Wanting to start a photography business!

[Soulz3urn3lack]

The concept simply put is easy. Learn as much as you can about both aspects. Don't let anyone talk you out of your dream, the key is not only taking good pictures but getting those pictures known so people will be drawn to you instead of some jackleg with a point and shoot claiming to be a pro.

Good luck.

 

[Tony S]

First let me say welcome.

You could have probably avoided a little of the sarcasm and heat had you taken some time to read posts on the message board for the last month or so where this has been brought up several times. It might explain why you got some of the answers you did once you see how many times this gets asked by new members who don't read previous messages.

Of course learning all you can about photography is going to be a must. You then need to research what you need for the area you live in to start a business, usually the Department of Revenue for your state gives out quite a bit of information and classes for those wanting to start a new venture. Research your costs. Learn about promoting a business. And lastly, once you do actually start up a business don't sell yourself short and be the discount photographer in your area. Those are the ones that really don't last long.

There's a lot more too it, but it's all too much to post in a message thread off the top of my head.

 

[Dillard]

What equipment do you have this far? Do you have any photos to share?

Nikon D300. I do have photos not any that I'm ready to share. I know people are going to rip me to pieces, I got get myself mentally ready for that. LOL

My best advice...Go ahead and start posting. You can only grow. We tend to rip everyone here, but its part of the learning process. It'll make your work better, and you'll feel better about it. Its easy to like your own work...let others see if they like it also

 

[Snyder]

There are a few good photographer meetup groups in San Antonio, when I have time I attend. It's a good resource to learn and network.

 

[cyngus]

get good equipment... take a buncha good photos ... put a small but extensive portfolio together.. then take every last bit of money you have and havent spent already.. and put it towards marketing.. market market market.. word of mouth works but its not something to rely on to build your business you need to put your name and your images out there for people to see... run specials often and keep a steadily updated facebook page with you work and your specials and what you do and possibly some BTS shots ...

the rest is up to time and devotion

 

[MLeeK]

This is THAT question that we all hate to see. Not because we don't want to see another photographer open up a business, but because it's about 3 or 4 full college educations you will need. It's such a giant ball of wax that we are almost overwhelmed as to what to tell you.

This is a response I gave in another post MUCH like yours... It's not meant to discourage you, but to open your eyes and make sure you have at least a start on knowing what kind of education, gear and experience you will need:

It's not easy nor is it as cheap as purchasing a good camera and lenses. Most people look at the cost of a custom photographer and think "they're rolling in the dough, that's ridiculous." We're not rolling in the dough. We're struggling most of us.

First there is education. If don't want to go back to school and that's fine. You don't have to. You do have to get an education somehow, somewhere. Where and how is totally up to you. There WILL be time invested and probably a good amount of it. There are webinars, seminars, web classes, classroom classes, mentorships, books galore... It doesn't matter, but you have to get the education in photography. Exposure triangle is easy enough to figure out, but mastering it and then mastering the use of light and then controlling light and then using strobes and modifiers and the list is almost endless.
After or during the education in photography you will also need an education in: Accounting (probably 95% of professional photographers are either freelance or self employed); copyright law (it's incredibly complicated and in your country you don't own your copyright if you are contracted by a client to take photograph); contract law (EVERYTHING must be in a contract-it's complicated); marketing (you don't work for a company that pays you a salary, you have to sell yourself); web design (those pesky websites are complicated as hell!); general business education (you're in business for yourself now!); IT and computer management (let me say that word again... COMPLICATED... back ups and secure storage and Raids and computer specs and calibration and IPS, TN...); and the list goes on and on and on. You can absolutely do it any way you want to. I will suggest that the photography education and the business education be the best you can possibly get. A poor business sense will destroy a phenomenal photographer and a mediocre photographer can succeed wildly with good business practices and good marketing.

