Starting a photography business in 2025 looks very different than it did even a few years ago. Social media has changed. Gear options have exploded. Education is everywhere. And if you’re just getting started, it can feel overwhelming fast.

If I were starting my photography business over again in 2025, here’s exactly what I would (and wouldn’t) do—so you can skip the wasted time, money, and energy and build something meaningful from the beginning.

Hey, I’m Leah—a wedding photographer and photography educator. I’ve been doing this for years now, and while I wouldn’t change the journey, there are so many things I would do differently if I were starting today. This stuff genuinely fires me up because I know how life-changing this career can be when it’s built the right way.

Let’s dive in.

Prefer to Watch Instead of Read?

If you’re a beginner photographer and would rather watch than read, I walk through all of this in detail in my YouTube video—gear, education, mindset, business setup, and what actually matters when you’re first starting out.

I also share photography education regularly on Instagram and TikTok, so if reading long-form blogs isn’t always your thing, those platforms are a great place to learn alongside me.

Watch: If I Had to Start My Photography Business Over Again in 2025…Here’s What I’d Do Differently

The Best Camera Gear for Beginner Photographers in 2025

Let’s start with gear—because this is usually where people feel the most stuck.

I’m a Canon shooter, so my recommendations lean Canon-specific, but every major brand has excellent equivalents. Sony, Nikon, Fuji—they all make incredible cameras. What matters most is choosing something reliable, capable, and within your budget.

Beginner Camera Recommendations

If you’re starting from scratch and want something budget-friendly and high quality:

• Canon R50
• Canon R100

These are mirrorless, beginner-friendly, and more than capable of producing beautiful, professional-looking images.

If you have a little more room in your budget:

• Canon R
• Canon R6 (this is what I currently use)

These are professional-level cameras, and yes—you absolutely can buy them used. You do not need brand-new gear to get started. Buying used camera bodies and lenses is one of the smartest ways to save money while still investing in quality equipment that will last you for years.

I recommend purchasing from reputable used gear marketplaces like MPB and KEH, where equipment is graded, tested, and backed by warranties—so you can feel confident investing in your gear without paying full retail prices.

Sony equivalents like the A7 II or A7 III are also fantastic options, especially when purchased used. These cameras are powerful, reliable, and still widely used by professionals today.

Skip the Kit Lens (Seriously)

I’m still firmly on Team No Kit Lens.

If you’re going to invest in one lens right away, make it a 50mm f/1.8—no question.

• Canon RF 50mm f/1.8
• Sony 50mm f/1.8
• Nikon 50mm f/1.8

This lens is:

• Extremely affordable
• Incredibly versatile
• Way better quality than most kit lenses

It’ll give you that beautiful blurry background (bokeh), work in a variety of situations, and grow with you as your skills improve.

Down the road, you might add:

• A 35mm f/1.8
• An 85mm
• A 24-70

But honestly? The 50mm f/1.8 will outperform a lot of zoom lenses in terms of image quality, especially early on. Eventually, you might upgrade to a 1.4 or 1.2 (my personal favorite lens now is a 50mm 1.2), but starting with the 1.8 is hands-down one of the best decisions you can make.

Other Essential Gear for New Photographers

A few things you’ll also need right away:

• Multiple SD cards (I personally use 64GB for sessions and 128GB for weddings)
• External hard drives (if you can, get two so you can back everything up—drives do fail)
• A flash for low-light situations

The Godox V1 is a great option that’s reasonably priced and long-lasting. There are also more affordable flashes that work just fine when you’re starting. You don’t need the most expensive option—just something reliable.

Free Photography Education: Where to Start

Before you spend money on courses or mentorships, take advantage of the huge amount of free education available online.

Start with:

• YouTube
• Instagram Reels
• TikTok
• Podcasts

There is so much high-quality, free information out there that can help you build a strong foundation. Once you understand the basics and feel more confident, then investing in paid education or mentorships can truly level up your business.

Education was something I didn’t prioritize enough early on—and I wish I had. Learning sooner would have saved me years of frustration.

