Every year I like to honor the top digital products photographers can use to grow their businesses. Below are 13 go-to items for this year ranging from software to presets to training. This post includes affiliate links.

Best Photo Editor

Luminar 4

Luminar 4 is a program that you can tailor to multiple photographic styles. Available for both Windows and Mac, the software supports cleaner gradients and automatic lens distortion corrections.

It comes with new camera profiles like vivid, Adobe standard, landscape, portrait, and more. The most recent update of Luminar promises improvements in speed across both Windows and Mac.

Learn More about Luminar

Best Lightroom Presets

Contrastly

The Contrastly complete preset bundle comes with over 1,000 presets with 26 different themes like Long Exposure, Portrait Retouch, Infrared Sims, and many more. From recovering shadows and highlights to adjusting exposure, this set of presets will help you create the final product you envision.

Most photographers realize that taking the photos is only the beginning and that editing is an art form in itself.

With this Contrastly Lightroom preset bundle, you can bleach your images a bit, adjust the foreground exposure, and enhance group photos.

Learn More about the Lightroom Preset Bundle

Contrastly also offers Lightroom Training.  Learn more about the Lightroom Mastery Video Course.

Best Contracts

The Law Tog

Ultimate Portrait Photography Contract Bundle by TheLawTog

The Ultimate Portrait Photography Contract Bundle helps you protect your business with lawyer/photographer-created contracts. This includes legal forms you’ll need to cover expectations for clients and safeguard your business.

The Ultimate Bundle has a Print Release form, Limited Model Release, General Model Release, General Portrait Contract, Permission to Sell to a Third Party and a Payment Plan Bundle. TheLawTog also offers the Basic Contract and the Essentials Bundle for people who need a little less.

Start Protecting Your Business

Best Album Software

Fundy Designer

Fundy Designer was created by Andrew Funderburg and runs on both Mac OS and Windows. To use it, just go to fundydesigner.com, download the trial and install it. If you get stuck at any point, there are multiple online tutorials to help you get the process started.

As soon as you’re ready to go, buy a license that fits your needs, such as Studio Suite Pro, Suite Pro, or Suite Lite. This software is well-designed and allows you to begin designing in one out of four modules: Gallery, Album, Image Brander, or Collage. In order to use photos in your project, just drag them from your computer’s images bar. This program is super intuitive and easy to use.

Start Using Fundy Designer

Best Logo Design

99 Designs

Launch a logo design contest with 99Designs

While there are a lot of free options on the web for graphic design, you’ll want something a bit more specialized for logo design. This can mean the difference between being lost in the sea of competitors online and truly standing out. 99Designs is a creative platform that allows you to hire talented designers to make your logo.

You can also start a design contest to get your graphic designs needs met, including custom WordPress themes or even book covers. You get to set your budget, receive ideas for a couple of days, and then make your selection.

Hire Someone to Create Your Logo at 99Designs

Best Training

Creative Live

Fundamentals of Photography

To be truly successful with photography, you’ll need a full understanding of the equipment needed and the technical aspects of your camera. The Fundamentals of Digital Photography will even show you how to make your creative vision a reality. Taught by John Greengo, a seasoned photographer, this training course emphasizes high-quality visuals and learning through experience.

The course will show you how to choose gear, how to properly utilize natural light, and how to make the most of composition, aperture, and shutter speed. With the Fundamentals of Digital Photography, you’ll learn to consider your ultimate goals and motivations with photography.

Learn more about this course.

Other Courses Offered at CreativeLive

CreativeLive offers classes on photo and video, money and life, art and design, and more. Here are a couple of other courses available:

Workflow, Time Management, and Productivity for Creatives

There’s a stereotype that says creative types are inherently disorganized, which can hold you back from getting into a good workflow. With the Workflow, Time Management, and Productivity for Creatives course, you can tackle your to-do lists, learn how to block out time, and beat your distractions.

Conquering Crappy Light

Working with subpar lighting can be frustrating. Since you can’t always control the light where you are, it’s helpful to learn how to work with it. In the Conquering Crappy Light course, you’ll learn how to capture beautiful photos regardless of the lighting conditions.

Free Courses at CreativeLive

CreativeLive also offers free courses like this Make Great Images with the Gear You’ve Got course.

Check out more free courses from CreativeLive

Best Deal Site

PhotoWhoa

If you want to become a better photographer, the products offered by PhotoWhoa can help. This online curation site gives you access to courses, books, and more, whether you’re a fashion blogger, food photographer, or a complete newbie.

A few examples of what they offer are 2665 Light Leak Overlays, a Photoshop Compositing Bundle, and software for easy image refocusing.

PhotoWhoa offers discounted photography products, with some eBooks or video courses marked down as much as 50 percent. Whatever your photography goals are, you’re sure to find something that will help on this site.

Start Using PhotoWhoa Today

Best Image Enhancement

Photolemur

Photolemur is a completely automatic enhancer for your photos and uses Artificial Intelligence to fix your pictures on its own.

