Do photographers need to go to school to succeed? Would photography business school be a good investment for you? While there are talented portrait photographers without a formal education, photography school could enhance your career if you want to pursue photography professionally.
Whether you’re considering starting a photography business or taking your current business to the next level, photography school can help you reach your goals.
Is Photography Business School For Me?
Photography business school is for:
- Stay-at-home moms with a passion for photography who want to make an income
- Professionals who are thinking about making a significant career change
- Photographers needing guidance to start a business
- New photography business owners who are looking for help growing their business
If you fall into any of the above categories (or a variation), then photography school is for you.
Why Photography Business School?
1. Structured Curriculum
There is much information to learn from books, blogs, and online videos. But with proper guidance and structure, you are much more likely to be able to absorb that information. There are many different options for photography education, including certification courses, personal coaching sessions, and photographer-led workshops.
Going to a photography business school will give you professionals to ask questions and coaches to provide you with feedback. You will also have an organized curriculum and environment to help you learn. You will have a set calendar of classes, dedicated time to focus on your craft, other students to talk to, and assignments with critiques to help you improve.
2. Learn From Pros
Who better to learn the ins and outs of starting a photography business than professional photographers who have seen and done it all before you? At photography school, you’ll get real-world advice and guidance from photographers with impressive credentials.
For example, you might find Sarah Petty, a professional photographer generating six figures consistently with decades of experience, thousands of clients, and a New York Times bestselling book, teaching your photography business school class.
3. Gain Credentials
While no specific requirements exist to become a professional photographer, the certifications you can earn from attending photography business school will add credibility to your resume. There are programs for photographers at every level of skill and experience. Credentials and certificates, such as the Certified Boutique Photographer certification, give potential clients more reassurance in working with you.
Gaining qualifications sets a higher standard in the photography industry. Seeking more education shows your clients your dedication to your photography business.
4. Expand Your Community
As a photographer, you know that the job often involves working alone in your home or office, editing, answering emails, and marketing your business. It can get lonely. Even when you have supportive family and friends, no one will understand the finer details that go into a creative career as well as other photographers.
At photography school, not only will you learn and develop skills to help your business thrive, but you’ll also meet lots of like-minded photographers and expand your community. Having a group of like-minded professional photographers to turn to for encouragement, guidance, and understanding is vital. The people you meet at photography school will become friends with whom you can share new images, compare course notes, and get advice on equipment purchases and client management. Having a solid network of other photographers also means you always have someone to collaborate on projects with. Collaboration can inspire you and help you to grow.
What Will You Learn?
Photography business school is about more than just refining your photography skills. As a student, you will learn how to start and sustain a thriving photography business. Some of the most important things you’ll learn include how to price your sessions and products and marketing your photography business.
- Pricing
As a photography business owner, one of the most essential skills you’ll learn is how to price your services. After all, you’re running a business, not a hobby, and your business needs to make a profit.
New photographers often need help figuring out where to start with this. In photography business school, you’ll learn how to price your photography sessions, prints, and products and how to present pricing to clients to demonstrate you’re worth what you charge. - Marketing
People need to know who you are so that you can book clients and sell your photography services. Marketing skills are vital for any small business owner. From social media tips, logo and website design, client communications and extras, learning how to market your photography business will be the foundation for future success.
Artistic talent and having an eye for what makes a great image are essential when it comes to becoming a professional photographer. However, that’s just the beginning. You can develop everything else you need to start and run a successful photography business in photography business classes. Whether you’re just getting started or finding yourself stuck when creating a great marketing strategy or sales technique, you’ll be sure to find a course, workshop, or coaching session that’s right for you.
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