How I'd Start A Photography Business From Scratch in 2022

Here's how I'd start & market a brand new photography business today if I were starting from zero in 2022. Starting or rebranding your photography business? This is for you.
Starting a photography business isn't easy, but it can be a LOT of fun if you do it the right way. Or if you don't know what you're doing, can take years to get up and running while you stay stuck on struggle street, not knowing why you're not getting any photoshoots or bookings.
Over the years I've had the chance to start and do the marketing for new photography businesses several times in several different countries, as well as hear from other friends & photographers in the industry who are trying different tactics with their marketing and business growth.
This video marketing tutorial is a roadmap for any new photographers or photographers who are stuck in their marketing and don't know how to get clients when you're just starting out.
0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Why Listen To Me
1:43 - Your Unique Niche & Perfect Avatar
5:05 - Portfolio & Testimonials Are Everything
9:48 - WHO not HOW
14:44 - Find the GAP
19:13 - Less not more
22:22 - Go ALL IN on ONE strategy
23:15 - Your #1 Action Item
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Panasonic S1- amzn.to/39SczqO
Sigma Art 35mm 1.4 L mount - amzn.to/3i1SGAc
Panasonic Lumix 24-105 f4 L mount - amzn.to/3grgQ6U
YONGNUO YN-560 IV Flash - amzn.to/2DAsZI4
🖥 Computer Editing Setup =
2019 27" imac upgraded with 40gb of ram: amzn.to/3i3Vk8I
When I'm working away from home, I use a 2015 15" macbook pro with 16gb of ram - So you don't NEED the brand new fancy computer... It just speeds up the performance and snappiness of Lightroom so you're not waiting so long for previews to load or images to export etc.
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The new S1 Macbook Air and S1 Macbook Pros are AMAZING for photo editing and Lightroom Performance, even with their base model options With the new M1 macbooks, 8gb RAM works. With any other machine, I'd recommend going with at least 16gb of ram and 512gb of storage if you can swing it.
These same tips apply to any kind of photography marketing
-Wedding Photography Marketing
-Family Photography Marketing
-Corporate & Commercial Photography Clients
-Outdoor & Travel Photography Bookings
You name it.
No matter what kind of photography you're into, these tips are going to maximize the results your marketing produces.
#photographybusiness #photographymarketing #photographyclients

[@SignatureEdits]

0:00 - Intro 0:52 - Why Listen To Me 1:43 - Your Unique Niche & Perfect Avatar 5:05 - Portfolio & Testimonials Are Everything 9:48 - WHO not HOW 14:44 - Find the GAP 19:13 - Less not more 22:22 - Go ALL IN on ONE strategy 23:15 - Your #1 Action Item GRAB 50% OFF OUR SEO FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS COURSE (Link in description)

[@sandradestrempes7599]

Enjoyed! Helpful!

[@claudianreyn4529]

I disagree with "wedding photography applies to every situation" (just because you know it better). You know, I stopped taking advices from wedding photographers because they have no clue what they are talking about. Every niche (BTW is pronounced niche, not nitch), has a totally different approach and wedding is the only one that aims for the money grab in the first place. It's not easy to do, but still it's not seen as the greatest niche by far. In fact it's a sort of "fast food" photography.

[@SignatureEdits]

Feel free to disagree! Do what works for you - I certainly don't know everything :)@@claudianreyn4529

[@cdclarks1]

This is incredibly helpful, as someone who's been a full time photographer for 6 years, I have realized all the things that MATTERED that I skipped on, and the things that don't matter that I prioritized.

[@SignatureEdits]

Oh man can I relate to this Logan! I have 100% been there (and CONTINUE to get these things mixed up all the time!) Sometimes having an outside perspective is what it takes to see it.

[@pjphillipsiii]

Great video. As a professional photographer who has been “trying to start” my business since 2016, this has been a real eye-opener. Thank you for making this video.

[@SignatureEdits]

Right on Paul! The last 6 years have no doubt been full of growth and set you up to make unreal changes in 2022. I'm rooting for you!

