Can one be successful shooting only B&W portraits?

[cliveh]

In my opinion colour is a dilution of the message and black & white is a stronger means of communication.

 

[cramej]

Quote from OP: "I've thought about marketing myself in this way after I am able to get my darkroom set up but I've never been quite sure of the demand for such a product or service in my area".

I was thinking this way in terms of price point. Obviously, it costs me more to produce a 8x10 from film and a wet print than the electronic file and lab route. Soooo, if the work is good, I shouldn't have to justify the price.

Quote from OP: "Why do you think what bw and darkroom portraits will sell better? Just because it is analog? Usually portraits sessions sell well if they are good ones.
In other words, if you already know what you are commercially good at portraits, then bw and gelatine silver might be your marketing tool. But not in the opposite.

Hmm, you're right. If I can sell machine prints just fine, then why should it be any different for a wet print? The thoughts on format are also interesting. I think with my current equipment I could print 20x24 at the largest.

 

[eddie]

It's been about 18 years, but I did well selling hand-colored black and white portraits. I found a market because it was a unique product (shot on either 4x5 or with my RB). It was mostly kids, so I would do the shoot in their homes, toting a little 400WS Speedotron with 3 heads. No special backgrounds (sometimes just a bed sheet from their home). I was upfront about the cost (minimum $1250) and prints were expensive. I think it was $80 for a 5x7 matted to 8x10. $150 for an 8x10. $200 for an 11x14. $300 for a 16x20, and $475 for a 20x24. I didn't have a sitting fee, but required a $625 deposit on arrival. I had very few who placed orders for the minimum. Most were around $1750. When I invested the marketing time, I averaged about one booking per week. A night of film processing, one day for printing, two-three days for coloring and matting. So, a job took up the better part of 4-6 days. It was fun. I do think someone could still do it today, and make money.