Keith often gets asked about becoming a professional photographer.
As he usually says, it’s more about business acumen than photographic skills… and has written a number of articles specifically covering different aspects of setting up and running a photography business.
This page indexes all our business related articles and links to a few external sites that Keith has found helpful in this area.
Keith is always happy to answer questions about anything on the site – it’s often where he gets inspiration for all our articles.
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More specialist index pages
- Keith’s photo blog
- Articles and Reviews
- Colour Management
- Equipment Keith uses
- Photography book reviews
For even more detail, check the category listings and search box at the right of the page
Articles reflecting business aspects of photography
- Stock photography is not the answer
Why stock photography is not the answer - bespoke photography is almost always a better solution for representing your business on your website and your marketing materials - Looking for a bigger photo printer
Important questions to ask yourself when looking for a bigger photo printer wider than 13 inch width or A3+. Things that it's useful to know if you want a 17" (A2) or larger printer, it's about more than just bigger prints. - So, can you start a photography business
So, can you start a photography business? Will it last? Are you sure you know the difference between photography as a hobby and running a successful and profitable photography business. Some of the things you need to think about. - Book Review: The photography exercise book
Book Review: The photography exercise book by Bert Krages. Training your eye to shoot like a pro. Subjects to study and photograph that will help train your photographic vision and produce the photos you want (and know why) - Book Review: Starting Your Career as a Freelance Photographer
Book review: Starting Your Career as a Freelance Photographer (Tad Crawford, Chuck DeLaney)
Just how do you run a photography business. What things do you need to address? How will you market and sell your services, and make your business last. - Book review – Marketing and promotion
Book Review: The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion (Maria Piscopo) Reviewed by Keith Cooper, professional commercial photographer and author of many of our business related articles - Photo business advice for your competitors
Photo business advice that is probably best for your competitors - Business advice you'll hear and read, and should know when to avoid. (pt.5) - 10 more unwise photo business tips
10 more unwise photo business tips from our collection - Photography business ideas you may hear that are not as good as they seem (pt.4)
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There are around a thousand free articles and reviews on the site - thanks to everyone who helps support it.
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Some of Keith’s personal views about photography
- We have two prices
We have two prices: free and full price. Being asked to do work for free is a regular hassle for many photographers. Why I insist on being paid, until I find a shop exchanging photo credits for food. - How to be a professional photographer
Some of Keith Cooper's thoughts and observations for those wanting to become a professional photographer. Things it's worth knowing about. Yes, you can be a pro photographer, but it takes more than photography skills - Usability – Making your web site visitors’ lives easier
Why considering usability can really help make your web site visitors' lives easier. Happier visitor make for a better and more successful site. - Pictures at an exhibition – preparation
Problems, considerations and issues encountered when showing and displaying an exhibition of large photographs by Keith Cooper. Making it work for your photographs
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Lighting, colour and web use of images
- Room lighting for image editing
Paying some attention to the lighting levels and decoration in the areas where you edit photographs has a beneficial influence on quality and consistency - Better pictures for your web site
Simple steps for improving the quality of photos used on your web site. Things that can make a real difference. - Saving images for web use
Some of the things to consider when saving images for web use - how care with resizing and basic sharpening can give them a bit more punch
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Books and reviews for photographers with a business
- Book Review: The photography exercise book Book Review: The photography exercise book by Bert Krages. Training your eye to shoot like a pro. Subjects to study and photograph that will help train your photographic vision and produce the photos you want (and know why)
- Book Review: Starting Your Career as a Freelance Photographer Book review: Starting Your Career as a Freelance Photographer (Tad Crawford, Chuck DeLaney)
Just how do you run a photography business. What things do you need to address? How will you market and sell your services, and make your business last.
- Book review – Marketing and promotion Book Review: The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion (Maria Piscopo) Reviewed by Keith Cooper, professional commercial photographer and author of many of our business related articles
- Book Review On Being a Photographer
Keith Cooper reviews the book 'On Being a Photographer: A Practical Guide' by Bill Jay and David Hurn ISBN-13: 978-1888803068 - Book Review Make money with your digital photography Erin Manning
Keith Cooper reviews Make money with your digital photography by Erin Manning, a comprehensive guide and introduction to the business of photography
Training – for companies
Training other people to take better photos means I have to reflect on my own work and practices – never a bad thing to do every so often.
These are aspects of training that I provide (on location, not at our offices) as part of Northlight’s business.
We also have a training directory that is freely available for any professional photographer who offers training.
It’s arranged by location, so as long as you are a pro photographer, a free link is available
Useful external resources for photography businesses
- Model releases and commercial use – Great article by Dan Heller about why most of what you hear on the internet about the need for releases is rubbish
- http://www.danheller.com/truisms.html
Some very pertinent information that Keith regularly points out to the many people who ask him about becoming a professional photographer. - Business Link UK government advice and support for setting up your own business
- Business in Canada – useful advice, not just for Canada
- US Small Business Administration
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