[@the_mikewahl8953]

Im in the same boat...let's smash 2022 though!!

[@pellahnaphtali68]

That makes two of us bro

[@confettihunterminus1]

How is it going!

[@Limartal]

As a hobbyist photographer (I don't really need to monetize it) it's great to know the way to possibly turn hobby into additional profit. What is more, based of my experience, this video incredibly useful for any freelance business development! You Sir, deserve praise and gratitude for sharing the universal knowledge. Awesome video, keep up the good work, thanks!

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks so much Dżonson! So glad to hear you found some gold in here. Totally agree, the principals of sales and marketing stay the same across pretty much any industry, because the way PEOPLE work & think is always going to be pretty much the same, regardless of where you go. Thanks for the comment!

[@Knowell]

i completely agree with you bruh this is super helpful!

[@heathermtaylor7683]

Thank you so much. I launch a dog photography business start-up after a short delay, on Feb 1st. The first real action beyond learning and prep is going to be photographing adopted rescue dogs to build my portfolio - this will be by personal invitation only so I don't get overwhelmed: I have 6 people. When I have photographed 20-25 dogs and written up their stories, I will be producing a book ('The Rescuers') for all the owners, at cost price, as a momento and a gift for their time. Thank you.

[@SignatureEdits]

Keep me posted on this Heather - So awesome!

[@pkwealth11]

❤

[@confettihunterminus1]

How is it going?

[@queeniecraft]

Great video!! I recently jumped into contacting venues and event halls directly and it's made a HUGE difference, not only in what types of jobs I now have access to, but in how I feel as a professional. Sitting down with local people and figuring out how we can work together feels awesome. I'm going to buckle down and do it even more!

[@SignatureEdits]

Wonderful! That is so so great to hear - Pumped for you!

[@ditermejia6027]

Started doing this as well! Any tips??

[@queeniecraft]

@@ditermejia6027 Things I’ve noticed thus far: 1. Know your audience and just focus your effort there. 2. Build your audience based on what you WANT to do and venues that also do that will be easier to talk to. 3. Get comfy with a little bit of rejection & getting ghosted, it happens sometimes. 4. Bring your A game but be open to collaborating instead of running the conversation. :) Hope these help!

[@pellahnaphtali68]

Honestly speaking, this is the kind of information I have been looking for. I am a photographer based in Kenya and I have trying to figure myself out since 2015 and the more I try to find myself the more I get lost. Now I know why. Thank you.

[@grantdecker1190]

We learned the hard way about not niching down and marketing correctly. We have been all over from portraits, weddings, senior pictures, and branding. It's so hard to choose just one but we must. Now the hard part for me is trying to create another brand name for the specific niche market.

[@SignatureEdits]

This is MASSIVE Grant. Can't wait to hear your progress as you take this next step :)

[@chunguinnocent3251]

Planning to start my own business, believe you me. You are a life saver, have benefited greatly from this video, big up

[@tolok377]

This not-turning photography into a job is golden advice🎉🎉🎉

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful for you Tolok!

[@MichauxJHyatt]

Awesome video and business fundamentals! I've been "launching " my business for far too long, and you summed up everything I've been doing wrong or not focusing on. Thx! I need to double down and start down my niches and go deeper for starters. I have a few things I enjoy doing and should focus on those.

[@SignatureEdits]

Great to hear Michaex! Sounds like great steps to take. For me I've found it's all about committing to doing ONE thing at a time, vs 10 different things. Looking forward to hearing your progress 6 months from now!

[@VictoriaCkk]

You talk about the things that most don’t talk about 👏 always finding gold on your channel!! I’m sometimes short on ideas when it comes to thinking outside the box..would love if you could use some examples for product photographers in your videos 😄

[@SignatureEdits]

Hey Victoria! Thanks so much - Glad you're finding some gold in there :) For sure, that's a great idea! What specific struggles are you running into w/ product photography? Lmk and I'll try to bring some ideas up!

