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The Real Cost Of Doing Business: A Guide For Newborn Photographers

Panos Photography

What Is My Cost Of Doing Business? Let's Find Out.

Newborn Boy in Overalls and matching hat. Huck Finn Pose. Awake

Are you a photographer looking to turn your passion into a profitable business? Understanding the ultimate cost of doing business (CODB) is essential for success. In this guide, we will break down the key expenses that photographers need to consider in order to run a successful photography business. From start-up costs to outsourcing tasks, we've got you covered. Let's dive in and decode the ultimate cost of doing business for photographers.


Start-Up Costs: Getting Your Feet Wet


In my opinion as a newborn photographer for over 8 years, these are the items you will need to get started. There are many ways of “doing photography”, so I do not want to convey that this is the ONLY way to get started. You will have to take into account your specific situation, photography experience, and personal assets you already own.


Education: 
Obviously, you will need to know how to use your camera. I recommend a mentor. Then you can buy whatever brand of camera they use. They can both teach you your camera and now to safely handle, soothe and pose a newborn. Mentoring is a major cost in getting started. But it will save you pain and expenses in the long run. Most newborn photographers with at least 10 years of experience offer mentoring. You can find a photographer you like and just simply ask them. You can also attend conferences and/or baby summits. If you can shadow a local newborn photographer, that is an excellent way to learn and gain experience.


Working Space
: You will need a space to work in. Many newborn photographers work out of their home. I would say you need at least a 10 by 10 space. You can set up and take down each time  if your family needs the space when you are not working. But it is easiest, if you can have a dedicated space so you do not spend so much time setting up and tearing down. You can rent commercial space, too, of course. 


You will need some basic equipment. This will be a bit  different depending on whether you are a studio newborn photographer, or you travel to people’s homes, or both. If you travel, you will probably need an umbrella smaller than 64 inches, and a travel size posing bag/table.


Compute
r:  One that can handle using Photoshop, Lightroom, Evoto, Midjourney and others. 


Space Heater:
To keep babies comfortable when wrapping and unwrapping.


Camera and Lights: In terms of cameras, it is easy to get caught up in the latest trends. When I started, there were really only DSLRs available. Now, you can have mirrorless cameras.. What camera you get is a whole different blog post, but I would say that you really can start with a fairly basic camera. You could buy a used full frame DSLR and one 24-70 2.8 lens and that would be enough. Of course, you can spend much more buying new. 

You will need a monolight and some kind of modifier. In my experience, I find that many newborn photographers use a 64  inch umbrella with diffusion fabric  (either shoot into or shoot through). The advantage to this is that an umbrella fits any monolight. So you do not have to worry about speed rings and/or what kind of mount your softbox needs. 

Paul Buff Einstein is popular among newborn photographers because of the quality and  price point. 

Adorama sells Flashpoint (which is their version of Godox). Another affordable brand. The XPLR is a good option as well.

You will also need a light stand that is adjustable on the fly. The height you need for the posing bag or posing table will be different from the height you need for a nest or baby in a bucket shot.

Manfrotto sells a similar adjustable light stand


Posing Gear:  If you are planning to do cute shots like chin on hands, or froggy, then you will need posing gear. Again, there are a few ways to go.. You can use a posing table, a bean bag or an elevated dog bed. If you have more money to spend, you can buy frames that go around the bean bag to hold the background fabric tight. Or, you can make your own using PVC pipe. You will need posing beans, or a set of hand towels to make the baby safe and comfortable. 

Newborn Studio Props has a good selection of posing aids

You can also use a dog bed for newborn posing 


I recommend getting at least 4 posing fabrics (2 lighter neutrals, and 2 darker neutrals). You can go to a fabric store and buy stretchy knit fabric. 2 yards is usually enough. But I always get 3 yards. That way you can use these as posing fabrics or on a backdrop stand for your prop shot with enough room for a sibling. The fabric I like usually runs around $14-18 a yard.


Wardrobe: To start, you need several wraps and newborn outfits for boys and girls. This includes headbands for the girls, gender neutral bonnets, and sleepy hats (usually for the boys).  As you work, you will find that you need more outfits or else all your photos have the same rompers. This makes your portfolio look repetitive. Also, moms love it if they do not have to bring anything. They have enough pressure as it is. 


Details: To give your images a finished feel, features such as flowers, textured fabrics and floor drops are a must. 


Props: Shots of baby in a prop are great sellers. So you will want to have at least 4 props. I recommend a  bucket, a little bed, a nest, and a wooden bowl. Buying props can be expensive. But if you are good at thrifting and flea markets, you can look for bowls and buckets  that are about 11 to 14 in across and 10 to 12 inches deep. Too much larger and the baby can be difficult to pose comfortably. 

Subscriptions: The Gifts That Keep on Costing


There are several things you will need that you can pay annually or monthly. If you are not careful, it is easy to forget how many of these services you have.


Website
:. I encourage you to get a  real website and not just an Instagram account. This is because you will want to have a shopping cart for people to book online and you need a blog. A blog is going to help you with your organic traffic. There are many services out there such as www.squarespeace.com, www.zenfolio.com, and www.pixieset.com just to name a few.


Editing Software
: You need Photoshop and Lightroom at a minimum. And these days, with the power of AI and composites, you probably should have Midjourney and/or Evoto.


