Customer Reviews

The Business of Studio Photography: How to Start and Run a Successful Photography Studio

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best book on how to run the "business" aspect of a photography studio that I have seen. It's obvious that the author is very experienced in the profession and the book is loaded with tips and personal experiences that will save you time, stress, and money. I thought I could just open up a photography business and be successful, but after reading this book I found out that there was a lot I didn't know. I'm still going to pursue a career in photography, only now I'll be much smarter about it. READ THIS BOOK if you are thinking about making a living in photography!

This is the best book on starting a photography BUSINESS I've ever read. This is for the photographer who already knows photography but needs help with the business side of running a studio -- from how to keep financial records to marketing your work. Lilley explains details of how to develop your price list, issues about whether to buy or lease equipment, tax issues, real estate, advertising, etc. It doesn't have ANY photos or very little technical how-to because it is a book on the BUSINESS of photography. If I had had this book 20 years ago I would have opened my studio then instead of waiting until now. This should be considered the Bible of photography business. This and Steve Sint's wedding photography book are must-reads for anyone entering the photo business.

I bought this book based on the very positive reviews on Amazon. It's apparent why this book is rated so highly. The author exudes common sense. We all like to think we're common sensical people, but sometimes our opinions and the ideas we form keep us from seeing the entire picture. That's where this book comes in. The author relays his vast photography business experience in terms that we can easily comprehend. His style is very encouraging versus a lot of warnings. Anyone who is even in the thinking stages of starting a photography business - whether on a small scale or large - owes it to themselves to read this book first.

I ordered this book as part of a group to help in starting my studio. I have found this book to be very informative and full of good, solid, tested advice. I was happy I bought the book after the first chapter. What was particuarly helpful to me was the discussion on setting prices, sitting fees, and profit.

This book is a must have and a must read for anyone wanting to begin the business of sudio photography and looking for solid advice and clear instruction on how to do that intelligently. In his many years as a successful photographer, with more than 1900 weddings in his portfolio, Lilley brings to the table the practical do's and don'ts needed to for one to suceed.
Lilley works through all the day to day aspects of how to run a studio, including where to locate your business in the community based upon the market share of the public that your brand of photography is aimed at. He shares his detailed insights on how to handle the images from digital cameras with redundant copies. He gives great instruction on how to solicit the funding for a new business by using a business plan, and how to solicit a customer based through marketing yourself to your public
He provides a strong framework of how to shoot and what to shoot when it comes to weddings, portraits, high school senoirs, etc. and the workflow for each of these widely differing types of photography.
If you are going to buy one book to read before plunging into your own business as a photographer this is the one book you must buy.

This book is geared toward the photographer who has recently established a photography business. This book gives you tips on getting the jobs you want. Lilley provides guidance on workflow for weddings, school portraits, seniors, regular portraits, and promotional portraits. He also recommends ways to organize the mountain of paperwork that photographers inevitably face. All of his advice comes from his own trial-and-error, in the hopes that new photographers don't make the same mistakes he made starting out. What a great book!! Definitely get it!!

This book is full of helpful info. Covers all aspects of starting a photography business. It was my #1 guide in getting my photography studio up-and-running. I'm afraid it is becoming alittle dated, however. That is my only reason for giving it 4 stars instad of 5. I would be wonderful if Lilley would write an updated - into-the-21st Century-Version!!

The most skillful and creative photographer=the most successful studio photographer(financially)? Wrong. This is THE book everyone who wants his/her own studio should read. Lilley tells how to operate a studio right. No hold back. Not at all. He tells you every aspect you'll run into and what you should do.
English is my second language, and I read this book everyday and it's so interesting to read. I wish I could just use all my time to read it up and get my studio going!!
If you don't have lot of time, then read this book. It's truely a masterpiece.
I've never felt the money I spent on a book is so worthy.

Every single page of this book has tons of useful information. No complaints about this book at all, every photographer going into business should read this book. Great info for any kind of photographer, not just photographers with a physical studio. He goes through everything business related: equipment, pricing, portrait/wedding/commercial, financial planning, and even posing guides!

If you are just getting started in a photography business, you have to have this book! It is step by step on starting up,getting going, then running your buisness. This man Knows what he is doing and he tells you like it is. I use it every day, my business will be open soon and i give this book a lot of credit! I highly recomend it.