[@VictoriaCkk]

@@SignatureEdits Yas, always sir 💪👏 I guess coming up with those clever ideas when it comes to marketing and finding clients! Example, when i do my Alt text SEO on website photos, I know you love to use the venue names and location, but I don’t have any specific location to put in there because I shoot skincare/cosmetics for small businesses from home. So not sure how to find examples that would better apply in my field for how to market. Thanks for the reply!

[@SignatureEdits]

@@VictoriaCkk Gotcha! Honestly with the kind of clients you're getting, SEO probably isn't going to be the best method for generating leads. If it were me, I'd probably look more into cold outreach on LinkedIn or Shopify Facebook Groups - Start by answering questions on there & creating workshops / valuable posts for your ideal client, teaching them how they can get good product photos at home, or the 8 types of images they can use to increase sales by 54%, or the 3 KEY photos every skincare brand needs to CRUSH IT on instagram etc. This organically builds trust & relationship while also providing value & reciprocity. Once you have enough content like this out there, it starts generating and bringing you leads on autopilot. This KZbin Channel for example does something similar - I give away a TON of what I know for free, which builds relationship and if the fit is right might lead into a sale of a premium product or service. Hope this helps!

[@VictoriaCkk]

@@SignatureEdits This is incredible stuff, thank you SO much for taking the time to write this out !! Great ideas, will get on it asap. This helps a lot, and so has been your channel! Thanks Ryan 🙏

[@longdrive437]

One of the best videos I have watched regarding starting a photography biz. I am a 55 year old who lives in Florida and really struggling with getting something new started. I used to have a travel photography biz but in Chicago and moved to Florida. I broke my knee cap right after that and trying to put some new things in place. This video broke it down so well. Thank you for making this.

[@gundamaction1201]

Great video! Some solid steps to actually do instead of vague concepts! Thank you for this. I am also thinking a lot about building a photography business and keep running into discouraging advices or just how easy you can fail. This video is so good that it helps you to at least start and see how far you can go with it

[@danieloni8497]

Phenomenal content and great information man, so simple but easy to overlook. Thank you for planting the seed, subscribed off of this video alone, looking forward to viewing your others. Thanks again!

[@markwolfla9960]

Beginner photographer here looking towards starting a business. Was stuck on a lot of the how to and what to do, but this video was stellar. Took notes while watching. Thanks so much!

[@chriscaptura]

the best video ever?! Yes! Thank you for those specific questions you asked! Best tips for a beginner/intermediate!

[@ericoanthony779]

This was awesome and incredibly helpful, just what I needed Thanks so much

[@jayde7904]

This was extremely helpful! I am in the midst of building my business and your ideas have helped me think differently

[@michaelle8192]

Thank you for the tips. This video has been really helpful :)

[@dzungdang4289]

This video has been the most helpful video I have come across! I have always had a love and passion for photography. I am finally stepping forward and pursuing a career in that field. Starting from scratch is very challenging and there is so much to learn : ). You have touched base on all the major concerns and questions that I had. I currently have no portfolio and this was helpful advice on how to get started. Thank you so much for sharing! You have gained yourself a new subscriber.

[@bonefixer100]

Hi. Curious as to how you are starting the process. Same here. Perhaps can collaborate on the process.

[@DebbieWatkins133]

Love this video, so helpful, thank you.

[@nutsjourney]

Thank you so much for making this video and sharing us the tips!!

[@elliegrace3032]

This video is SO helpful!! I have watched multiple videos aiming to do this same thing (help new photographers) and this has been the most helpful one. Thank you!!

[@SignatureEdits]

AMAZING! So glad it's been what you needed Ellie :)

[@mikkorasmussen983]

Awesome down to earth video, you hit the nail on the head when you talked about watching all kings of videos and not implementing any, thanks for this reminder 😊

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks so much Mikko! Yep - I'm guilty of it myself all the time! Speaking just as much to myself as anyone else :) It's all about what you APPLY!

