6 Tips for New Photographers
When I first started my business in 2020, I had no idea what I was doing. I was learning as I was going. And because of that I made mistakes along the way. Here are somethings I wish I had known when I first started.
Buy your gear second hand off Facebook Marketplace
This one is a little controversial, but what’s life without a little controversy and a little bit of stirring the pot? A lot of other professionals might tell you that buying a camera or lens off of market place is not a great idea because you could get stuck with products that don’t work. Or you could have issues with those products later on down the line. But when you are first starting out in photography, it’s important to remember that you have to balance where you invest your money in your business. Your gear, while important, is just one of the many things that you need to invest in to start a successful photo business. There’s your gear, your website, a working vehicle, your lens, batteries, education . . . the list goes on! When you are starting your photography, buy second hand. When you are booking clients regularly and starting to turn profit, then re-invest back into your business and buy new or better gear.
Do your market research, but don’t compare your self to other photographers
We all start somewhere on our photography journey. Some of us go to school for photography. Some of us learn from hands on experience and *YouTube Academy*! No matter how you learn, we all had to start as a beginner. Your work is not going to look as good as someone who has been in the industry for 30 years. But it can be with practice.
If you aren’t posting, your competitors are
If you aren’t posting content, writing blogs, sharing your work online or in person, your competitors certainly are. And they are the ones getting clients. Show up as often as you can!
Spend money on a good website
Spending money on a good website is going to help you look so much more professional in the long run! When you have a website that works, looks professional, doesn’t take 10 minutes to load, and is easy to read and navigate, it makes your client experience so much better.
Charge low prices or shoot for free until you are comfortable with your settings
When you know your settings backwards and forwards it not only makes you a better photographer, with better pictures, it makes you more efficient and more professional. When you are able to be more professional, you need to charge a reasonable rate for what you think you are worth. But you also need to take into account all your expenses and your cost of doing business. If you aren’t sure how to check that, take a look at this Bookkeeping Template on Etsy!
When you start charging money for your shoots, make sure you are a legal LLC.
If you need help starting an LLC. I would be happy to refer you to someone who can help you. It’s important to have a properly filed LLC. so that you can make sure that you are complying with local laws for small businesses.
In Summary . . .
Starting a photography business can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to deciding where to invest your time and money. This article shares practical advice for beginner photographers, including buying used gear, investing in a professional website, building confidence before raising prices, staying consistent with marketing, and making sure your business is legally established. Learn how to focus on growth without comparing yourself to others and create a strong foundation for long term success in the photography industry.
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