Just import the image and the enhancer does the rest.

You can then define how your photos will look when they’re done and control the applied enhancement opacity using the smart slider feature in the program.

Photolemur 3 has a Facial Retouch tool that can improve the look of faces and six unique styles for perfecting your photos. While there is a free version of Photolemur available, it doesn’t offer batch processing and adds a Photolemur watermark to processed photos.

Check out Photolemur

Best Used Gear

KEH Camera

While you’re collecting your photography gear, don’t forget that you can buy used gear and also trade your used equipment.

Sources like KEH Camera, the largest used camera dealer in the world, are invaluable to creative professionals.

They have lenses and cameras from 60 years ago and have been serving photographers for over three decades.

They also have a full-line equipment repair department.

Check Out the Selection at KEH Camera

Best Podcast

ProPhotographerJourney Podcast

Chamira Young is a photographer who is obsessed with creativity and productivity. She uses podcasting and online teaching to help others learn how to reach their goals effectively. The ProPhotographerJourney Podcast lets you learn the craft from professionals as they explain what worked for them and what didn’t. Through this platform, you get access to tricks and tips from award-winning and successful photographers.

You can also check out the Portrait Party Success Kit offered by ProPhotographerJourney.com. Through this kit, you’ll learn how to gain clients, income, credibility, and testimonials for your business.

Check out our article about hosting your own portrait party.

Learn more about the Portrait Party Success Kit at prophotographerjourney.com.

Best Planner and Workflow

Although we often start out with the most productive of intentions, it’s easy to lose track of time. If you need help with time management, workflow, and planning, consider one of these tools.

Design Aglow Organization Help

The Big Picture Planner

The Big Picture Essential Planner will help you reach your larger creative goals by prioritizing your daily and weekly goals. This planner comes with more than 40 printable PDF pages, a 16-page guide for achieving your goals, cover options, planning worksheets, and much more. You’ll also get social and blog trackers, section cover pages, and planner sections for finances, inspiration, marketing, and more.

Essential Workflow & Organization Bundle

Every photographer has to deal with paperwork and scheduling, even though they really want to be out there snapping photos. You can automate these administrative processes using the Essential Workflow & Organization Bundle by Design Aglow. This comes with a Studio Workflow Assistant for systematizing your routine. It also has the Studio Email Assistant for communications and a process to simplify your invoicing process, the Studio Order Form.

Best Photography Business Book

Photography Business Secrets

Photography is undoubtedly a competitive field with over 150,000 professionals already in business in America. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, staying relevant in a sea of competitors is worth thinking about.

In Photography Business Secrets, Lara White has gathered some of the best advice from Photomint.com, her popular photography site. The book will help you with defining policies, establishing your name, marketing, networking, setting prices, and more.

Learn more about Photography Business Secrets

Best Photography Website Hosting

Imagely

If you’re looking for a turnkey solution, Imagely offers a fully managed system that’s easy to change and manage. You can set up a new website in mere minutes with a free initial account that includes pre-configured and pre-loaded themes and plugins.

Note that there is limited storage space on free accounts but that you may upgrade to get access to extra storage and a custom domain.

Check Out Imagely

As you can see, there’s no shortage of resources to make good photographers better and transform great photographers into seasoned professionals.

This article will walk you through some steps you can take to both avoid these problems and deal with them if they arise.

Preventing Potential Issues with Photography Clients

The best way to avoid issues is planning ahead for any potential complications and working to prevent them. Here are a few ways to get ahead of the game and save yourself and the client a lot of hassle:

1. Use a Contract

It’s extremely important for you and your client to be on the same page as far as what they expect of you and what you offer.

The simplest way to ensure that this is the case is a contract that both of you will sign.

You can create your own contract or hire a lawyer to make one for you, but either way, make sure the final document has been approved by a legal professional. 

Learn more about photography contracts.

2. Price Appropriately

Another way to avoid potential headaches or misunderstandings with your clients is to price your services appropriately. You’ll want to consider your experience as a photographer, how much your competitors charge for their services, and the quality plus the costs of equipment you’ll be using.

If you’re still having a hard time coming up with a specific amount, here’s a helpful guide to help get you started.  Also, check out how much your competitors are charging to get a ballpark number.  

3. Communicate

A lot of problems can be avoided by clearly communicating with your client before you work with them. 

You can do this by asking them directly what they’re looking for and clarifying any questions you might have ahead of time.

Try to meet with them in person or on the phone, so you can get a feel for them and their preferences.  Open communication from the start is a great way to build trust with the client and helps set the proper expectations for both parties.

4. Keep Records

If you communicate with your customer over email, keep the records of your conversations on hand in case any issues pop up later where you need to prove what was said. You should also keep a copy of the contract you both signed, in case you need to refer back to it later.

5. Get Insurance 

You might encounter some client-related mishaps or accidents that will be much easier to handle if you have photographer’s insurance. This can cover anything from damaged property to client injuries, to court costs from a lawsuit.

