Rex Photography - What steps should I take to start my own on-the-side photography business?

What steps should I take to start my own on-the-side photography business?

I have a Sony DSC-R1 camera, plenty of memory sticks, and Abode Photoshop CS2. I have lots of experience in taking photos for personal use, but how do I break into the business side of photography? I want to do weddings, parties, events, etc.

Public Comments

Backrounds, Lighting equipment and lots of advertizing!
Here is a good series of postings on dpchallenge you should check out: New Studio Part 1: Starting out http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act... New Studio Part 2: Organization http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act... New Studio Part 3: Plotting a course http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act... New Studio Part 4: Financing http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act... New Studio Part 5: Shop Set up part 1 http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act... New Studio Part 5: Shop Set up part 2 http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act... New Studio Part 6: Vendors http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act... New Studio Part 7: Advertising http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?act... New Studio Part 8: Customer Service (I could not get to the last article because I do not have a log in name and password on this site. It looks like a very good site to be a member of, though.) Here are some more sources to get you started: http://www.freelanceuk.com/become/home_w... http://www.photographybusinessguide.com/... http://www.dphotojournal.com/business-op... http://www.dphotojournal.com/category/bu... http://www.allfreelancework.com/... good luck!
Put together a portfolio (that means taking particular kinds of pictures that you want to make public and putting them in a book or an online presentation), put ads in the papers and look for ads for weddings and such.
The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in. I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box. Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links. Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant: * Photographers Market Guide to Building Your Photography Business: Everything you need to know to run a successful photography business by Vik Orenstein * Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making Images Paperback by Bert P. Krages * How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business, 4th Paperback by Kenn Oberrecht * Shooting & Selling Your Photos: The Complete Guide to Making Money With Your Photography by Jim Zuckerman I also posted links to some free articles in the source box. Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
First of all, you won't make it in the business with a camera that doesn't have an interchangeable lense. It's a sad fact, but true. No matter what megapixel or digital zoom it comes with. That aside, first you need to be good enough to the point, where it's fair of you to charge customers for your service. Photographing for personal use isn't good enough. So, that means you need to get some experience. The best option out there is to get an apprenticeship with a local photographer, whose style you enjoy and admire. Spend a few years with him/her and learn the trade. You'll also get an insight into the photography business and see if it's what you really want. Running your own business isn't easy and isn't always fun. Trust me on this, you'll give up a LOT of your own personal time with family and friends and you will lose a lot of sleep getting it running. If you can't get an apprenticeship, invest into books and courses. Links to all books and resources are listed below. Two great organizations to learn are Professional Photographers of America (which also offers apprenticeships) and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. Each organization offers great benifits such as courses, learning materials, networking, etc. So, now you have about a years worth of professional education behind you, now what? You need to invest into equipment. A professional 3 light setup is going to run you close to $1500. Photogenic is the #1 used lighting system in the professional business. I believe about 88% of us use it. If you do weddings, having a portrait background is a must for formals. I'd reccomend canvas backgrounds as they are creaseless (if handled correctly) and not too pricey. Also, you need to figure out how you are going to handle all your printing. Are you going to invest $20,000 into printers or have a lab? TPI Photo is a great lab that I've always loved and will reccomend to anyone. What albums are you going to offer for weddings? I use Albums Inc for all my wedding albums, specifically the line of Renaissance albums they offer as Renaissance produces some of the top albums in the industry. How are you going to advertise? Word of mouth is how I started and that alone generated 65% of my business (I now handle almost 70 weddings a year). Then I started off with small flyers that I passed out. I quickly purchased business cards to pass out at any oppertunity possible. Shortly after I had a couple weddings, I purchased tri-fold brochures. Now, I run ads in the yellow pages, 3 times a day on the radio, and once a week on the television. I also attend at least 5 bridal shows (the best way to get your name out) in my area a year. You'll get close to 200 brides visiting you. I also network with local florists, wedding planners, honeymoon spots, reception areas, etc. I now have an 6'x8' sign out in front of my hom studio and one billboard on the way into town. Now, are you going to have a studio or just run it out of your house? If you have an official business you need to register as your services are tax free and a photography studio is tax exempt. Also, if your name isn't in the studio name, you have to pay for it. You also have to start saving up any receipt for business to use for tax deductions. Also figure out sewage, electric, gas, water, heating, mileage, the space that you take up in your house, etc for tax deductions also. I could spend more time, but if you want more help, email me: chris@wise-photos.net
Go to work for someone doing that or hire a consultant.
I agree with what someone said earlier, you will need a different camera. A SLR or DSLR (professional not consumer). I would be mortified if I hired a photographer and he showed up with anything less. And I agree that taking photos for money is A LOT different than taking photos for yourself or for free. What I see a little different is the lighting and backgrounds. I do weddings & portraits and use natural/available light and existing backgrounds. I don't do photography full time, although I do have a degree. It is more of a hobby for me and I will happily do a couple of weddings a month for mad money. When you get serious and know that you can make it, invest in the lighting and backgrounds. If you are planning a studio, they are a must. Environmental portraits will work without them. Word of mouth will be your best form of advertising so you need to shoot shoot shoot, for cost or for free, until you get a nice portfolio to show and can demand money for your work. Make sure when you do, you are ready. An apprenticeship in my area (rural) is not going to happen, read books take classes, make sure you understand exposure, posing, learn to recognize light and all that makes a photograph great. Also, if there are local photo competitions enter those, even if they are nature oriented. It gets your name out there and name recognition is half the battle.
Start by seeing if you can sell any of your images as stock photography.