Are you thinking about launching a photography business?
I didn't have an extensive plan in launching my photography business in 2021. I was inspired by a few family members and close friends, and decided to just jump in. I was also motivated by how my life circumstances changed in 2020. It has been a great year of ups and downs in managing this photography world and I think if you've been considering launching out into business it can be very rewarding. However, I want to recommend that the best pathway to starting any business should be started with a few things in mind, which I'll share below.
Do your research!
Know about the rules and regulations for your photography business type and where you'll be operating, whether locally or expanding to other regions. It may be daunting, but it's pertinent to setup business with the proper licenses and insurance, accounting, contracts, and legalities. Setting up your photography business properly from the start will save you from many headaches and avoidable expenses later on.
Start small, but don't be afraid of change.
I started my business but when it came time to make certain changes, such as increasing my prices to be more sustainable or niching down to help me stand out more as a service, I was full of anxiety about how my current and future clients would receive those changes. But it's key to remember that making changes is a sign of learning and growth, so it's necessary and you shouldn't be afraid to change as you're going along with your business.
Promote yourself.
Post, post, post! Whatever social media platform you utilize in your daily life, use it for your photography business. You don't have to be a member of every network out there, but pick two or three main platforms and post consistently. Plan ahead to remain consistent and utilize apps and other programs to help streamline the process so that it doesn't feel so tedious. Don't rely on others to promote your work, do it yourself and engage with those who take notice of the work you do.
Connect with a like-minded community.
This should be the first thing you do when considering starting a photography business or turning your hobby into a business. There are so many communities of photographers and other business owners to answer any questions you may have and share their experiences, successes and horror stories. I've learned so much from photographers I admire all over the world as well as local business owners going through similar challenges as myself.