Handling Client Expectations

Many photographers make the mistake of assuming that something about their policy was obvious or implied, then end up regretting it later. Save yourself some time and don’t make assumptions about what your client knows or expects.

Here are some topics to cover, in addition to pricing, before you begin working with them:

Deadlines: It’s best to let the person you’re working with know how long you expect different aspects of your agreement to take. This includes how soon they can see the photos, along with how long the editing process will take, and other time-related issues.

Mode of Contact: Outline for your client the best way to contact you, so you can avoid any misunderstandings related to that. Your business phone may be more appropriate than your personal Facebook profile for reaching you, for example.

Availability: Tell your client when the best times are to reach you and be clear about setting up appointments and meetings. Be as professional as you can with this to show that you respect their busy schedule.

Photography Concentrate has published a helpful guide on managing client expectations.

How to Handle Pricing Complaints

This is an issue you might run into no matter how long you’ve been in the photography game and how much you’ve mastered your craft. There will always be people who love to complain about the price, even if you haven’t officially decided to work together yet.

Depending on how the client words their complaint, it can be shocking or disappointing to receive this kind of criticism. So, what’s the best way to handle pricing complaints as a photographer? When someone gets upset over price, it’s usually because they aren’t aware of the specifics of what goes into your work.

You can start by addressing their complaint in a professional manner and explaining how much time and effort goes into each step of your job. Oftentimes, this is enough to clear up the misunderstanding and prevent the issue from escalating.

Avoiding Client Complaints

You will probably always receive complaints, to some degree, for as long as you decide to have a job that involves working with the public. But thankfully, there are some steps you can take to help this problem. Here are some tips for avoiding excess client complaints in the future:

1. Aim for Repeat Customers

If you’ve already worked with a specific client and everything went smoothly, you’ll likely have an easier time working with them in the future than someone unknown. You can send your clients from the past a friendly email every so often to remind them that you’re there should they need a photographer.

2. Explain the Process Ahead of Time

Another option for preventing an excess of customer complaints is outlining the basics of all that goes into your photography process before the client complains to you. This can be covered in your first meeting, or even put on your website. This can include mentions of the editing process or the quality of equipment used.

3. Show Testimonials

Testimonials from past happy clients is a quick way to ease your potential customer’s mind. You can include these on your Facebook page or website.

4. Make Yourself Available

Many customers get frustrated and make assumptions because they haven’t yet learned more about your services and how they relate to your pricing. You can make your contact information available on your website to show potential clients that you’re available to answer their questions.

How to Handle Bad Reviews

One of the dreaded possibilities with an unhappy customer is online slander over social media or review platforms. To stay on top of this issue, check out your online reviews every so often and reply to complaints in a respectful, courteous tone, offering to address their concerns. You can give them a way to contact you or suggest a method for fixing what they’re upset about.

Here’s a great resource with tips for responding to negative reviews online:

Be Solution-Oriented

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do to deal with difficult photography clients is to show that you’re willing to hear them out, act respectfully, and come up with a solution together. Dealing with conflict isn’t exactly fun, but if you approach it with a level head, it will go much smoother.

Again, the most favorable way to handle any problem is preventing it from coming up in the first place, but that’s not always in the cards. Some clients just might be incompatible with your business model, which is totally fine. With others, you might be able to fix whatever the problem is with a conversation or, in some cases, even a refund.

Conclusion

Your best bet is remaining open to doing whatever you can to keep your reputation and dignity intact as a professional. While it can be hard to keep your cool when you’re dealing with someone particularly challenging, you’ll be glad you did after the fact.

Follow the tips given to you above and you should be able to coast through any client complaint with ease and prevent a lot of future headaches.

A softbox is a must-have for newborn photography, and one surefire way to take care of all of the concerns listed above. This extra implement will make your lights easier to use, give your images more clarity, and not to mention keep your newborn subject safe from the flash. Softboxes are easy to use and fun to experiment with.

Softboxes vs. Umbrellas

What’s the difference between a softbox and an umbrella? Should you use one, the other, or both? Umbrellas are more portable, less expensive, and typically faster to set up, but softboxes give you more control over artificial light direction. If you’re very new to photography, you could start with an umbrella and work your way up to a softbox.

While umbrellas are helpful, they spill light more and won’t give you as much contrast as a softbox. What you end up using primarily is more a matter of personal preference, but a good photographer should eventually have both a softbox and an umbrella on hand to use for varying needs. This gives you more versatility.

Lighting Tips for Newborn Photography

One of the biggest things you must do as a photographer is to ensure that you use safe lighting. Newborn babies have very sensitive eyes. They cannot be exposed to any bright or harsh light until they are several months old.

If you have to use a flash, then an external flash will be your best option, but you have to let the light bounce from the ceiling, and the power has to be low enough that it doesn’t wake a sleeping baby or blind them. It is better to try to avoid using a flash if possible.

