Launching Your Photography Business Straight Out of High School
So, you're dreaming of a photography career right out of high school? That's fantastic! It's absolutely possible to turn that dream into reality. My journey started similarly, and I learned a lot along the way. Let me share some key insights and practical advice to help you launch your photography business.
Choosing Your First Camera: DSLR vs. Mirrorless
First things first: your camera. This is a big decision, and the DSLR versus mirrorless debate is real. DSLRs have been the industry standard for a long time, but mirrorless cameras are rapidly changing the game. They're generally lighter and more compact, which is great for portability, and often offer superior autofocus performance – a huge plus for capturing sharp images. If your budget allows, I'd definitely recommend leaning towards a mirrorless system. All the major brands – Canon, Sony, and Nikon – offer excellent entry-level options in both DSLR and mirrorless, so you'll have plenty to choose from.
My personal starting point was a Canon Rebel T7. It's a very affordable DSLR, and honestly, it's a great camera for learning the fundamentals of manual photography. It forces you to understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which is crucial. However, knowing what I know now, if I were starting over, I'd invest in a mirrorless camera from the get-go. They're just so much more versatile and future-proof. One crucial piece of advice: don't buy the kit lens that often comes bundled with these cameras. They're usually not the best quality. Instead, look into getting a "nifty fifty" lens. It's a 50mm lens, and it's fantastic, especially if you're interested in portrait photography. You can often find great deals on used DSLRs, including the Rebel T7, on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. While learning on a DSLR can be a valuable experience, almost like a rite of passage for many photographers, mirrorless is definitely the direction the industry is heading.
Essential Photography Gear for Beginners
Beyond the camera itself, you'll need a few other essential pieces of gear. A good camera bag is a must. I went through a few iterations. I started with a small, inexpensive bag from Amazon that barely fit my camera and lens. Then I upgraded to a sporty backpack, also from Amazon, which held more gear and even had a laptop sleeve. Now, as a wedding photographer, I use a large, professional leather bag that can carry all my equipment. SD cards are another essential. Make sure you choose cards with fast writing speeds and plenty of storage – at least 32GB per card. Get a few of them, maybe three or four, and a case to keep them organized. And, absolutely crucial, learn how to format your SD cards properly. You'll also need an external hard drive to store your photos. Trust me, you'll accumulate a lot of them! And finally, a laptop. I actually edited on my iPad Pro for a while, which worked surprisingly well, but eventually, I needed the power and flexibility of a dedicated laptop. I use a Macbook, and it's been fantastic. If you're planning on using programs like Lightroom and Photoshop, make sure your laptop has at least 32GB of RAM for smooth performance.
Software and Workflow for Photographers
Now, let's talk software and workflow. This is one area where I wish I'd done things differently from the start. Skip the cloud-based Lightroom CC and go straight for Lightroom Classic. It's the industry standard and much more powerful. It might seem a little daunting at first, but don't worry, YouTube is your best friend. There are tons of tutorials available. Once you have your gear and software sorted, you need to start building your brand and getting your name out there. Instagram is the perfect platform for this. It's free, it's visual, and it's where a lot of photographers showcase their work. Start building your portfolio and connecting with other photographers.
Building Your Photography Portfolio
This next part is tough, but it's essential: you're going to have to shoot for free for a while. It's a hard pill to swallow, but you need to build your skills and your portfolio. Mastering manual mode is absolutely crucial. Use every resource you can – Google, YouTube, online courses, even the Unscripted app, which is fantastic for posing inspiration. Photograph everything you can – friends, family, pets, sports events, anything. The more you shoot, the better you'll get. The Unscripted app is great for getting posing ideas. It's like having a posing coach in your pocket.
One thing to keep in mind is not to overcommit. It's great to be confident, but don't overpromise or take on more than you can handle, especially when you're just starting out. Speaking of starting out, let's talk about presets. These can be a huge time-saver when it comes to editing, but be careful. Avoid the cheap, generic presets you see all over Etsy. They're usually not very good. Invest in high-quality presets from reputable photographers. They're not a magic bullet, but they can give your photos a consistent look and speed up your workflow. Find photographers whose style you admire and see if they sell presets, or look for similar styles. Remember, presets are a starting point, not a finished product. You'll likely need to tweak them to fit your specific images.
The Importance of Community Over Competition
The photography community is incredibly important. Comparison is the thief of joy, so try to avoid getting caught up in what other photographers are doing. Instead, focus on building genuine connections with local photographers and people who are at a similar stage in their careers. Reach out to photographers whose work you admire, especially if they specialize in a particular area you're interested in. See if you can shadow them on a shoot or even just have a virtual coffee chat. I wouldn't recommend paying for a "mentor" at this early stage. There are so many free resources available.
Transitioning to Paid Photography Work
Once you feel confident in your skills and the quality of your work, you can start moving towards paid work. A good intermediate step is to start offering tipped sessions. This allows you to gain experience working with clients and build your portfolio without the pressure of charging full price.
Setting Up Your Photography Business
As your business grows, you'll need to take care of some administrative tasks. Create a professional email address – a simple Gmail account will do. And you'll need a way to deliver your photos to clients. Platforms like Pixieset and Pic-Time are great for this. They offer professional-looking online galleries and have free options to get you started. A website is also a must. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it should showcase your best work and make it easy for potential clients to contact you.
Resources and Inspiration for Photographers
Finally, immerse yourself in the photography community. Listen to podcasts like "Oh Shoot with Cassidy Lynne," "The Vendor Table," and "All Angles Photography Podcast." Join relevant Facebook groups, but I'd steer clear of general beginner photography groups. Instead, look for groups related to specific niches, like preset groups or groups associated with your favorite podcasts. These are great places to get inspiration and connect with other photographers. Participating in styled shoots is another fantastic way to build your portfolio and network with other vendors. Even if you feel like you don't know what you're doing, start immersing yourself in the vendor community. It's a great way to learn and grow. Starting a photography business takes dedication and hard work, but it's an incredibly rewarding journey. Focus on honing your skills, building your portfolio, and connecting with the community, and you'll be well on your way to success.
If I had to start from square 1
Camera options
Lens choice
Camera Bag and accessories
Photo storage
Editing
If I had to start at ground zero- these are the things I would need! You can create a very successful photography business by just starting out with this list of things. The initial investment, can be a little scary- but I promise you can do it!
