[RL Design]

I just wanted to say that this is a great thread. I have a small business and am doing photo retouching/enhancing and many other products. This year has been down for me as well. I came from a photo house and brought clients with me when I went on my own, but even those clients are starting to "do it on thier own". We are in the process of moving (trying to sell), so we are not advertising anymore here, but I hope for a big boost when we move to a bigger city. One where people know what computers are . I thought that perhaps in the future I will start teaching Photoshop to clients, if you can't beat em, then join em... In any case, hang in there with the rest of us and keep thinking positive!

[skipc]

My business is digital restoration of heirloom prints. Occasionaly there is a one off specialty job from a photographer, but they are the exception.

I promoted my business with before and after flyers to antique stores, framing galleries, art galleries w/framing, camera stores, film labs, sign companies, historical and geneological societys and every other danged place I could think of. I have given presentations to computer clubs, camera clubs, universities, a garden club— anyone who will hold still— and some for pay. People in my area think I'm an expert—which I'm not—but it's a good perception to have out there. I get a lot of word of mouth referals, even some from out of my geographic area.

My theory is that "every" person has an heirloom photo that they would like restored and have extra copies of to share with family members. Even businesses have old photos that are faded and damged and would like a large print to hang in the lobby.

Creative marketing, quick turn around, and reasonable prices have allowed me a reasonable income from a home business...skip