How to Start a Seasonal Photography Business in 90 Days
Starting a photography business is exciting. You love taking photos, you’ve probably done a few shoots for friends and family, and now you’re ready to make it official. But here’s the challenge: passion alone isn’t enough.
If you’re wondering how to start a photography business the right way—in a way that looks professional and sets you up for success—this guide will walk you through it.
The good news? You can go from “just starting” to “ready to book clients” in as little as 90 days if you focus on the essentials and set up the right systems from the start.
Step 1: Get the Basics Right
Most photographers skip straight to designing logos and Instagram handles. But the photographers who succeed are the ones who take time to get their business foundation right first.
Here’s what that looks like:
Choose Your Business Structure
Decide whether you’ll operate as a sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation.
For most small, new photography businesses, an LLC gives you personal liability protection without too much complexity.
Register Your Business Name and Bank Account
Pick a business name that matches the style of work you want to be known for.
Open a separate business bank account so you don’t mix personal and business finances.
Narrow Your Niche
Instead of trying to be a photographer for everyone, ask yourself:
Do you love weddings? Families? Newborns? Events? Headshots?
Where is there demand in your local market?
When you specialize, clients know exactly why they should hire you.
Pricing Your Work
Research what other photographers in your area charge.
Don’t underprice yourself—this isn’t just a hobby anymore.
When you’ve made these decisions, you have a solid foundation. These steps alone will make you feel like you’re running a business, not just doing side gigs.
Step 2: Build Your Digital Backbone
A strong online presence is what separates hobbyists from professionals. Many new photographers skip this step or cobble together DIY tools that don’t work well together.
Clients need to find you, trust you, and book you easily. That’s why building a digital backbone early is critical.
Here’s what that backbone includes:
Professional Website
Your website is your online storefront.
It should showcase your best work, include clear pricing or packages, and make it easy for clients to contact you.
Mobile-optimization is essential because many people will find you on their phone.
Google Business Profile
If you’re not on Google Maps, local clients will never find you.
A properly set up profile helps you appear when someone searches for “photographer near me.”
SEO Basics
Use keywords like “family photographer in [city]” throughout your site.
Optimize your images so your site loads fast (Google cares about this).
Automation Tools
Lead forms on your website that automatically send an email reply.
Scheduling tools so clients can book a consultation without 10 back-and-forth emails.
Workflows that remind clients of appointments or payments.
AI Tools
Use simple AI tools like ChatGPT to help draft email templates, FAQs, or blog posts.
This saves time and keeps your communication professional.
This is exactly what we help you do in our Switchback Starter Pack.
In just 90 days, we:
Build your photography website
Connect your Google Business Profile
Set up your automation systems
Add AI tools to make content creation easier
Help you choose the right software for invoicing, CRM, and workflow
At the end of those 3 months, you’ll have a professional online presence and a connected system that supports your business growth.
Step 3: Recommended Tools
There are dozens of tools out there for photographers—but the key is to choose tools that simplify, not complicate.
One tool we love is Jobber. While it’s popular with service-based businesses, it also works really well for photographers who:
Need to manage their calendar and bookings
Want to send automatic reminders to clients
Need help with quotes, invoicing, and payments
The best part? Once it’s set up, you spend less time managing clients and more time behind the camera.
As Jobber partners, we can help integrate Jobber directly into your setup as part of your Switchback Starter Pack.
After These Steps
Once you’ve got these foundations in place, everything changes:
Clients find you instead of you chasing them.
Your website and automations do the busy work.
You can focus on your craft instead of feeling like you’re drowning in admin work.
And you won’t be stuck in a long-term contract. After your 90-day Switchback Starter Pack setup, the only ongoing cost is hosting (around $50/month). When you’re ready to grow, you can move up to our The Trek plan for advanced SEO and scaling.
Final Thoughts
Starting a photography business is one of the most rewarding creative careers, but only if you treat it like a business from the beginning.
With the right plan and the right systems, you can go from “just getting started” to “fully booked and confident” in 90 days.
If you’re serious about building a photography business that lasts, don’t try to figure it out alone. The Switchback Starter Pack gives you a clear 90-day plan to launch like a pro—with your website, systems, and automation all set up for you.
Key Takeaways
Start with structure: register your business, pick your niche, and know your pricing.
Build your digital backbone: website, SEO, Google Business, automations.
Use tools (like Jobber) to make client management easy.
Consider expert help—because the faster you set up your systems, the faster you can focus on taking photos and getting paid.
Ready to take your photography business seriously? Let’s make the next 90 days count.
