This article is part of our Photography Business Startup Guide—a curated list of articles to help you plan, start, and grow your photography business!
Maybe you’re considering starting a photography business, and want to make sure you’re prepared. Maybe you’ve just started your business and want to make sure it’s as successful as possible. Either way, these resources will help you get up and running.
Listen to the experts
This Week in Photo podcast
If you’re an auditory learner and you love podcasts, This Week in Photo is a really unique resource you should check out.
Their team has produced multiple podcasts that are easily filtered by genre and specialty. So, you can focus only on the areas you’re interested in, whether that’s just weddings or family portraits, or, if you like, subscribe to all of the podcasts and get advice and expertise on a mix of possibilities.
Sprouting Photographer’s website and podcast
Sprouting Photographer produces a really useful podcast that focuses on helping photographers run more profitable businesses.
If you’re interested in getting the business and financial side of the industry right, this site is for you. The site also features calculators to help you price your products.
Cambridge in Colour
If you’re yearning to learn more about the nitty-gritty details on the technical aspects of photography and gear, this site is packed full of free tutorials and is a great place to start.
Created by photographer Sean Mchugh, Cambridge in Colour features in-depth, step-by-step breakdowns of things like adjusting shutter speeds and sharpening images in post-processing.
Tony & Chelsea Northrup on YouTube
Not only does this couple share their expertise on everything from photography gear reviews to portfolio advice through the format of educational videos (great for the visual learner), but their YouTube channel is basically a master class in marketing.
This is one rabbit hole that is worth getting lost in.
Resources and tools of the trade
Photodoto
For the beginning photographer or the photographer seeking to boost his or her skills, Photodoto offers free learning tools, including ebooks, articles, and email courses.
VSCO film
VSCO film is a very popular collection of digital tools that emulate different styles of film photographs. You can use these in post-processing to make sure your images look their best. VSCO film works with photo editing software Adobe Lightroom.
The Digital Picture’s lens comparison tool
The digital picture is a particularly in-depth site focusing on cameras and photography gear and equipment, along with uniquely useful tools. Their lens comparison tool, for example, allows you to really get a sense of the quality of the products you’re interested in before you purchase them.
Learn from your peers
500px
500px is a photo community for discovering, sharing, buying, and selling inspiring photography. You can even organize meet ups in your area.
FredMiranda community
FredMiranda is a professional and supportive online photography community. One of the best features on the site is the Buy and Sell forum, where you can unload old equipment and search for new gear.
Reddit’s photography community
Popular social networking and link-sharing site Reddit has resources and information on a huge multitude of different subjects, and photography is no exception.
From novices to professionals running their own businesses, users of the photography community on Reddit share tips, tricks, and have even coordinated to create online classes together. If you’d like more information on using Reddit, you can find that here.
Artistic + intellectual pursuits. Social justice. Actress. Model. Musician. Eugene // Portland.