Ambient light is the best way to go for newborn photo shoots. It is a natural and soft light that mimics sunlight from a nearby window. Constant white studio lights are also a helpful option and won’t cause the baby’s skin to look red and warm.

You also shouldn’t be afraid to use shadows either just make sure to correctly position them. Using shadows can build more of an interest in the photograph, and the shadows are often just as important as the lighting that is used.

If you are looking for more depth and dimension, then shadows can help direct the eye to the main subject of the photo since eyes tend to automatically attract to the lighter portions of a photograph.

Additionally, when using studio lighting with newborns, the light should be coming from where the baby’s head is. The face should be illuminated and then down to their body. This will help avoid any messy shadowing that will detract from the photograph.

One of the best ways to control the lighting you use is with a softbox. It confines the light you are using in a closed chamber and then releases it through a layer of diffusion material. The light that passes through allows for a soft and even result. The closer the softbox is to the newborn you are photographing, the softer the light appears.

Best Softbox for Newborn Photography

Today, we will cover five of the best softboxes on the market for photographing newborns. The goal here is a soft light that will be safe (instead of too bright or startling) for your subject and look great, along with a good amount of contrast. With a quality softbox, you shouldn’t need to do as much editing as you might normally do without one.

1. The No products found. 
2. Flash Diffuser Light Softbox 6x5  by Altura Photo
3. The StudioFX H9004SB2 2400 Watt Large Photography Softbox
4. EMART Softbox Photography Video Studio Equipment Lighting Kit 
5. CRAPHY Upgraded 20x28 Photography Lighting Kit Auto Pop-Up Softbox

The ESDDI 20″X28″ Softbox Photography Lighting Kit

No products found.

This lighting kit is easy to get set up and just as easy to pack away when you’re done. If you need to travel to do a shoot last minute, or just tend to do on-location shoots, this is great quality.

No products found. has a wide height range and a minimum setting, which can be hard to find in other lighting kits. This ESDDI kit comes with professional, long-lasting trichromatic lamps, meant to look like the sun’s natural light. You can get beautiful shots even on a cloudy day or during the dark season. It also has an adjustable lamp holder.

This softbox lighting kit is full-featured, durable, and works for both scene shooting and work in the studio. It comes with all you’ll need for video production, as well. The ESDDI Softbox kit comes with four solid, well-made light stands and will improve your equipment repertoire overall.

No products found. on Amazon.

Flash Diffuser Light Softbox 6×5” by Altura Photo

This softbox works with Shoe Mount Flash Units and produces even lighting with softer shadows and reduced harshness. The Altura Photo 2 Flash Softbox is collapsible, fits Nikon, Yongnuo, and Canon Speedlights (plus others) and comes with a storage pouch. It comes with a Velcro strap that easily secures around your flash head and also has an additional internal diffuser.

Even when you use it on the lowest power output, this softbox creates soft, beautiful light. This makes it great for not only newborn photography but also wedding reception photos and other needs. The Velcro helps it attach snuggly to your flash head.

Check the price of the Altura Photo 2 Flash Softbox on Amazon.

The StudioFX H9004SB2 2400 Watt Large Photography Softbox

If you need a continuous photo lighting kit, the StudioFX H9004SB2 Softbox could give you what you need. This three-piece system has an overhead hair light boom softbox and two softboxes and includes all the bulbs needed. Each softbox fits four bulbs, and the system is good for video, product shots, and of course, newborn portraits. You can use this system on its own without any extra implements necessary.

Check the price of the StudioFX H9004SB2 Softbox on Amazon.

This lighting kit is quick to set up and easy to use, and the lights included work well with DSLR cameras and all types of photography. It comes with background support stands and can be used both in your studio and on-location away from the studio. But keep in mind that it may not be as portable as some other softbox systems since there are four bulbs on each unit.

Use this affordable system with any camera as it’s compatible with Olympus, Sony, Canon, and more. It comes with a case for easier transport and a useful boom stand.

EMART Softbox Photography Video Studio Equipment Lighting Kit

This lighting kit is perfect for newborn lighting, still photography, video studio, portraits, and more. The EMART Softbox Photography Kit is easy to set up and put together. Although it has an affordable price, the materials are of good quality. The light stands are durable and made with nuts and bolts, so you can expect them to hold up for quite some time.

The diffusers in the EMART Softbox kit are both easy to put on and remove from the softboxes and soften the lighting well. In this kit, you’ll get a carry bag, two studio light bulbs, two light stands, and two softbox reflectors that measure 24 by 24 inches. The light stands have a range of 33 to 86 inches and give steady support to the softboxes.

Check the price of the EMART Softbox Photography Kit on Amazon.

CRAPHY Upgraded 20×28 Photography Lighting Kit

Including another suitable softbox, this kit has been upgraded from the previous version. While the older version required you to take the light bulbs out to close it, this one allows you to fold it up without doing so.

If being able to pack up quickly after a photo session is a high priority in your work, this could be a good option. The CRAPHY Upgraded Lighting Kit system doesn’t need tools or anything extra to work as it’s already complete.

