Photography is a passion for many of us. Many of us are interested in wildlife photography, while some of us are interested in still photography. Seldom do we think of concerting this passion of us into a profession. The thought may have struck us many times but we never pursued it. The reasons can be many. We may have second thoughts of leaving our cushy jobs and going out on our own. Secondly we may not have enough ideas to how to go about it. We have tried to elaborate in brief about photography business.
For starting any business you need to have a proper business plan, which should include your objective, your choice of photography and even the revenues that you are expecting. Next you need to make your business a legal entity with a proper registration, bank accounts and insurance. Now you have done it all, so how do you go about getting customers. The best way to get customers is by getting in touch with people who are professionally associated with the business and have an existing network. They can be friends or acquaintances who are associated with photography. If you are interested in still photography you need to develop a studio where you can have your photo shoots done. If it is an outdoor shoot you need to pack your photography kits and move to the location where the shoot is scheduled to take place.
Setting up a photo studio at the first instance may be overkill. We suggest that you use the infrastructure of an existing studio by paying an hourly rate for the initial period of your business. When your revenue stream becomes constant then you can go about and set-up your own studio.
There is another very important aspect of photography business. If you have decided that photography is what you want to pursue as your profession, you need to have a tie-up with a professional photography lab to process your photographs. To get a true finish to a photograph it is very important that they are processed by hardened professionals.
Since you are new you may not be aware of how much you should price your services. Check out the current photography service rates for different genres and price your service accordingly. Try offering discounts for long shoots which will benefit your customers. It is imperative that you always add value to your customers when offering services. Suggest locations for outdoor shoots, dress for the models and give other ideas which will benefit your customers. Always use your creativity to give a product that your clients have never experienced before at a price which they will appreciate.
There are other points that you should keep in mind. Take assignments which you think you can handle within your bandwidth. Keep to your commitments as it is important in photography business. Your delay can cost your customers on their model fees, location hire charges, lights etc. As a photographer always try to use the best equipment which goes a long way in producing that perfect picture.
Corie Cornwell
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-opportunities-articles/photography-passion-to-business-124938.html
#1 by me on June 29, 2010 - 6:06 pm
Do I need to go to college to own a photography business?
I have a passion for photography. I’m in my early 20’s I really want to own a photography business. Do any of you own a photography business? Did you go to school for it? Any ideas, suggestions would be a great help Thanks for your time!
#2 by Reso on June 29, 2010 - 11:08 pm
only if it’s required when you interview you
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#3 by edthespartan on June 29, 2010 - 11:10 pm
You don’t need a college degree. What you do need is (a) a good portfolio of your work, (b) a rock solid business plan and (c) enough capital to get the additional goods & services you need to launch and to keep the doors open during the first few months while you’re still building a customer base.
The business plan should identify who your target customers are, e.g. going after weddings in or near your home town vs. sports action photography…you get the idea. Who are they? How many of them are there? What are their buying habits? What do they read and watch (for placing advertising)? Etc. It should also identify your competition: who are they? How many of them are there? What sources of competitive advantage do you have over them, e.g. lower prices, specialization in some type of photography, etc.
It should also explain what you’ve got, what you need and how you’ll pay for it.
It needs to include your marketing plan: How will you reach your customers and bring them back for repeat business? (Hint: personal selling)
References :
I help people start small businesses; I’ve worked with several photography businesses. There are business plan templates & other material you might find interesting on my web site: http://www.keeterconsulting.com.
#4 by bf on June 29, 2010 - 11:12 pm
if i were looking to hire a photogropher, i would hire someone who went to school and learned about it. not just enjoyed it and can take decent pictures. and also it is good to have some education backround in buisness if you want to run one. you need to know the numbers the cost, loss, everything.. it might be smart to go to college.
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#5 by Marco M on June 29, 2010 - 11:14 pm
I don’t own a photography business but I know photographers who do — commercial photographers and studio photographers. No, you don’t have to go to a university. It’s a technical, artistic and "people" business, and there are professional organizations to help you master those things — P P of A for instance (Professional Photographers of America).
But be aware that it’s not an easy business. Everyone has a digital camera these days and all of them take pretty good pictures on Program mode. You have to supply something they can’t get with their cameras, therefore, you have to have good studio lights and know lighting. You have to know Photoshop well. You have to have a flair for creating dramatic pictures that stop people in their tracks. And you have to know how to market your services for the maximum amount. You can work yourself to death selling cheap pictures, so you want to be at the top of your field, selling the high-dollar images.
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#6 by GEHTRRPCSPOAEOH on June 29, 2010 - 11:16 pm
I would say you at LEAST need an associates in business admin or accounting if not going to a 4 year college for photography. Ideally majoring in photography and minoring in business would be the perfect avenue for you.
You didn’t say what type of photography you want to do. If you want to open your own wedding studio- No you don’t need an education for that. Just the propper training for the business aspect and be talented with your imagery.
BUT if you want to be an advertising photographer shooting spreads in magazines and fashion, product or food. You absolutely should go to school. I went to a 4 year art and design school. I don’t own my own business, but that’s because i prefer to not deal with the responsibility with owning my own. I know I’d get dragged away by the IRS for screwing up my taxes every year. And i don’t want to be responsible for my own health care.
If I don’t feel comfortable owning my own business now with a Bachelors degree and the propper training and know how… I would NEVER be able to think about owning my own business walking into it blindly. Really think it over.
References :
Professional Advertising Retail Photographer 6+years
#7 by Left-T on June 29, 2010 - 11:18 pm
You don’t need to go to school for the moment. Hire someone who knows photography and start that way. Pay him on commission. Or, take night courses while running your business. Or, start from your home and save on the expenses and learn as you progress your business.
Yuo have to start somewhere. Nowadays, life is in the fast lane.
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Graphic Artist / Magazine Editor