While being a dedicated stay-at-home mom is a job all on its own, some moms (and dads) are also interested in finding flexible ways to earn extra money for their families. However, adding a new career to an already busy life of managing a house and caring for children may feel like too big a task. Luckily, if you are a mom who already loves to take photographs of friends and family, learning how to start a photography business on the side may be more doable than you would expect.
If you’re looking for a satisfying career that fits your family’s lifestyle and hectic schedule while giving you the flexibility to primarily work from home, consider starting a portrait photography business. Starting a photography business is an excellent way to turn a hobby you enjoy into a way to bring in extra income for your family.
Why Stay-At-Home Moms Love Photography
1. Time Flexibility
Running a part-time photography business can provide flexibility for your family. When you own your own business, you make the schedule. You can book portrait sessions and client meetings around school days, your kid's sporting events, family gatherings, and other commitments. For those with small children still at home, you are able to fit in most of your workday tasks whenever you have a spare hour or two in the day.
2. Extra Income Potential
Photography is an excellent option if you want to learn how to make money as a stay-at-home mom. However, the money you bring in can vary depending on how many clients you work with, how much extra time you have to dedicate to the business, and even seasonally. Running a part-time photography business is still one of the best side hustles available for moms who want to learn both the craft and the business of photography.
3. Outlet for Creativity
Photography can be a wonderful outlet for creativity. You may find it incredibly freeing and rewarding. If you are a mom who feels your creative flame is flickering, starting a photography business can be a fulfilling career option.
4. Expanding Your Community
While being a stay-at-home mom can be satisfying and fulfilling, you may miss more grown-up interactions. Starting a photography business from home allows you to expand your social circle by meeting clients and networking with other photographers and business owners. Another great way to meet new people is through further education, such as business courses, photography workshops, or mentorship opportunities.
Tips for Building Your Portfolio
Your photography portfolio will grow with your business. Potential clients will look at the work you’re producing to decide if you’re a good fit for them and their families. When you’re just starting, it’s important not to overthink this. With a thoughtful business plan for a photography studio, your portfolio is something you will build along the way.
Once established, a photography portfolio showcases talent and unique creative style. Here are a few ways to help build an impressive portfolio.
1. Schedule Practice Sessions
If you do not already have a wide range of photographs to choose from, schedule practice portrait sessions with your family and friends. Stay-at-home moms have the unique perk of live-in photography subjects.
The more sessions you do, the better you'll get and the more options you'll have for your portfolio. As you start booking more paid clients and refining your own photographic style, you can add or replace older photographs. You will learn which poses and types of images sell and how to add to your portfolio strategically.
2. Know Your Clients
When starting a business, one of the most valuable things you can do is to think about who your clients are and who you want your clients to be. Knowing your ideal client will give you a target audience to consider when putting your portfolio together. What photographs would your target clients want to see that solve a problem they have? Put those portraits in your portfolio.
3. Limit Your Choices
The most impressive portfolios only showcase the photographer’s strongest images. You do not want to overwhelm potential clients. Instead, limit your portfolio to only around 15 to 30 of your best photographs.
Start by eliminating any photography that:
- Is too similar to other stronger images.
- Does not fit with the look and feel of the photographs you wish to take.
- Does not fall under the category of portrait photography.
- Wouldn’t be an image someone would want to hang on their wall.
4. Get Inspiration
To better understand what potential clients might expect to see from your portfolio, check out other portrait photographers' portfolios. Consider the images they've selected, the order they've put the images in, and the way their photographs are displayed. Every artist finds inspiration from other artists.
Portrait photography is a flexible, profitable, and satisfying way for stay-at-home moms to bring in extra income. It's common for many moms to find themselves already filling the role of family photographer.
If you're a creative stay-at-home mom interested in learning the business and photography skills necessary to start a small portrait photography business, there are educational resources that can help you get started today.