Included in this kit are fluorescent floodlights, for white, cool lighting. They work with any holder that has an E27 socket and are 5500k. The kit also comes with a softbox bulb holder to remove shadows, soften the light, and produce the perfect image.

The bulb holder will also help to reduce hot spots and overexposure. The included light stands are compatible with most photography equipment like backgrounds, softboxes, reflector umbrellas, and more.

This kit is also very portable, which is handy if you have to travel for work. You may place all of the included items in the bag, easily set them up, and then pack them again when you’re done. The CRAPHY Photography lighting kit has an auto pop-up softbox that allows you to use a small handle for putting up or folding it.

The softbox itself removes shadow and creates an ultimate, soft stream of light that won’t be too harsh for newborns’ eyes. It has a silver internal face that maximizes the spread of light and minimizes light loss, creating a beautiful end result.

Check the price of the CRAPHY Lighting Kit on Amazon.

Tips for Photographing Newborns

Now that you have a good idea on what to look for when it comes to choosing a softbox for your newborn photography sessions, we have a few more tips to share with you.

Keep them comfortable. Above all, you want to do what you can to make sure that the baby is comfortable and feeling safe. Typically, newborn subjects are going to be around 2 weeks old or less during the photo session, and it is your job to catch these moments for the family to cherish.

It shouldn’t be too hard to keep them comfortable at this age because babies that young tend to sleep and really not move much. However, keeping them safe so you can capture that perfect shot involves a lot more. For this, many photographers rely on mother placement. This allows the baby to be safely set for the shot. Image stacking is also used during post-processing to come up with the final photo.

Make sure you have confidence. While it can be a bit stressful during a newborn photo shoot, the trick is to stay as confident as possible. This will put the parents at ease; it helps keep the baby calm and allows you to get those shots they will love.

Use the best materials. Lightweight cotton wraps are a go-to during newborn photography sessions because they can be used to swaddle the baby and the baby is already used to them. It allows for a tight covering which still allows for the baby’s shape to come through. Different colors and patterns can also help add some texture to the backdrop you are using.

Mistakes are helpful. Doing something wrong is one of the best ways to teach you how to do it right; remember that when you make mistakes. It is almost like trial and error. You go through a lot to see what works and what doesn’t, and you learn and apply that knowledge for future photo shoots.

Never put too much pressure on yourself because it will definitely work against you. Time and patience are all you need to find that perfect moment.

Conclusion

Overall, a softbox will define your tiny, newborn subject and provide softer, safer light for the baby’s eyes. This will help you create a much better end product for your clients.

When photographing newborns, consider the pose when using studio lighting. You also need to consider the kind of studio lighting that will be best for each photo. Use visual layers in your image and be mindful of the light and shadows because these are the elements that can make or break a photo.

Starting a photography business could be your main focus or a way to supplement your existing income. As with any other creative business idea, this will take talent, quality gear, and some marketing knowledge. There will also be related costs, such as website fees, to think about.

Every photographer should start out with a business plan, first and foremost. Getting your thoughts, ideas, and goals down on paper will help you stay on track. A detailed business plan will outline what your business will be and how you’ll earn money with it. This will cover cash flow, ownership, expenses, and competition. Having this mapped out will highly improve your chances of success.

Although it’s a competitive market, you could become one of the people who enjoy success with a popular photography business if you’re fully equipped with the information you need. This article will help you know what to plan for and expect.

Keep in mind that the costs listed in this article are just rough estimates based on averages. What you end up paying will depend on your own unique needs.

Photography Gear 

Purchasing photography equipment can be intimidating. Compared to other creative endeavors, it can be quite expensive. But while choosing the most costly gear out there isn’t necessarily a bad idea if you can afford it, it’s not a must, and won’t be a viable substitute for experience or skill. This section will focus on high-quality products that won’t put you into debt.

Let’s start with the most obvious piece of gear a professional photographer will need; a camera. 

Business Setup/Operation- $1,000+ per Year

You may think that starting a photography business is as simple as getting people to pay you for taking pictures, but this mindset could get you in trouble down the road. Starting a business is something you want to be thoughtful and careful about from the start.

First, figure out whether you want your business to be an LLC. Then make sure you are following the laws in your state to avoid unnecessary tax consequences or other complications down the road.

Photography Insurance

Having insurance as a photographer is important for a number of reasons, and there are policies out there specifically targeted at your line of work. Photographers tend to carry around a lot of gear, any of which may be damaged, stolen, or simply lost at any time. And when you’re working with clients, you have to worry about potential injuries, damage to property, and more.

There are many reasons a customer might choose to file a lawsuit, founded or not. Insurance can help protect you against all of these unpredictable possibilities, so you don’t have to worry.

Your Professional Website

For most photographers, a website is absolutely necessary for success in the field. Businesses that don’t get on top of this are at risk of getting left behind in this day and age. You can expect to spend about $60 per year for your website.

