You can turn your passion into a livelihood. If you love taking photographs, you’ve probably created your online portfolio. Showcasing your work on your own website is great, but take a few steps on how to earn money by taking pictures. For your hobby to not go to waste, you must monetize your photographs online. Whether you are an amateur or professional photographer, it’s normal to have questions about starting a photography business. In this article, we will also share with you some of the finest tips on how to create a website for your online gallery. Strikingly has worked with many talented individuals internationally and we’d love to help you answer your questions about how to market your photography business just like our users. Over twelve million users have tried our easy-set-up websites and you, too, can benefit from the photography business guide that we are about to discuss now.
Image taken from Strikingly Brandon Bath template
How to Start a Photography Business?
We know how excited you are to start a photography business. Therefore, we have made a few steps to guide you on your ‘hobby-turn-to-business’ journey. Also, we will help find out answers to all your questions on how to get started online and offline. Even successful photography business owners have once experienced the situation you’re in now. And we have simplified it for beginners who want to rock the world with their fresh talent in taking pictures. You can wow the world with your skills and even get paid for it, so let’s see how it works.
- Focus on what type of photography business you want to specialize.
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages of starting a photography business.
- Know how much it will cost to start a photography business.
- Gear up with quality cameras and equipment to get you started.
- Prepare necessary documents such as licenses, business permits, insurance, and contracts.
- Come up with a unique and creative brand name.
- Create a brand logo for your photography business.
- Properly position your marketing strategies.
- Build a photography business website that stands out globally.
- Enjoy a passionate and purpose-driven business of your own.
1. Focus on What Type of Photography Business You Want to Specialize
The long list of photography business ideas can be overwhelming. But, focusing on one area of expertise can help you stand out. The most common photography business ideas are perfect for the following types – events, weddings, babies, products, travel and lifestyle, food, fashion, and sports photography. By specializing in one specific type of photography business, you will also learn who your target customers are. Therefore, hone your skills and focus on one specialization.
Image taken from Strikingly templates - Fresh Finest
2. Identify the Advantages and Disadvantages of Starting a Photography Business
Truly, any kind of business has its own pros and cons. Even the hobby that you think you’re doing out of passion has advantages and disadvantages as well. Identify these before you get surprised. For instance, starting a photography business can be costly. Invest in quality cameras and equipment in order to achieve high-quality images. Also, some photography gigs may require your personal time so be ready to sacrifice weekends with friends over rad photo shoots. The good thing about this photography business is enjoying your work while you make a living. Just be ready for tough competition, especially online.
3. Know How Much it will Cost to Start a Photography Business
According to the Oberlo article, they stated a calculation made by Jamie Swanson, a successful wedding photographer, on how much it will cost to start a photography business. It basically depends on what type of specialty you’re in. For portrait photography business, it can range from $8,524 up to $12,319. Wedding photography business range from $13,182 to $16,977. Given these figures, you can assess which type of photography business you want to get started.
4. Gear Up with Quality Cameras and Equipment to Get You Started
Invest in quality cameras, lenses, and gears that you can use in your photography business. Research the specs and equipment that you will be needing. For example, you may need a reliable quality tripod to hold your camera during outdoor photoshoots, otherwise, you’re compromising your camera to get damaged or dented when it accidentally falls on the ground.
5. Prepare Necessary Documents such as Licenses, Business Permits, Insurance, and Contracts
Starting out a business requires legal documents to protect your business and give your clients peace of mind in doing business with you. You should consult a professional about the documents you need to start a photography business such as permits, insurance, client contracts, etc. You know that it’s important to keep your permits and contacts up to date so that you won’t get into trouble later on.
6. Come Up With a Unique and Creative Brand Name
Your brand name should make a long-lasting impression on your target customers. Make sure you have thoroughly researched your photography business name. Some professional photographers have associated their name in business to make it more personalized and signature. You can also add the type of photography business you have. This way your target audience will know what you’re catering to right away.
Image taken from Two Little Bells
7. Create a Brand Logo for Your Photography Business
A brand logo can help your marketing strategies. If you want to promote brand awareness to kick-start your business, create a brand logo that shines among other photography businesses. To stand out globally, show it and nail it with your brand logo first.
8. Properly Position Your Marketing Strategies
Once you’re there shooting photographs and trying to get more clients, you will need to come up with marketing strategies that will put your business on top of the game. Know the right platforms or channels to market your photography business. Take advantage of any opportunity that can spread the word about your skills. You can start with video tutorials if you’ve been practicing professional photography for quite a while. Use social media pages to promote your works online. Actually, you’ll know what to do once you get there.
9. Build a Photography Business Website that Stands Out Globally
Choosing the right platform is very important for your photography business. Since it’s ideal to establish a strong brand online, creating a photography website can take your goals an extra mile. Building a website is ridiculously easy with Strikingly. You don’t need to learn how to code. Just focus on the things that matter most, which are doing what you love, and we’ll take care of the things you need to run business online. We have millions of users who made it global. You, too, can start with us.
10. Enjoy a Passionate and Purpose-Driven Business of Your Own
Having your own business can be exhausting, but don’t stress yourself with all the things you need to get your business up and running. Once you have established the requirements and things to start a photography business, leave the rest to success. Enjoy what you’re doing and make every gig count.
Image taken from Strikingly templates - Clean
How to Market Your Photography Business?
You’re probably aware of the importance of marketing your photography business to the right audience. With Strikingly, we can help you market your work online. It’s not just creating an online gallery with us; we have tools and features that can help you promote your business online. Once you have a live website, you can take advantage of our free marketing and branding tools, Simple blog, SEO, social media link, eCommerce features, newsletter subscription, and high-conversion landing pages. You can start a free 14-day trial on any of our premium plans and add a custom domain for your online business. You need to create an account to get you started. Here are some basic steps on how you can create a website for your photography business.
How to Create a Website for Your Photography Business?
1. Sign Up for an Account
Head on to our homepage for a free account. Finding the right platform for your photography business is like finding a gem to make your goals happen. That’s why you have to start with the best.
Image taken from Strikingly website
2. Choose a Website Template
We have over one hundred stunning templates here at Strikingly. Just choose the right one that fits your personality and your target customers’ preference. Our customizable themes are world-class web designs.
Image taken from Strikingly templates - Fresh Finest
3. Start your Edits by Adding Photographs, Texts, Videos, and a Business Logo
You can use our simple web editor to make edits fast. Also, we have drag-and-drop functionality for free.
Image taken from Strikingly web editor
4. Check the Mobile and Desktop Preview of Your Website
All our sites are mobile-first, so you don’t have to worry that your photography business will be left out. Before you go live, make sure that it fits properly on your audience’s mobile phone screen and your business is searchable online.
Image taken from Strikingly templates - Macro
5. Publish Your Photography Business Globally
Yay! You made it. Enjoy and reap the fruit of your labor by sharing your works and expertise with the world. After all, your website is your business portal online. Make the best out of your photography website. Strikingly can take your business globally. We mean it.
