Photography: Start a New Business

By Diana Atkinson

Professional photography is highly competitive, but there are steps small business owners can take to stand out in a crowded market. Choosing an area of photography to specialize in is one way of distinguishing yourself in a crowded market. In the early days there is little option but to take every job going, even if you are not so familiar with the subject matter or conditions. You say yes to any inquiry that comes your way for any budget. Most photographers do this until they establish their name and reputation. Once you are known for your expertise, it can be reflected in your charges. A bad workman may blame his tools, but a good photographer knows that the right quality equipment can make a big difference to his results. This will be the principal investment, and it pays to buy the best you can afford. As your business grows, you will be able to afford better, but, when you are starting out, it may be a good idea to take out a loan or seek third-party investment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: XinXii
• Release date: May 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781304923011

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Life through a Lens

Choosing an area of photography to specialize in is one way of distinguishing yourself in a crowded market. In the early days there is little option but to take every job going, even if you are not so familiar with the subject matter or conditions. You say yes to any inquiry that comes your way for any budget. Most photographers do this until they establish their name and reputation.

Once you are known for your expertise, it can be reflected in your charges. In the beginning, equipped with nothing but a camera and a passion to succeed, we charged as little as £70 to £150 for an hour-long session, which only just covered our food bills and the next bit of kit. Now, that kind of price would not cover the huge number of studio overheads – rent, insurance, rates, salaries, equipment and equipment maintenance.

A bad workman may blame his tools, but a good photographer knows that the right quality equipment can make a big difference to his results. This will be your principal investment, and it pays to buy the best you can afford. Do your research and work out how to allocate your budget to get the most useful equipment. As your business grows, you will be able to afford better, but, when you are starting out, it may be a good idea to take out a loan or seek third-party investment.

Think about which camera and lenses will be most appropriate for your chosen area of specialization and then select a computer and photo editing software. Of course, these are the bare minimum. You will need to decide whether you are going to rent a studio and what sort of lighting you