by: Jean-Pierre Messier

There are so many different ways to start a photography business, that I could not possibly share them all in one article, and certainly not in depth. However, I'd like to give you a brief overview of business ideas that will hopefully get you thinking in the right direction. The most important thing I wish to convey is that there are numerous paths to a successful photography career, so don't just take the first one that comes your way. I know you love this art we call photography, so choose a career path that will allow you to enjoy your craft and pursue the kind of photographer's lifestyle you're dreaming of right now.

Portrait Studio

Of course this is one of the first possibilities that comes to mind when considering a new photography business (see http://www.realphotographyjob.com). Portrait studios are a great way to fulfill your dream while working close to home and perfecting your skills. There is always a need for high quality portrait studios, and while the competition is stiff, there is still ample opportunity to break into new markets with a few creative marketing skills. And remember, portrait photography can be as interesting and diverse as photography itself, ranging from glamour shots to pet portraits. You can also get gigs to travel out of your studio to do school pictures, team photos, dance studios, and more.

Videographer

I know it's not what you had in mind, but many aspiring photographers find that they really love the art of moving pictures. If you haven't taken a stab at shooting video, it's something you should really consider. Once again, there is a great demand for this business. Of course there are the typical wedding videographers and sports video jobs, but there are many more lesser known opportunities for skilled videographers in almost any modest-sized town.

Digital Photography Entrepreneur

Here's the great thing about technology these days: if you have a digital camera, the opportunity exists for you to make money with it! Yes I'm serious, even if you have no experience, there are things you can do to generate cash very quickly by taking digital pictures. For example, screen savers. It's not uncommon for a semi-skilled marketer to take a few pictures and turn them into a few hundred dollars by selling them as screen savers online. Now if you can just do something like that every day, then you're set. Again there are a myriad of possibilities in this realm: sporting events, auction photos...

Adult Entertainment Nude Photographer

Maybe this is your dream, but you never considered it as a serious career. Well I'm here to tell you that it IS a serious career and there is serious money to be made at it. The demand for nude photography is at an all time high. Even if you're an amateur photographer, you can make piles of cash taking pictures of nude females and males. Once again, the commonly held theory is that you need to have connections and equipment and all sorts of other things to break into this industry. And once again, that's totally false. Armed with the right information, you can easily start this business with a simple digital camera, and yes you will find plenty of affordable models even in a small town.

Insurance Company Photographer

Insurance companies always need pictures. Why do they need pictures? Because they insure things, and they need pictures of the things they insure. They need pictures of those things before they write an insurance policy, and they need pictures of those things before they pay a claim. I'm telling you, they always need pictures and they will pay you for them. By offering your services as a contracted photographer, it's not uncommon for an insurance company to call you up and have you take a few pictures and pay you $100 or more for an hour of work, including driving.

Beyond these opportunities I've mentioned, there are literally hundreds more terrific and viable photography career options. As you embark on this venture I wish you success, and I'll say it one more time: make sure you enjoy your work!