Back to the it's not cheap part of that statement up there... You're saying BUT! A D700 isn't cheap. Nope, it's not a D3100 at $450, but it's only a drop in the bucket to what you will be needing. Make that 2 D700's-your whole business is 100% dependent upon your camera equipment. If you happen to break one or one malfunctions during a crucial shoot? What do you do? Sorry, joe client, but you'll have to wait 2 weeks while I get the camera repaired. And so will every other client that you have booked. And the bills still have to be paid while that camera is down. You can't go back and recapture time. That money for that two weeks is GONE. Yes, you can shoot that client later, but then you are pushing back OTHER clients... You lost the time and money for that two weeks. For me? That would be more than that second D700 would have cost.
After about a month of shooting with that D700 you will quickly realize that you need some light. A speedlight $500 more. Studio strobes $1000. On location/battery setup for those strobes? could be another $500 to $1000.
We haven't mentioned lenses: The two minimum would be the 70-200 f/2.8 VR at $2500 and the 24-70 f/2.8 at about $1500. Now those may not be your style and you may well choose a lineup of primes which will run you less than half of each of those lenses, but you'll need several of them so you are back to the same amount of $. And then there is the backup lens for your most important ones. Same as with the camera... if you're without you are screwed. AND the back up for the speedlight.
Let's now touch on the expenses of business-licensing, insurance, contract review by an attorney, accountant, software for tracking your business, marketing, utilities, rent/mortgage, vehicle expenses, memberships, websites, internet access, proofing... The list is extensive. My studio is in my home and my expenses run me about $1000 per WEEK. I average about $1800 per week take in to only get about $600 to $700 in the end. I don't have ANYTHING elaborate and I don't have the best of anything.
I mentioned education-no matter how you get your education it is going to cost you money. You may be able to do it very cheaply, but it will cost and cheap is relative... It's not $100 no matter how you slice it.
Here's a good couple of links on the cost of custom photography: How to Price Photography - Timothy Faust Photography
Why are Professional Photographers so expensive?

Another blog I really recommend for the business minded photographer that is in your position (pre-planning stage) is Todd Reichman's …a Man to Fish… Todd just became a member here (cuz I have posted his link a few times and he saw it in his analytics.) His theories are contrary to some beliefs in how to start and run a business, but I FIRMLY believe if you follow his way of thinking you can and will succeed. If you can start at the beginning and read ALL of his and his wife's entries you will benefit from it. His blog is very oriented in the business side of things as is his Sexy Business workshops. The workshop is expensive, but it's also one HELL of an education in the business side. I've not taken it but I have a feeling if someone dished out the $ to do so they would come out with a damn good outline for the business plan side of this endeavor. I have even contemplated spending my convention budget on going to see Todd instead I believe in him that much. So... when you have sticker shock over his price just go back to reading the rest of his whole blog and forget about the workshop and price. When you have read up to date I think you'll feel differently. You don't have to go to the workshop to get an amazing education from his blog.
***disclaimer***I do not work for Todd Reichman or his wife in any way shape or form. This is not a plug for anything I would benefit from. In fact I've never spoken to them.

You can absolutely become a professional photographer. Just do it with your eyes wide open. Don't expect it to happen over night and don't cut corners-it WILL cost you in the end.

 

[Buckster]

From what I've seen and read, it seems to me that people who are very good on the business side do well, even if their photos are not all that great. On the other hand people who have stellar photographic work but little or no business skills end up being starving artists.

If I were going to try to turn my photography hobby into a full-fledged full-time business, I'd take business, accounting and marketing courses first.

 

[KmH]

Successful retail photographers spend a majority of their time planning their marketing, promoting their business, and performing required, daily routine business tasks.

A minority of their time is spent actually doing photography or doing client product fulfilment.

Commercial photograph has a much different model from retail photography.

So, it's much better if your passion is business instead of your passion being photography.

People whose passion is photography probably should keep photography as a hobby.

It is common knowledge that about 85% of all new small businesses fail, and the #1 reason they do fail is because the business owner had no business/marketing plan, and lacked sufficient general business acumen.
How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business

Starting & Managing a Business | SBA.gov

Anatomy of a Business Plan: The Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Business and Securing Your Company's Future

How to Write a Business Plan: Create Your Strategy; Forecast Your Finances; Produce a Persuasive Plan

 

[jasonkip]

A business doing what? What are your potential competitors in Texas (the successful ones) doing? What's their reputation like?

I want to shoot portraiture mainly, and am getting my current work through word of mouth while I also work part time for a portrait studio. As I get more of my own work I have the flexibility to shift my schedule around with the studio. This plan is working for me for now, although to really succeed on my own I do need more business training and I would need to market myself properly.

 

[Stumbles87]

Regardless of what others say if you want something then you go for it!!! Good Luck =)

 

[raider]

why can't opening a photography business be like opening a dunkin donuts? a large initial investment would weed out 99% of mwacs. this isn't directed at op - just a general thought.

you know, target has $20 donut makers...

 

[KmH]

You should get that keyboard shift key fixed.

 

[ph0enix]

Here we go again *eyeroll*

 

[MLeeK]

Why are we resurrecting old posts for no reason?

 

[2WheelPhoto]

OP, I'm enrolled in a Certification program at my local University. The classes involve general photography and advanced, studio lighting and advanced, digital image management, and business.

It may help you to attend such in your area.