5 Things Every New & Beginner Photographer Should Know Before Starting a Business (the things I wish I knew!)
You’re likely here because you want to know the answer to that title. Well my friends, I’m here to share because here at The Kefi Club, I believe with my whole being that education should be accessible, the answers should be in reach and that learning can also mean having a joyful time. Whether that’s through 1:1 mentoring and coaching, joining the 12 week course just for photographers (if you’re here because you NEED the answer to that title then I can guarantee you’d benefit from The Outpost Course), creating tools and resources to help you on your way, TKC is here every step of the way.
Let’s go.
I’ll save the best for last because it’s the thing that will almost guarantee success.
Using and learning manual on your camera.
Learning to use manual mode on your camera might seem intimidating at first, but it’s one of the most empowering steps you can take as a photographer. It gives you full control over how your images look — from the brightness and sharpness to the mood and depth. Instead of relying on your camera to guess what you want, you get to make those creative choices. Start small: play with one setting at a time, like aperture to control background blur, or shutter speed to freeze or show motion. Practice in different lighting conditions and don’t worry if things feel clunky at first — that’s normal. Over time, it’ll click, and you’ll start to see your photos reflect your vision more clearly. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about growing your confidence and building a deeper connection with your craft.
Getting a full frame camera.
I didn’t start out with one, but boy it makes a difference. The freedom. Upgrading to a full frame camera isn’t a must for everyone, but it can be a game-changer — especially if you’re starting to feel the limits of what your current setup can do. You’ll know. Full frame sensors give you better performance in low light, more detail, and that dreamy depth of field that can really elevate your work. But more than that, it’s about investing in your growth. It’s saying, “I’m taking this seriously.” That doesn’t mean you need to rush — your vision and skill will always matter more than gear — but if you’ve been feeling ready, and you’re curious about what’s next, a full frame might be a really exciting step.
You don’t have to say yes to everything.
You are going to want to take on every single job enquiry that comes your way. You will very quickly learn who is not your client. In a way, I suppose, it could be good to know those things through experience, however it is likely easier (and saves your time and energy) to define who your ideal client is through doing your homework (you can learn the steps of this here). There is no point, other than money, taking on every enquiry. I am a photographer that mainly uses the outdoors, but equally will go to my client’s homes for shoots; I remember early in my career receiving an enquiry for a studio shoot to dress the baby up in a super hero costume and seriously debating whether or not to take it, purely for the money. But I knew that I would be anxious the entire time, because I did not have the skillset to pull off studio worthy images, I would likely be having a rubbish time, and they also wouldn’t enjoy the images as much, too. It’s not worth it for you, or your client.
Not every job is “Portfolio-Worthy” — and that’s okay.
I think as professional photographers - especially in this current day and age - it can be so easy to forget that our clients come first above our sharing of images. Yes, we can benefit from them for our marketing, social media and our portfolios, however, it’s our clients that must come before all else and sometimes they want to keep them for themselves, or have something in mind that doesn’t really reflect your style. The other thing to note is that sometimes we can beat ourselves up for not having every image be ‘the one’ or one that makes up jump at our laptops in excitement. Sometimes, it’s the smaller moments, or the face on, smiling images that our clients love. It always surprises me how different my favourite images are compared to the ones favourited by the client.
Prioritising the love of creation.
Listen, you are a photographer because there’s a child inside that loved to create and paint and draw and use their imagination so for the love of all things holy and good, please dedicate some time to creating JUST. FOR. YOU. Whether that’s taking it simple and going on a walk with your camera and seeing what you can capture, or doing some self portraits (you can learn the art of this here) or a model call for fun and portfolio building (BUT MAKE SURE YOU SET IT UP SO IT’S SOMETHING YOU WANT NOT THE MODELS PLEASE THANK YOU), or going on Pinterest and coming up with a concept that you want to try. Take your time, and ultimately, allow yourself to play. Never, ever lose the spirit of creation.
If you are struggling to come up with ways to do this and time to devote to it every month (that’s right, at least once a month) then come join The Outpost Course where it gets taught to you in a way that’ll make you excited to create.
If any of this has you nodding along, or even just feeling that familiar spark of “I want this to feel good again” — you’re not alone. Whether you're ready to dive deeper into your craft, build a business that actually works for you, or just need some guidance along the way, there’s a space for you here. You can join The Outpost Course to learn everything step-by-step, or if you’re craving something more personal, my 1:1 mentoring is open and built entirely around you and your journey. You don’t have to figure it all out alone — let’s grow your photography life with intention, purpose, and joy.
Come join the club.
Big love to you,
Han xxxx
p.s make younger you proud
