Position:Home>Visual Arts> How would I start my own Photography business?

First I want to congratulate you on being interested in photography and having the desire to pursue a career in it!. I used to be a good photographer, but never had the courage to make a career of it!. So I applaud your drive and determination especially at your age!. YOu're at a great age to learn and try new things, to gain experience before you start your own business!.

I think the gal who's in same situation hs some good suggestions!.
My only offering is to start charging your friends!. YOu obviously can shoot simple things like baby showers, parties, and gatherings!. When you feel you are good, then start charging for it!. It certainly won't be what a pro would charge, but you being the photographer at an event can take much better photos than lots of parents or kids, because that's ALL you're there for----to take the pictures!. So you can spend all the time composing your shots, rather than having to help serve the ice cream or cut the cake!.

I have a great ability for casual shots!. I've always hated the stiff posed shots!. My best friend got married (again) 4 years ago, and my gift to them was my rolls of film that I took for them!. And they greatly loved them because you'll alwys have the posed shots at the alter, etc!. But I got the ones behind the scenes while everyone was having fun!. those are the shots they'll remember the most!. The people who came to their wedding, who've died since then, some of the family who now have moved far away, these are the kinds of things that will bring back good memories of the special friends and family that attended the wedding, not the usual stiff lineup of people in front of altar!.

It's excellent you will be working in a studio!. I'm flabbergasted by your drive and your focus in your life!. Heck, even at 57, you've got lots more focus in your life than I have in mine!.
So I guess your desire is portrait photography!. You will obviously gain incredible experience at this time!.

Doing lots of free stuff for friends and relatives gives you technical experience!. How to focus, how to frame, depth of perception, etc!.
But once you feel you're good, then it is no harm to start charging!. just to cover transportation or costs of developing or printing!. If you had a friend who's sister was getting married, say for $50 you'll take photos of everybody at the reception or behind the scenes!. They'll obviously have a pro wedding photog there, so you'll get what he/she won/t!. Simple occasions like that will help you gain some confidence in marketing yourself for a fee!.

But overall, no matter what career you choose, starting your own business is a daunting process!. All the money you need for startup costs---rent of bldg, equipment, utilities, business license, health insurance for employees, payroll, etc, etc!.
It is much better for you to begin to now take some adult classes on business!. I knew a major southern California (LA) portrait photographer that had his own line of studios!. He told me that he almost lost his business a few times becuase he didn't know how to handle the money!. He was an excellent photographer, but just couldn't deal with managing finances!. So after he took some business and management classes, he became a financial success, AFTER he was a photographic success!.
So thsi way, you'll gain an undrstanding of running a business early on, and know how to work your life to be prepared for it!. That you've chosen photography is more credit to yourself and your decisions, because photography is not an easy business to be successful in!.

I would say the key to success is to have a nitch for yourself!. In my town, there's a local studio which is quite excellent because they don't pose the usual stiff way!. Their settings are more varied and different!. They bring more casual setting into their portraits!. If you find something to work for you, that sets you ahead of anyone else in your local field, or even nationally!.

Go get one of those Dummies books on starting your own business!. It'll be a good way to get an idea of what you'll need, regardless of where you live!. Obviously, each state has their own regulations and standards for starting a business!.

PS---if you've won $1000 for your pictures, then you shouldn't be worried about charging friends and family for taking pictures!. It doesn't have to be a lot, but get used to being paid for the talent you obviously have!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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This Link will explain it!.!.!.!.
http://www!.businessplandirectory!.net/
http://www!.businessplandirectory!.net/Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Well, I can tell you about someone from my hometown in Ohio!. She started working at a small local paper doing photographs of the local sports teams for the sports page!. She now has a great business selling sports pictures only!.

Start going to the local football, basketball, baseball, track&field games, etc!. Take action shots of the players!. Then offer to sell them to the players and the parents!. People will love them!. It's a real niche business and since you're young, you will have the inside scoop on all the games, etc!. You can even take pictures at the school dances, plays, etc!. Get close up shots!. Use the right lighting, etc!. Parents can't always get to all the events and kids love good pix of them doing the things they love!. They would buy them just to put them on their myspace etc!.!

I think it's great that you are this young and ambitious! Good for you and Good Luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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I am currently in the situation you are in!. I found these websites helpful and have gotten me started!. I would also take some classes at a local college which is where I learned a lot!. I would get your name out there and put up some kind of local advertising!. Before you do that I would create a portfolio of the work you have done!. I personally had my own website build!. I think you are headed in the right direction with working in a studio because that is giving you the chance to get yourself out there!. I would also start charging for the photos you take for other people and selling the pictures you already have!. Other than that these websites we tell you more!. Some are hard to navigate through but there extremely helpful!. Good Luck!.

http://www!.cnet!.com!.au/digitalcameras/0,!.!.!.
http://www!.uspto!.gov/#
http://www!.registeringatrademark!.com/how!.!.!.
http://www!.proofpositive!.com/contests/ph!.!.!.
http://www!.irs!.gov/businesses/small/inde!.!.!.
http://www!.irs!.gov/businesses/small/arti!.!.!.
http://www!.entrepreneur!.com/tsu/index!.ht!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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