You always aimed to be your own boss, so you went for it. You’ve done the hard work, looking up how to start a photography business, how to turn your camera into a cash machine, how do you earn money with photography, and how much does it cost to open my own photo studio? what is the cost of starting out in commercial photography? It’s both exciting and terrifying at light speed; there are so many variables involved! How can you make enough income if no one wants your work?

But not all hope is lost- every career has its trials and tribulations. After all, your dream of becoming your own boss is just the first step to how to start a photography business. If you’re looking how to turn your hobby into a “professional” career, these simple steps will set you on the right path:

1) Get insured! – Whether it be liability insurance, equipment insurance, worker\'s comp, or some combination of all three (and anything else that might apply,) do not skip this step! Even if you simply rent out studio space for now- make sure those people are covered under something as well. Many thefts and loss claims come from the idea that one person “didn’t sign my paycheck.” Not having proper coverage can result in huge income losses and massive penalties.

2) Create a business plan – No, this is not how to start a photography business, but how to write a business plan for your photography business. While the two concepts sound similar, they’re actually very different things. For those who don’t know how to write one of these plans, go on websites such as business.gov and find out how. They have tons of resources available for making sure you frame your how to start a photography business right so you can avoid some nasty pitfalls down the road!

3) Know what you’re getting yourself into – How much money is needed to start a photography business? how much startup capital does it take to open up my own photo studio? Just how profitable is this how to start a photography business going to be? These are questions that many newbies don’t want to ask until they’re knee-deep in the photography business and realize they might not have enough funds for all the liabilities! The key- as with any career path or work-from-home opportunity, is research. Research your market, talk with others about how to start a photography business, learn from those who went before you.

4) Get your first clients – Luckily for how to start a photography business owners needing quick cash, many people looking to start a photography business jump at the chance! That means that there are plenty of customers out there if you know where and how to look. It might take some time and practice before you land that dream client, but patience is just another part of how can you start a photography business?

5) Learn more about marketing & branding yourself – How do you get your photography business out there? Is it worth buying advertisements or sponsorships on other websites? How do you start a photography business? What’s the best way to start a photography business? How do people find out about your photography business? Whether it’s getting your name and website address onto every piece of promotional material (Business cards, letterhead, etc.) These are all questions you need answers before you dive headfirst into trying what it takes for how you too could begin your own photography company.

6) Follow federal/state labor laws – Are there any special requirements or qualifications that you have to? While every state has its own unique set of rules, almost all of them will require some form of official licensing so that they know who is practicing what profession. The best way around this hurdle is by talking with an accountant or lawyer. They might not offer specific advice regarding your situation but asking them general questions will help you understand the process.

7) Get insurance – You have your license, next up is protecting yourself- both physically and financially. While many states don’t require professionals to carry any sort of insurance coverage there are 2 kinds that are very important. First, liability insurance makes sure that if something happens while under your watch or in the line of duty that you aren’t responsible for paying it out of pocket. Second, medical insurance provides the same protection should anything happen to your body during work hours.

8) Find places that will allow starting a photography business – At the beginning of the photography business, it is best if you continue working as a side-hustle while still maintaining your day job until things take off on their own accord. During this time it is important that all of the steps listed above have been completed so that when potential clients see your professional portfolio and read about your credentials they don’t immediately turn away. No matter what kind of work you want to do as a photographer there are always going to be some companies or organizations or private individuals looking for someone who can shoot from behind the lens.

A lot of people have asked, how they can turn their hobby into a “professional” career. That sounds like an easy question, but it actually has many complexities that are important for us all understand before we make any decisions about our future careers. Hopefully, these steps will help you in the process of turning your hobby into a professional career. They include understanding what type of business structure is best for you and learning how to find success in the field that interests you most.