What does it take to start a photography business?

Do you have to take business classes in order to start your own business?

• I graduated high school last year and have been debating on what i should do with my life.. i always seam to come up with having my own business... right now i would love to have my own professional baby and children photography studio.. and also sell homemade crafts and things for the babys and childrens bedroom.. My Questions are.. Is it hard to start your own bussiness? If you have to take business classes in school.. what are the kinds of things you would be doing and learning..? Any information you could give on this subject would be very helpful.. thank you (:

• Answer:

  No, it is not hard to start your own business - rent a storefront, buy equipment and you have started., Legally, you do not need any special classes or qualifications to start most businesses (some occupations require licensing/qualifications such as doctor, etc., but most businesses do not need anything other than a business license you get through the county/town). However, just because you don't need to take classes doesn't mean you shouldn't. Even if you hire an accountant or bookkeeper to do your books, you should learn some basic accounting to make sure you aren't getting ripped off. Basic entrepreneur/management/marketing classes are helpful so you know how to operate and promote your business. To do photography, you should obviously have some training (art, photography, etc.) which you can get at a community college. Your best bet is to try to get a job at a photo business and learn the business (all of it) from the ground up while taking classes. A properly equipped photo shop can be an expensive proposition (think rent, thousands for the cameras, thousands for the photo printers, computers for display and touch up, the props for the shots, etc.). If you don't have the proper background in taking photos and running a business, you are bound to mess up something, whether it be a photo shoot or an order - and messing up gets around by word-of-mouth.