5 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business

Do you want to know the steps to starting your photography business? If you are thinking about taking the plunge to becoming a photographer, congratulations! Photography is a creative, fun and can also be an extremely time consuming career. If you are ready to take the next step and turn your passion into your dream job there is a right way to begin! Keep reading below to see my top 5 steps for starting your own photography business.

5.KNOW YOUR STUFF

Before you start a photography business, you must first understand your camera and the basic principles of photography. So, if you just bought your first DSLR camera, stop at this step here and really learn the equipment you are working with. Do not just set up shop because you now own a “fancy” camera, that is a sure fire way to quickly fail. If you do know your stuff, proceed to the next step.

4. PAPERWORK

If you want to be a business yo must treat it like one. Owning and running a photography business means that yo are a company that has to have a license and pay taxes. Make sure that you are connecting with the correct departments before charging people money for your services.

3. BUILD AN ONLINE PORTFOLIO

People need to see the type of work you can produce! Having an online portfolio is a perfect way to show off what you offer. I highly recommend starting a portfolio off your own website, but social media outlets can work as well.

2. NETWORK

This is an overlooked step by many, but when you are a photographer you usually do not have the support system or team as someone that is employed in an office building with many other employees. Make sure you are connecting with others in your field both locally and on a more broad level. This will help you with questions you have along the way. (unsure where to start for a support team- come join my learn & inspire group for photographers!)

1. LEARN

This step I feel is most important. If you have already completed the above steps, you don’t stop. With photography, you NEVER stop learning.There is so much information out there to soak up you can constantly refine and grow your skills both as a photographer and a business owner.

Now that you know what to do, get out there and start your business! Just follow these steps to starting your photography business.
If you’d like a more in depth look at starting your own company, I am giving away a copy of my eBook: The Five Essential Steps to Starting your Photography Business for FREE! In it it dives deeper into exactly what you should be doing and the reasons why. Grab your copy! Just enter your email below to download it instantly!

Thanks for reading!

And to check out more resources I have to offer for photographers- check out my photography learning catalog here!

Emily