If a goal on your list this year is “start a photography business”, let me be the first to cheer you on! Starting my own photography business was one of the biggest blessings and life-changing moves I made for myself more than a decade ago. Whether you’re a stay-at-home-mom (or have another full-time job) and want to start photography as a side business, or you want to go all-in full-time with photography, you’ll need the same foundational steps to get started either way.

This endeavor is exciting, challenging, and fulfilling when you do it right, and I truly believe photography is one of the most impactful careers you can choose. You are literally freezing time and capturing some of the most special moments of your clients’ lives. It’s amazing and feels like you hit the creative lottery every single day. But it’s not without hard work and big decisions! Let’s talk about the 5 things you need to do first as you embark on your photography journey.

Step #1: Know what niche you want to pursue.

As you start dreaming up your photography plans, get really serious about what niche you want to pursue. Don’t just do what your friend is doing or what you “think” you should do — but actually consider what type of photography excites you the most. Family, weddings, portraits, scenic, and commercial are a few routes you could pursue. Once you pick your niche, do some research on other photographers in your area in that niche to get an idea of pricing, style, and clientele.

Step #2: Create a business plan.

Now, you don’t need a business degree or a million-page Google Doc to create a business plan, but you do need a few key elements: your goals, your ideal client, your mission, vision, services, and pricing. Keep it simple but be detailed about what you hope to achieve once you get started.

Step #3: Make it legal.

Do a little research and choose your business structure (sole proprietorship vs. LLC, etc.), and get the necessary licenses. You’ll want to read up on tax obligations and secure insurance to protect yourself and your clients. I also recommend having a professional client contract drafted so you’re protected, as well!

Step #4: Get your equipment ready.

Don’t forget about the most important part, your camera and equipment! If you’re still wanting to master photography and find your own artistic style, make sure you check out my self-paced Photo 101 education course that covers how to use your DSLR camera without all the confusing lingo, plus all of the important supporting skills (like lighting, editing, posing & more) that allow you to take powerful, authentic photos that mean something.

Step #5: Show up online.

You might not have a website right away, and that’s okay. But do make sure you have an active social media presence where people can begin checking out your work and reaching out if they’re ready to work with you. With time, you’ll be able to invest in a professional website where you can post your portfolio, blogs, and contact information, but social media is more than enough to start. When you have an online presence, it gives prospective clients a deeper look into who you are and what you do.

With these five simple steps, you can get your beautiful new photography business up and running in no time — even within the next month if you’re ready to roll! I can’t wait to see how your business takes off this year!

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