Photography Business FAQs

It can be overwhelming when first starting a photography business. To have a clear direction, you need to make a business plan to define your goals, create a roadmap for your business and make it easier to measure your progress. To make your business plan:

1. Define Your Goals

   Make them S.M.A.R.T. Goals:

   • Specific: Your goals should be clear, answering questions such as, How much income do I need to make? Why is it important? How many hours/days per week do I want to work? Do I want to work all year round, or does the weather, my kids’ schedule or any other limitations impact when I can work? What type of photography do I enjoy?
   • Measurable: Your goal should be quantifiable, allowing you to track and evaluate your progress. This involves establishing concrete criteria for measuring your success and determining how you will assess your progress.
   • Achievable: Your goals should be realistic and attainable, considering resources, skills and time constraints. While your goals should stretch your abilities, they should remain within the realm of possibility.
   • Relevant: Your goals should align with your broader photography career objectives and relate to your overall vision and mission. They should contribute meaningfully to your business’s success and address key priorities or challenges.
   • Time-Bound: Your goals should have a defined timeframe or deadline for completion. This helps create a sense of urgency and accountability, ensuring you progress within a specified period.

2. Define Your Strategies for Growth

   Make sure you’re growing in a way that fits your lifestyle goals, especially if you want to put Family First. It’s important to create products your clients will love and attract the right clients for your photography. Focus on building and deepening relationships with the people who already love what you do. How can you serve them at a higher level than other photographers can?

   When brainstorming, think of new products and experiences to keep things fresh and exciting that you can introduce in the upcoming year for the clients you already have. Aim for one or two new products or experiences to keep your current clients excited and gives them a reason to come back.

3. Find a Mentor

   Honestly, it’s the game changer that gets you where you want to be fast. There are so many ways to find a mentor, but be sure you are studying from someone who is where you want to be. Dig in to find out how much they are working–If they have employees, If they put family first, if they are required to travel a lot, if they work nights and weekends.

   You can find a mentor by attending online and in-person workshops and events and investing in smaller courses to test them out. The ideal mentor should be someone who can help you earn more money in less time so you are making progress toward your goals.

4. Set a Budget for Continuing Education

   Don’t underestimate the power of ongoing education. Invest in yourself. You want a mindset for continually learning to perfect your craft and your business. The more you learn, the more your business will thrive.

Finally, create a schedule that works for you and your family. Set aside dedicated time for your business tasks as well as time for your responsibilities and hobbies. You need to be realistic about what you can accomplish in any given amount of time. Don’t overcommit so you can avoid feeling overwhelmed. It’s ok to say no to projects or clients that don’t align with your goals or values.

Don’t forget to take breaks during your day, like taking a walk or playing outside with your kids. Also, take breaks throughout the year. You need some relaxation time away from everything to recharge and come up with new ideas. Finding a balance between your business and personal life will help you avoid burnout and be more productive and focused when working.

Below are the essentials to start your photography business. Focusing on these allows you to streamline your business and work more efficiently and effectively.

• Photography Skills

• A Business Plan

  Your business plan doesn’t have to be complicated. You can make one by answering these simple questions:

  1. How much do I want to make?
  2. How many sessions at what average do I need to complete to achieve that amount?

  Read “How do I start a photography business with no business experience?” for a more in-depth outline to make your plan.

• Legal Considerations

  Research the legal requirements for starting a photography business in your area. This may include registering your business name, obtaining permits or licenses, and understanding tax obligations. It's also important to consider liability insurance to protect yourself and your equipment.

• Equipment

  Focus on what you need for big profits and low expenses, especially when starting out:

  1. A Reliable Camera

     Sarah Petty, Photography Business Institute Founder, prefers Canon Mirrorless cameras like the R6

  2. Lenses

     The kit lens is adequate and can last you for a while, but a 100mm prime lens is great for portrait photography. A zoom 70-200 lens is the next best purchase if you are a portrait photographer. As you start making money, you can buy more lenses.

  3. A Reflector

     You want a silver and white reversible reflector.

  4. A Hard Drive Backup

     You’ll want one to backup your computer daily and one to store your image archives.

  5. Editing Software

     Lightroom and Photoshop are two excellent software options with cost-effective monthly subscriptions.

• Networking

  Focus on building relationships within your community. Being seen as a leader within your community will open the door to many new opportunities without having to invest a lot of money in advertising and marketing. Look for opportunities to partner with other businesses and charities that share your ideal clients. You may also want to expand your networking reach by adding a photography business coach or mentor to your portfolio. Finally, you want to turn your relationship building towards your clients as well. Focus on building relationships, and you’ll have clients that last a lifetime.

