Portrait Photography

Portrait photographers capture professional images for families, high school seniors, couples, children, personal branding, and events.

You invest in camera equipment, develop photography skills, and book sessions.

Pricing models include session fees ($100-500) plus print/digital sales, or all-inclusive packages ($300-2,000+).

Success requires technical photography skills, post-processing expertise, posing direction, and customer service.

Startup costs for quality equipment run $3,000-10,000 for camera, lenses, lighting, and editing software.

Additional costs include website, marketing, and potentially studio rental though many photographers use outdoor locations or clients' homes.

Revenue comes from session bookings and product sales (prints, albums, digitals).

Shooting 2-4 sessions weekly plus editing generates part to full-time income.

Marketing leverages Instagram portfolio, Facebook ads targeting local parents (family photos), Google Business, and referrals.

Specializing helps - newborns, high school seniors, personal branding for professionals, or family sessions.

Seasonality affects some niches (senior portraits in spring/fall, family sessions in fall).

Challenges include seasonal fluctuations, competition from phone cameras and amateur photographers, pricing pressure, and time-intensive editing.

Success requires distinctive style, excellent posing direction, beautiful final images, and professional client experience.

Many photographers add wedding or commercial work for higher revenue.