What will I be doing?

There are more than 20,000 full-time commercial photography services in the U.S. If you enjoy taking and/or developing pictures, this is an excellent home business that can offer income and satisfaction.

What do commercial photographers do? They produce and sell photographs. Some photographers specialize in portraits, cars, pets, festivals or special events such as weddings or bar mitzvahs. Other photographers look for unique subjects that are artistic or humorous.

What will I need to start?

You must have the proper equipment as well as experience with cameras and photography. That's obvious. But you don't have to be an expert photographer to sell what you shoot. Many photographers go for quantity and select the best. If you shoot enough film, something's bound to come out well--as long as the lens cap is removed!

You'll need photo equipment, but professional photographers say that the most important tools they have are not the camera but lenses and lighting. Quality lenses and good lighting can make even a mediocre camera turn out quality photos.

Who will my customers be?

If you take photos of beautiful scenery, magazine or calendar publishers may be your customers. If you photograph weddings, the wedding couple or their parents will be your customers. If you photograph products, the owner or manufacturer will buy your photos. Depending on your specialty--portraits, product, events--your potential customers can encompass a very broad range.

How much should I charge?

Commercial photographers typically have an hourly rate of $35 to $75, but price by the event or the value of the item photographed. You'll get more for photographing new or classic cars than you will for photos of traffic. Wedding and portrait photographers, for example, design a package that includes commonly requested shots at a package price. It may include staging, makeup, lighting, photography, proofs and printing. The photographer may also offer additional shots at a set price. This makes buying easier for the customer and assures profits for the photographer.

How much will I make?

How much time you spend marketing your photography service depends on what you're selling and to whom. Plan on spending 20 to 30 percent of your time marketing your services to others.

Depending on the value of the equipment you need, plan on spending 25 to 50 percent of every dollar on overhead expenses. Simple photography using professional film-processing services requires lower overhead than buying expensive equipment and your own darkroom.

How can I get started?

The best way to get started in this business is by winning awards as an amateur photographer. Enter any legitimate contests you can, including showing your photographs at county fair judgings. Next, produce a flier that tells others about your services and maybe even your pricing for standard packages. Finally, talk with the editor of local newspapers to promote your new business. A story on a unique aspect of your photography will greatly help you in promoting your credentials and your business.

The SIC code for commercial photography services is 7335-01.

How can I use computers to increase profits?

Photography has gone digital. Why? Because digital photographs can be easily manipulated with digital computers. "Red eye" can be fixed. Lighting can be enhanced. Skin can be improved. If you're considering photography as a home-based business, start learning about digital photography and about computer programs used to enhance digital graphics. It's the future of photography.