when your trailer/vehicle is marked, it can also help you on site. When security knows that you are a vendor (it really helps if they know you as a person as well), they are more likely to be lenient with you about where you park and we all know how fun it is to carry equipment long distances.

The other view is insurance. If they really want your equipment, they are going to break into any trailer/van, whether it is marked or not. Insurance rates are not going to vary based on the design on the outside.

I've worked as both a photographer and a DJ. DJ equipment tended to sit at job sites unattended in trailers until the crew got there to unpack and set it up for the show. The photography trailer is in a secure location, or on site (or traveling). I know this isn't universal, but it's another perspective.

I vote for the advertising.

[kavellanet]

SongMan - Nice idea. Good luck. Question for you. They have asked me to consider shooting Hockey Games for a local Travel team. Question is what software do you use for displaying to potential customers?

Thanks and good luck.

Ken