If you want to make a part time job or career out of photography, it’s easier that you might think. Portrait photography is needed in almost every city and it doesn’t require a lot to have a working home studio. The best thing about starting with portrait photography is that you don’t have to buy a lot of equipment at first- you can instead add equipment as your business grows. Here are some tips for taking the first steps:
Set Up the Studio
There are a few things that you should pick up before attempting professional portrait photography. Obviously you’ll need a camera (digital is best for a home studio since editing is instant, easy, and inexpensive), but you’re also going to need a tripod, a basic light setup, and some sort of light reflector. Much of this equipment can be purchased either used or at low cost for entry level quality or you can improvise if you’re short on cash. It would also be helpful if you can get a laptop with some photo editing software as the portability of a laptop will come in handy.
You will also need some working space. An extra room, garage, or living room can usually fit everything you need. Windows can provide natural light, white walls can act as natural reflectors and different colors of bed sheets can act as backgrounds.
Setting Up the Business
If you are really serious about starting a portrait photography business, you’ll need to treat it as a serious business. Make sure you have small business software such as QuickBooks for your invoicing and payment tracking before you bring in your first client. It is essential that you track your income so you can identify possible problems with your pricing and plan for paying taxes on your services.
Its also a great idea to build a website for your new business with an online portfolio. With so many people using the internet to find services, an online presence is important for growing a new business. You can build a simple site or hire the work out through a freelancing website such as Elance. Just make sure you have your contact information listed!
Finally, think of ways to set your portrait photography studio apart from the rest. If you want to get a competitive edge, try focusing on a specific photography niche. For example, some people are more willing to pay for pictures of their pets or children and often with specializing you have a little less competition.
Once you have the studio up and running, the cash flow handled and have the strategy of the business down, you should be ready for taking the plunge into professional portrait photography. With a few advertisements in local papers and good word of mouth, theres no measuring the potential your small studio might have. And don’t worry because if you provide excellent photographs to your clients, no one will ever remember you used bed sheets as backdrops!
Tags: portrait photography business, portrait photography tips