Home studio portrait photographer

Parents, families and couples wanting keepsake portraits, plus professionals who need headshots for work profiles.

A session fee, plus prints, albums, framed pieces or digital image packages. Mini-sessions around holidays can fill your calendar quickly.

• Camera and lighting skills
• Posing and working with children
• Photo editing
• Friendly, patient manner

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on clients visiting
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check your home insurance policy covers business use
• Get signed model releases if you want to use client images in marketing
• Winter and summer slowdowns, with busy periods before the holidays
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the camera gear, lighting, backdrops and editing tools you already own or need to buy. These are estimates, so price your own kit list first.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or has zoning limits on clients visiting. Also check commercial general liability insurance, whether your home insurance covers business use, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many sessions you book and what you charge. Work is often seasonal, with winter and summer slowdowns and busier periods before the holidays.