How to Start a Photography Business with No Money: A Step-by-Step Guide For Family Photography
When we started brainstorming for this episode of The Edit Podcast, Amanda and I challenged ourselves to see if it was genuinely possible to start a photography business with zero budget—no camera, no software, no paid advertising. We each devised our own step-by-step plan, and Amanda chose to focus on family photography since it's a great niche for beginners with plenty of demand.
What she put together is realistic and a solid blueprint for anyone wanting to get started without spending a dime. If you've been dreaming of launching your family photography business but don’t know where to start, this guide will show you exactly how to do it!
Starting a family photography business can feel overwhelming—especially if you're on a tight budget (or no budget at all). But here’s the good news: You don’t need a fancy camera, expensive gear, or paid advertising to get started. With creativity, resourcefulness, and a little hustle, you can build a thriving photography business from scratch.
In this post, we’re diving into a practical, zero-budget plan inspired by our latest episode on The Edit Weekly. If you’ve been dreaming of becoming a family photographer but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you!
Step 1: Borrow a Camera and Build a Portfolio
Since we’re focusing on family photography, you’ll need a portfolio that showcases your ability to capture parents and kids in a natural, heartwarming way.
If you don’t own a professional camera yet, don’t worry—here’s how to make it work:
Find a friend with a camera and offer to take their family photos in exchange for borrowing it.
Make sure they sign a model release so you can use the images for marketing.
What if you don’t have a friend with a camera?
If you don’t have a friend who can lend you a camera, here are some other options:
Join local photography groups on Facebook or Meetup. Build genuine relationships (photographers are awesome!) and you can connect with someone who will let you learn on their camera.
Check with community centers, colleges, or libraries. Some have cameras available to rent for free or at a low cost.
Use your phone’s camera. While a professional camera is ideal, modern smartphones can take high-quality photos, allowing you to build a portfolio.
Rent a camera for a day. If you can afford a small investment, you can rent a camera and lens for under $100 from a local shop or an online rental service (more on this below).
Once you’ve done one family session, repeat the process with a few more families to build a well-rounded portfolio.
Step 2: Edit Your Photos for Free
Professional editing software can be expensive, but there are excellent free alternatives that work well for family photography:
Darktable – A free Lightroom alternative for organizing and editing photos.
GIMP – A Photoshop-style tool for retouching and graphic design.
These tools will help you enhance skin tones, brighten family portraits, and fine-tune your images without spending a dime.
Step 3: Create Your Brand for Free
Before you start booking clients, you’ll need to establish your brand. The good news? Canva (even the free version) makes it easy to create:
A simple logo that reflects your style
A price list to share with potential clients
Social media graphics for marketing your new business
Step 4: Announce Your Business & Get Clients
Now that you have a portfolio and branding, it’s time to start getting clients!
Post your work on social media – Instagram and Facebook are great for attracting families looking for photographers.
Reach out to friends and family – They already know you and are more likely to book a session or refer you to others.
Offer a referral bonus – Example: If a friend refers three paying clients, they get a free mini session or additional digital images.
Your first few clients will likely come from your personal network, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
Step 5: Take Prepayments & Rent a Camera
Once someone is ready to book, take a prepayment upfront (with a no-refund cancellation policy). This gives you immediate cash flow.
Use Venmo (or another no-fee platform) to collect payments.
Use that money to rent a camera & lens for the session if you don’t have one yet.
Budget-friendly rental options for family photographers
Local camera shops – Many have affordable daily rental rates. If you're in the Seattle area, check out Glazer’s Camera.
LensRentals.com – A great online option with a wide selection of cameras and lenses.
BorrowLenses.com – Another excellent online rental service.
For example, you could rent a Canon R8 mirrorless and a 50mm lens for just over $100 for a day—affordable when your client has already paid for their session.
If you rent for a full week, you could book multiple family sessions in that time frame and maximize your investment.
Step 6: Get Legit with a Business License
Once you’ve made some money, your first investment should be registering your business.
Every state has different requirements, but in Washington, for example, a business license costs under $100.
Having a legal business allows you to take payments properly and avoid tax or legal issues down the road.
After that, continue reinvesting in your business—saving up for your own camera, investing in contracts, and improving your workflow.
Step 7: Level Up & Grow Your Family Photography Business
Once you’ve built momentum, it’s time to scale your business. Here’s what to focus on next:
Invest in your own camera and gear. Renting is a great start, but owning your own equipment gives you more flexibility.
Get a solid contract. A contract protects both you and your clients. Check out online contract templates or consult a legal expert.
Improve your client experience. Learn about posing, lighting, and editing specifically for family photography to make your sessions stand out. We love the LawTog and you can see our interview with founder Rachel Brenke here!
Keep marketing. Continue using social media, build a website, and start collecting client reviews to boost your credibility.
Final Thoughts: Start Small & Keep Going
Starting a family photography business with no money is absolutely possible—but it does take creativity, effort, and persistence. The key is to start small, take action, and keep building.
You don’t need the best gear or a big budget. You just need determination, a willingness to learn, and the confidence to put yourself out there.
Your next step:
Borrow a camera, book your first family session, and start building your dream photography business—one step at a time!
Next week, Whitney will share her plan for starting a branding photography business with no money. If family photography isn’t your thing or you’re curious about different photography niches, check back for her step-by-step approach to building a business by working with brands and small businesses—all without spending a dime!
Want more practical tips for photographers? Subscribe to The Edit Podcast for weekly insights on growing your photography business.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your fellow photographers!
Have a great week!!
The Edit Ladies 😊
