The global economic impact of a pandemic is hard to argue against. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, countless small businesses have closed down, either due to new regulations or a lack of customers. It seems like a terrifying and chaotic environment to start a business including a photography business in, at least at first glance.
However bleak the situation may seem from afar; a pandemic can be fertile ground for new businesses. While supply may have gone down, that doesn’t mean that demand will stay low for any long period of time. Plenty of entrepreneur photographers have started their businesses in the middle of the pandemic and seen great success.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking it’s an easy task. It takes a skilled hand and good business skills to run a photography business in the midst of a global crisis. If you want to take the opportunity and expand your horizons, you should take some tips from the experts. Here are a few examples to help you get started.
Prepare a detailed business plan for your photography business
Regardless of the type of business you want to start, you’ll need a thorough plan of action. This is especially important in a line of work such as photography, where there’s plenty of competition. How can you determine whether your business will be profitable? Will the costs exceed the potential profits? A business plan can help you get prepared and set things in motion.
In the plan, you should outline the legal structure of your business, as well as the licenses you need to operate in certain jurisdictions. If you plan to cross state or country borders while you work, you have to take this into account. Consider your primary competitors and how they will impact your work volume in a particular area. Calculate the startup costs of your business and note where you have to spend the most money. Do your best to calculate the potential ongoing expenses as well. If you need additional safety gear for work during a pandemic, consider these costs as well.
To top it all off, you should write down potential business ideas that will help you stay competitive in the dynamic market of photography. Protect your work from image theft online by consulting local and international laws, it may come in handy later on.
Build your portfolio for the photography business
Photography is an art as well as a skill, and both of these characteristics are intertwined. A degree doesn’t mean much to your customers. They want to see your skills in action before they hire you for a session. To build trust in your brand, you’ll want to build a strong portfolio before you even start opening your business.
The good news is that you don’t need much to start. You can do small gigs with your family and friends just to prove that you have what it takes to make good photos. After some time, you’ll have to offer discounted sessions to new customers as an incentive to build your portfolio. Your focus should be to reach a point where you no longer have to offer a discount just to work somewhere.
If at any point you feel that a session doesn’t live up to your expectations of a good portfolio, you should discard the photos and move on to another gig.
Opt for a niche
In a line of work such as photography, it’s crucial that you set yourself apart from the competition. You don’t want to be a non-descript photographer with no particular special qualities. Choosing a specific niche helps differentiate you from other professionals in the area.
There are plenty of ways to take a unique approach to your photography, from the way you market your brand to the type of photos you take. Consider where your talents can be best spent and how to appeal to a specific customer demographic.
Start with the basics of your photo design. You can use unique photography backdrops that will compliment your style. Prospective clients will take note of the backdrops and the way you incorporate them in photographs. It’s going to showcase your talents in a noticeable way. Consider the type of lighting you want to use. Some clients will want the atmosphere of a modelling gig, while others might prefer a cozier and more laid-back approach. Once you determine what goes best with your photographs, you should hone that style to differentiate yourself from other professionals.
Invest in your brand
Branding has an enormous effect on attracting customers. It’s a key pillar of marketing for any business, including photography. A strong brand gives an air of professionalism to your work and builds trust among customers. The question is: how do you brand your photography business efficiently?
For starters, you shouldn’t invest too much into branded products immediately. You’ll likely change your style multiple times while you figure out your niche. Your best bet would be to start working with a branding expert or designer that will help you create a cohesive brand. Everything from your social media accounts to your business cards should be consistent. Make it so that customers can see your style before they take a single look at your portfolio.
When you’re certain that you’ve figured out a look for your brand, you can start producing merchandise to match. Marketing in the age of COVID is more important than ever, which is why you should diversify your strategy. Send out business cards to potential clients to attract them to your business. Make sure you advertise your website, as it’s the most convenient way to showcase your talents to a broad audience. Even the domain name of the website should be consistent with your brand. With the right branding approach, customers will start pouring in by the dozens to hire your services.
Conclusion
A global pandemic shouldn’t stop you from realizing your dreams as a professional photographer. Even during a crisis, people need photos that will last them a lifetime. With the right approach and branding, you can attract customers with ease. The world might be changing, but the demand for professional photography won’t go down any time soon. Consider some of the above tips when setting up your business and you won’t have to worry about missing out on this professional opportunity.
