It takes money to start any type of business, but it definitely takes money to start a photography business. Know that if you’re an aspiring photographer but don’t have a lot of money, that’s a-okay. Most startup businesses don’t have all the money to invest in their business from the get-go either. This is why it’s so important to know the areas you should spend your money on first when starting your business.

Hire a Business Mentor

You might be thinking, Brenna, can’t I just Google all the questions I have and get my answers? If so, why do I need a business mentor?

While yes you can Google your questions, how many times have you done this to find generic answers that don’t have any content relating to your answers? Or how many times have you been sidetracked by content to lose focus on why you started searching in the first place?

By hiring a business mentor, you’re hiring accountability. You’ll be given actionable steps to take with real-life advice and situations. You will ll be able to confide in someone who knows the struggles and in’s and out’s of running a business. You’ll be able to celebrate even the smallest of victories with someone who understands just how much those small wins mean.

Google can’t offer you that, but I can 😉 

Invest in Good Equipment

Depending on what type of photography you want to offer will determine your camera equipment. No matter your niche you’ll want to invest in reliable equipment.

Don’t skimp on getting something “cheap” but don’t feel like you have to buy the most expensive option right away either. Invest in equipment that is reliable.

I have lists of my gear and how I use it and well as my recommended gear for professional and beginning photographers. 

Get Legal

You’ll want to register your photography business with your state. I recommend an LLC business format. However, make sure you look at all your options as an LLC may not be your best fit. This is where a CPA can help you, too. I share the Seven Steps to a Legal Business in this blog post. 

And, when it comes to getting legal make sure you have a contract that’s been looked over by an attorney. If you can’t afford an attorney just yet, consider buying a contract template to start with. I buy my contract templates from The Legal Paige!