• Continuous Learning

  The photography industry is constantly evolving, so staying updated on the latest trends, techniques and technologies is important. Invest in continuing education through workshops, courses and online resources to sharpen your skills and stay competitive in the market.

Starting a photography business requires dedication, hard work and a commitment to delivering exceptional work and client service. By following these steps and continuously refining your craft, you can build a successful and fulfilling career as a professional photographer.

Yes, you absolutely can! You only need a few items to get started:

1. Organizational Skills
   If you aren’t organized, start practicing the skill to get yourself and your house ready for your business.
2. Distraction-Free Time
   You need dedicated, distraction-free time to work on your business. You’ll also want this time to be when you’re most productive. Do you work better in the mornings? Set your alarm a little earlier to get some uninterrupted work in. Are you a night owl? Stay up after your family’s bedtime to get your business up and running.

3. A Dedicated Workspace
   It’s hard to stay organized and on top of your tasks if your workspace is constantly roving–one day on the kitchen table and the next on a free countertop. Establish a dedicated workspace for editing images, paying bills, invoicing clients and housing your gear, props and backdrops. You’ll be amazed how much more efficient you can be.
4. Scouted Locations
   You’ll need locations to photograph and meet clients if you aren’t planning to have a home-based studio.
5. Realistic Goals
   Begin by making a list of your goals based on your business needs. Use the SMART goal method outlined under “How do I start a photography business with no business experience?” to ensure they’re concise and measurable. Whether your objective is to increase revenue, expand your client base or launch new services, make sure your goals are realistic and achievable within a set timeframe.
6. A Mentor
   A photography mentor or business coach can help you zoom in on the details of running your business from home. They can help you anticipate potential challenges or obstacles and develop contingency plans to address them proactively. If you’re feeling lost or discouraged, a good mentor has been there and knows how to help you get your business where you want it to be.
7. Bookkeeping
   If you don’t have bookkeeping skills already, bookkeeping software for your business will give you some professional help without the extra cost of hiring a professional.

In short, no–as long as you pick the right business model. Photography is a competitive market, and you can burn out as a digital file photographer. However, there are some actionable steps to make earning easier:

1. Select Your Business Model – There’s a long list of different models with unique challenges and demands. If you’re looking for one that will give you enough income and a healthy work-life balance, the boutique photography model is an excellent choice.
2. Make a Business Plan – check out “How do I start a photography business with no business experience?” for the in-depth process.
3. Always be Open to Learning – Learning new photography skills or business processes is a way to invest in yourself, and you should always invest in yourself. By continuing to grow as a photographer and entrepreneur, your business will grow with you.

If you want some tips on growing your business, check out “How do I become a successful photography business?”

Once you have photography skills, you’ve probably realized that it takes more than creating great photos to become a successful entrepreneur in photography. You also need to refine some business and marketing skills. In order to gain those necessary skills, you can find a photography coaching program, photography mentorship or a photography business community.

In addition to refining your skills, you must understand your photography market, create a business plan, build your brand, market your services and provide exceptional service to your clients by focusing on building relationships with them and creating products for them and their needs.

Lastly, you should continuously improve your process. Stay current with trends, technology advancements and creative techniques by attending professional workshops, conferences and networking events. By improving your skills, expanding your knowledge and adapting to shifts in market demands, you will stay competitive as an entrepreneur in the photography industry.

If you want to start a photography business side hustle, you first need to determine how much time you have to devote to it. Be realistic about your work-life balance and what you can actually put into this while having time for responsibilities at home.

Next, you need to determine how many clients you can serve in that amount of time. Again, be realistic about how much time you need to devote to each client. The boutique photography model means you have fewer clients, but you spend more time with each of them, leading to a higher average order per client. You want to provide a level of service to your clients that will build a long-lasting relationship with them. You want them to be wowed and continue to come back to you.

After figuring out the time aspects of your side hustle, you need to determine how much you need to earn from each client on average. Once you have those three things figured out, you can start attracting the right types of clients for your photography side hustle. Read more about growth strategies under “How do I start a photography business with no business experience?” and the logistics of starting a business under “What does a photographer need to start a business?”

Key elements of the boutique photography model include:

A Full-Service Experience

Boutique photographers offer comprehensive services that guide clients through every step of the process, from initial consultation to final product delivery. This may include assistance with wardrobe selection as well as evaluating what types of wall art will work in their home. Boutique photographers are focused on helping clients create wall artwork for their homes, not just digital files for social media.

