How To Start A Photography Business Without Wasting Money

What made you decide to take your love of photography to the next level and start a business with it?

Perhaps you aren’t sure if your 9 to 5 job is secure; will it really be there for you in the near future to pay your bills?

Or maybe you’ve seen a program on television that inspired you to the lifestyle some photographers have. I’m always inspired when I watch Art Wolfe’s Travels To The Edge.

In any case, your new business venture can very quickly take on a life of it own. As you begin to learn more about the business side of things, you’ll find things that are hard to live without. Training programs. New equipment. And so much more.

If you’re not careful, you may end up working longer hours or taking on a second job – all to finance your new business venture. Photography can be expensive if you let it. Yet there are ways of moving into this new career without wasting money and going in debt.

Start With Basic Equipment

As a new studio, you can start out with basic equipment. Start by thinking about who your client is and what they expect. Do you need equipment to travel to weddings and events? Or will you remain stationary at your home studio?

Take a look at what you’ll need to get started. Then focus in on getting the basics. For example, if you’re photographing weddings, you’ll need a minimum of two camera bodies to take to every wedding. Don’t buy top of the line; start with something smaller and move up. You may even look to used equipment – we’ve had great luck on both eBay and Craigslist. Especially in a down economy, many people sell basically brand new equipment for the simple reason they need money. [Read more…]