How I Accidentally Started a Photography Business (and Somehow Didn’t Set Anything on Fire)

If you’ve ever thought, “Hey, I like taking photos, maybe I should start a photography business!”—let me just stop you right there. Because that’s exactly how I started. And let me tell you, it’s been a beautiful, chaotic, caffeine-fueled rollercoaster that I wouldn't trade for anything (except maybe a nap).

The Glorious Beginning (aka The Panic)

It all started innocently enough: a few photos of friends, a couple of compliments, and suddenly I’m Googling things like “how to register a business” and “what is VAT and why is it haunting me.” Within weeks, I was knee-deep in camera gear, editing software, and legal documents that made my brain itch.

Starting Opus Lumière wasn’t just about clicking buttons on a fancy camera. It was:

Learning how to pose people who didn’t know what to do with their hands.
Realizing that “natural light” is code for “hope the weather isn’t feeling petty today.”
Explaining to my parents that yes, this is a real job.

The Challenges (and Boy, There Were Many)

Let’s talk about the hurdles:

Pricing: I started off charging so little I was basically paying people to smile at me. It took months and several existential crises to figure out how to charge what my time was actually worth without breaking into a guilt sweat.
Clients Who Vanish Like Houdini: They’ll ask 37 questions, ask to see “one more style,” and then poof—never to be seen again. Ghosting isn’t just for dating apps anymore.
Editing Marathons: “I’ll just tweak this photo a little” turned into 5 hours of adjusting shadows and rethinking my entire aesthetic philosophy at 2am while surviving on tea and misplaced optimism.
Transporting Gear: Have you ever tried to look cool dragging a light stand, three lenses, and a backdrop through a windy park while chasing the golden hour? Me neither.

The Unexpected Wins (aka Yay, I Didn't Totally Mess This Up)

Clients Who Made It All Worth It: I’ve had the pleasure of capturing beautiful moments for some truly lovely humans who didn’t blink when I asked them to “pretend to laugh while staring into the distance like you just realized life is fleeting.”
The First Repeat Booking: Someone actually liked their photos enough to come back. I almost cried. Then I actually cried. Then I posted about it on my WhatsApp status!
The “You’re So Talented” Messages: These fuel me more than coffee. And that’s saying a lot.
Getting Paid to Do What I Love: At the end of the day, despite the chaos and curveballs, I get to create something that makes people feel good, look good, and maybe even tear up a little (in a good way).

The smiles that make everything worth it

Final Thoughts From This Sleep-Deprived Shutterbug

Starting a photography business isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not glamorous 90% of the time. But it is fulfilling, ridiculous, heartwarming, hilarious, and totally worth it. I’ve learned to embrace the awkward poses, the learning curves, and the weird requests (yes, I will Photoshop your ex out of that family photo).

So here’s to the journey—from clueless beginner to slightly-less-clueless business owner. And if you’re thinking of starting your own thing, take this as a sign to go for it.

Just maybe bring snacks. And a tripod that doesn’t fall over in the wind.

Want to book a shoot with someone who’s been through the chaos and came out smiling (with caffeine in hand)? Click here to book. Let’s create something beautiful—and probably a little funny too.