How to Start a Photography Business (In 4 Easy Steps)
How to Start a Photography Business in 4 Steps:
- Hone your skills and find your niche
- Set up your business legally
- Build your brand and market your business
- Manage and grow your business
If you’re reading this, you probably already know a thing or two about photography, or maybe you are already a master of it. Starting photography can be an exciting and fulfilling journey. As an artist, photography may have started as a hobby you skillfully developed through time and practice.
But starting a photography business is a whole different thing.
If you love taking pictures and want to turn your passion into a career, you’re not alone—many photographers have turned their hobby into a thriving business. But let’s face it: while photography is a creative field, starting a business requires more than just knowing how to use a camera. It’s about strategy, organization, and building a brand that resonates with your target audience.
The good news is that starting a photography business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can break it down into four simple steps. In this article, we’ll discuss how to start a photography business in 4 steps. We’ll also list down 5 photography books to help you get started in your journey!
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Step 1: Hone Your Skills and Find Your Niche
Before jumping into the business side, ensuring your photography skills are up to par is important. Sure, it’s easy to take a photo with your phone these days, but professional photography is about more than just snapping pictures. To stand out and attract paying clients, you'll need to have a solid grasp of both the technical and creative aspects of photography.
Sharpen Your Technical Skills
It’s one thing to take a decent photo, but another to understand what makes an image work. This includes mastering camera settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed and getting comfortable with different lenses and lighting setups. Aside from knowing the instruments, it also takes practice and experience to compose the elements of your subject and perfect the composition. Don’t forget post-processing—knowing how to edit your photos to enhance them can make a world of difference.
If you haven’t already, consider investing in photography courses or workshops to improve your technical knowledge. These resources can be found in online webinars, video tutorials, local workshops in your local studio, or reading materials in books or archives.
Find Your Unique Style
Photography is an art form, and your unique style is what will make you stand out from the crowd. Are you drawn to dramatic lighting, soft pastel tones, or candid, emotional moments? What subjects do you like shooting the most? Natural or in a studio? Whether you love shooting weddings, portraits, product photography, or landscapes, identifying your niche early on will help define your brand and attract the right clients.
Like all else in life, you can’t please everyone in photography. Developing a specific niche may limit your demographic audience, but finding your style may cater to a certain community that will keep you in business for years. For example, a wedding photographer can’t shoot weddings today and expect themselves to also shoot product and wildlife photography simultaneously. Specializing is a skill that will greatly help you develop your identity in the photography industry.
Take time to experiment in different genres to see what excites you the most. Your passion will come through in your work, which is one of the best ways to attract clients looking for your specific style.
Build Your Portfolio
Once you’ve honed your skills and settled on a niche, it’s time to build a portfolio that showcases your best work. A portfolio is like your resume—this is what potential clients will judge you on, so make sure it reflects your abilities and your style. You don’t need a massive collection of photos; just a handful of your absolute best shots representing the type of work you want to be hired for.
If you’re just starting out and need content for your portfolio, offer discounted sessions to friends, family, or local businesses in exchange for photos you can use. Building a strong portfolio is crucial, and once you’ve got it, don’t hesitate to share it on your website or social media.
Step 2: Set Up Your Business Legally
Now that your skills and portfolio are ready, it’s time to get your business off the ground legally. No one wants to deal with paperwork, but taking care of the business side of things early on will save you headaches in the long run.
Choose Your Business Structure
The first thing you’ll need to decide is what business structure works best for you. In simple terms, this means deciding whether you want to run your photography business as a sole proprietor, an LLC (Limited Liability Company), or even a corporation. For most small photography businesses, a sole proprietorship is the most straightforward choice to get started. However, an LLC can protect your personal assets in case of legal issues, and it’s a good option to consider as you grow.
Take some time to research your options or speak with an accountant or lawyer to determine the best path for you.
Register Your Business
Once you’ve chosen a business structure, you must officially register your business with your local government. This may involve getting a business name or filing a DBA (Doing Business As) if you want to operate under a name that isn’t your own. You’ll also need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you’re forming an LLC or corporation.
Get the Right Permits and Licenses
Depending on where you live, you may need certain permits or licenses to operate your photography business legally. You might need a business license or a sales tax permit to sell prints or digital files. Make sure to check the requirements in your area to ensure you're in full compliance.
Set Up Your Finances
Keep your personal and business finances separate by opening a business bank account. This will help you track expenses and revenue and make tax season much easier. You’ll also want to set up a bookkeeping system—whether hiring a bookkeeper or using accounting software like QuickBooks. This step will save you a lot of headaches later on, especially as your business grows.
Step 3: Build Your Brand and Market Your Business
The fun part comes: creating your brand and spreading the word about your photography services! In today’s digital world, a solid online presence is essential for getting clients. But developing a brand identity that represents your style and business values is crucial before you dive into social media and ads.
Create a Memorable Brand Identity
Your brand is how potential clients will perceive your business, so it’s important to ensure it stands out. Think about the type of clients you want to attract and what kind of image you want to project. For example, your branding will likely be more elegant and polished if you specialize in high-end weddings. On the other hand, if you focus on lifestyle photography for families or bloggers, your brand might be more laid-back and fun.
