Starting a photography business is already expensive enough with all the equipment you have to invest in upfront. Many people forget to budget for things such as a domain name, website hosting, photo editing software, image hosting for client galleries, the cost to become a legal business entity in your region, and so on.
It helps to write down your budget and ensure every category is allocated appropriate funds. Here is an estimate of the budget you should expect to spend (on the high side). Keep in mind that you don’t need all of these tools immediately, but it’s important you understand the true cost of operating a photography business.
Essential Photography Business Costs
Camera and Lenses - $1,200
You can get a used entry-level DSLR body for about $700, and depending on your budget, a nice starter prime lens such as a 50mm f/1.8 and a zoom lens.
Camera Supplies - $400
Make room in your budget for camera supplies such as extra batteries, a good camera bag, a tripod, SD cards, a flash, and a cleaning kit for your camera.
Adobe Lightroom - $12/month
Lightroom is an essential editing tool for any photographer. Unfortunately, Lightroom is only offered via subscription now. If you’re looking for free alternatives for editing RAW files, check out GIMP or RawTherapee.
CRM - $40/month
Once you start getting leads and paying clients, it’s important to have a central place to keep track of their contact information, signed contracts, and payment history. HoneyBook is a popular one for photographers, though it costs $400/year! Free alternatives include Excel, Google Sheets, or HubSpot CRM (which I use).
Website - $20/month
Your portfolio website is essential for bringing in clients. This is something you’ll have to invest in, as there is no free way to host a website. Look for a platform that provides a domain name, website hosting, professional templates, and an easy drag-and-drop builder. Popular options include WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and Showit (specifically for photographers).
Website Template - $50
A professional-looking website is crucial from the start. If you find a free template that works, great! However, I encourage you to explore professional themes for photographers that support galleries, a blog, and a landing page that complements your brand style.
Cloud Storage - $15/month
When you take photos, you have to back them up. You also need a way to present galleries to clients and give them an easy way to download files. Websites such as Pixieset and ShootProof are excellent options.
External Hard Drives - $100
This cost scales with your business. The more clients you have, the more hard drive space you need for backups. It’s important to keep a physical copy of your photos in addition to cloud storage.
Computer or Laptop - $500
This applies if you don’t have a fast enough computer to run editing software or lack storage for your photos.
Marketing - $100/month
This is optional and scales with your business. Running ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google doesn’t need to happen immediately. It’s not wise to invest in paid advertising until you’ve developed a strong portfolio. Rely on free marketing methods such as Facebook groups and listing sites while building your portfolio.
Camera Repairs - $100/year
Hiring a professional to clean or repair your camera, mirror, and lenses annually is a great practice. You also need to budget for potential repairs or replacements.
The True Cost of Running a Photography Business
The sad truth is that starting and maintaining a photography business costs a lot. It’s more than just buying a camera—there are significant backend expenses to stay afloat. The good news? There are free alternatives to Lightroom and HoneyBook, and you don’t need to pay for extra storage or marketing until your business grows. These costs simply mean it could take a year or more for your business to become profitable. Budget wisely from the beginning so you truly know what you’re getting into.
