Take Your Photography and Turn It into a Business
Taking your photography hobby and turning it into a business, which could earn you a great income, is not only an exciting time but can also be quite daunting. For those with a passion for photography and eye for great shots, your hobby could be a full-time career. Undertaking the steps to starting any business can be complicated, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t take the leap! Many avid photographers have been able to take their beloved hobby and create businesses to be proud of, accumulating a wide range of paying clients and working on exciting projects. Of course, to begin the journey to self-employment, there are many steps you must take. Clickasnap has offered this short guide to help you begin the process.
Find a niche
The greatest aspect of photography is the opportunity it provides to specialize in many areas. As an enthusiastic photographer, you may already have a particular type of photography that interests you and you choose to focus on. However, if you are new to photography and are still testing the waters, there are many areas to choose from, this includes, sports, wedding, editorial, portrait, product, and fashion.
Finding your niche will help to establish your brand and target market when starting a photography business. Often it is easier to build a client base when you specialize in a particular style of photography. This will also enable you to master your skills and add your own style to your shots.
Create a business plan
When starting any business, a business plan is crucial. This will outline all the steps you will need to take to achieve your goals. Often many people will take a business plan to investors for a loan to start their business. If you require the financial backing of a loan to get started, you should highlight all the essential costs to starting your photography business and what these will be used for. A bank or lender will consider this and offer you the financial service appropriate. A business plan should also include all the risks you may face when operating your new business and how you will prepare for and manage these. For example, including photography insurance in your business plan is pivotal. Recognizing the potential risks in the photography industry, such as equipment damage, liability issues, or unexpected events during shoots, is essential for a comprehensive business plan. Integrating this policy into your financial strategy demonstrates your preparedness to handle unforeseen challenges professionally and responsibly. A good business plan means you can be assured you have the foundations to start a business and be successful.
Marketing and gaining business exposure
Gaining exposure is the best way to gain the attention of clients. As a photographer, there are many different ways you can get your images the attention they deserve. There are many photo-sharing platforms online, you can utilize to share your very best shots and even make some money from these too!
For marketing purposes, going digital is the modern way. You will need to consider your own personal presence online and how you can market your brand with free tools like Instagram and Facebook. Gaining a following across social media is a brilliant way to build a brand and a client base. With this, you can advertise your services, post daily, and interact with your audience.
Create a website
Creating a website for your business is key to building a business in the modern world. A trusted and reliable business will have a site that is both secure and detailed. Offering potential clients all the information they will need to know before booking your photography services.
Anyone searching for the services of a photographer will head straight to their preferred search engine, searching key phrases like ‘photographer near me’ or ‘portrait photographers’, for example. By creating a website and working on SEO you can grow your business organically on search engine results pages. This will make your site appear professional and will increase your visibility.
Learn from others
As starting a business is a daunting process, reaching out to others who have been successful in this process is a great way to get some handy hints and tips. By joining a photo-sharing community, you can communicate with photographers just like you and receive feedback for your images. As well as being able to ask any crucial questions about building a portfolio and starting a photography business.
