Photography Business Ideas
There are a lot of opportunities for someone with a good eye for images and the right equipment. You can do anything from photographing pets to teaching others how to take a great picture. Here are 10 photography business ideas you can start right now:
71. Stock Photography
Stock photography is when you sell your stock photos to a platform. You will then earn money every time your photograph is sold.
How to start this business idea
You can sign up for all the stock photography sites as most of them don’t mind if your photo is on more than one. Try to keep the buyers of each platform in mind when taking photos, and this may help you to sell more photos, faster.
How to keep this business idea successful
Volume is the key to making this business idea a success. You should also understand your audiences and see which photo’s sell better than others and adjust your strategy accordingly.
72. Pet Photography
Pet owners love to have professional photographs of and with their pets. If you’re an animal person and you’re good at photography this could be a great business opportunity for you.
How to start this business idea
You can keep costs down by operating a mobile pet photography business, or you could operate out of a pet store. Making it a fun experience for both owner and pet will help you to secure repeat business.
How to keep this business idea successful
To boost your profits, you can offer a wide assortment of products that your customers can print their pet’s photo’s onto, including key rings, greeting cards, calendars, mugs, hats, t-shirts and tote bags.
73. Photo Mugs and Plates
Place photos onto mugs and plates. You’ll need to buy equipment to do this properly, but it will pay for itself in no time.
How to start this business idea
You can operate this business from a small kiosk in a mall or in flea markets and community events. You’ll need to create the product while the customer waits, so be sure to know how everything works and that they’re happy with the finished product.
How to keep this business idea successful
To ensure the success of your business, you should market the service and products to businesses, clubs and organisations, as photo plaques make good awards or corporate gifts.
74. Photography Courses
If you’re passionate about photography and want to expose others to your passion you can offer them a photography course.
How to start this business idea
You can offer this course from a home-based studio, and you can teach both traditional print film and digital-imaging formats. You could partner with a camera shop and offer a two-hour free photography course for all customers buying a camera.
How to keep this business idea successful
You’ll need to advertise frequently and come up with different courses to attract the attention of new or returning customers.
75. Portrait Photography
You can take photos of people and their families by offering a portrait photography service.
How to start this business idea
You can offer this service on a mobile basis, from a home-based studio or by going to your client’s home or business. You can easily make profits by offering to place these images on a variety of products, including greeting cards and calendars.
How to keep this business idea successful
Promote your business using online and print channels. You can also partner with a shopping centre who will allow you to photograph customers in their location on a revenue-splitting basis.
76. Real Estate Photo Service
Real estate agents and homeowners need to advertise their homes, but not everyone is good at angling the picture right or making sure there’s enough light. This is where you come in.
How to start this business idea
You can start this business at home helping real estate agents and homeowners to professionally market their properties. Promote your services to property agents and on property advertising platforms to help homeowners sell their homes.
How to keep this business idea successful
You’ll want to focus on repeat business, which means impressing real estate agents enough for them to use you again. You can be very busy taking photos if you’re on retainer with multiple agencies.
77. Wedding Photographer
You can either be a wedding photographer, or you can start an agency that represents wedding photographers. This will depend on your skill set and level of expertise.
How to start this business idea
If you want to start an agency, you can launch a website that features wedding photographers and their work. The photographers would then pay you a small fee to be represented on the website.
If you want to be a wedding photographer, you’ll need to advertise with wedding related businesses, or partner with wedding venues as part of a package for wedding parties.
How to keep this business idea successful
To improve the agency, you can also host wedding planners, caterers and bridal clothing retailers who are looking for more exposure. As the wedding photographer, you can offer bigger packages that include, for example, the bachelor and bachelorette functions as well as wedding preparations.
78. Digital Printing Service
You can operate a digital printing service from home as long as you have a quality computer and a high-quality digital printer capable of 11-inch and 17- inch printing.
How to start this business idea
You can reach out to business owners, consumers, schools, government institutions, clubs and associations to find out if they require cost-effective digital printing services.
How to keep this business idea successful
You can expand your offering by also printing brochures, event programmes, invitations and certificates as well as actual photos.
79. Aerial Photography
There are numerous industries that need aerial photography along with consumers looking for more interesting photographs of events and parties.
How to start this business idea
You can use a blimp, drone or telescopic aluminium mast to take aerial photographs. Each one will have pros and cons so ensure you invest in the one that works best for your business.
How to keep this business idea successful
Offer your services to corporates that could use aerial photographs such as in the construction or agriculture industry. Partner with events and experiences to take new and exciting photographs of consumers enjoying themselves.
80. Mini photo sessions
Offer customers mini photo sessions for events or family milestones. This will cost less than a full-photoshoot but will still offer them a great photo of their new baby.
How to start this business idea
You can offer 30-minute photoshoots so that they’re affordable for consumers. Shorter sessions also mean you can book more of them per day.
How to keep this business idea successful
Keep advertising and promoting your services. If the family had a good experience, they’re more likely to come back so make sure everyone has fun and enjoys themselves on the day.