[@jsterc]

You really summed it up for me and gave me the kick I needed to get my act together for my photography biz going. Thank you.

[@SignatureEdits]

Awesome Julie! Go get em!

[@ayanirysromanphotography8773]

Thank you for this amazing video 🙏🏼

[@dereksutton_]

Love this, so much great info!

[@SignatureEdits]

So glad! thanks derek!

[@varunjoel3281]

You're so right about finding a niche and owning it! I too, learnt that the hard way! Great video.

[@photomarianamartines9400]

Loved it! As a new photographer kind of lost on how to start and kind of overwhelmed with all TikTok and Instagram being advertised as the only way to do it, this video was VERY enlightening! Thank you! =)

[@Amaymay1000]

These are great tips...thank you so much! I am not looking to be a photographer, but I am looking to network with them for my decorating business. So these tips come in handy and I can get an idea of what the photographers go through.

[@rwphotodesign]

You makes this so clear and easy to understand. Thankyou, I have spent a few years just muddling thru, finding just a lot of snobs in the industry. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE the opportunity to second shoot for you!!! Subscribed and will continue to follow you. Keep it up!

[@SignatureEdits]

So glad to hear that Robyn! I hope you get some serious traction with the things you're applying!

[@kevinsjournal]

This is so useful, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, experiences, and insights!!

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck Kevin!

[@LeeIveson]

Great advice Ryan! Thanks for putting this video out, really helpful.

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks Lee :)

[@dainahazel7401]

Really useful, honest advice - thank you!

[@sallydiehl5874]

So helpful! Love the clear, concise, and digestible information-thank you! I'm gearing up to officially launch my business; I've been scared to niche down, but I think it's really going to help! Now I just have to figure out the marketing aspect..I love the WHO not HOW & idea of collaborating and networking in the community, and think that will definitely help me build my business.

[@SignatureEdits]

You can do it! So good Sally, excited for you! 👍👍

[@georgyb.6866]

What a great piece of content! Thank you so much for the details and you kind approach to building network! Love it

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad you liked it Thanks Georgy!

[@jasonjones544]

Crazy good info. Thank you.

[@lenkagucker7057]

Thank you so much for this video and for so many more of your videos. I really love all your videos so far. Amazing how much you are sharing with us. Thanks!

[@SignatureEdits]

You are so welcome! When you have some momentum and you want to take things further, head to my site for other resources :)

[@thesisunatorpodcast6850]

This was the best advice! it was perfect for where I am right now! thank you! I spent my whole day trying to make a portfolio that i will probably not be using now. youre awesome bro

[@melodovee]

Amazing stuff! Thanks!

[@M0stlyH4rml3ss]

This is a fantastic video that I showed to a friend who runs a £million internet marketing business and he agreed! I’m starting a headshot and portraiture company and have spent today shilling my work to recruiters, as per your idea of building a ‘team’. Not many bit the line, but I’ll be emailing them all tomorrow regardless. Many thanks.

[@HarrisonHuber]

Great video and tips! This year I'm looking to pivot into more fine art photography and getting those works into art galleries. I'd say my first action is going to art galleries and their different networking events (like meet the artist of this exhibit) and find out what criteria they have for accepting new artists. If interest in my work is shown from that action, the next step would be finding a business that can help me create high quality prints to display and sell in the galleries. Else the action would then be what changes can I implement into my product such that the galleries develop an interest in it.

[@SignatureEdits]

This is an absolutely BRILLIANT first step Harrison. Getting feedback and understanding what your client wants (or in this case the Galleries) & are looking for is hands down the most important step you can take. Go get em!

[@heathermtaylor7683]

Thank you so much. I launch a dog photography business start-up, after s short delay on Feb 1st. The first real action beyond learning and prep is going to be photographing adopted rescue dogs to build my portfolio - this will be by personal invitation only so I don't get overwhelmed. When I have photographed 20-25 dogs and written up their stories, I will be producing a book ('The Rescuers') for all the owners, at cost price, as a momento and a gift for their time. Thank you.

