How To Know If You're Ready to Go Full-Time in Photography

Maybe you’ve just picked up a camera or you’ve had a few paid jobs under your belt. Maybe you know you’re just a few moves away from fully replacing your income, but you need the extra push to keep going.

You may be wondering… 

What should I charge?
How do I find clients? 
How do I set everything up legally?
Should I stick to a niche or just build a portfolio?

When I first started out, I was had all the same questions and was completely overwhelmed. I had studied photography in college, so I felt confident behind the camera, but when it came to applying it in the real world and starting a business, I felt clueless.

Here are some signs you're ready to jump into photography full time, serve your dream clients, and build a business you love:

1. You are meeting your income goals in the side hustle stage.
It’s always a risk to jump into owning your own business, but there are a few ways that you can make the transition a bit more seamless. Are you creating income through evenings and weekend photo shoots? Are your clients recommending your services to their friends? Are you having to turn away clients because of your limited availability? Discerning these factors can help you calculate how quickly you can match and exceed your current income! 

2. You have an online presence.
While you don't have to have a huge following to be a successful photographer, these days, it's near impossible to have a successful photography business without any online presence. I recommend having a professional website and a business Instagram account at the very least, so that potential clients can see your style and clearly know their next step with you. 

3. You've invested in your business.
You don't need the fanciest gear or softwares to get started, but before you officially go full time or charge professional-level pricing, I recommend investing in quality gear (camera body, lens(es), flash, computer, external hard drive, etc.), and softwares to create a professional experience for your clients (starting with an editing software like Lightroom, a CRM like HoneyBook to manage bookings, contracts and payment, and a gallery delivery software like PASS, PicTime or Pixiset)

4. You’re ready to put in the work.
This is the most important factor to determine when it’s time to make the move and be your own boss. Are you self-motivated, internally driven, and disciplined? Are you willing to pivot when something isn’t working and try new things? Are you willing to put in the late nights as you build the infrastructure of this new business? You have time to figure out the details and there will always be something new to master. If you know you’re ready to put in the work with a clear vision of where you’re headed, you can take the rest one step at a time. 

Building a successful photography business is possible. Whether you’re still figuring out these first steps or you’ve mastered them all, I coach photographers of all levels in Rise Photo Academy. So if you're sick of feeling stuck and trying to figure it all out on your own, we'd love to welcome you in and provide you with all the education, tools, resources, and encouragement you need to build a thriving photography business.