6 Tips for Launching a New Photography Business

Photography is a popular hobby, especially as smartphone cameras have become powerful tools in the hands of most of the population. However, a select portion of hobbyist photographers eventually turns their hobby into a profitable business. Some can support themselves full-time through photography, while others just do shoots on the side to bring in some extra cash. Regardless, there are some essential things to keep in mind when launching a new photography business. Here are six tips to help professional photographers get off on the right foot.

Write a Business Plan

Before doing anything else, it’s crucial to craft a detailed business plan. This will give the photographer a framework to consider all of the essential details of starting a business and ensure they know what they’re getting into. This will include deciding if they need a studio space, how much money they need to bring in to be profitable, how they will structure their business, how they will manage finances, and more. Additionally, this is an excellent time for photographers to decide what niche to invest in, whether that be wedding photography, product marketing shoots, or something else.

Invest in Quality Equipment

Photography inherently requires equipment. While a startup photographer doesn’t need to have all of the latest or most expensive equipment, they should have quality gear to best serve their clients. What that looks like will vary depending on the niche, budget, skill level, and other factors. Still, at a bare minimum, most photographers will need at least one quality DSLR camera body and a few versatile lenses. Other things to consider are tripods, lighting tools, photo editing software, and file storage devices.

Register With the State

This is an important step that can be easy to miss for people who aren’t aware of basic business practices. Photographers must register with the state to legally establish a company and select an appropriate business identity. Most photographers go with a basic limited liability company (LLC), but that’s not the best fit for everyone, so it’s important to research local requirements. This helps protect the photographer and their business and separates business assets from personal assets.

Research Local Competitors

When considering pricing, schedules, and overall image, it is helpful to research local competitors and see what kinds of business models or messaging strategies are working for them. Obviously, brand-new photographers shouldn’t be charging as much as someone who’s been in the business for over 20 years, but it can be helpful to reference local cost trends to avoid under or over-charging early on.

Establish a Brand

Just like any other business, photographers need to establish a personal brand. This will help them cater to their target audience and build a recognizable presence. At this point, photographers should come up with a business name, design a logo, print business cards, and create a website.

Build an Online Presence

With basic branding elements in place, one of the most important things for a new photography business is to build an online presence. Most clients find photographers through social media, local Google searches, or friends’ recommendations. Consequently, having a well-built website and key social media profiles is crucial for showcasing work and connecting with potential clients.

Launching a new photography business can be just as challenging as launching any other business. Many of the steps are the same, but there are some unique considerations for photographers looking to launch a professional company. This includes the need for specialized equipment, shooting locations, and more. Nevertheless, with these six tips in mind, aspiring professional photographers will be well on their way to establishing a successful business and capturing great moments for their clients.