Starting Photography Business Here is a Complete Guide

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Photography Business. Do you love photography? Do you want to convert this hobby of yours to a business and start earning a good amount of money through it?

Photography is a very popular hobby and it is also a very popular business these days. You will see almost every other person running a photography business. But, is it that easy? Definitely not. 

How to start a photography business

Photo by Nancy Guthrt

Starting your photography business is not just about taking photographs. You have to consider a number of other factors to make your photography business a success. The photography market today is very fierce, crowded and competitive, but do not worry, there is plenty of room for you. However, you need to be on point to make sure you make your presence felt in this market. There is much more to a photography business than just a camera.

If you are also thinking of pursuing photography as a business, here are some things that you should do and consider.

Start with a Business Plan

Like any other business, you also need to have a clear business plan when you are starting out your photography business. Design a business plan to serve as a roadmap for all the aspects of the business. It will serve as a guide to keep you on track. If you want to start earning a good amount right from the beginning, it is important to start the business right. It might be a complex task as there are many things involved in making a business plan, having it will help you a lot in the long run.

Get a Business Licence

In order to turn a hobby into a business, you have to treat it as such. Check your local laws and see what kind of licenses you need in your city and state and country. If you want to form a corporation you can use a service such as Swyft Filings.

Decide on a Specialization

Choosing a specialization for your photography business is something very important. You can choose any niche you are interested in, for example, wedding photography, product photography, food photography, event photography Real Estate photography etc. While you can always increase your area of expertise, later on, it is important to start with something specific. Customers need to know you are the very best at that particular niche. 

starting a photography business

Photo by Bruce Mars

Buy the Right Gear

You need to invest in the best camera and the right accessories and lenses to be able to make your mark in the market. Buying the right camera can make a big difference in the quality of your work which is why it should be a priority. Do your research before buying any specific camera. It is going to cost you a nice chunk of change. Therefore, make sure you buy the one that fits you best.

Make Online Presence

In the digital world, we are living in today, you must have an online presence. Build a website, if you are not sure how you can go to Fiverr and hire someone to help you out we recommend a Smugmug site.  You have to be active on all social media outlets especially Instagram and Facebook. Customers today go online to look for anything they want. You need to be there when they search for photographers online so that they consider you among others for the job.

Build a Portfolio

Make a portfolio and upload it to your website. It is important not to include everything you click in your portfolio. Choose only your best work as it is going to make all the difference in whether a customer chooses you or not. Photographers with a well-built portfolio have better chances of being picked by the customers than the ones who don’t have one. We recommend Smugmug, it has incredible templates and you can sell images online. 

If you have decided to pursue photography as a business seriously, it is important to take care of all the things mentioned above to make sure you start in the right direction. Once you get started the right way and present your self as a professional you can focus on getting more clients. 

how to start a photography business

Check out this course on the business of photography the get you to the next level.