Photographers: 3 Action Items to Build a Successful Business

In this day and age anyone can grab a point and shoot camera and title themselves a professional photographer. Making it vital to establish a strong entrepreneurial foundation in order to stay competitive in this saturated market. Creative inspiration can only drive your business so far, making it increasingly important to invest in successful business tactics. 

As a professional sports photographer and undergraduate student at Northwestern University, I found two articles to help you propel your own photography business.

There are many unforeseen challenges when it comes to owning your own photography business. Zach Prez from photographyspark.com talks about building a backbone when creating your own brand. Creating the backbone of your brand requires setting goals, making a business plan, building a portfolio and engaging with your clientele base. As Prez says, “…there are several important factors to consider before starting a photography business. Addressing these topics early on will set you on a path to success.”

The second article Life Through a Lens, David Locke gives us 5 tips on building a successful photography company. His article discusses how taking photos is only a small portion of a professional photographer’s business. There are many things that need to be considered in order for your company to thrive. In this fiercely competitive market he came up with a list of 5 tips to help your business rise to the top.  

Based on the ideas in these articles and my experience as a professional photographer, here are three action items you should consider when building your own photography business.

1.        Be BOLD – Don’t be afraid of difficult situations, confront them head-on and make bold decisions.

2.        Be COMPETITIVE – Strive to be the best and make your presence known.

3.        Stay INSPIRED – Don’t let anything get in the way of your creativity and passion.

These three simple action items will give your company a great competitive advantage over other brands and help you capture the long-term loyalty of your clientele.

Caylor Arnold is currently an undergraduate at Northwestern University and accomplished professional sports photographer. She currently works with USA Today Sports Images covering major events around the Chicagoland area. Check out more of her work at www.caylorarnold.com or follow her on Instagram @caylorarnoldphoto.