[@SignatureEdits]

@@heathermtaylor7683 LOVE this! What a beautiful & kind thing to do to kickstart your business :) You should DEFINITELY check out what Rachael Rogers @trailsandbears is doing over at instagram.com/trailsandbears/ - She used a similar model to build a portfolio and now also offers adventure photoshoots for people's furry friends :)

[@shanillakhlani5331]

Would love to know how this is going for you Harrison :)

[@AJGlam13]

I LOVE THIS THANK YOU

[@SignatureEdits]

You're so welcome!

[@ozarksdigitalcreations9254]

Great video. I've been struggling with the business side of things after recovering the last year and a half from a brain injury, but my passion for my photography is what kept me fighting and got me through therapy every day. Now I am trying to turn that passion into a business. I see your videos talk a lot about weddings, but as a Beauty/Fashion photographer I am having a hard time even finding the people to shoot to build a proper portfolio, let alone get noticed for bookings. Those who I have had the pleasure of working with loved my work, but those shoots were in my phase of relearning my lighting during recovery and are not consistent to use in my portfolio and I don't have friends/family where I moved to be able to talk them in to shoots.

[@Mvjesty23]

I’m currently rebranding and niching down into weddings. Thank you for the video!

[@SignatureEdits]

So good to hear - Good luck Autumn!

[@jboone3745]

Inspiring, thank you.

[@MrAgentElsewhere]

Thanks for this breakdown. Marketing to one niche and building that up makes so much sense. I’m building a family and animal portrait business now by doing free portfolio shoots. Going to grow it this year while trying to get into second shooting weddings so I can hopefully build the wedding business next year after my family portion is established. Thanks for the great content!

[@bonefixer100]

Curious as to how you are going about doing this. Family and pet photography is what I am interested in currently.

[@MrAgentElsewhere]

@@bonefixer100 I ended up doing some free shoots for friends that had kids and pets. Asked them to share the photos and tag me as well as leave me a google/facebook review in exchange. Definitely got the ball rolling. Also tell everyone you know that you are a photographer and have a business now. Things will begin to present themselves. Good luck!

[@willberry8673]

Fantastic video 🙏🏿

[@MissMyra33]

Thank you for your wisdom and help. I appreciate you.

[@SignatureEdits]

Happy to help! GOOD LUCK!

[@ugurgadimbayli3170]

Thanks for great inspirational and very informational video, that I believe it will help a lot of people. For me #1 action is deciding what genre of photography I am going to proceed. Wish you all the best! Great content, please keep doing it !

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks Ugur! Right on - Once you've got that genre narrowed in you can go ALL IN on becoming amazing in that space. It will definitely accelerate your progress! Good luck my friend :)

[@zerozok]

Thank you. That sure was insightful

[@SignatureEdits]

Very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@whydan575]

So I gotta admit, I thought your video would be just others I have seen until I saw step 4... and that's what I have been thinking for a while now. I want to do something different from the status quo and you did inspire me with some ideas so thank you so much for this video!!! 💖

[@SignatureEdits]

Wow, thanks Dan! That's great to hear. Looking forward to seeing what's next for you!

[@MonroesArtStudio]

Im glad I found this video. Im doing ok now, but it has slowed up and my main reason I think is right off the jump Tip1. I gotta niche down which kind of style I want to go all in on. Right now I do... a lot, and it's fun. But! You're right. I need to go from doing Maternity, Engagements, Beauty/Boudoir and hit one of them and go. Not meaning I can't do the others ever again, but for the sake of getting back on track I gotta rethink my niche. 👍

[@aqsaalvi7737]

very helpful, thank you!

[@SignatureEdits]

You're welcome! Thanks so much for the comment

[@corason89]

o wow! This is so great! It will be my Bible for now on!

