Things You'll Need:
- Digital or film camera
- Computer
- Internet access
- Photoshop, Gimp, or other image editing software
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Step 1
Establish your focus as a photographer: will you do weddings, birth stories, portraits, action/sports, animals, nature, objects, food or news/journalism photography? A combination? What will your specialty be?
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Step 2
Establish your photographic style: traditional/posed, photojournalistic, a combination? How will you advertise yourself? What is your "signature"?
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Step 3
Determine your market. Your market depends upon your specialty as a photographer. Portraits, weddings, births and family photos will lead you to families and individuals. Sports, action and journalistic photography will take you to newspapers and news magazines. Nature, animal and landscape photography can be marketed to magazines and to the book and gift industry. Food photography might lead you toward magazines and the book industry as well, or you might work with grocery stores and restaurants. Photographing objects (furniture, fine art) can mean marketing to related businesses for work on catalogs, brochures and industry publications.
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Step 4
Build a portfolio. Portfolios are to photographers what resumes are to the rest of us. Go through the pictures you already have and determine if any are portfolio worthy. You need to showcase your best work. Offer your services free to friends, family, businesses and organizations to build up a portfolio in the area you have chosen as your specialty. Call other photographers and ask to accompany or assist on a shoot. You might be surprised how many are willing to give you a chance.
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Step 5
Set up a formal business structure. An LLC (limited license company) is probably the easiest choice. Do some research and determine what fits your needs. Be sure to check your state laws and fill out all the proper forms. Setting up your business structure will also mean picking out a business name and determining who the members of your organization will be. It could just be you (a sole proprietership) or you could include other investors as well.
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Step 1
Credit: Jusben at Morgue FileDetermine how you will order prints and what they will cost you. If you are using film, you will need a darkroom of your own or a professional service. If you are using a digital camera, you will need a professional service to create your prints. There are several companies online. Ask other photographers whom they use.
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Step 2
Set your own prices and packages. Don't forget that you will need to pay taxes. Try to be competitive with prices of other photographers in your area. You might have to set your prices a little lower as you build up business, but you need to be sure you make a decent profit after all your expenses are paid.
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Step 3
Set up a professional website, a dedicated email address and possibly a blog. There are several companies that will set up photography-themed websites to showcase your photos. Your email address should be professional: your name or your business name. A blog is not necessary, but it gives you a space to update clients and potential clients about your shoots, your locations and your experiences.
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Step 4
Get business cards and flyers made. You can, of course, make these at home with your computer and a printer if you need to cut costs. Professional business cards are not extremely expensive and do a lot for your image. Flyers can show a couple of your photos and give all your pertinent information.
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Step 5
Set up your studio, determine shoot locations and get supplies. Where will you take your photos? Obviously the answer depends on what kind of photography you are doing. Even wedding photographers need a private place to meet with potential clients before the big event. Where will you meet with your clients? What other shoot locations do you need? Do plenty of scouting. Get any basic supplies you might need, like backdrops or lights or a tripod.
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Step 1
Pass out your business cards everywhere, to everyone. Go places where there are the kind of clients you need. Meet people. Tack up your cards on bulletin boards (ask first). Leave one on every restaurant table. Give a card with your tips. Get creative.
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Step 2
Tell everyone you know what you're doing. Send an email. Call your family and friends. Ask for referrals. Offer a discount (limited time only) to the first ten people who respond. People like to help, so give them a chance.
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Step 3
Check into local advertising. It doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. Small circulation newspapers, local magazines, and circulars are good places to start. It's a good idea to offer a discount or other incentive in your ad.
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Step 4
Team up with stores that serve the people you want as clients. If you're in family/portrait photography, for example, you can talk to children's clothing boutiques, gift stores, student-oriented stores, and florists. See if they would be interested in offering a joint special: $20 off a portrait package when you spend $75 in this store, or something along those lines. It's advertising to your market and it's good for the other businesses.
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Step 5
Credit: JJM at Morgue FileRemember that you are a professional. Act, dress, speak and carry yourself as a professional. You can still have your own style--after all, that's what will attract people to your photography--but tweak enough to be part of your professional image. You are your brand, so make it a good one.
