How to Start Photography Business in Kenya

With many events taking place every day, the photography business in Kenya is in high demand. Almost every week there is an event like a wedding, graduation ceremony, or a birthday party. People want to capture those events as a remembrance. As such, starting a photography business in Kenya is a profitable venture. In this article, we will show you how to start a photo studio business in Kenya.

Do a Market Research

You need to do market research to prepare before launching your business. Market research helps you to identify the market segmentation, startup costs, business location, competition and risks. With proper market research, you can start and run a profitable photography business.

Write a Photography Studio Business Plan

Any business needs to have a business plan for it to succeed. A business plan is a road map for the business. A photography business plan should have:

Startup costs
Ownership
Competition
Size of the market
Risks and business strengths
Future cash flow projections

Decide the Type of Photography Business to Run

There are different types of photography businesses and you must decide the one you want to start. Proper market research will help you to identify the best business to open. Some of the photography businesses you can start include:

Wedding photography
Studio photography
Outdoor photography

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Photography Business in Kenya?

The cost of starting a photography business will depend on several factors. For instance, it will depend on whether you want to start an outdoor photography business or a photography studio. To start a photography studio business, it will cost you at least Ksh 300,000, while you can start a wedding photography business with Ksh 200,000.

Requirements for Starting a Photography Studio

To start a photography business, you need to have photography equipment, business licenses and hire a room. The following is a breakdown of the cost of starting a photo studio in Kenya.

Camera - Ksh 100,000
Lenses - Ksh 55,000
Computer - Ksh 20,000
Photo editing software - Ksh 5,000
Photo lighting equipment - Ksh 25,000
Single business permit - Ksh 5,000
Tripods - Ksh 7,000
Hard drive storage - Ksh 10,000
Stabilizers - Ksh 15,000
Camera bag - Ksh 2,000
Printer - Ksh 45,000
Rent - Ksh 15,000

Find a Suitable Photography Business Location

If you are starting a photography studio, then you need to find a suitable business location. A photography studio can do well in a busy area with a high population.

Starting a studio next to another institution is an excellent idea. For instance, when opening a bank account, you need to submit a passport size photo. Also, ensure that the business location is secure to avoid losing your photography equipment.

Secure Photography Business Licenses and Insurance

If you want to open a photo studio, then you must secure business permits and licenses. It is mandatory for any business operating in Kenya to have a license. You need a single business permit, which you can obtain from the County Government offices for Ksh 5,000 annually.

You also need to secure photography business insurance. A business insurance is important to ensure that you are covered against losing your photography equipment due to incidences like fires, floods, or theft. You will be compensated in case of losses.

Launch and Market Your Photography Business

Once you have acquired business permits and insurances, you are ready to launch your business. You need to brand and organize your photography studio. A good photography studio should be well lit and well decorated.

People want to take photos is neat and attractive backgrounds. You need to have photography skills and photo editing skills. If you do not have the skills, you can hire a qualified photographer. However, make sure you are there to manage your business.

You need to come up with a pricing plan. For instance, if you are offering wedding photography, you need to set fair prices to win the competition. Do not set too high prices or too low prices to avoid losing customers or making losses. Balance between prices that are fair to your customers and prices that will help you make a profit.

Is Photography Business Profitable in Kenya?

Yes. The photography business is in high demand and, especially during weekends. For instance, wedding photography can make Ksh 60,000 from a single event like a wedding.

On the other hand, a photography studio can give you over Ksh 50,000 profits monthly. With a photography studio and outdoor photography services, you can make over Ksh 100,000 every month.

Summary of How to Start Photo Studio Business

The photography business in Kenya is a good business idea and the competition is relatively low. To succeed in it, you need to be dedicated and committed to your business. Make sure you have the right equipment that can capture high-quality images.

Also, make sure you know to edit photos well so that that they are professional. With proper marketing, you will start generating significant revenues from the photography business. I hope you now know how to start a photo studio business in Kenya.