Many photographers have turned their hobby into a career over the past few years, especially thanks to the increase in customers looking for unique and personalised styles of photography.
No matter what kind of photography you do, if you’re looking to make an income from it, it’s essential you have the right plan in place to grow your business.
Photography businesses can be extremely profitable, especially if your business provides a service that many people are looking for.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that a few factors can affect the level of profitability such as local competition, the quality of your work and the size of your business.
There are many types of different photography businesses including:
Portrait photography
Wedding photography
New born and family photography
Pet photography
Fashion and editorial photography
Commercial photography
Fine art photography
Drone photography
Documentary and journalistic photography
…and many more
There are also a number of niche photography businesses that can be extremely successful if you find the right audience.
Yes, you can absolutely start a photography business from your home. Clients and customers have become much more comfortable with the idea of shooting away from studios.
This can also be extremely helpful for photographers and can help to open up new opportunities without the expensive costs of setting a photography studio outside of their home.
It is worth bearing in mind that if you want to have a home studio for your photography, you may have to sacrifice a room in your house that can be the dedicated studio room.
Starting a photography business will be an investment, and you can expect to need an initial budget of around £1,500.
Costs involved with starting a photography business include:
A high quality camera
Different lens sizes
Camera stand
Studio lighting and backdrops
Props and other pieces of equipment
If you think a photography business may be your next career, it’s a good idea to create a plan that you can follow right from the start.
Taking the time to sit down, think about and plan your business can help you to achieve your goals.
As a business owner, one of the first things you should think about is naming your business and creating a recognisable brand. Try to think about your values, what type of photography business you are and what kind of client you wish to attract.
From here you can start brainstorming names, brand guidelines and how they will reflect you as a brand. Many photography business owners will choose to use their own name for their company, whereas others prefer catchy names that relate to something they are passionate about.
At this point, you can also start thinking about your social media presence, and a website too.
A strong business plan and strategy is essential for helping you make the right choices, as well as providing valuable guidance.
Sit down and think about what you would like to do with your business and who your target audience is. Having a solid idea for the direction of your business will better equip you to make decisions that will help your business grow.
Once you’ve made your business plan and nailed your branding, you can next move onto registering your business with HMRC.
HMRC have constantly been cracking down on unregistered businesses, so it’s worth getting your business registered as soon as you can.
You will also need to decide whether to set up as a sole trader or limited company. These have their own advantages and disadvantages, so we highly recommend looking into both options before your register to ensure you choose the right option for you and your business.
No, in the UK you do not need a license to be a photographer. However, there are some legal considerations that you should be aware of.
Depending on what and where you choose to photograph, you may need specific passes or licenses. For example, if you choose to be a documentary photographer, you may need press passes. Many freelancers will also need consent from event organisers or clients to photograph at certain places.
You should also be aware of copyright and intellectual property laws. You may want to draft up a contract template for your clients so both you and your client are aware of the rightful ownership of your photos.
One of the most important things you will need to consider is ensuring your business is protected against claims by having the right level of insurance in place. With CraftCover, you can have the peace of mind knowing our photography business insurance will fully protect you and your business.
Our insurance includes:
There are a few different ways you can market your photography business. Social media is one of your most effective tools that we highly recommend you use and it is a great way to showcase your beautiful photography.
You can also market yourself through physical methods such as business cards, posters and flyers. We also recommend you visit fairs and events to showcase your talent. For example, many wedding photographers will visit wedding fairs to help get their services out to a wide range of couples.
We even have craft fair insurance that can be added onto your annual policy, helping to ensure you are protected while you showcase your business.
Using our fully automated service you could get your free no obligation quote today.
Click the link below and take the first step towards bespoke coverage tailored
to the unique needs of your business.
