How would I go about starting my own Photography business?

Question

Me and my friend love to take pictures.We want to start out own photography business for some extra money...Any advice on how we could get started and we would could do?

Answer 1

If you know anyone who has a current Mac computer, you

can use IWeb to create a website showing your recent

photographs. Set up an .mac account [$99 per year] and

publish your IWeb webpage(s).

Acquire from Vistaprint.com a colorful business card

by selecting from their many templates a suitable one

that meets your needs. Make sure to list the URL of

your website along with a telephone answering device.

Do not place your home address or anything personal

such as a cellphone on this businesscard. Then when

you receive the finished business card, pass it around

to various churches, temples and the like to solicit

business.

When you receive a major photography assignment, visit

your local professional camera store and "rent" the

necessary camera equipment to fulfill this assignment.

When starting out, you don't want to tie your money up

with a piece of camera equipment which because of ever

changing technology "becomes obsolete." Remember, that

90% of professional photographer are not "buying"

camera equipment continually which can easily become

outdated; instead, they merely "rent or lease" the

camera equipment for set period of time; thereby

keeping their money for other expenses. Even though

you may have your heart set on an SLR and film, you

may have to give up that concept for the moment, since

digital photography offers the most economic method of

photo reproduction. Digital imagery is easy to edit on

a computer and the print quality is often far superior

to regular film-generated prints.

You want to buy an "essential/basic" DSLR system which

has an all-around affordable accessory lenses, then

consider the award winning Pentax KD series beginning

with the Pentax K100D 6.1 mp DSLR with "image

stabilization" built into the camera body. "Image

stabilization" is essential for allowing you to take

telephoto pictures at weddings, parties, while on the

go and you don't have to drag along a tripod to steady

your camera. Unfortunately, Canon and Nikon have

chosen to install their "vibration reduction" devices

into very expensive auxiliary lenses. But getting back

to the Pentax K100D which comes in a starter kit

consisting of two Pentax lenses: a 18-55 mm. normal

lens and a 50-200 mm. telephoto which sells for $650

at samys.com. Again, the Pentax K100D starter kit runs

circles around the D40 Nikon!

For digital print processing, find a private

professional film processing lab who can handle all

your client's print orders. And with a resale license,

you will be qualified for considerable "professional"

discounts on lab fees. A search on the Google and

Yahoo for wholesale photo albums will connect you with

various distributors who, again, you can sign on as a

photography studio and get a dealer's pricing for any

number of albums, guest books, etc.

Instead of renting a studio, take people pictures at

local parks and beaches and for indoor shots, go to

the client's residence or office to set up a photo

shooting environment which consists of a set of

lights, reflective screens, background drapery, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 2

First things first you need to have a deep passion for photography. Not just "love taking pictures" it's about capturing a moment that comes once in a life time. Second you need a Bachelors degree to be a certified photographer. Thirdly you have to go to collage and I strongly recommend you major in business and minor in photography. You can't just have your own business "to make a little extra money". Photography is a career and art that needs dedication from the person behind the lense to make the business ever go anywhere you have to know what your doing.  

Answer 3

1st a good  portfolio, then a web site, and 3rd make some Business cards, www.Mandydphotography.com... BEST OF LUCK I love & enjoy photogrpahy!!!

Answer 4

"Me" loving to take pictures is obviously not enough.  You have to be able to produce good shots every time you take on a job.  What kind of photography are you thinking about?  Do you already have the proper equipment and backups?  Studio space?  Business permits?  Contracts?  Tax adviser?  Who is your competition?  What is the going rate in your area for your type of photography?  What is your overhead?  How much will you have to make to break even?  To make a profit?  Who are  your targeted  clients?  How will you reach them?

You will need to find the answers to all those questions and more.  Starting any business is a risky thing, and in photography the chance   of being successful is pretty remote without training and a sound business plan, lots of talent and some amount of luck.  If you have never taken a business class, you might want to think about doing so before sinking a lot of money into any new venture.  Business savvy is at least as important as your photography skill if you are going to have any hope of being successful.  A lot of photography businesses fail for lack of business planning.  And a few ho-hum average photographers stay in business because of their marketing and promotional skills.

The small business administration will have lots of tips and information on starting out.  Your local chamber of commerce might be of some help as well.  Good luck.

Answer 5

Business cards are key!!! And buy a book on marketing and find your niche, and don't expect to make much.

Answer 6

First you need to make portfolio and store them on website, also start advertising services on website for example here: http://www.bokrin.com/view?c=Services&s=...