With a bit of talent and a reliable camera, you can start a photography business to augment your regular monthly income. Practice your skills on family members or friends and you will soon be on your way to earning a second income from part time photography.
Step 1
Determine
the type of photography you plan to pursue. For example, if wedding photography
interests you, research the wedding venues in your area such as churches,
historic buildings and gardens. Talk to the clergypersons or managers of the
venues to understand how many functions are held each month or quarter. Based
on the level of activity, you should be able to get an idea of how many
possible clients are available in a given month. Keep in mind that weddings are
most commonly held on Saturdays, so your weekends need to be free. This may
work well for part-time work, especially if you have a full-time job during the
week.
Step 2
Calculate
the amount of income needed monthly to determine whether a single specialty is
going to be suitable or whether you need to concentrate on more than one field.
Other specialty photography areas you may want to consider include birthday
parties, holiday family portraits and senior or graduation photos. Many of
these types of photos are taken only at certain times of year, so you may need
to offer photography services in several areas to garner sufficient business to
support your income needs.
Step 3
Register
your photography business name with the government agency in your area and
purchase a business license. Set up a separate business checking account so
your income and expenses associated with the business can easily be recorded.
If you plan to hold photo shoots in your home, you may want to consider
additional liability insurance in the event a client falls or gets injured.
Many part-time photographers strictly work events at public venues to avoid
these types of issues.
Step 4
Set up a
website to advertise your photography business. Though it does not have to be
fancy, the website does need to provide a potential client with the basics of
what to expect from you as a photographer. Many domain providers also have
basic templates available for little to no cost when you purchase a domain
name. For best name-recognition results, choose a website name that is easy to
remember and not too long. Once you have purchased the domain name and website,
add contact information and types of photography available. Photo packages and
pricing are often requested by potential clients but should only be added if
you understand the pricing in your area and can be competitive before speaking
with the client to understand the specific shots desired.
Step 5
Establish an
online gallery for your clients to see your photography style. If you do not
have a portfolio, gather some friends for a "faux" event photo shoot.
Have them dress in party or wedding clothes and take some photos to use in your
gallery. As your experience and client list grows, you can add some shots from
actual events. Just make sure to get written permission from your clients to
use their photos on the website to prevent any legal issues.
Step 6
Network with
area businesses that are in complementary industries such as florists, bakeries
or caterers. Ask them to recommend your photography business when they meet
with potential clients. Remember to reciprocate with new clients of your own by
suggesting their services. By cultivating the relationships with these types of
business owners, you might be able to find enough clients to get your business
successfully started.
Things
Needed
- Digital camera (10 megapixels or larger preferred)
- Tripod
- Computer with Internet access
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