How To Start Photo and Prop Styling Business

As I do consultations with and meet new photo and prop stylists ~ I get the question:  What should I do first when starting my styling business? Recently got the question:  If you were to start your career now, what would you do and where would you go to get work?  (I get that same type of question in different versions.)  So, this is what I would do in order of importance (and the “how’s).

1. TREAT STYLING BUSINESS AS A BUSINESS.

Most important thing you can do for sustained success, is to treat your styling business in a serious, organized and legal way.  

HOW:

 Make it completely “official”, starting with:

▪︎  Get a dedicated business banking account.
▪︎  Separate your business & personal spending.
▪︎  Get a dedicated credit card for business.
▪︎  Get an EIN (Identification Number)
▪︎  Don’t use your social security number.
▪︎  File/Pay Taxes
▪︎  Use a Styling Services Contract.

 

2.  INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS AND YOURSELF.

While the “University of Google” can answer some questions for us, one of the best things you can do for your business is invest in your long-term success.  It does not have to cost money to invest in yourself.  There are no charge or low cost ways to learn more to advance your business.

HOW:

Free or Moderate Price Options:

Classes. Take a class from Creative Live.  They have some classes under $20 and annual membership under $100. (They also have free daily classes.)

Subscribe.  If you're a fashion, wardrobe, home or beauty stylist, subscribe to Fashion Snoops email list.  They offer tons of GREAT video and articles on trends.  It's my number one go to!  I look forward to their trend videos. (The videos are live, but you can catch the replays.)

Ask Stylists & Photographers Questions.  You will find some Stylists and Photographers open to answering questions and giving guidance without a fee attached. Yes! There is definitely "community over competition" and not the "ya gotta pay me for information" people!  Don't be shy!  Ask!  (Either email or via social media DM)

Trade Shows/Events.  Local business trade shows with speakers on business topics. (Expand outside the "how-to" styling workshops and give yourself a well-rounded business knowledge in addition to your styling techniques knowledge.)

Higher Price Options:

Attend Conference.  I have attend tons of conferences to help my career ~ both in business skills sets and ones that are specific to the styling I do.  They are always beneficial. I have learned new skills and meet both new friends and colleagues when I attend them. 

Attend a Trade Show.  Trades shows are a great place to see new items you can style with AND meet new people to connect with (and style for)  I love them and see such value in Trade Shows and Conferences, I wrote both a Guide to Conference Photo Stylists Best Conferences Tradeshows and Events (which ones to attend separated into categories with links to the conferences) and a Guide on Networking at them.

On Line Membership or Course.

Hire Mentor or Coach Specific to Styling Industry. Ask a Stylist or Photographer if they would offer a consultation option. (Even a one hour session is helpful!)

Also, do a COMPLETE investment in your business by taking care of both your knowledge and your image.  You KNOW being a Stylist that image matters ~ and that includes your own personal image.


NOTE: My investment in my business and (suggestion to you) is two fold (1) invest in learning business knowledge and education but also (2)  invest in yourself by investing in wellness/beauty day treatments and investing in your wardrobe for both styling in the studio (even tho’ you may dress casual in the studio, be stylish and polished) and investing in wardrobe you may wear at meetings, production meetings, conferences you speak at or attend, etc.  

THAT’S exactly what I do here.  We have many free articles on investing in yourself here on the Blog that we share on all aspects of running a styling business and our Free Resource Guide Library.   We also have a Business of Photo Styling Shop to organize, prepare and protect your styling business.  And if you need some specific consulting for your styling business, reach out to me!

3.  GETTING PORTFOLIO IMAGES.

When you first begin to develop and build your portfolio, it can be challenging to be hired, especially in the style (niche) you are looking to style in.   I suggest doing personal projects with photographers.  Select a photographer style that aligns with yours.  While it's not a paid assignment, doing a Collaborative Styled Shoot, gives you an opportunity to get images in your portfolio or website to get hired for styling assignments.  Also, it's a GREAT way to meet other creatives.  You can inspire and learn from each other and also give each other leads to potential assignments. We talk specifically about Collaborative Shoots in How to Build Your Photo and Prop Styling Portfolio.  Find/Select photographer that shoot in your preferred style.

Invest in your images. THIS is not the time to "ask a friend who has a camera" situation.  Hire a commercial photographer.  You want photographer that actually works for brands, ad campaigns, etc.  Invest your time and energy in this right away. Select a photographer that fits with your vibe.  Do you prefer "light and airy" or "dark and moody" or somewhere in between type of photography? While getting experience with any/all types of photographers can be beneficial, I would have focused target and vision from the very beginning of your styling career.