What to Learn First as a New Photographer

Learn Lightroom First (Photoshop Comes Later)

If you’re brand new, your focus should be Lightroom—100%.

Learn every panel. Every slider. Every tool.

You don’t need Photoshop right away. Lightroom alone can take you incredibly far, especially with how advanced it’s become. Understanding how Lightroom actually works—not just using the basic panel—will give you a massive advantage over other photographers.

So many photographers, even years in, don’t fully understand Lightroom. If you do? You’re already ahead.

Photoshop can come later, once you’ve built confidence and consistency in your editing.

Master the Exposure Triangle

Shutter speed. ISO. Aperture.

These three settings control everything—your exposure, your creative style, and how your images feel. Learn how they work together and get comfortable shooting in manual mode as early as you can.

Starting in auto mode slows your growth. Jumping into manual might feel intimidating at first, but over time it becomes second nature—like riding a bike.

How you shoot is a huge part of your style. The faster you understand that, the better your work will become.

Learn How to Use Light (This Changes Everything)

Learn how to shoot in:

• Harsh light
• Golden hour
• Indoor light
• Cloudy light

Light affects:

• Skin tones
• Backgrounds
• Editing time
• Your overall style

Learning how light behaves will save you hours in editing. No more 5 a.m. editing sessions like I used to have because something felt off but I couldn’t figure out why.

Understanding light early on is a game changer.

How to Legally Set Up Your Photography Business

This part isn’t glamorous—but it’s essential.

Make sure you:

• Register your business (LLC, DBA, etc.)
• Get business insurance
• Use contracts and invoices
• Start organizing your taxes early

For platforms, I still recommend Pixieset. It works as a website builder, CRM, and gallery delivery system all in one, which is incredibly helpful when you’re just starting.

Also—buy your domain as soon as you can. The earlier your domain exists, the stronger your SEO authority becomes over time.

Marketing Your Photography Business in 2025 (The Honest Truth)

You have to show up online.

Even if it feels awkward. Even if it drains you. Even if it’s scary.

And I’ll be honest—I still struggle with this. Years in, I still find it hard to show my face, share my story, and post consistently. It can feel overwhelming and vulnerable. But it matters.

Showing up online is how people:

• Find you
• Trust you
• Connect with you
• Book you

Especially in the beginning, social media is your main marketing tool.

Start With One Platform

Pick one platform you actually enjoy and commit to it.

If you can post once a week, that’s great.
If you can post more, amazing.

What matters most is consistency—not perfection.

Once you’ve created content for one platform, repurpose it. One video can become:

• A Reel
• A TikTok
• A blog post
• A Pinterest pin

Work smarter, not harder.

For photographers, Instagram and TikTok are still huge. Facebook can be valuable too. Choose what feels manageable for you.

Let People See YOU

In an oversaturated industry, your superpower isn’t just your photos—it’s you.

People want someone they connect with. Someone they trust. Someone they feel comfortable with.

This doesn’t mean you have to share everything about your life. You get to choose what you share. But letting people see your personality, your journey, and your heart makes all the difference.

That’s what sets you apart.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Shoot as much as you can.

Work with:

• Friends
• Family
• Kids
• Pets
• Nature
• Yourself

Book practice sessions. Set up styled shoots. Film behind-the-scenes content. Use every shoot as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Confidence comes from repetition.

Final Thoughts

Starting a photography business in 2025—and beyond—is absolutely doable. Yes, it’s competitive. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for you.

You are your superpower.

Take it one step at a time. Focus on learning the right things early. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. This career can change your life—giving you creativity, flexibility, freedom, and the chance to build something meaningful for yourself and your family.

And that’s why I care so deeply about helping others do this.

Want to Go Deeper?

I’d love to hear from you:

• What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting your photography business?
• What part of this post would you love me to go deeper on?

I’m always happy to create more blogs and videos based on what you actually need.

And if this helped you, I’d love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel for weekly photography education.

Keep building what you love.

—Leah