Wanna start your own photography business do you?

There are so many questions on various forums (fora?) and Q&A sites about starting a photography business, many from people who have just bought a “perfeshonal” camera because their mum told them their pictures are “brilliant”, that I thought I would put this little post together.

In no particular order, have you done already or put plans in place for all the different aspects of starting and running the business.

Let’s start with the basic business side of things:

Have you:

• Written out a proper business plan, including your goals for the year, 2 years, 5 years?
• Got enough capital. (that is cash money and finance) to actually start up and then survive for at least a couple of years before you make a profit.
• Thought of a name for your business (no cutesy or "unique" names. KISS (keep it simple, stupid).
• Checked with your council.local government about setting up in that area. Even running a home based business may require licenses or at least permission from the local council.
• Checked with the dreaded tax man about self employment or Ltd. Company status.
• Chosen a location for your business
• Got the necessary photography equipment or know where to source it.
• Got the necessary studio equipment or know where to source it.
• Got the necessary office equipment or know where to source it.

 You have! Great. Now what about the initial and future marketing side? Have you?

• Decided on and created your logo and company branding
• Created and printed business cards and stationery
• Created a brochure/flyer
• Built a website
• Created a blog – not a necessity by any means but it seems we all do that in these days of “total” communication.
• Sorted and created your sample photographs, framing and albums

Hey you are doing well if you have got this far and said yes to everything so far.

Let’s continue,  what  about suppliers. Have you got arrangements and agreements with:

• Camera and camera equipment suppliers
• Lighting suppliers
• Backgrounds and prop suppliers
• Framing suppliers
• Album companies
• Printers for marketing materials
• Web designer
• Professional lab
• Shipping companies
• Accountant/bookkeeper
• Small business mentor and coach

Still reading? Wow, you are doing well. Now let’s talk about what you are actually going to sell or packages.

Have you:

• Actually decided what field you are going to specialise in. This could be in any part of this list but here will do,
• Chosen a professional lab. You will need to know that to determine pricing for photographs
• Designed the packages you are going to offer.
• Chosen your pricing – based on whatever criteria you have decided. I still maintain that you must base that on your Cost Of Doing Business model
• Created your sales tools

Hey, know something. If you are still answering yes to all these then you are just about ready to actually start that business. Oh hang on, just a couple of other things which you may have overlooked.

Have you thought about your office? Even photographers need offices as well as studios.

Have you

• Bought or sourced computer equipment and software
• Got all your  desks, cabinets, shelves, and files
• Opened up a business bank account
• Set up your accounting system
• Bought your basic office supplies
• Ordered and installed your communication tools. Internet, land line, fax, mobile.

I assume you already know all about photography and you have actually got the necessary skills to be a professional in your chosen genre of photography. But what about ongoing education.

Don’t forget to:

• Join the relevant professional photography associations
• Sort out business classes
• Find a mentor. This could be a friend who is running a successful business (does not have to be photography) or someone else you can call on for help and assistance.
• Read books
• Subscribe to industry magazines or newsletters

Whoops, nearly forgot the important bits. What about clients. You may already have a few who will keep you going for the first month but what about going forward?

Have you thought about:

• Joining local business associations, clubs and other groups where your customers may hang out
• Advertising – local papers, radio stations, notice boards etc.
• Referrals. Best way to get customers. Think about having a referral plan
• Your website. Get it ranked on google and other search engines
• Attending meetings of the various clubs and associations you joined.

OK. Looks like you have everything in place. GO FOR IT. But don’t forget that if you have done everything properly and your business takes off then you will need to think about the future. So now is already the time to be thinking about building the business.

Make sure you look at all the things like:

• Hiring photography assistants
• Hiring office staff
• Accountancy firm – once you get busy then your books will become to complicated and time consuming to do yourself
• Taxes. It is a sad fact that the more business you get the more complicated your tax gets. You (hopefully) will have to register for VAT, your business rates will increase, your personal taxes will become greater.
• Last thing I will put here is that you will need to look at setting up things , including medical insurance, unemployment insurance, pension plans and all that good stuff.

Well, what can I say? If you have reached this bit of the post and have answered yes to everything above then you are 99.9% more prepared than the majority of those people who ask about starting their own photography business. 

Read your plan over, amend it, refine it. Nothing is ever set in stone and your business plan is a guideline for what you need to do. Be prepared to have things change as your business grows.

Good luck

Andy