Four Helpful Tips for Starting a Photography Business

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Most people think that just because they take amazing pictures, they can easily start a photography business, and money will start rolling in on its own. If only it were that simple! In reality, starting your own photography business is anything but easy. 

It takes lots of hard work and courage to start and manage a business, and we know it can be a daunting task for many. Are you thinking about starting your own photography business but need help figuring out where to begin? That’s exactly why we wrote this article. To help make your life easier as a new small business owner!

Continue reading to learn our top four tips for starting a photography business!

Table of Contents

Tips for Starting a Photography Business: Take Care of Business

Photo by Khanchit Khirisutchlual via iStock 

One of the most important yet overlooked steps when starting a photography business is setting it up correctly. If you take the time to build a solid foundation from the beginning, everything else will be easier for you down the road. In this section, I’ll share a few crucial things to do before even trying to sell your first images.

First, figure out what type of photography you enjoy shooting and focus on that. For example, if you like nature and landscape photography, don’t try to start a wedding photography business just because you think you will make more money. That is not a recipe for success, and even if you make good money in the short term, you will burn out, and your business will suffer or die in the long run. 

Next, come up with a business plan and business structure. The more detailed these two things are and the more time you put into them, the more likely your company will succeed. But what are a business plan and business structure, you ask? Essentially, they are the beating heart of your company, and they answer questions like, “What is the name of your business?”, “Who are your clients?”, “How do you plan to make money?” and more!

Finally, don’t forget to register your photography business with local authorities. Regardless of how you structure your business (sole proprietorship vs corporation), you always want to have it registered. Two of the biggest benefits of owning a registered business are that you are now legal in the eyes of the government, and you can deduct business losses from your income when filing taxes. 

Tips for Starting a Photography Business: Invest in the Proper Gear

Photo by Narathip12 via iStock 

The next tip for starting a photography business is to ensure you have the correct photography gear. In the beginning, all you need is the essentials. So, make sure you invest in a good mirrorless or DSLR camera, a couple of lenses, a sturdy and reliable tripod, and solid post-production software like the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.

Once you own that, you can hit the ground running and start creating beautiful images that will blow your clients away. While that is all you need to start, you will inevitably want to expand your kit as your business grows. With that in mind, here are other pieces of valuable photography equipment to consider later on down the line:

  • A photography bag/backpack
  • A camera cleaning kit
  • Spare memory cards and batteries
  • An external hard drive
  • A lighting kit
  • A flash
  • Lens filters

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Tips for Starting a Photography Business: Focus on Marketing

 

Photo by Khanchit Khirisutchalual via iStock  

Properly marketing your enterprise is another one of the most important tips for starting a photography business. Your photos won’t sell themselves, especially in the beginning, so taking advantage of free and paid marketing strategies is critical to any new company.  

Marketing starts by taking the time to identify your target audience. If you don’t know who your potential clients are, your marketing plan will be inefficient, and you will waste lots of money. Narrowing down your target market to a specific niche is the best way to market your business successfully.

Creating a website is a simple and fantastic way to market your photography business. In today's advanced society, technology has never been more important, and having a website is an absolute must. On your website, you can not only showcase your work, but you can also create an online store where people can buy your products with the click of a button!

Other great ways to market your products are through word of mouth, social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, flyers, and paid online advertising. I know you might be hesitant to put money into marketing initially, but if done correctly, I promise you will get a great return on your investment! 

Tips for Starting a Photography Business: Partner With a Quality Printing Company

Photo by Kostyazar via iStock 

Lastly, make sure you partner with a high-quality printing company. As a photographer, there is nothing worse than taking stunning pictures only to have them ruined because your local printers don’t know what they are doing. And while you could always print the photos at home, the quality will never be as high as if you printed them professionally. 

When printing photos to give to your clients, you obviously want them to be of the highest quality possible, so you will always want to print them from a reputable source. One such company is CanvasPrints.com. They are a leader in the printing industry, and it’s not hard to see why. Their outstanding quality, knowledgeable customer service staff, and low prices are unbeatable!

Furthermore, they offer a wide range of printing services, including custom canvas prints. Canvas prints are all the rage these days and look great in homes and offices alike. I have used countless printing companies throughout the years, and I can honestly say CanvasPrints.com is far and away my favorite!

More Beginner Photography Business Tips

 

Photo by gorodenkoff via iStock 

Thanks for taking the time to read our guide on how to start a successful photography business. We wish you the best of luck with your venture going forward, and as a bonus, here are a few extra tips for starting a photography business!

  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
  • Be passionate and pour your heart and soul into your business.
  • Stay up to date with your taxes.
  • Start small, and don’t quit your day job when getting started.
  • Always be professional and punctual.

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