Portrait and family photographer

Families, graduating students, couples, and professionals who need headshots for work or LinkedIn.

A session fee plus gallery or print packages. Mini-session days, where you book several short shoots back to back, can fill a calendar quickly.

• Comfortable using a camera in different light
• Photo editing
• Putting people at ease
• Basic online marketing

• Commercial general liability insurance and cover for your equipment
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Some parks and public spaces need a permit for paid shoots, so check with the city or province
• Use a written contract that covers usage rights and cancellations
• Winter and rainy weather can cut outdoor bookings, so plan indoor options
• Register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on the camera gear, editing tools and insurance you need and what you already own. Equipment cover and commercial general liability insurance are worth budgeting for.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many sessions you book and what you charge. The estimate assumes at least about 8 hours a week. Winter and rainy weather can reduce outdoor bookings.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and whether parks or public spaces need a permit for paid shoots. Also check insurance, a written contract covering usage rights and cancellations, and GST/HST registration once past the small supplier threshold.