[@SignatureEdits]

Glad it was helpful! 👍👍

[@beezypa]

I have to work on all of them but first I have to find my niche, because I am just shooting for the money and some things I shoot I don't like or care about. So that will be what I focus on going forward. Thanks for the info ✌🏿

[@SignatureEdits]

BOSS! That's great. Good on ya!

[@chibuzonweze3291]

Awesome!!

[@Olumedia]

This is a very very very very helpful video

[@SterlingHyde]

this is on point perfect info.

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks so much Sterling! I wish you luck me friend 👍👍

[@Steveo15]

Exellent video & points...👌👋

[@SignatureEdits]

Thanks Steve!

[@sebastiansolis9364]

Great Video!

[@romiemiller7876]

Good video. I'm already doing a lot of these things, but I've gotten some new ideas.

[@SignatureEdits]

Excellent! Glad to hear it Romie!

[@angclarice7242]

Thank You for this video. I'll be working on getting my Niche down to a specific and legally registering my business. I feel a bit lost, trying to build my confidence and take that first step.

[@SignatureEdits]

AMAZING! The first step is the hardest, but we learn the most through doing :) YOU GOT THIS

[@anjeanettephotography6001]

Found this JUST after I announced I was niching down...reassuring! I'd rather be better at a few things than just meh at em all :) thanks!!

[@SignatureEdits]

Welcome aboard the Niche train ;) Sounds like a great decision Anjeanette!

[@triplewinlin5576]

Who not how. Gold!

[@jewlay09]

As someone who has been procrastinating starting up a photography business this was beyond encouraging and useful information for me. I will be going back to this video through out my progress haha. First step is to find my unique niche! Thank you for sharing this was extremely helpful 🙏 ❤ ALL your videos are

[@SignatureEdits]

Right on Julie! So glad it was encouraging and gave you a few things to think about :) Go find that niche you love!

[@stephanyfaycohen3842]

Hi Ryan. Thank you sooo much for this very helpful video. Sounds so easy, once you know. I'm just starting out. I am very interested in the creativity of BOUDOUR PHOTOGRAPHY. Then my mother died very recently and I am now also drawn towards FUNERAL PHOTOGRAPHY. Any comment would be gratefully appreciated.

[@KEP1983]

2:37 that's called the mitral valve (or sometimes called the bicuspid valve).

[@SignatureEdits]

You know your stuff Keith! Thank you :)

[@KEP1983]

@@SignatureEdits haha thanks. I'm a nurse. I wouldn't count on me to do your heart surgery though 😂

[@lifesylewithfranchelle]

Fashion photographer here, in the midst of launching and creating my portfolio

[@savonne]

I love your design 😍

[@SignatureEdits]

Thank you! 😊

[@MosesMind]

thank you for this :)

[@SignatureEdits]

You're welcome 😊 Thanks for the comment!

[@sandradestrempes7599]

Fantastic!

[@SignatureEdits]

Thank you! Cheers Sandra!

[@chelinemagsano6185]

I just thought wow that superman guy from that series is also a photographer now

[@shaelenelavis5656]

Agree 🤤

[@SignatureEdits]

hahaha thanks Cheline ;)

[@shanillakhlani5331]

Number 1 action for me is to get a clear portfolio organised in website/pdf with testimonials! Thanks for the great video so so helpful

[@SignatureEdits]

YES! That's fantastic Shanil - Get it done!

[@alfonso127]

I really need to determine my one thing (niche) to do, and focus on that

[@Mr_Guy_Fella]

My #1 action is building my portfolio

[@SignatureEdits]

Sweet deal! Portfolio is key. Once you've got that, everything else is downhill :) Good luck Sean!

[@twobrothers5855]

I need to choose the niche that i like and build an awesome portfolio!)

[@SignatureEdits]

AWESOME! Simple yet powerful.

[@ChrisLivingston33]

Who, not how. (Mind blown...) Thanks!

[@charly8423]

As a photographer that "does everything", I'm not seeing much buisness, I'm 19, broke, with a client every once in a while. Starting by finding a niche and building a strong portfolio (specifically weddings). Reaching out to 2nd shoot is really important for me as I have some work but definitely not enough when it comes to weddings.

