1. Decide on a business structure:
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide how you want your business to be structured. Your choices are Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, Subchapter S Corporation and Limited Liability Company. I recommend starting as a sole proprietorship because it is the easiest and least expensive.
2. Get a DBA & Tax Resale Certificate:
You’ll need a DBA (Doing Business As) if you want to name your business something other than your name. Getting a Tax Resale Certificate allows you to charge your clients sales tax. You will also need it when purchasing products for resale to your clients.
3. Purchase equipment:
You really don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to start your business. In fact, you could very well get started with only a manual camera and nothing else. All you have to do is shoot your sessions outdoors with nature as your backdrop. A couple of other basic things that are recommended are things most people already have anyway: a computer and printer.
4. Get insurance:
You should always do everything you can to make your equipment safe for those being photographed, by using sturdy backdrop stands and instructing adults about not allowing their children to touch your lighting equipment. But as careful as you are, accidents still do happen. It is important to have insurance for your business to protect yourself in case anyone ever gets injured during one of your sessions. You will also want insurance to cover your equipment in case it gets damaged.
5. Start Marketing:
You can start with a simple display in a local business, for example displaying cards or brochures in a florist or bridal shop. To find businesses to display your information, think about where people in your target market shop. Approach the owners about setting up a display in return for a free session.
That’s really all there is to it! You’ll probably add more equipment and continue to develop your marketing plan through the years, but the important thing is to just get started and go from there.