Customization and Personalization

Boutique photographers tailor their services to meet the unique needs and preferences of each client. They collaborate closely with clients to understand their vision, style and goals, ensuring that the final products reflect their individuality.

High-Quality Products

Instead of solely offering digital files, boutique photographers specialize in delivering premium, tangible products such as fine art prints, albums, canvases and framed wall art. These products are often crafted using archival materials and professional printing techniques to ensure longevity and aesthetic appeal.

Premium Pricing

Due to the personalized service, attention to detail and quality of products offered, boutique photographers typically command higher prices compared to digital file photographers. Clients are willing to invest more in exchange for a unique and memorable experience and high-quality results.

Limited Clientele

Boutique photographers often limit the number of clients they accept to maintain a high level of service and exclusivity. By focusing on quality over quantity, they can provide more attention to each client and ensure a superior experience.

Overall, the boutique photography model emphasizes creativity, craftsmanship and customer relationships, aiming to elevate the photography experience beyond mere documentation to create cherished heirlooms and memories for clients.

Photographers face ever-evolving technological advancements, including AI-powered tools that can automate certain aspects of image editing and even composition. While it's true that AI has the potential to streamline certain tasks and improve efficiency, it's unlikely to replace the creativity, artistry, and human connection that photographers bring to their craft.

Photography is more than just taking pictures; it's about relationships, storytelling, emotion, and interpretation. It's about understanding each client's vision and translating it into an heirloom piece of artwork. While AI can help in certain technical aspects, it can't replicate the intuition, empathy and personal touch that photographers offer.

Moreover, the role of a photographer extends beyond taking photos to include client interaction, creative direction and business management. Building relationships, understanding client needs and delivering a personalized experience are integral parts of a photographer's job that AI can't replicate.

Instead of worrying about AI, photographers can leverage it as a tool to improve their workflow and expand their creative possibilities. By leveraging AI-powered tools for tasks like image culling or organizing workflows, photographers can free up time for what truly sets them apart: their artistic vision and unique perspective.

Ultimately, photographers who prioritize creativity, innovation, learning and client relationships will continue to thrive in an increasingly digital world. While AI may influence how the photography business looks in the future, it can't replace the passion, dedication and human element that photographers add to their photos and interactions with clients.

The biggest challenge is finding the right clients that will help you achieve your business goals. However, before you can serve the clients you’re going to attract, you need to ensure your business is strong enough to handle it. To have your marketing work, bring in the right clients for you and help them stick with you for years, you need to address these items first:

1. Setup a Business that Serves Your Clients and You

   Offer products that are worth investing in and have prices that are profitable so you can get your life back.

2. Focus on Building Relationships

   This is especially for building relationships with your clients. From the first client inquiry, educate your clients on what you do differently (especially if you are following the more profitable boutique business model) and why it benefits them.

   You can also use this focus to partner with others who share your ideal clients. These can be anyone from a kid’s clothing store to a women’s retail boutique. Practice talking to people about what you do and you’ll book clients every time you leave the house. As you build those relationships, your clients will consider you a friend–you watch their children growing up, cheer for their successes and are there for their disappointments.

3. Price Yourself Profitably

   The clients you attract when your prices are the cheapest aren’t always going to appreciate your service. Tomorrow, when someone else is cheaper, you may lose all those clients. You want to keep your clients for life. Yes, your prices are higher, but you’ll serve your clients at such a high level that they’ll never want to go anywhere else. Once you build skills and master how to talk to people, you’ll keep your clients coming back.

4. Stay Involved in Your Community

   People want to work with familiar faces and leaders in their communities. Be a leader in your market and create relationships that benefit others. Partner with charitable organizations to raise money for them. This elevates the perceived value of your business and keeps your clients loving you.

Starting a photography business is definitely worth it, but it comes with challenges and requires careful planning and execution. While there may be uncertainties and risks associated with entrepreneurship, the potential personal and professional rewards can be significant.

For Sarah Petty, Photography Business Institute’s Founder, the decision to start her own photography business was driven by a desire for more freedom and fulfillment in her career and a passion for creating custom artwork for clients. She turned her hobby into a profitable business that allowed her to spend more time with her family and pursue her creative passions.

Through her mentorship and coaching at the Photography Business Institute, Petty empowers aspiring photographers to build successful businesses through proven marketing, pricing and client service strategies. By following the Photography Business Institute’s coaches’ guidance and leveraging Petty’s expertise and frameworks, photographers can overcome common obstacles and achieve their goals.

Ultimately, while starting a photography business may require dedication, hard work and perseverance, the opportunity to turn one's passion into a thriving enterprise and positively impact clients' lives makes it a worthwhile pursuit.