There are dozens of tools you’ll need to set up a successful photography business. The bad news is that simply owning a nice camera doesn’t make you a professional photographer…… although sadly some folk seem to think it does!

We’re going to be looking at some of the essential tools you’ll need to acquire in at least the first year (if not the first month) of your business. There are cheaper alternatives to some of the suggestions I make but my advise is buy the best you can afford otherwise you’ll end up paying twice for it.

Many of the suggestions are in fact free so I am suggesting some the cheapest tools you can source! In time you’ll make upgrades but these suggestions are a good place to start.

Part 1 – Software and Online presence

In this section we’re going to be looking at your businesses digital presence and just some of the software you’ll be needing. Of course there are dozen of other programs and applications that I use that I’m not going to mention here but this is just dealing with the essentials.

Photoshop

I’m going to start off with the most obvious as it really has to be THE essential tool for a photography business. Lightroom and Aperture are both great tools but if I had a choice of only one then I wouldn’t think twice about shouting Photoshop at the top of my lungs.

The reason this is such an easy choice for me is that running a photography business is not just about processing images. You’re going to be doing lots of design work that other software just isn’t built for.

Photoshop does also have the advantage of working very well with other programs. At a later stage you’ll be adding other programs like InDesign or the very powerful (and free) PhotoJunction from Queensbury then Photoshop works wonderfully with both.

In the beginning Photoshop is probably going to be one of your most expensive acquisitions, but know that even Photoshop Elements can be upgraded to a full version eventually if cash is tight. Read More→