How to start a photography business.
Want to take your photography hobby to the next level? Learn how to build a photography business to turn your passion into a career.
The cost of running a photography business.
Starting a photography business isn’t cheap. Be sure to consider all the costs and how you’ll pay for them before taking the plunge.
These are some of the major costs involved when planning how to start a photography studio:
- Standard photo equipment like cameras, lenses, flashes, etc.
- Computer with high-end graphics capabilities
- Memory cards and external hard drives
- Photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
- Website hosting
- Insurance
- Accounting software
- Studio or office space
Build a portfolio.
Nobody wants to hire a photographer without seeing their work first. Building a strong portfolio is essential when learning how to run a photography business.
Think about your audience while working on your portfolio. If you want to be a portrait photographer, for example, landscape pictures aren’t going to help. Make sure your portfolio showcases your talents in your desired niche.
Come up with a pricing plan.
How much are you going to charge for your services? Think about how much you want to earn per hour in order to come up with a pricing plan for photoshoots.
Remember, the shoot itself isn’t where you’ll spend most of your time. For every hour spent shooting, you’ll spend about three hours editing. If you want to earn $50 per hour, that means you need to charge $200 for a one-hour photoshoot.
How to market your photography business.
Clients won’t just come to you. You need to get your name out there. Invest in marketing materials to make sure people see how great you are:
- Website
- Business cards
- Social media
- Search ads
- Networking opportunities
The more people who see your work, the more potential clients you’ll have the opportunity to attract.
Want more helpful photography tips to make you a better photographer?
Learn how Lightroom and Photoshop can help you fill your portfolio with images ready to dazzle potential customers.