[@f0t0b0y]

I agree with you and I strongly push newbs into second shooting or assisting pros. Kids these days skip this step and just start shooting low budget weddings with for pennies.

[@SignatureEdits]

SOOO true. Everybody wants to skip steps (myself included) but ironically it just slows you down in the end! Well said

[@anasmhimd4902]

Definitely narrow down my niches to be more focused niches than generic:-D

[@SignatureEdits]

This is CRUCIAL - an excellent step! Right on Anas

[@MrAttila8]

My testimonial: Dude, that was the shit! Many thanks!

[@SignatureEdits]

Haha thanks bro! Love this

[@forgewire]

@3:30. LOL kido. I would pick the most experienced one.

[@ruthcheriyan8515]

Shooting second!

[@SignatureEdits]

A beautiful step to take! Right on Ruth

[@Thankyoukye]

Hello thank you so much for this incredible video! You mentioned that you have a photography company in three different countries. Do you have a video explaining more details about this? This is a dream of mine.

[@gillesmatheronpro]

For sure, that was a good lesson in photo-business. A bonus point for mentioning MTB several times. That used to be my main "niche" for years, as a free-lance photographer/writer. With a few extras in outdoor raids and races, women sports, actors headshots. So... you deserve a lesson in French. Free of charge, my pleasure. The word "niche" (used on purpose in my first paragraph) has no "t" and its pronounciation is "neesh", simply. For once, a French word without any complicated sound... how nice ? But with a double-meaning ! It means "small hole or tiny cavity in a wall, mainly to display a statue or an accessory (cult, decoration, architecture)", but it also means "the house of the dog".

[@bonefixer100]

Very informative! Thank you for sharing the knowledge. I’m a complete beginner and looking to pursue my hobby and start a small business. How does one start a portfolio? Is there a consent process that needs to be in place before one posts pics of various faces?

[@alexisrose4221]

i am trying to niche down, i currently offer all things baby-family. so anything from newborn, family photoshoot, cake smash sessions, maternity shoots, generation shoots. etc. i think those are niches within the niche lol. i can’t JUST do family photos only. especially when i have clients who want different things i love offering them :)

[@SignatureEdits]

Great points Alexis! The principal is, the DEEPER you niche down, the more effective your marketing will be. But there are obvious limits to this. While an ad for Toddler photos might be much more targeted and effective than one for general childrens portraits, there are also less parents of toddlers, so your audience becomes smaller. BUT I think that just family photos in most cities and towns is still a broad enough niche that there is more than enough business just from them. It's not that you don't offer those other shoots AFTER to your existing clients, it's just that the front end of your marketing is focused on promoting your family work first and foremost etc. Great thoughts though, thanks for sharing!

[@violian5]

Second shooter? I live in Minneapolis Minnesota (US) and have reached out numerous times back in May-2022 to wedding photographers that I wanted to work for free. Praised their portfolio, told them my aspirations, and listed out all of my gear. Lots of them have ego's (or perhaps they're scared of me stealing their business) and they never respond back. Since May-2022 however, I've hosted 4 Corporate Photoshoots at our office (office of 3000 people) for free - people give me money for the photos, but I donate all of them to charity (about $5k since May because we cannot be making money on the "side" while being at the office). People give their consent to allow me to use their photos, so to-date, I have atleast 500 pictures of Corporate photos. Some people love their corporate photo so much, that after event, they personally reach out to me asking me to do a family photoshoot of their family (and they want to pay).

[@SignatureEdits]

This is an absolutely brilliant strategy Violian! Way to go in thinking outside of the box and not giving up when second shooting didn't work for you :) When I started reaching out to studios, I opened up the first 15 pages of google for photogs in my city and messaged every single photographer. I heard back from 4, and wound up shooting for 2. For anyone reading this or who might be discouraged - Often times you just need to up the numbers and amount of activity! Appreciate your share so much :)

[@estherrosenberg815]

My action step I will do is reach out to wedding photographers and see if I can do some second shooter work.

