Creating Your Ideal Photography Business

"If you're struggling to figure out the business process of photography, this class is one of the clearest and most concise I've ever seen. If you're experienced but the business side and pricing are eluding you, you will find clarity here. I own at least twenty CreativeLive courses and hands down, this one explains pricing and strategy better than any others I've purchased or watched live." - Julie, CreativeLive Student

Join Kathy Holcombe as she shares techniques and strategies to develop the photography business you desire. Whether you’re making the leap from part-time to full-time or starting your very first business, the amount of work can be overwhelming. From what products to offer, how much to charge, how to pay yourself or the legal considerations - start ups often sink before clients are even booked. Kathy will show you the ways to grow your business from the start. This class will cover:

Defining what product you are selling and how much you should charge to make a living
Photography business basics and how to track your income compared to other businesses
How to write and create your business plan

Kathy Holcombe and her husband Peter built one of the top wedding portrait studios in Colorado, then jumped in an RV with the entire family and began traveling the country full-time, and added a successful commercial division. Together they have built multiple successful businesses and have honed in on the important factors that every photographer should consider when building a business.

Lessons

Class Introduction
How To Price Your Products
Which Products Will You Offer
Methods For Pricing
Mark Up Factors On Products
What Is Your Per Hour Figure
What Is The Feasibility Of A Product
Target Sales Average
Session Fees Pricing Strategy
Minimum Purchase And Incentives Pricing Strategy
Bundling Pricing Strategy
Pre-Design Pricing Strategy
Album Pricing Strategies
Example Pricing List
Business Basics Overview
Tracking Product Lines In Your Business
Track Your Session Counts
Know Your Sales Average
Importance Of Data Analysis
Overview Of Costs
Professional Photographers Of America Benchmark Survey
Creating A Vision For Your Business
What Do You Want To Accomplish
Take A Leap Of Faith
Refine Your Vision
Products That Sell
Identify Pricing Strategies
Portrait Pricing Strategy Example
Album Pricing Strategy Example
Online Pricing Strategy Example
Fine Art Prints Pricing Strategy Example
Packages Pricing Strategy Example
Sales Strategies Overview
Portrait Sales Session Overview
Sales Strategy for Portrait Sales
How to Present Images to Client
Sales Strategy for Wedding Sales
Album Pre-Design
Marketing: Define Yourself
Who is Your Ideal Client?
Who is Your Ideal Partner?
How to Start a Partner Business Relationship
Marketing Strategies that Work
Product Lines: Business Plan Part One
Workload: Business Plan Part Two
Sessions: Business Plan Part Three
Expenses: Business Plan Part Four
Clients: Business Plan Part Five

Reviews

I started my business a year ago with little formal technical photography education. It's hard to admit but I've been winging it, figuring out each small task that goes with photographing a session, editing one, and working with clients as I go. I may be doing things backwards, but now that I feel like I'm more comfortable in those small, specific parts of business, I need to figure out how to make this business sustainable and profitable. Kathy's class felt perfect for this time in my business to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of what I want to focus on and where I want to go (and how much I want to pay myself!). She uses realistic, specific numbers: something that's SO helpful and I feel like I rarely see in the photography community. And she breaks everything down in an organized and easy to understand way. The classes were easy to follow along with and Kathy's positivity and patient manner is inspiring and motivating. The fact that she used to be a school teacher is clear. Thank you so much Kathy (and the rest of the Holcombes)!
I am so glad I was able to attend this course in person and receive all the wonderful and practical information Kathy shared with us. I also really enjoyed the connections with other audience members and side conversations with Creative Live peeps as well as the Holcombe family. What an inspiration this family is--lots of practical info, but also a great pep talk to not sell yourself short and get out there and do what you love, but use sound business practice while doing it. Thanks so much for these incredible two days.
Fantastic course! Very helpful instruction and how-to guide for anyone considering starting up a photography business. Kathy was an excellent instructor, with a wealth of knowledge and experience. I gained a good understanding of the practical everyday aspects of running this kind of business, and how to create my own vision.