Starting A Photography Business......where to start
I get asked all the time, "What does it take to start a career in photography?" or "How should I go about opening up my own studio?" There's a lot to learn before jumping into business. Here are a few areas to make sure you're starting off on the right foot.
The photography industry is WAY more then having a passion for photography or having a "good" camera and wanting or needing to make some extra cash. You can be a GREAT photographer but if you don't have an understanding about business and how to run one, you won't keep your doors open long. But don't worry......all these things can be learned.
First and foremost you should educate yourself on your craft!!!! Just because you have a "nice camera" does NOT mean you should start a business!!! You need to learn about photography, lighting, posing, pricing, legals, insurance and a set yourself up for success. There are a few things that all businesses must do when you are providing a service and getting paid for it.
Business/Legal items:
1. Apply for a sales tax number from your state. (Yes, you MUST collect sales tax!!! Even if your business is all online, ie... Facebook, Instagram, and / or a website but don't have a brick and mortar studio space!! You are providing a service and you must collect sales tax on ALL sessions, even if your only providing digital files. If you are caught NOT paying sales tax you will be fined and owe back taxes.
2. Obtain a city license for the town that you operate your business in. In Richmond, MO you will also need a merchant license. (Both of these are required and should be renewed yearly)
3. Pricing: Learn how to price yourself to stay in business. I've seen it time and time again, people offer all the images for a low price and give it all away!!! Your time and knowledge is worth something. You won't stay open long if you work for cheap. COGS (cost of goods sold), overhead, insurance, time, etc. should all be considered when pricing yourself to stay in business. If your like me your trying to help raise a family and save for your families future.....owning your own business is no different then other working individuals. You go to work everyday for a reason.....so DON'T give it all away, Value yourself and your time.
4. Train Track sessions, Just say NO!!!! It's illegal and you can be fined along with your client(s). You can even serve time in jail!! So just DON'T DO IT!! I know you won't take my word for it so here are a few articles for you to review!! The first article is a must read!!!
https://digital-photography-school.com/railroad-safety-photographers/
https://www.bnsf.com/news-media/railtalk/safety/photography-safety.html
5. Insurance: You should also carry insurance that protects you and your clients. Insurance to cover you and/or your client if someone gets hurt on a session, in studio or on location. Equipment insurance is a MUST!!! What happens if you have equipment failure, drop your camera, can't access the images from a session, your backup system fails, a fire or tornado? Make sure your covered.
EDUCATION: Study photography, learn about light and how to use it in your images. Just because someone has studio lights does NOT mean they know how to use them. I've recently seen a "new photographer" in town, you know those individuals that claim they are turning their hobby into a business.....but they AREN'T even using their lights correctly!!! Study and learn your craft!!! Don't just purchase a camera, lights and backdrops and say your a photographer!!! It's not that easy. Do you know how to operate your camera? Truly know how to operate your camera....take it off the programed settings, stop using the action setting for sports images......learn how to set your FStop, shutter speed and ISO. Stop letting your camera make the decisions in your creative process!!! Putting a "filter" on your images is not editing!!!! A professional photographer should be able to provide their clients with variety in their images, through posing and lighting NOT by just turning the same image BW or throwing a filter on the image.
You don't have to have a studio space to provide good service to your clients but know when and when NOT to take your clients portraits outside. Even photographers that claim to be "natural light" photographers need to understand light, how to position your clients in that light and when to use subtractive lighting. Not all times of the day are ideal for "good portrait" lighting. So unless you understand how to use a strobe at noon to over power the sun....STOP taking your clients outside in the middle of the day and taking pictures.....raccoon eyes have never made anyone look good!! Our job as a professional photographer is to help make our clients look their BEST!!! We can do this with the proper posing techniques and lighting styles.
That being said here are a few great places to start learning about photography if your serious about your business.
Become a member of:
- PPA (Professional Photographers of America) www.ppa.com
- I'm currently the President of PPOzarks (Professional Photographers of the Ozarks) a 4 state organization (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas) that helps photographers grow their businesses and develop their photography skills. www.ppozarks.com
-MOPPA (Missouri Professional Photographers) www.moppa.com
-PPAGKC (Professional Photographers of Greater Kansas City) www.ppagkc.org
Don't be scared to take chances!!! Seek out opportunities to grow!!! When I first started my photography career 10 years ago, I knew I need help.....the images I was creating didn't look at all like I know they could or should, so I started to seek out ways to educate myself. With the help from these PPA affiliate groups I was able to start honing my craft, training my eye, networking and most of all I've meet some of the most amazing individuals that support me in not only my career but my personal life as well.
Good luck in the pursuit of what makes you happy!!
XOXO,
Melinda, M.Photog
Forever Fotos
Richmond, MO
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