A website will help you show off your work, make you accessible for people with questions, and allow people to get a feel for your company. You’ll want to think about website content, your theme, and more.

But making your website is only step one. You’ll also need to make it easy to find for your clients. In a sea of information, even the greatest website can get lost. Learning some basic SEO is one way to help search engines bring people searching for your skills to your company website.

Accounting/Book Keeping

So you’ve thought about your website, some marketing strategies, and you have your gear ready. But you also need to think about managing your company’s finances. Using an online accounting system, such as Freshbooks, can be a huge help with this.

The cost will depend on how many clients you have and other considerations, but you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars per year for a decent-size photography business.

A system like this will enable you to check on an important detail or even work anywhere with an Internet connection. You’ll also get the peace of mind of knowing your data is safely stored in case something goes wrong with your computer or at the office.

Marketing/Advertising

Being good at what you do should be enough to bring business to your door, but in our modern world, that’s not how it works. The amount of attention and business you get is directly impacted by your marketing strategy. Let’s look at a couple of techniques you can use in your marketing approach:

Using Facebook Ads

Social media probably isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

Social Media advertising is a great way for photographers to get the kind of leads that fuel their business and drive revenue, and right now Facebook is one of the cheapest and most powerful platforms currently available.

You’ll want to take advantage of this and also make sure you avoid common pitfalls to Facebook marketing along the way.

Portrait Parties

A portrait party is a unique way to market your photography business.

When you’re new on the photography scene, it can be hard to get people to trust you enough to try out your services. A portrait party can be a solution to this.

This is an event where you invite people to come and have their portrait taken for a nominal fee. You build your list of potential clients and gain valuable word of mouth advertising.  Do this the right way, and it could completely kick off your business.

Screen Calibration System

Color management, or ensuring your photo colors are accurate, repeatable, and consistent, can be fairly complex and time-consuming. But given where we are right now with color technology, capturing consistent and realistic color is possible for every photographer.

To get accurate colors, you should take some easy steps to make sure your devices are all calibrated correctly. As a professional, you’ll need a color-management process you can rely on and return to again and again.

This could make or break your photos. Color calibration will allow you more control over your final images, but it will also save you a significant amount of resources and time in the editing stage.

Your time is valuable, and the more you have free, the more your business can grow. Once your devices have been calibrated, you can rest assured that what you see is what you get when you’re looking at your photos on a screen.

Backup equipment- $200+

Managing all the photos you take is another important step in the process of starting a photography business. This is something that’s easy to ignore until an issue pops up. You will be photographing events that only happen once in a lifetime and as your business grows, you need a stable system for organization and data protection.

You need to have backup photos stored in at least two different locations.  In addition to cloud storage, here are some options to look into:

External Hard Drives

Since there’s a wide variety of different storage capacities available, finding the right drive for your needs shouldn’t be too difficult. While a large drive has obvious benefits, it also will require an adapter, making it less portable.

A smaller option is easier to take on the road, but you’d be trading that capability for less storage space. A good middle ground is to have a large hard drive back at the office or at home with all of your photos stored on it, like this one:

“WD

And you should also consider a portable option that you keep at the office or bring with you, like the WD 4TB listed below. Depending on your storage need, the setup of your office, and the frequency of travel for work, you could also go with two portable hard drives like this one:

WD 4TB Black My Passport Portable Hard Drive

SD Cards

To properly back your photos up, you’ll need to use a quality SD card (or preferably, more than one). Too many photographers try to save money in this area, mistakenly assuming that a memory card is a memory card. It doesn’t pay to be cheap in this area, but it’s also possible to spend too much on your SD cards.

To get a quality card, you will want to spend at least $50. You will also want to go with a name brand, like:

SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB

This card is reliable, temperature-proof, waterproof, shock-proof, and even X-ray proof. It should cover most of your needs as a professional photographer.

Having a backup plan for your photos is absolutely essential. After all, they are the lifeblood of your business. Don’t put off developing a foolproof plan and process to keep your pictures safe.

Sure, it does take some extra time and planning, but it also brings you peace of mind knowing that the images you’ve worked hard to capture are safe and sound.

Photo editing software

Photo editing is another essential piece of starting your own photography business. Editing the photos you take will bring out their fullest potential and also reduce file size for ease of uploading onto your website. This improves your search engine ranking. Having good photo editing software will bring your pictures to a whole new level.

Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a popular choice and for good reason. This software enables you to easily apply effects and get the results you’re looking for. A lot of people use Photoshop to make better quality images, but it also has features that are hard to find in other software. Videos and photos can be imported quickly and easily with Photoshop.

Even beginners should find it fairly easy to handle their images in this software. Additional features and tools can be found without much hassle in this program.

While Photoshop does offer a lot of features for beginners and seasoned professionals alike, it can be a bit costly. What if you’re looking to save a bit of money?

Luminar 3

If you’d rather go for a lower cost option, consider using Luminar 3. Although it isn’t quite as well-known, this program comes with its own benefits and can offer you just what you need for photo editing.

