Start a wedding and event photography business

Couples, families, local businesses, clubs and event organisers.

Fixed packages for a day or part of a day, with extras such as albums, prints and second shooters. Event work is often charged by the hour.

• Handling fast-changing light and busy situations
• Calm, organised and good with groups
• Editing large numbers of photos efficiently

• Public liability insurance, and professional indemnity and equipment cover, as venues often ask for them
• Back up your work on the day with two memory cards and backup storage, as losing wedding photos is a serious risk
• A written contract covering payment, cancellations and image usage
• Check whether you need to register with the ICO for data protection
• Weekend-heavy work with seasonal peaks, so plan your income across quieter months

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £2,500 to £9,000, depending on the cameras, lenses, backup storage, insurance and editing software you choose. Insurance and spare equipment are worth budgeting for early, as venues often ask for cover.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on how many bookings you take and the prices you charge. The work is weekend-heavy with seasonal peaks, so it helps to plan your income across the quieter months.

Check you have public liability insurance, plus professional indemnity and equipment cover, as venues often ask for them. Also use a written contract, back up images with two memory cards, and check whether you need to register with the ICO.