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CreativeLive

How to Start a Photography Business

via CreativeLive

Overview

The content and opinions expressed in this course are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem

Short on time? This class is available HERE as a Fast Class, exclusively for CreativeLive subscribers.

AFTER THIS CLASS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

  • Start a photography business
  • Develop the ideal business structure and business plan
  • Research competitors and the market in your area
  • Build a short-term and long-term strategy
  • Create a marketing plan and marketing materials on a budget
  • Confidently conduct an in-person or phone sales session
  • Manage small business tasks from accounting to strategy

ABOUT PYE'S CLASS:

Professional photographers aren't just people with a knack for photography and a good camera -- because launching a small business on nothing but passion is a sure-fire way to fail spectacularly. Layer business savvy, marketing know-how, professional grit and more onto your existing passion and learn how to start a photography business. Take your hobby, vision, and creativity and build a career -- whether you are looking to run a full-time business or just a side gig.

Led by a photographer that's also a certified public accountant, Pye Jirsa, the class teaches the ins and outs of launching a photography business from the ground up. Along with three full days of instruction, Pye shares a 12-week plan to get your business up and running, a business expense calculator and more inside the class workbook. Understand what gear and skills you need before you launch and how to build a portfolio by photographing family members or organizing a stylized shoot.

Stop feeling overwhelmed by the monumental task and tackle one task a day in a 12-week plan. Brainstorm names for your business and learn the different types of business licenses available. Secure a domain name and build a website that's easily searchable. Develop a marketing plan with little investment. Master in-person sales and book your first session.

Whether you want to venture out in portrait photography, commercial work or any other client-based type of photography, learn the "business" in photography business with Pye Jirsa.

WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR:

  • Photographers ready to launch a business
  • New professional photographers looking to grow a young business
  • Photographers interested in working in weddings, portraits, newborns, maternity, families, seniors, engagements or commercial photography

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

Pye Jirsa is a wedding photographer with Lin & Jirsa photography -- but besides running a successful photography business, he also has a background in accounting, creating the perfect blend for teaching the ins and outs of running a photography business. Along with working as a photographer and educator, Pye is also one of the founders of SLR Lounge, an online resource for photographers.

Learn from a founder of a photography business that photographs more than 300 weddings a year. Pye's Los Angeles and Orange County wedding photography business has been named among the top 100 wedding photographers by Brandsmash.

Syllabus

  • Class Introduction
  • Common Myths & Unknown Truths
  • The Road Ahead
  • Find Your Passion
  • The Lin & Jirsa Journey
  • Part-time, Full-time, Employed, Partners?
  • Stop Wasting Time & Money
  • Your 12 Week Roadmap
  • Great Plans Still Fail
  • Strategy Vs. Planning
  • Mind Mapping
  • Select a Focus
  • Competitor Research
  • S.W.O.T. Analysis
  • Strategy & Long Term Goals
  • Values, Vision & Mission
  • Effectively Managing Your Time
  • Artistic Development
  • Create Your Plan
  • What's Your Product
  • Luxury vs Consumer Products & Experiences
  • Quick Break for Econ 101
  • Your Target Market & Brand Message
  • What's in a Name
  • Your Client 'Why'
  • Crafting the Why Experience
  • Document the Client Experience
  • Business Administration Basics
  • Book Keeping Management
  • Create the Logo & Branding
  • Portfolio Design
  • Design Your Services & Packages
  • Pricing Fears & Myths
  • Three Pricing Methods
  • Package Pricing Psychology & Design
  • Psychology of Numbers
  • Pricing Q&A
  • Grass Roots Marketing
  • The Empty Party
  • Friends & Family Test Shoots
  • Join Groups
  • Second Shooting Etiquette
  • The Listing & Classified Hustle
  • Make Instagram Simple
  • Your Automated Pinterest Plan
  • Facebook Because You Must
  • Giveaway & Styled Shoots
  • Content Marketing & SEO
  • The Monster: SEO
  • Selecting Your Keywords
  • Testing Your Keywords
  • Grouping Main & Niche Goals
  • Your Content Road Map
  • Content Marketing Q&A
  • Inspiration to Keep Working
  • How to Craft Your Content
  • Internal Linking Basics
  • Back Link Building Basics
  • Link Value Factos
  • Measuring Link Value
  • Link Building Strategy & Plan
  • Link Building Plan: Vendors & Guest Writing
  • Link Building Plan: Features, Directories, Comments
  • Link Building: Shortcuts & One Simple Tool
  • What is Sales? Show Me!
  • Your First Massive Failure
  • The Sales Process
  • Your Second Massive Failure
  • Understand Buyer Psychology
  • Step 0: Building Rapport & Trust
  • Step 1: Identify Need or Want
  • Cognitive Dissonance
  • Steps 2 & 3: Value Proposition & The Solution
  • Step 4 : Close, Make the Ask
  • Step 5: Follow Up & Resolve Concerns
  • Family Photography Hot Seat
  • Business Example Hot Seat
  • Boudoir Photography Hot Seat
  • The Best Sales Person
  • Your Mindset, Vibrations & Frequency
  • Always Positive, Always Affirming
  • The Second Money & Dual Process
  • Chumming the Price Waters
  • Creating Want or Scarcity
  • Timeless Advice on Being Likable
  • Selling Over The Phone
  • Forbidden Words in Sales

Taught by

Pye Jirsa

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