The right equipment is crucial for a home-based photography business.
If you want to run a photography business out of your home, you first need the right equipment and space to work. Like any home-based business, though, a photography business also requires the ability to work independently, and a willingness to establish a work routine and set boundaries between your work life and your personal life. To ensure the long-term growth of your business, you also need to understand market your services and abide by any tax and business laws that apply to one-person operations.
Set Up a Home Studio
Before you can start seeking clients, you need a professional setup to ensure you can produce quality work. You'll need a dedicated room for a photography studio, in addition to a high-quality camera and a variety of accessories, such as lenses, whiteboards, a tripod and lighting equipment. The "Digital Photography Magazine" article "The Photographer's Toolbox" recommends several accessories for every photographer, including optical filters, memory cards, an external hard drive and a color-calibrated computer monitor. If you use a film-based camera, you'll need a darkroom for developing photos, and if you use a digital camera, you'll need a computer and photo editing software.
Understand Tax and Business Law
If you're operating a business out of your home, your tax responsibilities will differ greatly than if you have a full-time job outside the home. For example, the Internal Revenue Service requires anyone that is self-employed to pay self-employment taxes, which equal what your employer would normally contribute to Social Security. You may also have options you wouldn't as a full-time employee, such as taking a tax deduction for working out of your home, or deducting travel or transportation costs if they're related to your job. You'll also need to check the business laws in your city, county and state. Some areas only allow home-based businesses in locations zoned for commercial use, or may require you to obtain a business license.
Treat it Like a Full-Time Job
When you work from home, you may find it more difficult to stay focused on your work, especially if your family is around, or if friends call during business hours. Try establishing regular office hours, just as you would if you left for work every day. Adhering to these hours can increase your productivity and make it easier for you to focus on your work instead of being distracted by kids, pets or the Internet. Make sure the people in your life understand these rules, as well. Post your work hours on the door of your home studio and let family know not to disturb you during those hours unless it's urgent. Let everyone know you won't take personal calls during work hours, but that you'll return their calls as soon as your workday is finished.
Network and Market
When you operate a business out of your home, you have to work harder to get the word out to potential clients. In fact, you may need to spend nearly as much time prospecting as you do taking photographs. Look into inexpensive, efficient ways to market your business, through social networking sites like Twitter, or by sending out postcards or other direct mail pieces. Consider joining your local chamber of commerce, through which you can network with other small business owners, and elevate your profile in the eyes of the public. Find out if there are any photography groups in your area. By networking with other photographers, you can learn about what has helped them succeed, and they may even refer potential clients to you.
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