Module 7: The Business of Photography

Turning a passion for photography into a sustainable business requires more than creativity; it involves clear planning and informed decision-making. This module begins by outlining what it means to treat photography as a business rather than a hobby, introducing tools such as business plans, five-year goals, SWOT analysis, and the financial principles that underpin professional practice.

You’ll then explore how to evaluate opportunities and manage risk. From assessing your strengths and market potential to understanding commercial risk, profit margins, and the actual cost of doing business, the module helps you develop a practical framework for making informed business decisions. Topics like ROI, debt, and buy-versus-rent decisions ensure you understand the financial implications behind every investment.

Finally, the module looks at the operational and marketing elements essential for long-term success. You’ll examine business structures, branding, customer acquisition, networking, CRM systems, and diverse revenue streams, as well as contracts, pricing, copyright, permits, and financial management tools. By the end, you’ll be equipped with a clear, strategic foundation for building and maintaining a professional photography business.

Module 7 Course Preview

Why This Module Matters

It's time to direct your attention to the business and marketing aspects of photography. In Module 7 you'll:

Build skills and knowledge to turn your photography into a viable business.
Investigate financial and operational essentials every photographer needs.
Learn how to assess opportunities, manage risk, and avoid costly mistakes.
Develop strong branding and marketing strategies, build long-lasting client relationships and create a resilient, profitable business model

What You’ll Learn

Photography as a Business
Understand how to turn your photography from a hobby into a business.
Planning & Strategy
Learn business planning, set goals, assess opportunities, and manage risk effectively.
Operations & Financial Management
Explore structures, pricing, contracts, financial tools, and the cost of doing business.
Marketing, Branding & Clients
Develop strategies for branding, marketing, networking, and client relationships.

What You’ll Do

Business Costs & Rates
Calculate the cost of doing business by applying acquired knowledge.
Research Trends & Technologies
Evaluate available options following specific instructions.
Brand & Marketing
Define your brand, research photography websites and develop marketing strategies.
Business Plan
Develop your business plan and focus on structuring your operations.

Units Covered

This module integrates practical skills from the following accredited units:

CUADIG518 – Refine digital art techniques
CUAACD522 – Work with photomedia in creative practice
CUADIG415 – Produce innovative digital images
CUAIND412 – Provide freelance services
CUAPHI312 – Capture photographic images
CUAIND411 – Extend expertise in specialist creative fields
CUAPHI403 – Enhance, manipulate and output photo images
CUAPHI521 – Make illustrative photo images for publication and display
CUAPHI531 – Apply visual communication theory to photo imaging practice
CUAPHI532 – Research and apply photo imaging trends and emerging technologies
CUAPHI533 – Explore and apply photo lighting techniques
CUAPHI535 – Produce commercial photo images
CUAPHI536 – Provide photographic portrait services
CUAPHI537 – Produce media photo images
CUAPPR511 – Realise a body of creative work
CUAPPR414 – Develop self as artist

These units are taught through practical tasks, interactive tutorials, visual references, carefully selected external links, and hands-on assignments, ensuring you develop both your analytical and creative abilities. Our modules combine high-quality images, diagrams and theoretical content in an easy-to-digest format.

Please note: The above list is not indicative of unit completion; most of our units are taught (in parts) across multiple modules.

Module Topics

In Module 7, we will cover the following topics and beyond:

Introduction
Business Planning
Photography as a Business
Hobby or Business
Planning
Business Plans
5-Year Goal Plan
SWOT Analysis
Exploit Strengths
Reduce Weaknesses
Seize Opportunities
Diminish Threats
Profit vs Loss
Cost of Doing Business & Fees
Return on Equity
Rule of Thirds
Evaluating Opportunities
Will I Love It?
Do You Have the Capability?
Is There a Market?
Are There Existing Relationships?
What is the Financial Potential?
What are the Challenges?
Is the Answer No?
Evaluating Commercial Risk
External Risk & Internal Risk
Assessing Risk & Mitigation
Probability & Impact
Cost Management
Debt
Return on Investment
Profit Margin
Buy vs Rent
Setting up a Business
Structure
Sole Trader

Company
Partnerships & Trusts
Business Names & ABN
Domain Names & Email
Insurances
Customers
Finding & Retaining Customers
CRM
Networking
Industry Bodies
Identify New Business Opportunities
Target a New Client Base
Revenue Streams
Marketing & Branding
Marketing Strategy & Reputation
Direct Marketing
Social Media
Content Marketing
Email Campaigns
Contracts & Terms of Trade
Pricing & Copyright
Location Permits, Model & Property Releases
Price Lists, Estimates & Invoices
Negotiating & Attitude
Successful Negotiation
Blake Discher’s Negotiating Quick Tips
Debt Management
Professional Advisors
Financial Management
Software
Tax and GST
Superannuation
Record-Keeping
Professional Development
Competitions

Module Outcomes

By completing Module 7, you will:

Develop a robust plan to structure your photography business.
Gain confidence in dealing with the financial and operational aspects of a photography business.
Anticipate risks, assess opportunities objectively and understand the key business variables of the industry.
Approach clients, negotiate rates, find and retain customers through effective workflow.

Guidance Every Step of the Way

Our expert photography tutors will support you throughout Module 7 with all their professional experience. To achieve success in photography, creativity and technical knowledge are essential elements; however, having a structured business and marketing plan, including the financial side, is equally crucial.