How to start a photography business

So you've been studying photography and know enough to take some pictures of high quality and good composition.

You're keen to get started and set up a business, combining your excellent people and technical skills to create superb portfolio that will shine on any wall or website.

But hold on one moment - there's a real difference between the glamour of life on the road snapping interesting people and events, and the reality of setting up a company.

1. Create a Business Plan

Before you fling yourself into the photographic world, prepare a plan.

Ask yourself how you'll deal with your accounting, and what equipment you need.

Will you specialise in certain niches? Will you employ an assistant? How will you market yourself? Do you need a studio, and how much are you willing to pay?

Perhaps most importantly, how will you finance your choices and gain start-up funds?

You need to be a businessperson as much as a photographer now, and it's important that you make that transition quickly.

Cash flow and expenses need to be properly logged, and any invoices need to be sent out quickly and correctly.

Some photographers designate one day a month or so towards updating their website (see below), checking their expenses, and ordering new equipment.

Many photographers operate on a model that combines salaried part-time employment and ad-hoc jobs for a range of clients, sometimes at curious times.

Newspapers still employ some freelancers so you might be able to pick up regular work for a day or two a week with them, but these jobs are few and far between.

You'll need contingency plans for months when work is fallow.

Photographers need to decide whether they'll operate as a limited company, or as one part of a partnership, or as a sole trader.

They may also need to know how to deal with VAT if your revenue exceeds £90,000 and payroll if they employ someone.

The best way to learn more about each of these issues is to contact an accountant and ask for advice.

2. Gain experience

Weddings and live events are not the time to be practicing your techniques.

Getting it wrong and making a mess of it may forever taint your reputation and ruin a big day, especially as there's nowhere to hide any more.

In the 21st century, a poor collection of shots will be appropriately reviewed and shared on social media in the blink of an eye.

For any job that you're taking on you should be aware of not only the technical aspects of photography such as light settings, aperture and focus, but also the real-life practicalities of shooting.

Do you know how to keep children happy or concentrating in a studio setting, for example?

Imagination can often be as important as technical skills; some marrying couples want a standard shoot, while some will prefer quirky, unusual ideas.

Shadowing and assisting an experienced snapper might help you get an overview of the skills you need, and the possible mishaps such as forgetting memory cards and spare batteries!