How to Start Your Own Photography Business
Do you enjoy working from home in your yoga pants, setting your own hours, and living a life of creativity? You’ve come to the right place.
Starting a photography business has become quite an easy task for the average person in this day and age. There are attractive benefits, no prerequisites, and moderately low investments required to begin.
However, creating your own business as a creative entrepreneur comes with its own time investment that most people don’t take into consideration. Plus there’s necessary legal things we must do to protect ourselves from getting sued or going into debt. It’s not all boring or scary, but it’s all required to know as you begin to make some big decisions. So let’s talk about it!
Time Investment
First, you need to figure out whether your passion is just a part-time hobby or a full-time business. For instance, are you just looking for a creative outlet? Or seriously looking to make a career change?
Part-Time Hobby - If you simply want to take pictures and be done with it… then you’re ready for a part-time gig selling prints online, second shooting for other photographers, or starting a simple blog educating others.
Full-Time Business - If you have more time to create a brand around your photography, invest in your own gear, create client resources, products, contracts, manage taxes, track mileage, and consistently show up on all marketing platforms… then you’re ready to dive into starting a full-time photography business that I can help you with!
Remember, if you charge money for your service/product, you must set yourself up legally.
20 Steps to Start Your Photography Business
Now that you know your level of commitment, here’s my go-to list of 20 Steps to Starting Your Own Photography Business! Rest easy, these can be gradually completed within your first year of business.
Attend a Workshop
Learn Camera Settings, Lighting, & Prompts
Invest in Gear + Insurance (P.S. my husband is a State Farm Agent!!)
Choose & Learn Your Editing Program
Choose Backup Storage For Images (I love Dropbox!)
Choose Image Delivery Platform (I love Pic-Time!)
Join Local Photo Groups
Trade Headshots & Lifestyle Images with a Local Photographer
Create Your Products / Services
Design Your Brand, Business Name, and Logo
Create All Marketing Platforms - Website, FB, Insta, Google My Business
Register for an EIN Number
Register with your State/City
Get Set up to Pay Sales Tax (if selling products)
Open a Business Checking Account
Create a Business Plan - (read my blog on The Ultimate Guide To Creating your Business Plan!)
Choose Client Management System
Create Contracts (The Contract Shop), Scheduling/Invoicing (Acuity, my lifesaver), and Client Guides for Sessions
Offer Free/Discounted Sessions To Test Client Resources, Gather Feedback & Reviews
Participate in Styled Shoots to Grow Your Portfolio
Let’s Do This!
Alright, creative entrepreneurs — you’re all set! I cannot wait to see you build your photography businesses from the ground up and will be cheering you on the entire way. Get ready to be a blessing to SO many people, because they will cherish your images forever. I believe we have the best job in the world!
Go get em =)