How to Start a Photography Business

If you have a gift for photography and want to run your own enterprise, consider opening a photography business in your home. It is simple to do, and you can bring in a steady income while only working part-time.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose your specialty. Decide what type of photos you most enjoy taking. Your choices include fashion photography, wedding photography, portraiture or stock photography.

2. Organize the business. Write a business plan as well as registering your business with local officials and setting up a bank account exclusively for the business. Talk to an accountant about the advantages of incorporating.

3. Take out insurance. This is especially important if you are going to have clients coming to your home to take photographs.

4. Buy the necessary equipment. You will need cameras, tripods, lights, lenses, backgrounds and any other equipment. Find a reliable supplier that you can continually use as your business grows.

5. Set up pricing information. Check out other area photographers to get an idea on how much you should charge for your photos. Keep prices low until you gain a larger client base.

6. Market your photography business. Make up flyers and put ads in the newspaper.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you have a portfolio available for clients to see samples of your work.