4.  GETTING WORK.

Absolute first place I would go for work if just starting my career (& I still do now!) is an expo or trade show.  For example:

• If you are a Food Stylist, go to a Food Trade Show or “Taste of” Event.
• If you are a Wardrobe Stylist, go to a trade show like Magic Fashion Event.
• If you are a Home/Interior Stylist, go to a local Home Show Expo.
• If you are a Lifestyle Stylist, attend a show like, NYNow.
  
  

You will get the most “bang for the buck” doing these because you will meet alot of people in your preferred niche all at one time. (All at one time is key 🔑.  This will make your marketing time for new work the most effective and efficient.)  Attending these kind of events can be done on a local level.  Check out websites like Eventbrite or local Business Chambers for events in your area.

One of my favorites to go to as a Lifestyle Stylist is the NYNow Show.  Not only do I meet potential new clients ~ but I see all the new trends (which you want to stay up to date with as a stylist) AND I meet suppliers, companies and designers that I could barter/use their products for in photo shoots.  These could be a travel time for you. The NYNow show is 3 hours from me, but I feel well worth the travel and time investment for my career. (Check out your closest city shows but also your local shows.)
 
Note: Of course before “getting work”, you need photographs.  We talk specifics on that in our Free Guide and in our post, 15 Tips for Photo Stylists Working with Photographers. 

KEYWORD AND SEARCH WORDS:  Made a post specifically on styling keywords and search words to make your search for styling assignments easier.

5.  DIVERSIFY AND CREATE INCOME STREAMS.

Diversifying your income streams will be a big part of your success.  While I diversified and created income streams gradually ~ I feel if you have the skill set and knowledge, start right away!  For example, I diversified my income by scouting locations for photographers/photoshoots.  That is something you can offer right away as you are starting out.  Think of income streams as you go.  What I did (& still do!):  I just “listened” to what photographers and clients would talk about, are challenged with, had struggles with and “create” an income stream around it. See our post on Ways to Make Money As a Photo Stylist to get some ideas and details.

6.  DO INCOME GENERATING TASKS.

Big, big one!  Concentrate on "income generating tasks" right from the start of your business! As a new business, we get excited for (and spend WAY too much time on) the busy work that does not generate income.  Like spending too much time on social media, developing our website, promotional materials.  Yes, we need to do ALL that for business ~ but don’t get caught up spending 8 hours a day on it!   We spend time thinking that everything needs to be perfect, before we start or launch our business. I talk about how I got caught up in perfectionism when I shared the story of the day I got hired in flip flops.  

7.  CONNECT TO COMMUNITY.

Connect to the styling and creative community and your colleagues.   It’s great to chat with business with someone who “get’s it".  Maybe you need advice on a photo styling dilemma, an introduction to a photographer or client, a place to find a unique prop that you can’t find or MAYBE just to do a littl’ “venting” or talk about a frustration you’re having.

Joining (or creating) a community also is great for your mental health. It can be lonely and isolating  on the days you are not in the photo studio or location working with a team.  Having a community of peers that you can connect with ~ whether that’s in person over coffee or online over social media ~ is valuable and important to your success!

 
8.  GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

If you’re constantly working within your comfort zone, it will be challenging to learn, grow and see sustainable success in your styling business. I have told the story of my “fear of power tools”.  I just did not like them!  So, on set I would always ask the PA’s (Production Assistants) to do any drilling or sawing that I had to do!  Soooooo, finally I had to conquer that fear and I learned how to use them!  Now . . .  I’m hangin’ that artwork in huge wall galleries and lighting fixtures all over the place!  I'm SO happy that I got out of my comfort zone!  (The more you learn and expand your skill set for in studio and location styling (or business skill sets!) ~ the more you grow and the more your styling rate increases!)  

Maybe your comfort zone is fear of approaching potential clients or meeting new people, selling your services, etc. Get out of that zone early, when you start your business before it becomes a habit.

As a new stylist, you may have those days of discouragement and frustration.  We all have those days!  (with many years in the biz, I still have those days!) I found that having what I call a file smile for when you need a boost is super helpful! Sometimes we need to be encouraged and reminded to keep going and that we're doing great in the process of growing our business.

Bonnie ~ 

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