Professional photographers are not simply people with a passion for photography and an expensive camera. Launching a small business on passion alone is a sure-fire way to experience spectacular failure. You need to layer business acumen, marketing expertise, professional determination, and resilience onto your existing photographic passion and creative talent to successfully launch a photography business. This comprehensive course teaches you how to combine your technical photography skills with essential business knowledge and practical strategies. Take your creative vision and hobby and transform it into a thriving career, whether you operate full-time or maintain a profitable side business.
Led by a photographer who is also a certified public accountant, Pye Jirsa provides the ideal combination of photography expertise and business knowledge. The class teaches the complete ins and outs of launching a photography business from initial conception through operational launch. Along with three full days of intensive instruction, Pye provides a 12-week plan to get your business operational and earning revenue, a detailed business expense calculator, and comprehensive materials inside the class workbook to guide you through each milestone. Understand what specific gear and skills you need before you officially launch and how to build a professional portfolio by photographing family and friends or organizing stylized shoots that showcase your best work.
Stop feeling overwhelmed by the monumental task before you and tackle one specific task a day in a structured 12-week plan. Brainstorm and finalize creative names for your business and learn about the different types of business licenses and legal structures available. Secure a quality domain name and build a professional website that's easily discoverable by potential clients. Develop a marketing plan that requires minimal financial investment. Master the art of in-person sales conversations and book your first paying client with confidence. Whether you want to specialize in portrait photography, commercial work, wedding photography, or any other client-based photography specialty, learn the essential business fundamentals required for success in photography with Pye Jirsa.
After this class, you'll be able to:
- Start and successfully launch a photography business from conception through operational readiness
- Develop the ideal business structure and create a comprehensive business plan tailored to your goals
- Research competitors thoroughly and understand the market dynamics in your geographic area
- Build both short-term tactical strategies and long-term strategic vision for growth
- Create a marketing plan and design professional marketing materials on a realistic budget
- Confidently conduct in-person and telephone sales sessions to acquire clients
- Manage all essential small business tasks from accounting and bookkeeping to strategic planning
Who is this class for:
- Photographers ready to launch a professional business
- New professional photographers seeking to grow and scale a young business
- Photographers interested in specializing in weddings, portraits, newborns, maternity, families, seniors, engagements, or commercial photography
About your Instructor:
Pye Jirsa is a successful wedding photographer with Lin and Jirsa Photography based in the Los Angeles and Orange County area. Beyond running a thriving photography business, he also maintains a professional background in accounting and finance, creating a unique blend of expertise. He works as both a photographer and educator, and is one of the founding members of SLR Lounge, a comprehensive online resource and community for photographers seeking to develop their technical and business skills. Learn directly from the founder of a photography business that successfully photographs more than 300 weddings annually. Pye's Los Angeles and Orange County wedding photography business has earned recognition among the top 100 wedding photographers by Brandsmash, a testament to the quality of his work and business acumen. His combined expertise in photography and accounting makes him uniquely qualified to teach the business aspects of running a professional photography operation.
