Tuesday, March 31, 2015

How to Start Photography Business

Photography Business IdeasPhotography is employed in many fields of science, manufacturing and business, as well as its more direct uses for art, recreational purposes, and mass communication. A home-based photography business can provide steady revenue and requires relatively low start-up and operating costs. Moreover, it allows the freedom to work in different areas. "As a home-based photographer, you can work on a broad range of subject areas, from fashion, portraits, underwater, weddings, product photography and others," according to the Power Home Biz website.

Photography Business Instruction: 

Step 1

Estimate start-up costs. Price cameras, lights, tripods, props, background canvasses, light meters and digital photography software. If necessary, apply for a loan — you can get a small business micro loan through an approved Small Business Administration lender. Micro loans are under $35,000 and repayable over six years. As an alternative, borrow the money from your retirement account or a friend.

Step 2

Structure your home-based photography business. Form a sole proprietorship, registering your business' fictitious name, if you use one, with the state or county clerk. Also, apply for a state ID number from your state's department of revenue.

Step 3

Purchase insurance for your home-based photography business. Contact a local licensed insurance agent and ask what products you should have as coverage; he will likely recommend liability insurance because clients will be visiting your home.

Step 4

Determine your pricing. Examine other local photographers' rates by visiting their websites, and price your rates competitively. You can also contact newspapers and magazines to ask what the going freelance rate is to help you price your services.

Step 5

Market your home-based photography business. Create and publish a website and distribute flyers to local schools, churches and clubs. Also, distribute literature to local professional offices, as many businesses hang photos of owners and managers in their offices. In addition, create social networking profiles and send out updates and special promotion announcements. Use your website to publish your portfolio and link any new work to your social network profiles.

Business License

To start a home-based photography business most cities require a valid business license. Requirements for obtaining a business license vary based on local ordinances. For example, in the city of Sandy Springs, Georgia, a home-based photography business must apply for a business license at city hall. In addition, if the business owner resides in an apartment or condominium, she must obtain a notarized letter from the apartment’s management or condominium owner granting her permission to operate in the apartment. Applicants also pay a non-refundable application fee and the city zoning board must approve the application. Most banks require a business license to open a business bank account.

Business Insurance

A home-based photography business must carry business insurance. Basic insurance coverage for a home-based photography business includes comprehensive general liability coverage, theft and damage coverage and business property content coverage. Comprehensive general liability coverage covers bodily injury and property damage for which the photographer is legally liable. Theft and damage coverage and business property content coverage covers the photographer's photo equipment and home-based office equipment.

Marketing Materials

Even without a large budget, a home-based photography business must market itself. A website and business cards comprise basic marketing materials for the home-based photography business. A photographer’s website must showcase the photographer’s work and provide an easy method to contact the photographer. Essential website elements include contact name and phone number, email address and in some cases -- typically non-commercial photography -- the ability to purchase photographs directly from the website.

Camera Equipment

Equipment needs vary based on the kind of photography services provided. Wedding and portrait photographers often require studio lighting and/or portable strobes and lightweight cameras. Architectural photographers typically use larger-format cameras that have the ability to tilt/shift the lens plane, and sports photographers require cameras that have a fast frame-rate and the ability to use long focal length lenses with wide apertures. The right equipment helps the photographer shoot more efficiently and leads to better results.

Computer Equipment

The majority of professional photographers use digital camera equipment to capture images. Digital images get uploaded to a computer for further manipulation after capture. Digital image files range in size from a few megabytes to very large files that can reach almost a gigabyte in size. The software used to manipulate digital images also requires extensive amounts of computer memory. Computers used for digital image management need extensive amounts of memory and hard drive space to accommodate these requirements.

References

1 comment:

  1. I was 35 and I'm starting to build my small business here in our hometown, that's why I'm starting to browse or look for more stunning business ideas that can probably help me with this. I want my small business comes with unique and effective ideas. I hope to hear it from you. Anyways, I loved those ideas you've shared. Thanks!

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