Photography as a career in Kenya
Photography as a career in Kenya is a path you can choose to pursue and comfortably make a living or a fortune. How lucrative is photography career in Kenya? This is a question we want to address in our discussion here.
Photography session
Can I make a well paying career as a photographer in Kenya?
The answer is YES.
Photography presents enormous opportunities in Kenya today. Currently we have well doing photographers in Nairobi and across the country. In Kenya photographers earnings range from Ksh50,000 per month to Ksh2,000,000 per month. Established photographers in Kenya are indeed millionaires. Welcome to the world of photography, and gear up for a journey to become one of the high earning photographers in Kenya.
Photography as a career is an art application, a practice of creating images using cameras and editing software. The possibilities in the modern world are limitless. To that effect, you can create magnificent pictures using tools that are readily available.
The art of photography has gradually evolved over time.
Photography and Videography Class
In the modern world we are living in, photography has evolved to a career, driven by passion and skill.
If you are an absolute beginner, or are considering the possibilities of a career in photography, talk to us. Join our photography class and learn how to make great photos.
How to start your photography career in Kenya
If you have a camera, that’s Awesome! If you don’t, no need to worry. You can begin by hiring cameras. There are several shops in Nairobi that hire our cameras and other photography equipment at affordable rates. This would be a good place to start from.
If you have some creative photography chops, you might want to turn your creative outlet into a money-making venture, and here is HOW:
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Write a photography business plan
Any serious entrepreneur will tell you that you need to organize your thoughts on paper. This detailed document serves as your roadmap, describing what your business is and how it will be profitable. It breaks down things like cash flow, expenses, ownership, and competition. In your business plan, depending on which part of Kenya you reside, assess the need for photography in your region.
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Assess your photography business in Kenya startup costs
As part of your business planning process, you’ll need to assess your start-up costs. What are the essentials that you’ll need before you can really launch your business?
To be a photographer in Kenya, the most essential equipment are a camera, and a computer for editing your shots. Check online, simply Google Cameras in Nairobi and you’ll find various shops selling a wide range of cameras.
You can decide to set up a dedicated studio space or work from home. For starters, working from home is just fine. You’ll be alright, you’ll grow!
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Look for photography startup funds in Kenya
You can secure the start-up funds by borrowing from friends and family or taking a loan from a bank if what you have is not enough. Lucky you if you have enough capital to take you through the setting up of your new business. In Kenya there are organizations that can fund you, check out Youth Fund.
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Figure out your personal finances
A business does not grow/ become profitable overnight. Therefore, you might have to work another job to make ends meet until your business generates enough money.
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Get professional photography experience
You’ll need to show your prospective clients what you can do, and working alongside a professional photographer is a great way to get some experience and start to build a portfolio. Check out what other photographers in Kenya have developed their businesses. Eugene Mbugua worked as a photographer’s assistant while starting his own business.
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Buy camera gear from shops in Kenya
Besides buying a camera you’ll need other gear such as lenses, lens hood, reflector, tripod, gimble and a range of other gear used by photographers.
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Come up with a pricing plan
How much will you charge for your services? In Kenya, for individual shoots you can begin by charging Ksh5000. In events like weddings, parties and corporate events, Ksh50000 would be a good rate for a starter.
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Invest in a website
Your website should, of course, showcase your work. That’s what your clients will want to see. Keep your site organized by breaking your galleries up by category. Include a picture of yourself and a page that describes your background and experience.
Contact information is also a must. It’s a good idea to list at least some of your prices. This helps manage customer expectations and keeps people from negotiating for a lower price.
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