Home studio portrait photography

Professionals needing headshots, families, new parents, graduating students and local small businesses.

A session fee per booking, plus extra for edited image packages, prints and albums.

• Camera and lighting basics
• Photo editing
• Putting people at ease
• Booking and customer service

• Check your city or county rules on a home occupation permit, and any HOA or lease limits on clients visiting
• General liability insurance and cover for your equipment
• Get a signed contract and model release for each session, and be clear on image usage rights
• Check whether you need a local business license and state sales tax registration for prints and products

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your camera, lighting, backdrops and editing tools, and whether you already own gear. These are estimates, so build your kit gradually as bookings grow.

Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many sessions you book, your prices, the types of portraits you offer and print sales. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and costs will vary.

Check city or county rules on a home occupation permit and any HOA or lease limits on clients visiting. Also check liability and equipment insurance, signed contracts and model releases, a local business license, and sales tax registration for prints.