How to Start Your Own Home Photography Business
Some professional photographers have college degrees in fine or commercial art, while others develop skills by engaging in photography as a hobby. Digital photography makes it possible to start and run a business from your home with low overhead costs. With camera equipment, a computer and a little extra space, such as a basement or garage, you may start your photography business on a part-time basis and grow it into a full-time job.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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Purchase professional photography equipment. Even though you may purchase high-quality single-lense reflex --- or SLR --- cameras at most electronics stores, you must purchase specialty equipment at a photography store. Such equipment could include, but is not limited to, flashes, filters, backgrounds, umbrellas and tripods. You may purchase professional equipment from a local photography store or online.
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2
Order a tax ID on the Internal Revenue Service website. A tax ID helps you keep your business and personal financial records separate and comes in handy when making business purchases and when opening banking and credit accounts. Use your tax ID to apply for a business license. Whether you need a business license depends on the type of photography you do. You may need a business license if you have a portrait studio in your home and it is open to the public, but you may not need a business license if you engage in general photography and sell your photos to online clients or through an art gallery. Consult your local and state government websites to find out which business licenses you need to operate your photography business legally.
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Establish a website. You may set up a website on a blog or flash platform for free. You must, however, pay a fee for a custom domain name, which varies depending on the service you use. Upload samples of your best work onto the website and add a page for your professional biography. Place your business contact information prominently on the home page and "Contact Us" page of your website.
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Order professional business cards and marketing postcards. People make decisions to hire photographers based on the quality of the photographs used in marketing materials. You may order from an online printing company that accepts small orders or place a large order from a local printing company, depending on your budget.
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Market your business locally. Join the chamber of commerce to create listings in their public database and network with members of your local business community known to use photography services such as real estate and publishing companies. Network with restaurant and coffee shop owners who display art and photography in their business establishments. Visit local art galleries to find curators willing to display and publicize your work.
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Sell stock photos online. Websites, advertising agencies, magazines and newspapers purchase the rights to use stock photos produced by professional photographers. Some stock photo companies allow you to upload your photos free of charge and earn commission from downloads. Others require you to submit a portfolio for review before you may submit photos. You may also sell your photos directly to publication managing editors if you engage in freelance celebrity and news photography.
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Tips & Warnings
Join professional photographers' associations, such as the Professional Photographers of America and the American Society of Media Photographers. Such organizations provide networking opportunities and industry updates, and they allow you to list your name and credentials in their directories, which could generate business opportunities.
If you sell photographs of people who are not public figures to third parties, to avoid being sued you must have their signed consent. You may find release form templates on photographer professional association websites.
