Welcome To Photography Business!
There is a huge demand for photography business in Nigeria. Today, increasingly wish to keep memories of past events alive and hence resort to professional Photographers to achieve that.
Photography business has over the years become quick means of making money. Once you obtain necessary training in the arts and a functional camera, you are good to go. With a little startup capital and a pinch of professionalism, you are good to go.
Read Also: Digital photography Business: How to Start and Equipment You Need to Succeed
How Profitable Is Photography Business In Nigeria?
Several events dotting the society on a daily basis all call for the services of a professional photographer. And you can run this a mobile business.
With a camera and a printer, you are set to make money snapping pictures and events, ceremonies and the like. Sometimes, you may have to rent equipment or partner with someone and share the earnings later.
At present, a single photograph goes for N200. Now multiply that N200 by at-least twenty persons that you would snap in a day. (N200*20 = N4000).
Imagine making N4000 in one day multiplied by seven days in a week, and probably twenty-four days of the month, excluding Sundays. That indeed is huge income.
What makes the business more convenience is that you run it at your own convenience. If you go into mobile photography, you will have to pay no tax, nor rent a shop rent.
So, you save on these. With this eye-opener let us now have a sneak peek into the demand outlook for a photography business in Nigeria. That is, who really needs photography business in Nigeria and why?
Who Needs Photography Services In Nigeria?
The demand to keep memories alive avails to almost everybody. Hence, photography business crisscrosses all aspects of human life.
Photography business appeals to events, ceremonies, churches, individuals, the academia, commerce, industry and almost everywhere. Everybody needs a photographer at one point or the other. To do what? To keep memories evergreen.
That aside, in Nigeria, people also need the photographer more during job/exam/interview applications. How? For passport-sized photograph for online/offline registrations of such offers.
As a photographer, you have many clients needs to meet. You can be taking full pictures or passport-sized photographs at the same time. These cost differently, but similar in terms of production.
Read Also: How To Start A Photo Studio Business in Nigeria
What Is The Level of Competition Like?
There is stiff competiton in the photography business in NIgeria today. The lucre from photography services has commanded many into the photographing industry with an attendant proliferation of the system.
Keeping return clients/customers is now a heck of a task as competitors are daily evolving new means to “steal” customers.
To stay afloat, therefore, you have to up your game by being innovative too. Some of the things you can do include free photo editing services, free bonus shots, fee photo lamination service etc.
Be creative and come up with something that would appeal and attract more customers to you. Launch an effective marketing strategy and anticipate tremendous success.
How To Start A Photo Studio:
Get The Needed Equipment
Some of the standard photography equipment or tools you need to start this business include:
- Digital camera (Nikon) N80,000
- Studio lights=N40.000
- Photo editing software
- Flash softbox
- Reflectors
- Generator set
- Curtains and stools
- Memory card
- Card reader
- Aperture
- Shutter speeder
- Laptop (strictly for business)
- Studio lights
- Softbox
- Software Photoshop, (Picasa, Corel draw, DG photo art)
- Printer Hifi
- 4 gig memory card
- External flash drive
- Etc.
Choosing A Business Location
It is always advisable that you site your business in an open area with a high human and vehicular traffic. Invariably, the location of your business determines how profitable your business will be.
When choosing your business location, go for a conducive, well-ventilated and spacious environment. The comfortability of your business premises goes a long way to keep or scare customers away after the first visit.
Read Also: How To Start A Photo Studio Business in Nigeria
Funding
Considering the calibre of equipment you will need for this busienss as outlined above, you need a slightly high capital to start. Camera itself is very expensive, and most likely you are going to get a new one.
An average camera goes for about N80, 000. Now, adding the cost of renting a business premises, acquiring a generator, lighting sets etc., you need no less than N500, 000 to start this business. That is, if you want to launch out in a professional way.
Marketing Strategy
Branding:
Photography is not all about taking pictures on the roadside. The beauty of every business is branding. Ever wondered why some major businesses have withstood the test of time? It is because they are not just a business but a brand.
Their owners don’t protect their business but the brand. Branding is the packaging. Do it well and people would flock towards you.
Add A Value Added Service – Photo Editing
Offering professional photo editing services together with your photography business pays a lot. To beat the competition, you need to make your customers look great in their photographs by editing their pictures.
Additionally, photo editing services will give you an additional income because photo editing services itself is a business in itself.
Advertisement and Marketing
Because of the goal of getting and keeping people, advert should be considered as a must. Make your business known to people both far and within. Let them know about you, your brand, and your products.
Several ways to advertise this business includes:
- Run social media adverts on yur business on Facebook, Instagram etc.
- Go for field work: work outside the office or business premises.
- Design and distribute your complementary cards when you are on field work
- Do a good pre-launch campaign
- Hoist flex barners at street corners inviting people to come for 2-minutes passport/full photographs
- Mount an attracttive signpost strategically advertising your business.
- Do any other necessary advertisement to sell your business.
Read Also: How to Become Professional Graphic Artist in Nigeria
Summary
Photography is a job anybody with a creative mind can venture into and make good profits. The business is somewhat stressful, so you have to draw a map to deal with that.
As a major rule, photography requires artistry, skills and sense of beauty or aesthetics. You must bring these skills to bear by giving your customers a professional touch in every picture sold. Getting their posture and photo background, lihting etc. right will greatly endear your clients to you.
So, think professional photography, not just photography.
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