There are many reasons why you may have decided to set up a photography business. After all, it’s an industry with a projected market volume of US$20.25bn by 2029, thanks to a near-continuous demand for this kind of service. In addition to this, it allows you to pursue a creative career, as opposed to feeling as though you’re chained to a desk for hours on end.
However, it is also an incredibly competitive field, which means it can be hard to build a name for yourself. With that in mind, here are some top tips for running a photography and videography business that can help put you on the path toward success.
Treat it like a business, not a hobby.
Many professional photographers started off as hobbyists, and while it is important that you continue to enjoy what you do, you need to make sure that you start treating your work as a business. For example, you should put a business plan in place that will help you to set up your company and provide you with a sense of direction moving forward.
You also need to make sure you understand what it really means to run a business. After all, it’s about far more than simply showing up to an event and taking a few photographs. You must also deal with your finances, daily admin, marketing, and more. The more you understand this, the easier it will be to prepare yourself for the challenges that lie ahead.
Deal with the legalities of running a business.
In order to ensure your photography and videography business remains open for years to come, you also need to make sure that you deal with the legalities of running a business. This includes registering your company with the relevant authorities and purchasing some kind of business insurance.
Working with a business consultant can be useful during this stage, as this ensures that you are ticking all of the right boxes, giving you much greater peace of mind moving forward.
Choose a niche.
While you may be interested in working in various markets, focusing on a specific niche is key to success in the world of photography. This is because clients are more likely to reach out to a specialist photographer than they are to someone who offers more generalized services, as it appears as though they are more suited to the job.
Honing in on a specific niche will also allow you to sharpen your skills at a much greater rate, improving the quality of your photographs/videos, and boosting your reputation. It also means that you’ll find it much easier to develop a USP for your business.
Invest in the right tools and equipment.
To get the best results for your clients, you need to use high-quality cameras, tools, and equipment. After all, this will improve the quality of the photos and videos you take quite considerably, giving potential clients a reason to work with you rather than simply taking pictures on your phone.
If you offer videography services, purchasing a drone is always advised. This is because you can capture footage from angles that would otherwise be inaccessible, whether you specialise in nature or residential photography. Not sure where to start when choosing a drone? Check out this article on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro Vs Mavic 3 Pro.
Make sure you’re pricing yourself right.
It can be hard to know exactly how much you should charge for your services, especially when you are first starting out. However, you can typically determine this by checking out your competitors’ pricing models or the average cost for hiring a photographer in your area. However, you should also take into account your experience, the tools you are using, and the amount of time you spend taking and editing photographs.
You should review your pricing model fairly regularly, too. After all, as your skillset grows, its only fair that you are paid more.
Set up a website.
Setting up a website is one of the easiest ways to start bringing in clients. They can use this platform to find out more about what you have to offer, make a booking, or reach out for a discovery call.
When curating content for your website, try to include SEO keywords and phrases as much as you can. This will help improve your search engine ranking, helping you outperform your competitors and gain the traction you need to thrive. You should also make sure that your website is accessible from both mobile phones and desktop devices.
Build a strong portfolio.
Building a strong portfolio will, for obvious reasons, increase the number of enquiries you receive from clients. This is because it serves as tangible evidence for your skills as a photographer, giving them a clear-cut reason to hire you instead of one of your competitors. When putting together your portfolio, try to view your work with a critical eye. Only add photos or videos to the mix that you are genuinely proud of, sticking to the ‘quality over quantity’ mindset.
Once you’ve chosen your photos, add them to the portfolio section of your website. Make sure that the image quality remains high, as blurry photographs will not impress viewers.
Make sure you have a presence on social media.
Building a presence on social media will help your business grow and flourish. After all, this will allow you to:
- Share your work with a wider audience
- Establish your credibility as a skilled photographer
- Connect with clients (new and old)
- Direct clients toward your websites and booking platforms
If this task feels a little daunting, don’t worry. There are plenty of tools you can use to make social media management a little easier. For example, you can use Google Analytics to analyze the performance of each post, which provides you with greater insight into the content that drives results (and the content that does not).
Fortunately, coming up with content ideas to post on social media is relatively straightforward when marketing photography/videography services, as you’ve already got a goldmine of content to work through. However, you need to make sure that your captions are similarly compelling, as this will help you to gain as much traction as possible.
Ask your clients for feedback.
Regular feedback will help grow and strengthen your business. You can figure out pretty quickly what you may be doing wrong, such as taking too long to reply to messages or not providing them with enough direction when taking pictures. Either way, the more you take on this feedback, the more your business will grow.
Furthermore, you can use any positive feedback you receive as a testimonial on your website. This can increase the number of bookings you receive, as it shows a potential customer that they can put their trust in you and your services without having to take your word for it.
Outsource when you need extra help.
As you can see, a lot more work goes into running a photography/videography business than you may initially expect. This means that trying to do everything on your own can feel more than a little overwhelming, especially if you are also receiving a steady stream of bookings. Fortunately, this can be very easily remedied by outsourcing. For example, you can outsource a wide range of tasks, from your accounting to your daily admin, allowing you to focus on the work you love.
Outsourcing is also particularly useful when you are first starting out, as you don’t have to worry about the costs or complications associated with hiring full-time employees.
Offer excellent customer service.
Sometimes, the difference between a thriving business and a company that is forced to close its doors lies in the level of customer service offered. As such, you should always be polite, personable, and friendly. This will help you present your business in the best possible light while increasing the chances of you receiving referrals, too.
When you’re photographing people, try to remember that not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera. Your ability to help people relax ahead of time will impact their overall enjoyment at the shoot and the quality of photographs you’re able to take. As such, this is something you should make sure that you work on ahead of time.
Final thoughts.
If you’ve always loved taking photos and feel as though you’re ready for a career change, there are many benefits tied to starting up your own photography or videography business. After all, this can prove to be particularly lucrative, especially if you’re focusing on niche services and are good at what you do.
However, don’t assume that you’re in for an easy ride. Not only is it a competitive industry, but you also have a lot of work on your hands when it comes to taking your company to the next level. Fortunately, the guide above should ensure that you’re doing everything you can to set yourself up for success.
