Home portrait studio
Turn a spare room or garden room into a small studio for family, child and headshot sessions.
- £1.5k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
3,823 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 74201 “Portrait photographic activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small studio set up at home with backdrops, lighting and a camera, where you photograph families, children, couples and professionals by appointment.
Your first three steps
- Set up a corner or spare room with a backdrop and lighting, and practise on friends and family
- Build a simple website and portfolio with 15 to 20 of your best images
- Offer discounted mini-sessions to local parents and professionals to collect reviews
Who pays
Parents and families, couples, and local professionals who need headshots for work or LinkedIn.
How it makes money
A session fee, plus prints, albums and digital image packages. Headshot mini-sessions can fill quieter days.
Skills that help
- Camera and lighting skills
- Putting people at ease, especially children
- Photo editing
- Booking and customer service
Watch out for
- Check your lease, mortgage terms or council rules before welcoming clients to your home
- Public liability insurance, and equipment insurance for your camera kit
- Safeguarding and parental consent when photographing children, plus clear image use terms
- Data protection: you will hold client photos and contact details, so check what you need to do (ICO registration may apply)
- Quiet periods, as bookings can peak around school photos and Christmas
🔒 Full research report for UK
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a home portrait studio?
Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £5,000, depending on your camera kit, lighting, backdrops and how much you need to adapt your space. These are estimates, so list the equipment you need before you buy.
How much can you earn from a home portrait studio?
Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many sessions you book and your pricing. These are estimates, not guarantees, and bookings can be quieter outside peak times such as school photos and Christmas.
What should I check before running a portrait studio from home?
Check your lease, mortgage terms or council rules before welcoming clients. Check public liability and equipment insurance, safeguarding and parental consent for photographing children, and data protection duties, as ICO registration may apply.
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