Q: I am wondering about starting up a photography business. Where can I get help?
Aug 17 2005
Answered by: Philip Wilkinson Ask a question
Working for someone else can be a fantastic preparation for starting your own business. It gives you an opportunity to see the inside workings of a business, to find out how to market and get clients, to understand the administration and organisation required to get a business up and running successfully. Photography businesses are listed in several places.
The Creative Handbook (www.chb.com; 01342-332034), is published by Reed Business Information (www.reedbusiness.com) and costs £157. Contact Photographers, published by Elfande, list similar details, meanwhile, and costs £150. It can be ordered via www.contactphotographers.com (020-220330). Before you shell out, however, check to see if you can access these directories at your local reference library.
There are many different sorts of photography businesses: general practitioners located in the high-street, carrying out assignments ranging from weddings and personal portraits to advertising, commercial and industrial photography. Specialising in fashion photography, say, or commercial photography is also possible. But with these specialisations, understanding how the market works is crucial. Building up a list of contacts to provide you with opportunities for freelance jobs can take time too.
There are some organisations which could help you with more information. The British Institute of Professional Photography is more of a training organisation and has some useful information on their web site (www.bipp.com; 01920-464011). There is also the Master Photographers Association (www.thempa.com; 01325-356555), but you have to be a full-time professional photographer before you join.
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