Are you passionate about photography and dreaming of starting your own business? Well, let me be the first to say that you CAN do it! Starting a photography business from scratch may seem daunting, but with the right mindset and tools, you can turn your passion into a profitable career. Pinky promise.

Let’s talk about how to build a photography business from scratch.

But first – let me introduce myself! You deserve to know if I can walk the walk, not just talk the talk, before spending your time scrolling!

I’m Eden- a destination wedding photographer now turned business coach, helping hundreds of creative entrepreneurs build the businesses + lives of their dreams. I’ve photographed weddings and love from Hawaii to Switzerland, all while building a life I’m in love with, and I love helping other photographers do the same. Whether it’s helping you manifest your next big dream, or learn how to shoot artificial light, I’ve got you covered in my lil corner of the internet. I’m excited to have you here! Feel free to introduce yourself below or slide in the Instagram DM’s. But without further adeue, let’s dive in.

First things first, when it comes to building a photography business from scratch..

You need to believe in yourself and your abilities. You may not have all the answers right now, but that’s okay. The beauty of starting from scratch is that you get to build your business from the ground up, learning and growing as you go. You’re only capable of what you think you’re capable of – so don’t let your mindset keeping you from building the photography business you’ve been dreaming of!

Next up.. one of the most important things you can do when starting a photography business from scratch is to define your niche.

What type of photography do you love the most? Do you enjoy taking portraits, landscapes, or something else entirely? By focusing on a specific niche, you can become known as an expert in that area and attract clients who are looking for exactly what you offer.

Next up, you need to invest in quality equipment.

While it may be tempting to cut corners and buy the cheapest camera and lenses, investing in high-quality equipment will set you apart from the competition and help you create stunning images that your clients will love. Don’t forget to budget for other essentials like lighting, backdrops, and editing software as well. And if you can’t invest yet? Don’t be afraid to rent! You can find our gear list below, find out what lighting equipment to invest in here, or just hop on over to our Amazon Shop to scroll what we suggest.

Bodies: Nikon 750’s
Lenses: Nikon 24mm 1.4, Nikon 58mm 1.4, Nikon 70-200mm 2.8, Nikon 45mm Tilt Shift 2.8

Once you have your niche and equipment sorted out, it’s time to start building your portfolio.

Offer to take photos for friends and family, or even offer your services for free to build up your portfolio and gain experience. Don’t be afraid to showcase your work on social media and create a website to showcase your portfolio and services. It’s better to put together shoots that truly reflect what kind of work you want to shoot, instead of shooting a mass of un-aligned shoots for $50. Rather than shooting for cheap, invest your time into a few INCREDIBLE shoots to build your portfolio.

Networking is also key when starting a photography business.

Attend local events, join photography groups, and connect with other professionals in the industry. You never know where your next client or referral may come from! Remember, everyone is a potential client. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and share the word that you’re accepting clients!

As you start to gain clients, make sure you have your pricing and contracts in order.

Don’t undersell yourself – your time and skills are valuable, so make sure you charge what you’re worth. And don’t forget to have contracts in place to protect yourself and your clients. If you don’t think you need a contract.. I promise you do. The day will come where you or your clients need that protection, so make this one of your top priorities when taking on clients! If you can’t invest in a lawyer, we highly recommend the Law Togs contract templates.

Finally, remember that starting a photography business is a journey, not a destination.

Be patient with yourself and your progress. Celebrate your successes, learn from your failures, and keep pushing forward. With hard work, determination, and a little bit of creativity, you can build a successful photography business from scratch. Try not to compare yourself to others in the industry, I promise you everyone has been where you are now! You got this.

Ready to keep pushing yourself towards the photography business of your dreams? Come listen to our podcast, grab our freebie to better your client experience, or come follow along on IG! See you soon, friend! xx