[@ChatMotorsport]

i'd LOVE an American Photographer to come to the UK and try and start a business here, I think that photography is one of the most underrated and poorly paid industries in the country..

[@ErinLAnderson]

Thx

[@SignatureEdits]

No problem!

[@SimplyyNiecey]

This was a very helpful video. I do have a question, when starting out did you make yourself a LLC or did you operate under your own name for a little while? If under your own name what steps did you take that allowed you to still look like a professional business?

[@SignatureEdits]

Great question! I actually STILL am not using an LLC. Most of the benefits of an LLC don't really happen until you're making a pretty good amount per year, so I wouldn't worry starting out. What you need is a DBA - Doing Business As - This allows you to have a bank account in your business name if that's something you care about. In general though, clients don't really care about the account name. Just use a business email address for them to use for zelle or etransfer and that's all they'll see!

[@Olumedia]

ONE THING, ONE THING, ONE THING

[@emmab4587]

I'm behind all the steps because I still just need to figure out what kind of photography I want to hone in on

[@SignatureEdits]

Knowing that is a great place to be! Truthfully sometimes the only way to figure that out is just to shoot as much as possible in as many areas as possible - You’ll figure out what you are drawn to and enjoy most and have the best knack for naturally, and then you can follow that path! Good luck Emma :)

[@Mont_Blanc_Photography]

You've really made me think...I'm going to concentrate on targeting the WHO and use that to get my name known locally. I'm starting by doing photo shoots for a local dog rescue charity. People get one print for a nominal fee, I'm donating all the proceeds to the charity, as they rescue dogs from kill shelters in Eastern Europe. I'm hoping this raises awareness of my business in the local area and gets me known. I'm going to ask all of the people involved for references and if I could use their photos for my portfolio...that way my portfolio should be expanded and my online reputation too. Thanks for your ideas.

[@SHEdaGamer2574]

I wish I can find a video or directions on the paperwork process to getting a photography business. Like a list of things to do to get that LLC business

[@SignatureEdits]

While I 100% get this, IMO, when you're getting started, you should NOT get an LLC. Why? Because an LLC adds complexity and cost to something that is already expensive and complex enough - And until you're actually making money (Around 6 figures) the LLC has really limited advantages... Yes, it provides some legal protection, but you should always be insured anyways, and any tax benefits aren't helpful until you make into 6 figures Start as a sole proprietorship - Super simple to set up, cheap (like $30 or so to register a DBA) and gets you taking action (ie actually growing a business!) MUCH quicker. In fact, I'm going to make a little video on this - Thanks for the inspo!

[@matthewc3780]

I know photographers are a dime a dozen in my area, but my idea is I would take pics of whatever small event (graduation, ballgames, recitals, etc.) the person wants photos of so that they can live in the moment and not have to deal with a camera/phone and taking pics. No editing, props, or sessions. Basically, you want to live in the moment at an event and not take pics, I'll do it and send you the pics. Any advice on starting out with prices would be great. Do I do hourly or flat rate to begin with? I would start locally and a client would have to pay for my way into the game for example and confirm I can shoot photos as well. This would start as a side hustle as well.

[@claudianreyn4529]

Not sure if contacting other photographers will help with your portfolio. Most of them are afraid of concurrency and most of the times you can't use their photos for you portfolio. It depends on the project though. You have to get around that and look for a context or create the context yourself. Another problem is the overflooded markets. Wedding photography is way too contested by too many photographers and it's really hard to get into it and have constant clients. Many go for this, because they think it's an easy money grab.

[@SignatureEdits]

You're right, it all depends on the project and the photographer! I've had mixed results when 2nd shooting - Personally when I hire a 2nd shooter, I always allow them to use images for their portfolio (I just ask they wait until after I post the wedding and that they tag me / credit "wedding shot for XYZ photo" when they post to social)