Do I need to go to college to own a photography business?
I have a passion for photography. I’m in my early 20’s I really want to own a photography business. Do any of you own a photography business? Did you go to school for it? Any ideas, suggestions would be a great help Thanks for your time!
You don’t need a college degree. What you do need is (a) a good portfolio of your work, (b) a rock solid business plan and (c) enough capital to get the additional goods & services you need to launch and to keep the doors open during the first few months while you’re still building a customer base.
The business plan should identify who your target customers are, e.g. going after weddings in or near your home town vs. sports action photography…you get the idea. Who are they? How many of them are there? What are their buying habits? What do they read and watch (for placing advertising)? Etc. It should also identify your competition: who are they? How many of them are there? What sources of competitive advantage do you have over them, e.g. lower prices, specialization in some type of photography, etc.
It should also explain what you’ve got, what you need and how you’ll pay for it.
It needs to include your marketing plan: How will you reach your customers and bring them back for repeat business? (Hint: personal selling)
only if it’s required when you interview you 🙂
References :
You don’t need a college degree. What you do need is (a) a good portfolio of your work, (b) a rock solid business plan and (c) enough capital to get the additional goods & services you need to launch and to keep the doors open during the first few months while you’re still building a customer base.
The business plan should identify who your target customers are, e.g. going after weddings in or near your home town vs. sports action photography…you get the idea. Who are they? How many of them are there? What are their buying habits? What do they read and watch (for placing advertising)? Etc. It should also identify your competition: who are they? How many of them are there? What sources of competitive advantage do you have over them, e.g. lower prices, specialization in some type of photography, etc.
It should also explain what you’ve got, what you need and how you’ll pay for it.
It needs to include your marketing plan: How will you reach your customers and bring them back for repeat business? (Hint: personal selling)
References :
I help people start small businesses; I’ve worked with several photography businesses. There are business plan templates & other material you might find interesting on my web site: http://www.keeterconsulting.com.
if i were looking to hire a photogropher, i would hire someone who went to school and learned about it. not just enjoyed it and can take decent pictures. and also it is good to have some education backround in buisness if you want to run one. you need to know the numbers the cost, loss, everything.. it might be smart to go to college.
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I don’t own a photography business but I know photographers who do — commercial photographers and studio photographers. No, you don’t have to go to a university. It’s a technical, artistic and "people" business, and there are professional organizations to help you master those things — P P of A for instance (Professional Photographers of America).
But be aware that it’s not an easy business. Everyone has a digital camera these days and all of them take pretty good pictures on Program mode. You have to supply something they can’t get with their cameras, therefore, you have to have good studio lights and know lighting. You have to know Photoshop well. You have to have a flair for creating dramatic pictures that stop people in their tracks. And you have to know how to market your services for the maximum amount. You can work yourself to death selling cheap pictures, so you want to be at the top of your field, selling the high-dollar images.
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I would say you at LEAST need an associates in business admin or accounting if not going to a 4 year college for photography. Ideally majoring in photography and minoring in business would be the perfect avenue for you.
You didn’t say what type of photography you want to do. If you want to open your own wedding studio- No you don’t need an education for that. Just the propper training for the business aspect and be talented with your imagery.
BUT if you want to be an advertising photographer shooting spreads in magazines and fashion, product or food. You absolutely should go to school. I went to a 4 year art and design school. I don’t own my own business, but that’s because i prefer to not deal with the responsibility with owning my own. I know I’d get dragged away by the IRS for screwing up my taxes every year. And i don’t want to be responsible for my own health care.
If I don’t feel comfortable owning my own business now with a Bachelors degree and the propper training and know how… I would NEVER be able to think about owning my own business walking into it blindly. Really think it over.
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Professional Advertising Retail Photographer 6+years
You don’t need to go to school for the moment. Hire someone who knows photography and start that way. Pay him on commission. Or, take night courses while running your business. Or, start from your home and save on the expenses and learn as you progress your business.
Yuo have to start somewhere. Nowadays, life is in the fast lane.
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Graphic Artist / Magazine Editor