- \n
- Choose a niche for your photography business<\/a><\/li>\n
- Sort out business and equipment costs<\/a><\/li>\n
- Build a portfolio of your work<\/a><\/li>\n
- Set up your pricing plan<\/a><\/li>\n
- Brand your photography business<\/a><\/li>\n
- Start marketing your photography business<\/a><\/li>\n
- Be a people person and network!<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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\nStep One: Choose a niche for your photography business<\/h2>\n
Choosing a niche helps you focus on a specific target market as you grow your photography business. Pick a niche you enjoy and have a potential customer base with, and master that one before branching out.<\/p>\n
Here are the most profitable photography niches for you to consider:<\/p>\n
Niche example: Event photography<\/h3>\n
![\"event](\"https:\/\/cdn.logojoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20210512093942\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-10-at-6.43.42-AM-600x323.png\")
source:https:\/\/jeremiedupont.com\/weddings<\/p><\/div>\n
Event photography is a lucrative niche since the demand for documenting life\u2019s milestones will always be high and steady.<\/p>\n
This niche is versatile, with options ranging from weddings and engagements to birthdays and festivals. You\u2019ll never be short on an opportunity as you lean on your community to grow.<\/p>\n
Niche example: Social media photography<\/h3>\n
![\"Olipop](\"https:\/\/cdn.logojoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20210512094326\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-10-at-6.48.27-AM-597x600.png\")
Source: https:\/\/instagram.com\/drinkolipop\/?hl=en<\/p><\/div>\n
Social media<\/a> is an attention game, and businesses are realizing that unoriginal content isn\u2019t getting them ahead. Fortunately – this has resulted in a thriving business opportunity for photographers like you!<\/p>\n
With product photography, you can help companies nail their brand identity<\/a>, and build a client base from all over the world.<\/p>\n
Niche example: Product photography<\/h3>\n
![\"Product](\"https:\/\/cdn.logojoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20210512094751\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-07-at-7.19.51-AM-600x408.png\")
Source:https:\/\/weekend-creative.com\/thoughts\/particleboard<\/p><\/div>\n
eCommerce is showing no signs of slowing down<\/a> as businesses adapt to a new age of online shopping. As competition rises, businesses need to stand out from the rest in both product and branding.<\/p>\n
Taking product photos is an in-demand skill, and it continues to grow as more businesses go digital. Although it requires a home setup, you\u2019ll get free products and work with international clients!<\/p>\n
Other photography niches include Landscape, travel, and wildlife photography to name a few.<\/p>\n
\nStep Two: Sort out business and equipment costs<\/h2>\n
![\"camera](\"https:\/\/cdn.logojoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20210512095209\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-12-at-6.51.39-AM-600x429.png\")
<\/p>\nThe not-so-fun part of starting a business<\/a> is ironing out the details of how much you need to invest.<\/p>\n
To help you start, here\u2019s a list of general expenses:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Camera<\/li>\n
- Lenses<\/li>\n
- Tripod<\/li>\n
- Photo editing software<\/li>\n
- Cloud storage<\/li>\n
- Website<\/li>\n
- Branding<\/li>\n
- Accounting software<\/li>\n
- Lighting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Assuming you won\u2019t need a studio for your business, factor in monthly travel expenses for reaching your clients.<\/p>\n
Find the right camera<\/h3>\n
What kind of camera do you need to start a photography business? Most professional photographers agree that you should invest in a camera with a detachable lens. Spend more money on various lens types rather than the camera system!<\/p>\n
Here are some professional tips for you:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\u201cI would buy the best mirrorless camera you can afford with detachable lenses so that you don’t outgrow the system too quickly. Brands like Fujifilm, Sony and Canon have incredible offerings from beginners to prosumers.\u201d – Jeremie Dupont<\/a><\/p>\n
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If you\u2019re working with a smaller budget, there\u2019s no need to get new gear with all the bells and whistles.<\/p>\n
J.C Strange<\/a>, a professional nature photographer says he only buys used gear, “Doing so allows me to either spend less money or get more for what I spend. On top of that, it’s good for the environment<\/a> so I recommend that route to everybody.”<\/p>\n
Set your investment level<\/h3>\n
Wondering how much money does it take to start a photography business? On average you can expect to spend $5000 on equipment and extra costs for branding, travel, business software, and secure cloud storage.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\u201cThe biggest cost was equipment \u2014 cameras and lenses aren’t cheap. Start with only what’s needed for this: one camera and one lens. Monthlies are also a big chunk of a photographer’s cost of doing business. Adobe CC, your website host, professional email address, etc.\u201d – Alicia Yarrish<\/a><\/p>\n