Client Organization:
You will need some way of managing your clients, storing their contact information, sending invoices, booking appointments and so forth. www.17hats.com and www.honeybook.com are two popular ones.


Email management
: Next, select an email managing system. www.mailchimp.com or www.constantcontact.com are two options out there. These programs allow you to organize and group contacts in ways to help your marketing.


Bookkeeping
: You may need to consider a program like Quickbooks that keeps track of sales tax you have collected, and offers additional ways for you to invoice clients.


Content
: Social media content creation is huge. You may need to subscribe to services like 

https://www.loom.com so you can record your screen; or subscribe  to apps so you can edit BTS video on your phone. Also, for your blog posts, you may want to subscribe to services such as www.anyword.com It can write content for you to  edit to your liking. A huge time saver. 


Professional Organizations
: These really are not optional as you do want to keep up with the industry. www.ppa.com and https://apnpi.com/ are two must joins in my opinion


Insurance and Legal Fees: Crossing Your T's and Dotting Your I's


Once you have filed with your local agencies to be a business, the next step is hiring an attorney. Consulting a lawyer to make sure your contracts are appropriate for where you live is a must. You want to be sure you have it right. Also, depending on how you file to be a business (sole proprietor, LLC) will dictate what kind of yearly fees you have to pay. 


General liability insurance is a must too. Not only does it protect you, but it is required for many street fairs, location permits and expos.


Time is Money: Prepping, Tearing Down, Editing, and Sales


Tick tock, tick tock! Hear that? It's the sound of your most valuable asset slipping away - time! Think about it. You're not just clicking away taking fabulous shots. There's prep work, making everything look just right for the shoot. Then, after the magic happens, it’s clean up, laundry/drycleaning and  editing time - turning those good shots into gold. And let's not forget chatting with clients, showing them their dazzling photos, and sealing those deals. It's a whole behind-the-scenes show that eats up the clock!


So, if you work out of your home, you may need to convert your shooting space to a sales space every time you do a reveal. This takes time and needs to be taken into account.


Every minute you spend is a part of your business's heartbeat. It's what makes your work shine and your clients smile. But remember, your time has a price tag. Charging for your time isn't just smart; it's fair. You're a pro, juggling a zillion tasks to create picture-perfect moments.


So, as you twirl through the tasks of prepping, editing, and chatting up sales, keep in mind: every tick of the clock is a penny in the bank. Value your time, and your clients will too. Let's make every moment count, filling it with the joy of creating and the thrill of success. 


Learning and Growing: Conferences and Professional Development


Like any profession, trends and best practices change over time. I recommend budgeting to attend one conference such as
https://imagingusa.com/, www.wppi.com, https://clickcon.us/ or https://canadianphotographyconference.ca/ other full conferences near you. Every other year is a good pace. On the years you do not attend a full conference, you can attend a few smaller workshops


Social Media and Marketing Tools: Your Digital Megaphone


Creating content for your social media platforms will be critical. There are services that will allow you to schedule your posts, but that also adds to your monthly costs. Learning how to repurpose your content can save time as well. Your cell phone will be your greatest resource in creating BTS video. 


The SEO Game: Getting Noticed in a Sea of Cuties


Hop into the SEO boat, and let’s sail through the ocean of the internet! Imagine SEO as your trusty compass, guiding your photography website through waves of other adorable newborn photos to the island of First Page Google. It's like sprinkling magic dust on your website, making it sparkle and catch the eye of eager moms and dads surfing the web for the perfect newborn photographer.


Picture keywords as secret codes. Use words that your future clients are typing into their search bars. It’s like playing hide and seek, but you’re making sure to be found first! Every blog post you write, every image you tag, you’re leaving breadcrumbs for search engines to follow right back to you.


Don't forget to make friends with other websites! Links from their sites to yours are like high-fives on the internet. They tell search engines, "This photographer is the real deal!"


So, put on your SEO hat and get ready to play the game. With a little effort and some clever moves, you'll be sailing smooth, catching the eyes of those looking for the magic you capture. Onwards to SEO success!


Advertising 


There are some photographers out there who are able to be profitable without any advertising. This has not been my experience; and I think it is not the norm. But, if you are able to create your own pond and fill it with fish who are always swimming around, you can save a bundle.


Facebook, IG and Nextdoor offer  more affordable advertising opportunities. You can start with as little as $10 a day. Google Ads, Bing, Yelp, Pinterest and  Linked In are considerably more expensive. 


Outsourcing: Because You Can't Do It All


Guess what? You're a photography superhero, but even heroes need a sidekick or two! Outsourcing is like calling in your personal team of helpers. Imagine handing off those time-sucking tasks like editing those zillion baby photos, crunching numbers for bookkeeping, or waving the marketing magic wand. This gives you more time to focus on capturing those oh-so-adorable baby smiles.


Think of it as cloning yourself, but only for the boring stuff. Your clone does the heavy lifting while you're out there in the field, doing what you love with your camera in hand. It's like having an extra pair of hands without the fuss.

So, say yes to a little help. It's not spending money; it's investing in more you-time and growing your biz. Let's make room for more creativity, more photo shoots, and more fun! Outsourcing for the win! 


Katie is an experienced pregnancy and newborn photogapher in Los Angeles. Serving Los Angeles and surrounding areas like San  Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena, Burbank, North Hills, Beach Cities, and more. Contact Katie with questions about your business.


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