5 Important Things You Need When Starting a Photography Business

Any business would require you to go through legal matters, invest in equipment, and reach out to clients in order to be successful. Here are 5 important things you need when starting a photography business so that you can market your skills, get clients, and manage a profitable business.

5 Important Things You Need When Starting a Photography Business

Besides your photography skills, it would be best to do some business planning to manage a money-making photography business. Start by equipping yourself with these things like proper camera gear, portfolio, legal documents, and marketing strategy. 

Portfolio and Website 

A photography website can be your one-stop-shop for managing a business, whether you have an office space or not. When looking at various site builders, Squarespace and Adobe Portfolio are very user-friendly platforms to consider. 

After establishing a domain name, you can work on a design that allows viewers to access your gallery and see sample photos. Put vital and accurate information such as your name, contact details, pricing details, and studio address, if applicable. 

Dedicate a section that introduces who you are as a photographer and what makes your niche or style beneficial for clients. You can also write blog articles or produce video content. 

Business and Financial Plan

Starting a photography business without setting goals and parameters can be costly in the long run. 

Do you want to specialize in studio portraits or product photography? Or do you prefer going out for event photographers? Answering these things helps you identify who your target individuals or businesses are, as well as how you can develop price points that can make you beat the competition. 

From there, you can determine how to calculate working capital for your business and allocate funds for payments, loans, and investments. 

Branding and Marketing Strategy

Marketing allows you to create these relevant virtual or print content for your target audience. In this way, they can learn about your photography business, brand, products, and services.  

  • Name and logo: A distinctive business name enables customers to remember your business and attract potential clients. Meanwhile, a logo serves as a business symbol and identity as it will convey your brand’s message.
  • Social media: A consistent presence on social channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn let you show your craft and engage with people from different parts of the world. 
  • Print and digital collaterals: Business cards, flyers, email newsletters, and product catalogs are some of the marketing collaterals you can produce to draw potential clients to your photography business. 

Quality Camera and Accessories

Invest in high-quality camera equipment and accessories before starting a photography business and accepting bookings. Professional photographers from Photo Studio Calgary have this equipment. For starters, make sure you’re ready to bring these things out for a shoot:

  • DSLR or mirrorless camera
  • 2 to 3 lenses with varying focal lengths 
  • Speedlight or strobe
  • Reflectors 
  • Memory cards 
  • Chargers and extra batteries
  • Tripod
  • Camera strap and bag 
  • Backdrops

Storage and Editing Software 

Human error causes three-quarters of data loss, and this can be costly for your photography business. After a shoot, you would need to transfer files to safe and reliable hardware. Aside from a computer or laptop, use an external hard drive, NAS servers, or both to ensure you always have backed up files. 

Once you have extra copies of your RAW photos, you can proceed with adding image presets on Adobe Lightroom or do advanced photo manipulation on Photoshop. 

Conclusion

While it’s tempting to skip out on some of the things above, doing so would only hinder your photography business from starting or growing. By combining your photography skills and business knowledge, you can launch a photography business and make your profit-making goals come true. 

Annika Bansal
 

Annika "The Chick Geek" is the founder of AnnikaBansal.com. Small Business Sense shares small business ideas, tips and resources for independent Entrepreneurs and Small Business owners.