How I’d Build a Photography Business From Scratch in 30 Days
Whether you're brand new to photography or you're a seasoned creative craving a fresh start, this 30-day roadmap is your step-by-step guide to building a profitable, purpose-driven photography business from the ground up.
I’ve designed this plan to be practical, confidence-boosting, and totally doable. Each week builds on the last—starting with the essentials and ending with actual bookings and momentum.
Week 1: Lay the Foundation
Day 1: Define Your "Why"
Ask yourself: Why photography? Why now? Who do you want to serve? The clearer your purpose, the more magnetic your brand will become. Your "WHY" is the foundation of your business.
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Day 2: Choose Your Niche
Portraits? Families? Brands? Pets? Pick a focus that excites you. You can evolve later, but clarity breeds momentum. Don't know your niche yet? That's okay. Try all of them! You never know what might call to you.
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Day 3: Name + IG Handle + Domain Search
Keep it short, easy to spell, and consistent across platforms. Secure your Instagram handle and domain. CONSISTENCY is key.
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Day 4: Set Up a Simple Website (Wix, Squarespace, or Showit)
You only need 3 pages: Home, Portfolio, and Contact. Bonus: Add a pricing or "About" page. The sooner you start your website the better. It takes time for Google to crawl your site and to start gaining traction.
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Day 5: Gather a Starter Portfolio
Use past work or offer 3 free or discounted sessions in exchange for permission to showcase the images. I recommend a model contract. I strongly recommend charging at least a retainer for these sessions even if you refund it after the session. This will prevent no-shows. Go ahead and get some behind the scenes video or photos while you're at it. You'll already have some valuable content you'll need next week!
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Day 6: Set Up Email + CRM
Start with a Gmail address, then set up a simple CRM like CloudSpot, UseSession, or HoneyBook. I started with UseSession because it was so simple to use, then transitioned to CloudSpot once I started to grow.
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Day 7: Register Your Business + Share Your First Post
Apply for your business license and register as an LLC if applicable in your state or country. Visit your local government or Secretary of State website for details. Consider applying for an EIN (Employer Identification Number) through the IRS website for tax purposes. Once that’s done, celebrate and introduce yourself and your new business online. Tell your story. Invite people to cheer you on!
Week 2: Build Credibility + Visibility
Day 8: Refine Your Bio + About Me
Make your story relatable. Highlight your "why," who you serve, and what makes your approach unique. Your unique value is what will attract your ideal clients.
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Day 9: Create 5 Social Media Posts
Start batching content. Think: BTS shots, transformation images, storytelling, testimonials, and tips. Write down all your ideas and build from there. (Use that footage you got from your model calls!)
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Day 10: Pick 5 Hashtags You Can Rank In
Use niche and local hashtags (e.g., #LexingtonPhotographer #MomAndMePortraits #KentuckyPhotographer). Add those hashtags to an app like notes so that you can easily copy and paste when you need them.
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Day 11: Create a Free Lead Magnet
Offer something valuable (like a "What to Wear Guide" or "5 Tips for Natural Posing") in exchange for email sign-ups. E-mail addresses of those interested in what you're sharing are like gold.
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Day 12: Add a Contact Form + Booking Link
Make it ridiculously easy for clients to contact and book you. Include calendar availability if possible. (UseSession is great for this.)https://usesession.com/
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Day 13: Start an Email List
Use a tool like Flodesk, Mailchimp, MailerLite, or Wix email. Send your first email: your story, services, and a helpful tip.
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Day 14: Show Up on Instagram Stories
Show your face. Share why you started. Show a peek behind the scenes.
Week 3: Offer + Market
Day 15: Set Your Packages + Pricing
Start with 2-3 packages. Keep them simple and valuable. Focus on benefits (personal styling assistance, flexible scheduling, etc), not just deliverables.
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Day 16: Create a Welcome Email Sequence
Write 3 emails: Your story, how to prep for a session, and what makes your photos unique.
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Day 17: Reach Out to 10 Potential Clients or Allies
Past coworkers, moms from school, business owners. Offer a discount or referral bonus.
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Day 18: Design a Booking Workflow
From inquiry to delivery—how will you onboard clients, send reminders, and deliver files? I made myself a checklist so that I make sure every inquiry and client were taken care of.
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Day 19: Post a Client Testimonial or Before/After
Show transformation or emotion. Social proof builds trust faster than anything.
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Day 20: Start Blogging for SEO
Write your first blog: "What to Wear for a Fall Family Session" or "Why I Became a Photographer"
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Day 21: Market a Mini Session
Offer a few discounted spots with a short turnaround.
Week 4: Bookings, Growth, and Confidence
Day 22: Ask for Reviews from those clients you've been working with.
Send a friendly email with a link to Google Reviews or your website.
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Day 23: Plan a Styled Shoot or Creative Project
Something for you. Build your dream portfolio and attract your dream clients.
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Day 24: Create a Client Experience Checklist
From first contact to gallery delivery. Make it feel like luxury.
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Day 25: Collaborate with a Local Business
Offer to trade services with a boutique, florist, or hair stylist for exposure and images.
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Day 26: Refresh Your Website with Testimonials + New Work
Add anything you've captured in the last 3 weeks that represents your style.
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Day 27: Post a “Before/After 30 Days” Reflection
Share what you built. Celebrate out loud. Show your growth.
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Day 28: Plan for the Next 90 Days
Set 3 goals: Booking, content, and one growth action (like setting a goal for a number of sessions you'd like to do.)
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Day 29: Create a Referral Program
Reward your past clients or network for sending business your way.
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Day 30: Breathe, Reflect, and Keep Going
You did it. You built the foundation of a photography business in 30 days. Now it’s time to grow it.
Now, checkout my list of "25 Ways to Make More Money as a Photographer" or check out my full course catalog designed to take your business from side hustle to full-time dream.You already have the creativity. Now you have the roadmap. Go build something beautiful.