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Tip<\/strong>: To keep costs low, keep an eye on reselling marketplaces and refurbished electronics stores for photography gear. The faster you can get started the sooner you can cover your costs!<\/p>\n
Photography businesses are profitable due to low initial investment, and consistent demand. The growth of online shopping alone has created a new genre of photography for online stores.<\/p>\n
To be profitable, you need work ethic, passion, and grit to secure clients<\/a> and build your reputation.<\/p>\n
\nStep Three: Build a portfolio of your work<\/h2>\n
An important step in building your photography business is a portfolio that showcases your style and experience. You wouldn\u2019t hire a photographer without a portfolio, so why would anyone else?<\/p>\n
![\"professional](\"https:\/\/cdn.logojoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20210512100555\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-07-at-11.54.15-AM-600x406.png\")
Source:https:\/\/ryanmichaelkelly.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n
Your portfolio is your website, which acts as your storefront to potential customers. Make your website<\/a> speak for you, and curate your photos in a visually appealing way.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\u201cWe shot for friends for free to build up our portfolio on our website. Once we had that, we started putting up profiles on various online platforms that connect photographers with clients. That’s where we landed our first paying client and we were stoked!\u201d – FinallyRE<\/a><\/p>\n
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Above all, never stop learning and experimenting as you refine your style. Investing in yourself is the best investment you can make!<\/p>\n
\nStep Four: Set up your pricing plan<\/h2>\n
Pricing for your services can be daunting when starting your business. Setting the right price<\/a> depends on your competitors along with what people are willing to pay for your experience level.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\u201cI kept my rates very low for the first few shoots as I gained experience and gently increased them. My rates have always been fair and reasonable. Remember to factor in time speaking with clients, traveling, taking the shots. Then add on the same number of hours you shot for editing.\u201d – Jeremie Dupont<\/p>\n
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Offering low prices can help get your foot in the door, gain experience and establish yourself in your field.<\/p>\n
Here are some ballpark photography prices<\/a> for various niches:<\/p>\n
- \n
- General event photography<\/strong>: Hourly rates from $150 to $500<\/li>\n
- Wedding photography<\/strong>: Hourly rates from $150 to $250 or Packages from $2,000 to $5,000<\/li>\n
- Product photography:<\/strong> Per photo from $30 to $50 or packages from $300 to $5000<\/li>\n
- Portrait photography<\/strong>: Hourly from $150 to $300 or packages from $250 to $1,500<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nStep Five: Brand your photography business<\/h2>\n
Since you\u2019re most likely a one-person show, your personal brand<\/a> is what markets your business. Your personal brand should be a reflection of who you are, what it\u2019s like to work with you, and what values you have. Here are a few things you can do to establish your photography brand.<\/p>\n
Name your photography business<\/h3>\n
This will depend on what photography niche you chose, but most photographers choose their own name.<\/p>\n
To simplify things, follow our guide on how to come up with a business name<\/a> and keep your target market in mind as you generate ideas.<\/p>\n
Your business name should be:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n- \n
- Original<\/li>\n
- Future-proof<\/li>\n
- User-friendly<\/li>\n
- Available (in some form)<\/li>\n
- Lovable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Try using our free Business Name Generator<\/a> to find a spot-on brand name in minutes. Instantly check domain availability and generate logo designs for your new business.<\/span><\/p>\n
Make a logo for your photography business<\/h3>\n
Your logo is an important part<\/a> of how people view your business. Choose colors, shapes, and typography that best communicates your services and value proposition.<\/p>\n
You can hire a designer to do this, however, it will increase your startup costs. Another option is to simply take your creativity to Looka’s logo maker<\/a> and create something unique of your own.<\/p>\n
If it feels a bit overwhelming, check out our guide on how to design a logo<\/a>. We promise it\u2019s easier than you think!<\/p>\n
- Wedding photography<\/strong>: Hourly rates from $150 to $250 or Packages from $2,000 to $5,000<\/li>\n
- General event photography<\/strong>: Hourly rates from $150 to $500<\/li>\n
- Sort out business and equipment costs<\/a><\/li>\n