One main benefit of this program is that it has plenty of presets to use once you get familiar with it. And if you’d rather not use them, you can just hide the panel or ignore them. The presets in Luminar are intelligent and allow you to set the intensity to your liking. As you can see, this software is highly customizable. It’s easy to use, simple, and intuitive.

Develop a Pricing Plan

Do you know how much you’ll charge for your skills? This isn’t always easy to figure out, especially when you’re new to the world of photography. But to start your own business, you’ll have to decide what an hour of your time and effort is worth to you. Don’t forget to factor in editing times when you’re figuring out your hourly rate.

Conclusion

When you’re starting a photography business, the items above should cover the essentials. A quality camera body, a variety of lenses for different environments, a high-quality computer, and proper lighting will be enough to create amazing images. But don’t forget to carry extras in case something unexpected pops up, or to include marketing and legal considerations in your overall vision.

Thinking ahead and ensuring that all of this is covered will free up more time for you to focus on developing your unique techniques and becoming the best you can be at photography.

Although success in the photography field does depend on creativity, the business choices you make matter just as much. You already have a lot on your mind when it comes to organizing shoots, meeting your clients, and snapping photos. And it’s no secret to you that performing your work comes with a lot of unpredictable factors.

Photographer’s Insurance is a reliable way to not only protect yourself and your property but to ease your mind. In fact, in your line of work, it’s a must! 

Let’s look at 5 important types of insurance every photographer should have.

The Importance of Insurance for Photographers

Some of the risks involved with a photography business can be big – especially when it comes to the equipment you are using. A photographer needs to have insurance in order to protect their assets. General liability insurance is needed in case they are sued over an injury, or some kind of property damage and property insurance is needed for the very valuable equipment that is used.

This brings us to the three most important reasons a photographer needs to have the right insurance for his business:

Medical Costs. If there is an accident during a photo shoot and it turns out to be your fault, then you may have to be responsible for the medical costs. For example, someone may trip over your bag or equipment or hurt themselves on a light you are using. Even when you take every precaution you can think of; accidents do still happen.

Equipment Damage and Loss. As a photographer, your gear is a vital component of your business. If something were to happen to this expensive equipment, it may be hard coming up with the money to repair or replace it. Equipment insurance is an inexpensive way to protect your gear.

Lawsuits. This is a common reason for a professional photographer to purchase insurance for his photography business. Lawsuits between friends, for example, can put you out of business – even if you are not liable and didn’t show negligence. As a photographer you may run into a situation where you agree to photograph a wedding for a friend or family member and that friend or family member decides to sue you. A professional liability insurance policy can help you.

For all these reasons and more we will outline below, insurance for photographers is essential.

Keep in mind that the following is for informational purposes only. For answers to specific questions, or to find the best option for you, consult with an insurance agent and attorney.

#1 Professional Liability – Errors and Omissions

Professional Liability insurance, also known as indemnity or Errors and Omissions insurance, protects your company if you’re sued because a client is dissatisfied. It also protects your business in the event of a client making a claim that you failed to deliver agreed-upon services. This applies whether the error is real or perceived.

This coverage could benefit your business if you regularly provide services or give clients advice. In some cases, a client might even request that you have this coverage to fulfill a contract.

What does Professional Liability Insurance Cover?

A client can claim that you failed to complete services for any number of reasons, from forgetting a detail they specified before the shoot, to a fire destroying wedding film before you can develop it. Unforeseen events can be costly when a lawsuit is involved. And it’s not always possible to predict how a client will respond to your work, whether you made a legitimate mistake or not. Professional Liability coverage can protect you in a situation like this, even helping you recover some of the income you lost in court fees.

#2 General Liability Insurance

In many cases, it’s not enough for a photographer to have only Professional Liability insurance. General Liability insurance coverage can protect your company if another business or individual claims physical injury, resulting in medical costs, or property damages. Here are some example situations that this type of coverage would help in:

Physical Injuries:

The photography profession involves setting up equipment quite often. This can increase the risk of trips and falls, and the odds that they might make a claim against you for that. General liability coverage could protect you against third party claims of injuries and medical costs for these types of situations.

Defamation, Slander, or Libel:

Being a photographer can sometimes mean working with high-profile clients. If you have employees who will also be around said high-profile clients, gossip can occur, which can lead to lawsuits from the celebrity against your business. General Liability insurance may help you with a settlement and defense costs in case of this type of scenario.

Client Property Damage Costs:

Setting up equipment and working with employees can mean that accidents happen. If you’re at a client’s house to do a portrait shoot and something of theirs is damaged, General Liability coverage may help with covering the associated costs.

#3 Business Property Insurance

Many business owners think that general liability coverage is enough to cover both their own losses and their customers’ losses. But in most cases, general liability insurance policies don’t protect you in terms of your own property. A Business Owner’s Policy is one way to make sure your own property is protected.

