Opening your own photography studio can be a fantastic career move if done right. Not only will you be living your dream, but you can enjoy the freedom that comes with being the boss of your business and having your own little space. Before you enter your studio as the owner for the first time, there are plenty of things to consider. From photographers insurance to marketing, read on to find tips and tricks to open a photography studio.

  1. Do the essentials first

Although you might be excited to start snapping photos, it is important to do the essentials before opening your photography studio.

While you don’t need to have any special certificates or qualifications to be a photographer in Australia, many courses are available that could help you sharpen your skills and define your niche.

Even if you are confident in your technical abilities, many other courses can help you with the skills needed to be a small business owner.

Besides that, you will still need an Australian Business Number to register your business with the correct business structure for your situation.

Your business registration should not be complex if you choose to organise your business as a sole trader rather than a company. However, it is important to consider that sole traders are legally and financially responsible for their business. This means that your personal assets will be at risk if anything goes wrong.

A crucial consideration when opening a photography studio is how you plan to protect your small business. Luckily, there are plenty of types of insurance for photographers to provide peace of mind when looking to launch your own studio.

Working in a customer-driven industry such as photography means interacting with people daily. When people enter your studio, there is a risk of injury or property damage to your clients or any third party, for that matter.

The chance of a claim can be hard to predict, but if it were to happen, the costs to your photography business could be potentially enough to close your studio.

Thankfully, Public Liability Insurance is designed to protect you in situations where someone injures themselves or sustains property damage due to your negligent business activities.

Other important types of business insurance for photographers include:

Business Insurance – provides cover for your business premises and contents against loss, damage or theft, as well as cover against any resulting financial loss from an insured interruption to the business.

Cyber Liability insurance – Protects you from claims and supports your profitability if your business suffers a cyber breach or attack. Costs associated with defending a cyber claim are also covered.

3.    Identify your photography niche

Identifying your niche is one of the most important steps in starting a photography business. While there are many different types of photography, most photographers specialise in one or two main areas. By defining your niche, you can better target your clients and tailor your marketing message accordingly.

To find your niche, you might want to consider conducting some research. There are many ways to do this, including Google searches, mind maps, keyword research, and social media. You can also use Google Alerts to monitor relevant keywords and trends. Then, focus on your target audience’s pain points and commonalities.

Once you have identified your niche, you can further specialise in it by researching different types of clients. Then, you can begin to develop your portfolio and clientele. Once you have a solid idea of your niche, you can narrow down your target market by asking yourself a few simple questions.

  • What services do I plan to provide?
  • Is there a target market for my services?
  • How am I different from my competitors?

These questions will help you plan future decisions about what your photography business will look like.

4.    Get the equipment and supplies you need.

As a photographer, you’ll know that you can never have enough equipment. There will always be the latest lens that you need for that particular shoot or the newest gadget that’ll improve your results.

With that in mind, it is vital to do an inventory check of what you currently have so you can objectively analyse what you need to buy. That way, you can determine if the equipment is of sufficient quality to warrant how much you charge for your services. You will also need the basics as well, such as batteries, hard drives, and tripods, so ensure you create a list of the fundamentals.

  • Get your name out there

If you are wondering how to market your photography business, there are many ways to get your name out there. You can use word of mouth advertising, social media marketing and Search Engine Optimisation, among other methods, to promote your business. Having a website is vital in the marketing process, and you can also use it to book your clients. Click here [RJ1] for a comprehensive guide on marketing your photography business.


7. Have a launch day promotion

Creating a launch day promotion or opening week discount will help create some buzz about your photography studio. Have a competition for some significant prizes, give some crazy deals, and print out as many business cards as possible. It’s also an excellent opportunity to build your social media presence, so try and incorporate people following and liking your page within your plan.  You will need to put in some proper groundwork for this to be successful, so begin planning a month before your launch date.

And lastly…

Make sure you take it all in. You are at the start of your business journey, and you will look back at the craziness of this time. Savour your excitement and enjoy the fruition of your hard work. And most importantly, take lots of photos!

*This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. © 2022 BizCover Pty Limited, Public Liability Australia is a business name of BizCover Pty Ltd (ABN 68 127 707 975; AFSL 501769)