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How has your photography business done in 2021? Interestingly, many photographers have done quite well as full-time or part-time professionals during this continuing world situation. 

Part of that is because life and business continues to go on; it may simply require some adjustments to how we run our photography business.

You can maximize your photography business results with a few easy-to-implement photography business ideas. These tips will also help anyone starting a photography business in 2022. 

Invest in Quality

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I once asked a home builder why the tools they use are so much more expensive than what I see filling the shelves at the discount stores. He told me that his tools are actually less expensive, in the long run. It makes more sense financially to pay extra upfront for a tool that will last and is strong enough to do the job properly than to replace less robust tools as they quickly wear out. 

This principle applies to almost any job where we use tools, photography included. Professional photography equipment is generally built to a higher standard with regard to how robust they are but these also tend to have extra or enhanced features that are desired for professional work.

A photography business depends on the tools used. One thing to note, it’s usually not so much the image quality, but the ruggedness and extra features that differentiate an entry-level camera or lens from pro or prosumer gear.

If one of your concerns is how to start a photography business with no experience and a limited budget, keep coming back here to Photography Talk to learn and get ideas. We have a lot of helpful information on equipment options and sound business practices in addition to all of the photographic instruction.

Go Virtual

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It’s hard to imagine a world without the internet. For a photography business, we can find most of what we need to get started in business by looking online. 

Many of the essential services that a photography business uses can now be accessed virtually. Bookkeeping services, insurance policies, legal forms and advice, and making physical prints are just a few of the things needed that we can often find for a very reasonable price.

Being able to search for clients in what is essentially a worldwide database is amazing, we can also deliver our work virtually to these remote clients most of the time. 

Advertising and client communication can be done by means of these networks as well, though this may also require a little investment of time and capital. You can even find sites showing how to name your photography business if you haven’t yet.

Add a New Skill to Your Photography Business

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A landscape photographer can easily transition to architectural photography and then to real estate photography, since many of the skills and methods are similar or overlap. Similarly with a wedding photographer branching out to other event photography or portraiture. 

We can make those additions to our photography business by education and practice. We could also branch out to a totally new aspect of photography business such as drone photography, virtual tours, fine art, or videography.

While it’s definitely still a good idea to have a specialty or a niche for brand recognition and for being able to offer the best work to our photography business clients, many of us have found out that increasing our portfolio of services can improve the overall performance and profitability of our current photography business.

There are many ways to learn a new photography skill. Reading online articles, accessing virtual classes, and working as an assistant for a willing established photographer or videographer are some of our options. 

Learn More:

• How to Get Photography Clients
• How a High-Quality Canvas Print is Made
• Smart Investments for Your Photography Business

Offer Physical Images

With all of this added awareness of how amazing the virtual, digital, and online world is, we also want to make sure we start or continue with what made photography so appealing for the last 100 years or so, physical works of art. 

A physical enlargement of our client’s image or some of our own fine art photography creates a lasting impression and can be a sales aid that’s always on the clock, in addition to adding to our revenue and satisfying a client's need or desire.

When offering physical enlargement prints, being to stand out is a top priority. Which is why some of the alternatives to paper, mattes, and frames can really set us and our images apart. Metal prints, acrylic prints, and one of my favorites canvas wraps showcase our artwork exceptionally well.

When offering prints and enlargements, providing the highest quality is vital, as is making sure we have a reasonable profit margin. Online printers catering to a photography business satisfy these requirements.

As an example, CanvasHQ is hands-down one of the best online printers for high-quality canvas wraps in various sizes from small to wall-filling (after all, they just won our 2021 Canvas Print Shootout!). They have won our canvas print shootout the past 2 years running by delivering amazing prints with great customer service.

Besides making superior quality canvas wraps, CanvasHQ is also very reasonably priced, allowing us a decent profit margin or a workable budget for our physical advertising efforts.

Adapt Quickly

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Each new morning brings a new day for our growing photography business to either succeed or fail. Things move absurdly swiftly at times, being ready and able to adapt will work wonders for our photography business as well as for our stress level and peace of mind as a business owner.

We want to be reasonable, but if we notice a new trend taking off (not a fad, but a sustainable trend), we may want to see how we can tap into that for our own photography business. 

Likewise when certain things don’t go as we wanted or expected. Not wanting to be too quick about dropping some avenue, we also want to avoid hanging onto ideas that just aren’t getting it done for us. Patience and tenacity should be balanced by being realistic and ready to change.

PMA is Essential for a Photography Business

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Smile and the world smiles with you is the old saying. It really does work, both for personal endeavors and for our photography business.

PMA, Positive Mental Attitude, is what you and your photography business need in order to become and remain successful. Have fun, be positive and realistic in expectations, and look at changes in our art medium as an opportunity to succeed at new or more things.

With regards to the photography business, PMA can also refer to a very exciting trade show and convention, the Photo Marketers Association & Consumer Electronics Show. It’s held every year in Las Vegas and can be a wonderful break from our work to attend. 

Many times, networking with other photography businesses or related businesses is a side benefit that can have long-lasting positive results. Carrying this thought to local events, bring your own PMA (positive mental attitude) to events in your area that may give you ideas and connections to improve your photography business.

Learn More:

• Photography Business Ideas to Generate More Income
• A Guide to Business Partnerships for Photographers
• Marketing for Photography Businesses Made Easy