Business Owner’s Policy

This is a combination of business property insurance and general liability insurance. It’s a great choice for professional photographers who are concerned with protecting both themselves and their businesses. A Business Owner’s Policy can be used to cover small businesses that also need business equipment protection.

Photography equipment, in particular, requires special care and protection because, as you and all other photographers know well, it’s not cheap. Here are a couple of scenarios that a Business Owner’s Policy could help cover the costs of:

Data Recovery

Photography equipment can get damaged. If you were to accidentally drop your equipment bag, damaging your portable hard drive in the process, you would be unable to get your photos from it. In such an event, your Business Owner’s Policy could help you cover the expenses of recovering this last data. It could also help you pay to repair any other damages you may have sustained from dropping the bag.

Business Equipment Damage

Videos and pictures require proper cameras and other professional items. You wouldn’t photograph a wedding without top-notch equipment, right? With Business Owner’s coverage, you will get general liability and photography equipment protection. Let’s say you’re in the studio and one of your lights is knocked over and broken. A Business Owner’s Policy could help you cover the costs of this damage.

#4 Electronic Data Loss Insurance

In our modern age, your electronic data is crucial for the success of your business. Electric Data Loss protection coverage helps protect your business in case your important company information is lost. This covers damaged or lost electronic information and data, E-commerce coverage, and computer operation interruptions.

It’s impossible to know when your important data could be lost because computers and related devices can be unpredictable. There are also unfortunate events such as fires or floods that can cause electrical damage and data loss. This is why protection is absolutely necessary for any professional business owner.

For example, while the Hiscox standard Business Owner’s Policy described above does cover up to $10,000 for some restoration or replacement costs, it might not be enough.

Upgrading to Electronic Data Loss protection increases your loss limit to $25,000. However, this upgrade doesn’t cover employee actions, your personal mistakes, or your liability from data loss.

#5 Commercial Automobile Insurance

If you own a small business and frequently use vehicles in your work, you need Commercial Auto Insurance. This protects your company from everyday driving-related risks. Even if you’re one of the many photographers who rely on your personal vehicle for work, your personal insurance coverage will only apply to your drive to and from work.

Many business owners mistakenly assume that commercial auto insurance coverage isn’t necessary and that only people with company vans need it. But if you have employees who are driving to take care of business matters with their own cards, on company time, commercial insurance is necessary. If any of your employees are driving other workers or materials to a job site, a commercial insurance policy is necessary.

Without protection specifically designed for business vehicle usage, your company is at risk each day. Don’t leave this to chance; give yourself the peace of mind of a Commercial Automobile Insurance policy from Hiscox.

Hired/Non-owned Automobile Liability

Hiscox offers hired/non-owned automobile liability insurance. This optional upgrade will protect your company in the event that it’s liable for damages an employee caused with a rented or personal vehicle. To apply, the damages must have occurred when the employee used the vehicle for a business-related task. Note that this is protection for your business, not necessarily those who work for or with you.

This upgrade covers:

-Liability claims
-Employee Actions
-Defense costs.

It doesn’t cover:

-Property transportation
-Physical damages

Learn more about photography business insurance from Hiscox.

This resource from Pixpa has some great information about the different types of photography insurance coverage as well.

What About Cyber Liability Insurance?

Cyber liability insurance is something many photographers and videographers consider because it offers them protection against data breaches and hacking incidents. It is an insurance policy that pays for recovery expenses. Some policies also cover customer notifications, credit monitoring, legal fees, and any fines there may be.

If you are a photographer that accepts credit cards, stores customer information digitally, or conducts any of your business online or in the cloud, then cyber liability insurance is definitely something you will want to consider.

Can Business Insurance Help with Copyright Infringement?

Businesses have the right to protect their copyrights and their trademarks. However, mistakes can happen. If you are facing a claim of infringement, it is critical that you act. If you have business insurance, you need to let your agent know right away.

Some business insurance policies will help with copyright infringement. If the claim is small, your insurance company may pay the settlement for the material. However, you need to make sure you have the right kind of insurance policy in place for this kind of coverage. A basic general liability insurance plan may help only a little but might not help at all.

Where can I get coverage?

Hiscox offers insurance policies tailored to the needs of small businesses, such as your photography business.  

With the scenarios mentioned above, and the benefits offered by Hiscox, it’s clear why they are a top choice for professional photographers. The policies are easy to set up, leaving you extra time to focus on your creative work. Below are some common benefits to choosing Hiscox for your business insurance coverage:

You can buy direct

You can get immediately insurance coverage with Hiscox. Simply go online and buy it and you’re covered.

Competitive, affordable rates

In some states, business insurance with Hiscox can cost under $25 per month.

Read more about photography business insurance from Hiscox.

Conclusion

Not only does photography insurance protect you, but it can also protect your clients and help you pay for unexpected legal expenses or attorney fees. Items got lost or damaged all the time and working with people can be very unpredictable. You’ve worked hard to build your business, so don’t let these unexpected events put you at financial risk.

Get in touch with an insurance company today for an insurance quote to start protecting yourself and your photography business.