Venture Studios

About Venture Studios

Venture Studios has become the UK’s leading family portrait photographer, photographing babies, children, adults, family groups and even pets in a unique and contemporary style. Describing itself as ‘pioneers of the storytelling image’, Venture prides itself on capturing breathtaking images that the customer will treasure for ever and turning them into bespoke pieces of art in premium hand-crafted frames.

With 16 studios across the UK, Venture Studios’ expert photographers are trained to the highest standards, and are highly skilled at getting the best from their photography subjects. Passionate about photography and committed to providing the best possible customer service, a Venture experience not only includes a one-hour photoshoot and professional digital retouching work, it also includes a one-hour cinematic viewing of a collection of the best images from the shoot, and the resulting printed photographs offer a lifetime of memories.

Having photographed over half a million families, Venture is responsible for 2.6 million photographic products displayed in homes across the UK, Asia and the USA. All Venture products are produced from their high-tech UK production facility, which combines traditional printing methods with market leading, state-of-the-art technology. Each of the hand-made products undergo intense testing to ensure the highest possible quality, so the Venture Studios portrait can become a family heirloom artwork which is handed down from generation to generation.

How does a Venture Studios franchise work?

Venture Studios franchises offer the opportunity to be part of an established portrait photography brand, which is well-known for its unique and contemporary products, market leading standard of photography, state-of-the-art studios and world class customer service. Offering ongoing training and marketing support, Venture Studios franchising has been in operation since 2000, and has a proven business model focused on ensuring the necessary customer volume to provide excellent financial return on investment.

Each Venture Studios franchisee is responsible for local marketing, photography and after sales service, and is supported by high quality external printing and framing services. Venture franchises also have access to one of the UK’s largest retail finance providers for their customers, which helps to drive higher order values.

The standard Venture Studios franchise agreement term is three years, with most franchisees now on their third or fourth term.

How much does a Venture Studios franchise cost?

While start-up costs vary depending on location, a brand new Venture Studios franchise costs between £70,000 and £100,000, which includes a £10,000 one-off franchise fee. After this initial fee, Venture charges 5 per cent of gross turnover each year as a franchise fee and 2.5 per cent of gross turnover for ongoing marketing support.

How to find funding for a Venture Studios franchise?

Approximately 50 per cent of the new Venture franchise’s start-up costs need to be available in cash, while the balance can be financed through a bank loan. Venture assists with presentations to banks to secure this funding, and has relationships with the franchise departments of most major high street banks.

What do franchisees get for their Venture Studios franchise fee?

Venture Studios franchisees receive extensive support for opening their studio. Along with business planning, Venture assist with property selection and lease negotiation, before helping with planning the studio layout and introducing shop fitters. Full training is provided for the franchisee and photographer along with assistance in recruiting and training the other necessary studio roles, and a pre-opening marketing plan assists with lead generation.

What do franchisees get for their Venture Studios marketing fee?

Venture Studios franchisees receive customer leads from the central Venture website along with access to national partnerships with some of the UK’s most recognised brands. In 2017, Venture Studios’ marketing team generated nearly 20 per cent of the national studio customer numbers.

Did you know?

Venture Studios has outlets available across the UK

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What training is provided for Venture Studios franchisees and photographers?

Venture Studios franchisees are given both classroom- and studio-based training in commercial and sales skills, enabling them to successfully manage the studio and deliver the necessary volume of customers. This initial training in the Venture model is full-time, and takes place over eight weeks.

Venture Studios photographers are trained to the highest standards to ensure consistent, premium quality work is produced for the customer. All Venture photographers undertake a British Institute of Professional Photography accredited training course covering core and advanced skills, and automatically receive BIPP qualifications on completion.

How much does a Venture Studios franchisee earn?

Along with a salary of approximately £25,000 per annum, the Venture Studios franchise model generates earnings of 10 to15 per cent of turnover. The average Venture franchise has a gross annual turnover of £440,000, based on selling to 12 customers a week with an average order totalling £700. Over 40 per cent of franchises turn over more than £500,000 and top performers can reach over £650,000.

Do Venture Studios franchisees need photography experience?

No, in fact one Venture Studios franchisee with no photography experience turned over £500,000 in the first year! Current franchisees come from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and don’t necessarily have photography or studio experience, but all are customer focussed with the managerial and personal skills needed to run a business, manage a small team and provide 5-star customer service.

Venture looks for applicants with passion, discipline, integrity, determination and leadership skills, along with a basic grasp of the financials and a hands on approach to marketing.

Is the Venture Studios franchisee responsible for printing and framing photos?

No, once the customer’s photos have been taken at the Venture Studios franchise, they are turned into hand-made bespoke pieces of photographic art by Premier Image Services, based in the UK. Premier are members of the Fine Art Trade Guild, specialising in Epson Digigraphie printing, which ensures reproductions are printed and framed to Venture Studios high quality specifications.

Will I meet other Venture Studios franchisees?

Yes, there is an opportunity to meet current franchisees during the application process to discuss the day-to-day running of a Venture Studios franchise.

Where are the new territories that Venture Studios are looking to open new franchise locations?

Each Venture Studios franchise has a large and exclusive geographical territory. There are currently opportunities to open a Venture Studios franchise in Belfast, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Watford, Cambridge, Oxford, Nottingham, Sheffield, Maidstone, York, Colchester/Ipswich, Brighton, Plymouth, London (within M25), and there is a Venture Studios resale opportunity in Glasgow.

Why choose a Venture Studios franchise?

According to a recent bfa survey, Venture Studios franchises are positioned in the top 35 per cent of franchised systems based on turnover. With relatively low start-up costs when compared to other franchises with the same earning potential, Venture Studios franchises offer an impressive potential return on investment.

How can I apply for a Venture Studios franchise?

The first step towards becoming a Venture Studios franchise owner is to complete the enquiry form on this page.