If you’ve taken beautiful boudoir photos of your girlfriend, wife, or your friends and are thinking of starting a business as a glamor photographer, there are three things to keep in mind when considering opening one or even a series of boudoir photography studios.

1) Many amateur photographers are very lucky and end up with some wonderful photos because fortune, time, light and the gods of photography smiled on them while they were taking the photo. A few (or several) dozen great photos doesn’t make a professional photographer.

A professional glamor photographer knows his equipment intimately. A professional photographer knows how to get the perfect shot no matter the circumstances, no matter the challenges. The photographer also knows that there will always be challenges. Only experience and time can provide the skill and flexibility to overcome these unavoidable challenges so that the photo shoot produces great images, whatever the circumstances.

2) Going back for a moment to the fact that those who operate boudoir photography studios know their equipment exceptionally well, is the fact that you will need to purchase much more photographic equipment than you currently own. However, many aspiring glamor photographers make the mistake of buying too much gear. You need enough equipment to use as a backup when your primary units are down or unavailable. Buy more than that and you’ll be wasting valuable monetary resources that could be used for other important business expenses like advertising and promotion.

3) Finally, many amateur glamor photographers make the mistake of not treating their photography business like a business. That is, they don’t research their target market, they don’t charge competitive prices, they don’t establish their business as a legal entity, and they don’t separate their business finances from their personal finances.

Instead, you should visit an accountant and attorney to set up business accounts and register your company as a legitimate business. Talk to an accountant or CPA well versed in business tax issues. You should also check with your insurance agent about liability insurance for your business as a glamor photographer. Your insurance costs will vary depending on whether you set up your studio in your home or in a store/office building.

Many amateur photographers think of starting a photography business because they love taking photos. But you have to remember that taking photos for fun is very different from taking them as a boudoir photography studio owner. Take care of priorities before you hang your tile; You’ll be glad you did.