Start with a business name (make sure it’s unique and available!) and create a simple logo. You can either design it yourself or hire a designer. Choose colors and fonts that complement the mood you want to convey and maintain consistency across your marketing materials.
Build Your Online Presence
A website is a must for any photographer, even if it’s just a simple one-page portfolio. Make sure your website is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and includes all the essential info—your services, portfolio, contact details, and pricing (if you're comfortable with that). You can also include client testimonials and a blog to engage your audience further.
Along with your website, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are your best friends. Instagram, in particular, is a visual platform that works wonders for photographers. Consistently post high-quality images and engage with your followers—reply to comments, like their posts, and share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your process. This helps build a personal connection with potential clients and keeps your business top of mind.
Network and Ask for Referrals
The power of word-of-mouth marketing is huge in the photography world. Once you start getting clients, ask them for referrals or reviews. Offer incentives, like discounts on future sessions or free prints, for anyone who refers a friend. Networking with other local business owners can also help—wedding planners, event coordinators, and real estate agents, for example, often need photographers and can send clients your way.
Run Paid Ads if Needed
If you’re looking to speed up the process of getting your name out there, consider running targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, or Google. You can set up ads to reach people in your local area who might be interested in your photography services. It’s an investment, but if done strategically, it can bring in new leads.
Step 4: Manage and Grow Your Business
The final step is all about running the day-to-day operations of your photography business and planning for growth.
Provide Exceptional Client Service
Your clients are the heart of your business, so providing great customer service is essential. Be prompt, courteous, and professional in all of your interactions. Follow up with clients after sessions, deliver images on time, and ensure their experience is positive from start to finish. Happy clients will not only return but will also refer you to others.
Price Your Services Wisely
Pricing your photography services can be tricky, but it’s important to find a balance between what you’re worth and what the market will bear. Do some research to see what other photographers in your area charge, and price your services accordingly. Don’t forget to factor in expenses like equipment, software, and travel costs. You can offer packages for different budgets or customize pricing based on client needs.
Invest in Better Equipment as You Grow
You’ll likely need to upgrade your equipment as your business picks up. Whether it’s investing in a better camera, lenses, or lighting gear, always look for ways to improve the quality of your work. Remember, your gear is a tool, but your skills and vision will set you apart.
Outsource Tasks and Keep Learning
As your business expands, you might be overwhelmed with editing, marketing, and managing finances. Consider outsourcing tasks that don’t require your personal touch, like photo editing or bookkeeping, so you can focus on what you do best—taking photos! Also, never stop learning. The photography industry is constantly evolving, so stay on top of new trends and techniques to keep your work fresh and relevant.
Photography Books to Help You Get Started
1. National Geographic Photo Basics: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Great Photography
For digital camera and smartphone users, this easy how-to guide, written by an experienced National Geographic photographer, imparts the essentials of taking great pictures.
This entertaining book from beloved National Geographic photographer and Photo Ark founder Joel Sartore shows aspiring photographers how to take great pictures, from framing and F-stops to editing and archiving. Whether you're using your phone or a DSLR camera, you'll learn the fundamentals of photography and how to apply them every day.
Sartore explains the basics in a series of short lessons, from choosing a camera and gear to understanding focus, exposure, composition, and lighting. Using examples from his own work, he applies the basic rules of photography to family, pets, travel, nature, and street photos and explains how to get a great shot with the camera on your smartphone.
You'll find pro tips, quick assignments, and behind-the-camera stories of great photographs throughout the book. The helpful notes clarify how to use every advice you get with your smartphone camera.
Fun and informative, this practical book will be your gateway to taking great pictures.
2. Digital Photography Complete Course: Learn Everything You Need to Know in 20 Weeks
Grab your camera and learn everything you need to know to improve your photography in just 20 weeks.
Introducing Digital Photography Complete Course—the perfect beginner's learning program for any aspiring photographer. This book aims to teach you everything you need to know about photography in just 20 weeks through easy-to-understand tutorials.
Become a photography expert in no time as you explore:
- Review, practice, and experiment sections to put photography knowledge to the test
- Technical concepts are broken down and explained in simple, accessible language
- Easy-to-read diagrams and illustrations to highlight key theories
- The latest technological and creative developments in digital photography and image manipulation
It's time to start using your camera to its full potential, and this photography book for beginners can help you do just that. Combining tutorials, step-by-step photo shoots, practical assignments, and fun Q&As, this brilliant book on photography can help you untangle photographic jargon such as aperture, exposure, shutter speed, and depth-of-field; teach you top tips and tricks surrounding the range of modes on bridge and system cameras, and help you to master composition for that perfect photo!
DK's Digital Photography Complete Course is a must-have book for photography lovers of all ages, whether you're a photography or art student seeking to learn more about the subject or a photography beginner looking to improve your own digital photography techniques. Doubling up as the perfect photography gift book for beginners, the Digital Photography Compete Course will help you use your camera to its full potential so that you don't just take good pictures - you take great ones!
Conclusion
Starting a photography business is an exciting adventure but takes time, effort, and planning. By following these four steps—honing your skills, getting legally set up, building your brand, and managing your business—you’ll be well on your way to turning your passion for photography into a profitable venture. Don’t rush the process; stay consistent, and enjoy every step of the journey!
