Getting Started in Photography: From Portfolio to Paid Work

In this article, we’ll share our insights on building a portfolio as a beginner photographer discussed from our podcast with Kevin Fearn & Shayna Fearn, SF Photography Podcast. In a previous article, we discussed Three Tips for Beginner Photographers and touched on the importance of starting to build a profitable photography portfolio. A strong portfolio is necessary to transition you from free to paid work and will begin the process of becoming a professional photographer.
 

• Developing a Portfolio Creates Credibility
• Maintaining Consistency: The Path to Improvement
• Transitioning from Free to Paid Work: Charging What You're Worth
• The Profitability of Family Photography
• Conclusion and Future Outlook

“Shayna, when she was getting started, she was very good at making sure she was taking pictures for lots of people. She got very good, very quickly, because she was putting herself out there. She started with family and friends and took a bunch of their pictures. She did that for free, built up her portfolio, and then she became credible.”

Developing a Portfolio Creates Credibility

When starting a photography business, to be profitable, one of your first steps is to build and develop a portfolio. A portfolio serves as a visual representation of your work and acts as a testament to your skills and abilities. 

How do you build a portfolio when you're just starting out and haven't taken any professional photos yet? The answer lies in reaching out to friends and family and offering to take their pictures for free. By starting with family photography, you can tap into a market that is going to be more than happy to allow you to capture precious moments of their family. Every mom loves to have pictures taken with their kids, and by offering your services for free, you can quickly build up your portfolio.

Once you have taken pictures for a few families, it's important to showcase your work. Whether it's through Instagram, a Facebook business page, or a basic website, you need a platform where potential clients can view your portfolio. This allows you to establish credibility and gives people a glimpse into your photography style and the variety of families you’ve worked with. Remember, even if you only have a few families in your portfolio, it’s a great start, and you may already be at the point where you can start charging for your services. More on that below.

“How quickly you want to be an expert in photography is up to you. The person who takes pictures of three families is not going to be as experienced as the person who takes pictures of 25 families.”

Maintaining Consistency: The Path to Improvement

Consistency is key when it comes to building a successful photography business. The more families you photograph, the more experience you gain, and the better you become as a photographer. Shayna, in her early days, focused on taking pictures of as many people as possible. By putting herself out there and reaching out to friends, and family, and even utilizing buy and sell groups, she was able to consistently add to her portfolio and improve her skills. This consistency not only made her more comfortable behind the camera but also helped her develop confidence in working with clients and delivering high-quality photos that they loved.



Transitioning from Free to Paid Work: Charging What You're Worth 

“At the beginning, you're not going to know what to charge. You could look at the experienced photographers in your area, what do they charge? What are the rates that you are trying to work your way up to? If you've only been doing this for a short period of time, maybe charge a quarter of what they're doing.”

Once you have built a portfolio and gained some experience, it's time to start charging for your work. Determining your pricing can be challenging, especially when you're just starting out. One approach is to research what other photographers in your area are charging and use that as a benchmark. You can start by charging a lower rate than more experienced photographers and gradually increase your prices as you gain more expertise and build a reputation.

It's important to remember that charging for your work signifies that you are providing a valuable service. By solving a problem for your clients which is capturing moments with your camera that they can’t do on their own, you are offering something that they are willing to pay for. As you start charging for your work, don't forget to ask your clients for reviews. Positive reviews on platforms like Facebook or Google can further enhance your credibility and attract more clients.

The Profitability of Family Photography

“Now you can upgrade a camera, now you can upgrade your editing software, and now you can continue to improve your business, but you have to start somewhere.”

Family photography is an excellent niche to start with when building a photography business. Families are always in need of capturing moments of their growing families, and by specializing in family photography, you can tap into a market that is consistently seeking your services. Family photography allows you to capture lasting memories for your clients of different family members as they grow together. By focusing on this niche, you can establish yourself as an expert in family photography and attract more clients who are looking for your specific skill set.

“If you develop a portfolio, you maintain consistency, and you start to charge for your work, that is when you're starting your business. You're providing a service that is worth people paying you for.”

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Remember, building a profitable photography business requires dedication, consistency, hard work, and a strong portfolio. It is so worth it, but you need to start somewhere. So go out there, take pictures, get in front of families and behind your camera and start your photography business!