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Learning how to set up a photography business is a task that requires a lot of time, patience, and research.
That's because setting up a photography business - or any business, for that matter - is a long and detailed process. It simply takes time to get everything ready to go.
In the video above, I share some photography business toips to help you get started.
Below, I've outlined a few more tips that I think will be helpful for you as you consider starting a photography business.
Write a Photography Business Plan
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One of the first and most important tasks before you is to write a business plan.
While it's great to realize that you want to be a photographer, simply knowing it is not enough. You need to outline your goals, your plans, your finances, and other details in your business plan.
Your business plan will include everything from the name of your company to a proposed list of products and services you want to offer. You'll need to identify your target market, where you'll do business, potential revenue streams, and projected costs and profits too.
So, basically, a business plan should contain every detail about your business before you ever open your doors.
If you've never written a business plan before, it can seem like a daunting task. But there are many resources out there you can use to put your thoughts on paper, including this one by the Small Business Administration.
Recommended Photography Business Reading:
Get Photography Insurance
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The moment you start accepting payment for your photos is the moment you need to have photography insurance.
Some people mistakenly think that if they work from home that their homeowner's insurance policy will cover their photography business. This is not the case.
Without proper photography business insurance, you could stand to lose much more than the business if you don't have coverages for things like accidents on your property, error and omissions on your part, or accidental damage caused by your actions while you work.
The good news is that there are many affordable photography insurance options available, so you can get the coverages you need without spending an arm and a leg.
Learn More:
- How to Set Up a Photography Business Step-by-Step
- How to Make Your Photography Business Legit in 2020
Draft Up a Contract
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If you start working as a photographer without having a client contract, you are asking for trouble...
A contract is essential not just for your protection, but also to give you and the client a mutually agreed-upon roadmap for how your working relationship will play out.
The contract should include:
- Your contact information
- The client's contact information
- Dates and times regarding when work is to be done
- Your responsibilities as the service provider and the responsibilities of the client
- Details regarding cancellations
- Copyright information
And that's just the start! You might also need things like model releases or property releases depending on the work you'll be doing.
For thorough guidance on drafting up a contract, check out the video above by Jessica Kobeissi. She runs through everything a beginner photographer needs to know about contracts.
Set Your Prices
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One of the hardest tasks you have before you is figuring out your pricing structure.
You might be tempted to start out with reduced rates, and while that could entice some people to hire you, it could do more damage in the long run.
That's because you need to start your prices at a point that allows you to pay for all your overhead and still have room left over for profit to put in the bank.
As Karl Taylor discusses in the video above, when setting prices, you have to take into account all the time you will put into a job - not just the time you spend during the shoot.
So, you need to factor in the time you spend with clients beforehand, talking about goals, the shot list, and other details of the shoot.
You also need to include time spent traveling to and from the shoot and time needed to edit photos as well.
When you combine the costs of all your overhead (i.e., insurance, rent, utilities, marketing, paying your accountant, and so forth) plus all the time you invest in each gig, then you can arrive at a reasonable price to charge for your services.
Remember, this is just one step of many you need to take to start a photography business. But if you follow the tips in my video at the top of this article and take the tips I've outlined above to heart, you'll be on the right track to starting a successful photography business! Be sure to check out our collection of photography business tips as well as our photography business-related videos on our YouTube channel for even more tips too!
Learn More:
- Don't Make These Silly Photography Business Mistakes
- 7 Things You Need to Know to Succeed in the Photography Business