Misconceptions of Starting & Running a Photography Business

After three years of being in the photography business, there are a lot of things I’ve learned along the way.?One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that while there may be basic principles to running a business, most of it is all about your mindset and how things operate behind the scenes.

I also learned, most people are figuring things out as they go, and that’s okay. I believe in taking what you know, learning what you can and making a move forward while praying for guidance & wisdom along the way. I'm taking time to share a few things I believed previously hindered my growth in photography.?

1.?????You need fancy equipment to start.

This couldn’t be further from the truth! Start with a basic camera and then upgrade. Trust me when I say this. It’s not always the camera that produces the quality; it’s the person behind the lens.?When you understand the mechanics of light and how that works to your advantage when shooting in manual then you learn to have full control over the camera and what you produce.

The last thing you want to do is buy a $3,000 camera and you don’t know how to use it. Sure, you can set your camera to “auto” but then you’re missing out on having full control of the camera.

I started off with a Rebel T6. When I was ready to upgrade my camera after 2 years, I decided to rent one first! I wanted to become familiar with the newer camera model before making the investment. I think renting equipment is a great idea to start off with. It allows you to get comfortable with the equipment without having to shell out all the cash up front.

2.?????You have to know your photography niche right away.

While it is helpful if you have a niche, sometimes it doesn’t come right away. For me, it did not.?In the beginning I shot a little bit of everything. Couples, babies, families, events etc.?Eventually I discovered what I enjoyed and what I didn’t. I figured out which types of sessions excited me the most and which sessions weren’t my area of expertise.

I think it’s okay to explore when you first start out if you’re not sure. As you get more into photography, then you can start being more strategic in how you build your portfolio and the clients you want to attract moving forward.?If anything, focus on building your skill level during this time and that will help you find your niche as well.

3.?????You have to form an LLC right away.

Truth be told, I didn’t form my LLC right away. When I initially started, I was just testing the waters to see where my photography could go.?I was still on the fence about making it an official business for the longest time.?

Even without it being an official LLC, I was still able to book clients and make money. It wasn’t until recently I formed an LLC after seeing I could actually make revenue over a certain amount. That was a goal I set for myself.?

This may be different for everyone. I wanted to be sure I was invested enough before I made things official. When I did finally form my LLC, I also knew at that point I had more leverage in my business.

4.?????You need to pay for an expensive website to start.

While it’s nice to have a well-designed website, it’s okay to start off with something simple. I didn’t make my website until a year in. I used a basic Wix.com template and tried to customize it as much as I could.?I pretty much did it by myself because I didn’t have the money to hire anyone. It wasn’t until recently I started working with someone to refresh my website.

To start off, I would recommend a simple but professional website that includes your contact info, what packages you offer, and a portfolio page.?I also used my social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram for a while as my “portfolio” until I created my website. I wanted to make sure that when people searched for me on social, they knew where to find me.

I also made a Google business page which also served as a “search” point when I initially started.?If you don’t have a website right away, make sure there is SOMEWHERE people can find you and your work and it looks as professional as possible.

Over time a website will be needed to be seen as more professional, and it gives you the ability to book higher quality clients and expand your business.?Starting out you can keep it simple by using customizable templates from Wix, square space and other builder friendly platforms.

5.?????You need to be on EVERY social platform.

I am currently on 2 social platforms: Facebook and Instagram. When you try to engage on too many platforms, it can be overwhelming to keep up. The best advice I have ever heard was to keep your social platforms manageable and to go where your audience is.

Do what makes sense for you! I’m not downing anyone who wants to be on every platform, but I also know that it takes work, time, and effort to maintain those platforms. You can’t just post here and there. You should be intentional and consistent with your content and be able to consistently engage with your audience.?

6.?????Anyone can pick up the camera and be a photographer.

Although I hate to admit this, with today’s technology continuing to advance, this may be true on some level.?But what’s more important than picking up the actual camera is having the knowledge of how to run and sustain the business AFTER you take the photos. Photography is?20% taking photos and 80% running the actual business.

If taking photos is just a hobby, then let it be a hobby. Otherwise, be prepared to do the real work of a business owner.?Realize that being a photographer and owning the business is more than just showing up and taking a photo.?The business starts long before the actual session and continues long after the photo has been taken.

7.?????You need to open a bank account right away.

?When you’re first starting off, I might suggest simply having a separate savings account where all your photography money is deposited. I personally did not open a separate bank account until I saw over $3,000 in revenue.

Opening a separate account in the long run does help to keep things separate so you can track things for tax and business purposes. But when starting out, it’s not going to make or break you. The advantage of having a business account is to better track the cash flow and expenses.

Also remember in order to open a business bank account, your business will need to be registered and you will need to have an EIN number. (Tip: DO NOT PAY for your EIN number. You can get it for free on the IRS website. Just a friendly tip, you will thank me later.)

?While there are likely more misconceptions we’ve all heard about starting a business, these are just a few I feel were relevant in my photography journey. These were things I found that were limiting me in moving forward in my business.

I hope you found this article helpful and I look forward to sharing more with you in the future.??