Your Guide to Starting a Photography Business

michelle rose in the early days of starting her own photography business

Starting your own photography business (or any business, for that matter!) is a journey. It’s exciting, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. I’ve had a camera in my hand since I was a child, and after running a successful photography business in NYC for over a decade – plus launching a second, thriving Associate photography company – I’ve learned a thing or two. I went to art school, not business school, so everything I’ve learned has come from trial and error, asking questions, and making mistakes. Honestly, I’m still learning every day!

Here are my top tips for starting your photography business (or really any creative business) from scratch:

Warning: You will have to spend money to make money. I know it’s tough, but investing in yourself is key to building your business.

The Essential Steps for Starting Your Own Photography Business

michelle rose photography taking photos in nyc

michelle rose photographing a maternity client representing the journey in starting your own photography business

michelle rose photo camera shot representing choosing the best camera for your photography business

1. Choose a Name and Set Up Your Business Legally

One of the first steps in setting up a photography business is the legal pieces. Connect with an accountant to explore your options like an LLC, S Corp, or C Corp, depending on what’s right for you. Choose someone local who works with freelancers and has helped others you know. They’ll walk you through the setup. I waited too long to set up my first business and missed out on a lot of tax-saving opportunities. Once you’re set up, open a business bank account and start tracking your expenses and profits right away. This is a crucial step for starting your own photography business.

2. Build Your Website and Claim Your Instagram Handle

With my second business, Briar Rose Photo Co., we picked a name, registered it, and had the website up within a week. It doesn’t have to be perfect; let it grow with you. Check out Pixieset for beautiful and easy-to-use website templates that are perfect for showcasing your photography portfolio. Start posting on Instagram right away, even before your site is ready. You can announce your launch there and start building your audience!

3. Develop Your Brand

When you’re starting a photography business, your brand identity is vital. I designed my first Michelle Rose Photo logo myself, and it was pretty bad (we all start somewhere!). Eventually, I worked with a professional designer to choose colors, refine the look, and create a cohesive visual identity. After 7 years, I rebranded with the help of Revel West Studio, and it made such a difference. They helped guide the vision and created all the assets I needed to elevate my brand and website.

4. Invest in Great Equipment and Tech

What do I need to start a photography business in terms of gear? You’ll need a professional camera, and I highly recommend (from personal experience) having two of them. My camera once died during a newborn session, and I had to run to Best Buy to replace it without any time to research. Lesson learned! Now I keep 2 to 3 camera bodies in rotation, plus backups for lenses and flash.

Michelle’s Camera & Lens Picks:

nikon d850 camera recommended to for starting your own photography business — Nikon D850

nikon z5 camera recommended for starting your own photography business — Nikon Z5 II

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm lens recommended for starting your own photography business — Mirrorless: Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm recommended for starting your own photography business — DSLR: AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

5. Back Up Your Files (And Then Back Up Your Backups!)

Hard drives can fail, so I use a combination of large and small external drives and rotate them throughout the year.

My Top Picks Picks for External Storage for Photographers:

Solid State: Samsung T9

Larger backup: Seagate External Drive

Register your drives in case you ever need to send one in for repair. (Note: I’ll be covering gallery delivery and file management in Part Two, including the platforms I use to deliver client work.)

6. Start Your Newsletter List Now

Wondering how to set up a photography business for long-term growth? Don’t underestimate the power of a newsletter. I fell in love with Flodesk as soon as I saw their design templates. I send a monthly newsletter and love how easy it is to stay on-brand. I’m a Flodesk partner because I truly believe in the platform. You can easily replicate past email designs, organize your favorite segments, and upload your own fonts and colors to match your branding. It’s a game changer, and just one newsletter often brings in enough bookings to cover the annual cost.

Bonus: Try Flodesk free and get 50% off

7. Build Your Community

Surround yourself with people who are also starting businesses or already in it. Without a traditional office, having a support system is everything. My fellow entrepreneurs are who I turn to when I need to talk through ideas, brainstorm, or just feel less alone. Building this network is invaluable when figuring out how to grow a photography business.

Feel Ready to Start Your Own Photography Business?

That’s everything I wish I had known when I was just getting started. I hope it helps you take that first step toward starting a photography business and turning your passion into a thriving career.

In Part Two, I’ll share what to do once you’re up and running, including how to price your work, protect yourself with contracts, deliver galleries, and stay organized as your business grows.

Want to be the first to read it? Sign up for my newsletter or email me (michellerosephoto1@gmail.com) with questions.

Your Guide to Starting a Photography Business

The Essential Steps for Starting Your Own Photography Business

1. Choose a Name and Set Up Your Business Legally