How to Start a Fashion Photography Business

Start a fashion photography business by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Fashion Photography Business
2. Form your Fashion Photography Business into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Fashion Photography Business for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Fashion Photography Business
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Fashion Photography Business
7. Get Fashion Photography Business Insurance
8. Define your Fashion Photography Business Brand
9. Create your Fashion Photography Business Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your fashion photography business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Fashion Photography Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a fashion photography business?

While there are a number of items you’ll need to get started, your most valuable business tool is your talent and experience.

Industry leaders recommend budgeting for a minimum of $10,000 for camera and studio equipment. This should include:

• Camera and various lenses
• Modifiers - giant umbrella, octabank, scrims, and beauty dishes
• Studio equipment - lighting, stands, backdrops, modifiers, props, floors, backgrounds, and remote triggers
• Computer and editing software
• Backup storage devices
• Professional album creation software

Your startup needs are not limited to just photography equipment. The following business tools will help ensure you stay organized and on track with your marketing strategy:

• Insurance
• Website
• Accounting software
• Portfolio - this should include some of your best work and show potential clients that you’re able to work in a variety of settings

What are the ongoing expenses for a fashion photography business?

Your ongoing expenses will be defined by your vision for the company. Many photo shoots will take place away from home, freeing you of the need to invest in a brick and mortar space. Your biggest expense will be time spent on networking, marketing, and travel. Between fashion events, meetings with clients, and photo shoots, much of your time will be spent away from home, where you will incur the typical expenses associated with jet setting across the country (or the world). You will also need to invest in maintenance of your equipment, photo editing software, and equipment replacement when necessary.

Who is the target market?

Ultimately, your target market is defined by your creative vision, personally and professionally. Designers require photographers to capture images of their latest lines, which are displayed in look books. There is at least one magazine that targets every demographic, each of them requiring a photographer who inspires readers. Think Vogue, Rolling Stone, and L’Officiel. Fashion bloggers also have a need for professional photographers and photo editors. Consider your creative goals and then research who has a direct need for those services.

How does a fashion photography business make money?

Fashion photographers are paid a flat fee per shoot, which varies widely depending on the reputation of both the client and the photographer.

How much can you charge customers?

The amount you are able to charge will depend vastly on your experience, skill level, and the clients you work with. Many fashion photographers require a minimum of $1,000 per day, with many averaging anywhere from $2,500-10,000. A wide, yet accurate, range. Those more established you are in the community, the more you can charge; anywhere from $10,000 to $150,000 per shoot, depending upon the client.

How much profit can a fashion photography business make?

Again, this varies, depending upon your region and the type of clients you choose to target. The average profit for fashion photographers is between $52,000 and $69,000. Should you choose to open a firm that includes multiple photographers or offers clients additional services, your profits stand to increase exponentially.

How can you make your business more profitable?

As a photographer, you are only limited by your imagination and the types of projects you choose to take on. Consider expanding your client base to include customers who require product photography for their online stores. Enterprises such as Neiman Marcus have thousands of products displayed on their websites - each item must be photographed from multiple angles. A photography agency, comprised of multiple photographers of varying skill levels and innovation, could prove profitable. If photo editing is your strong suit, market your talents. You would be surprised at how many businesses require such a skill.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your fashion photography business is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a fashion photography business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Services Contract

Fashion photography businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project.  This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example of one such services agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your fashion photography business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Trademark & Copyright Protection

If you are developing a unique product, concept, brand, or design, it is prudent to protect your rights by registering for the appropriate trademarks and copyrights.

Learn more about trademark and copyright protection

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

Those entering this specialized field often do so because of their passion and eye for both fashion and photography. The combination of these two art forms serves as a creative outlet. Successful photographers are often able to travel the world while earning an income that supports them as they work to fulfill their dreams.

What happens during a typical day at a fashion photography business?

Most fashion photographers work on a freelance basis, particularly when first starting out. Marketing and administrative duties are equally as important as photo shoots and should be treated as such. While no two days are exactly alike, most days are divided between building the business and expressing yourself artistically.

On the photography side, fashion photographers must attend photo shoots, copyright their work, edit photos, and update their portfolio. Much time is spent sifting through magazines and online photos, noting fashion trends, as well as ideas for future shoots.

On the business end, business owners must schedule shoots, book travel arrangements, manage finances, archive invoices and bills, and implement marketing strategies. Traveling and networking with others in the industry is also critical to a fashion photographer’s success. Many artists hire assistants to help them manage the business aspect, freeing up their time to focus on the creative aspect of the business.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful fashion photography business?

While photography composition rules can be learned, those seeking long-term success should have a natural eye for both fashion and photography. A basic understanding of photography and fashion are critical. To ensure your very best work from the start, spend some time studying fashion: history, era-specific fashion, terminology, designers and image-makers, makeup, hairstyles, and current industry news.

Photography is about capturing a moment in time; a moment that cannot ever be recreated. Therefore, it is also critical that you be at one with your camera. Get to know the different setting, lighting concepts, as well as digital photography concepts. Even the best photographers must edit their photos, so image editing should also be a part of your skill set.

Industry leaders recommend working as an assistant, both in fashion and other photography realms. First-hand experience is the best teacher and will better equip you to predict and solve any issues that might arise. This will also serve as your first introduction into fashion photography, offering an opportunity to network with pioneers in the industry.

What is the growth potential for a fashion photography business?

As mentioned, most fashion photographers start out working alone, or with a small team of assistants. As connections are made and experience in the industry is built, many choose to move on into other aspects of the business. Business growth opportunities include opening a fashion and commercial photography agency or a fashion marketing firm.