There’s no need to learn everything the hard way.

Here’s the brutal, honest guide I wish I’d had when I started.

They call it a “rookie year,” and mine was a blur of panic peeing, gear confusion, and hourrrrrrs of editing, wondering if I had lost my mind.

Stop being cheap and buy a good camera

I started with a Canon T3i, then thought I was smart by purchasing a “better” camera off Facebook Marketplace.

Turns out cameras have mileage. Who knew?

The one I bought had 800k miles on it. That $400 went out the window.

Moral of the story?

If you don’t know what to ask when buying a used camera, don’t be cheap or buy from randos online.

Get something reliable—preferably new or from a trusted shop with a return policy. It saves you headaches and money in the long run. (And check the shutter count, then Google it to see how much life is left in the camera!)

Speaking of gear…

The gear does matter (especially when you’re new)

There’s a lot of “you can take amazing photos with any camera” hype.

But the folks screaming this message are experienced and can make pretty much any camera bend to their will. They have years of background to work from.

For me, switching from a camera with just nine focus points to a Canon R6 with eye-tracking and a MILLION focus points was a revelation.

Shots that were trash before could now be sharp AF.

Yes, skills matter more in the long run—but while you’re learning, good gear will get you there faster and with less frustration.

👉FREE RESOURCE: What’s in my camera bag

That creamy blur isn’t editing—it’s a good lens.

Those creamy backgrounds aren’t Photoshop—it’s aperture.

A kit lens (the lens that came with your camera) usually has a small maximum aperture. Meaning the aperture goes to around f/3.5 and no lower.

A f/3.5 won’t create enough background blur no matter what you do.

(Remember, low aperture/f-stop number = wider/more open aperture, so lower is better!)

To get that creamy background, you need a lens that opens wide (think f/2.8 or lower).

Then get close to your subject and let the background melt away.

Yes, lenses with a low aperture (f/2.8 and lower) are expensive.

There’s a reason for that price tag: good lenses are hard to make. They require much better materials and an ultra-precise manufacturing process.

Good s**t costs money, bro.

Photographing young kids is basically CrossFit

At the very least, it’s cardio. I squat, sprint, jump, lay on the ground—and my Apple Watch thinks every shoot is a workout.

I imagined this gig as being calm behind the camera—and quickly needed to recalibrate my expectations.

“Family photographer” is not a job for the faint of heart or the movement-averse.

It’s messy, it’s sweaty, and letting yourself move is part of capturing real moments.

It’s normal to be barf-level nervous

I had a secret pee spot at every location. Seriously.

For the first three years (and sometimes even now), I was a wreck before every session—heart pounding, bladder screaming kind of nervous.

I scoped out secret pee spots at all my locations because anxiety makes me pee.

It’s a thing. *shrug*

Even when you’re experienced, nerves don’t vanish overnight.

Nerves are a sign that you care about doing a good job—they don’t mean you’re not cut out for this.

So embrace the anxiety and push through. The day will come that you don’t want to barf before a session, I promise.

You can start by pricing against the market—but don’t stay there

It’s fine to base your prices on other local photographers when you’re new.

Just don’t get stuck there.

Clients pay for what they see in your portfolio, not your years behind the camera.

Once your work is consistent and strong, raise your rates to match your value and cost of doing business, not what you think you should charge compared to every other photographer in your area.

It’s okay to specialize right from the get-go

I started by photographing families, and did only that for nearly a year before I ventured into newborns.

A year after that, I photographed my first high school senior.

A lot of offers came my way in those first couple years, and I said yes to a few, if only so I could understand what lights me up and what drains me.

• Weddings? Too much pressure.
• Big extended-family sessions? Blech.
• Chaotic families, seniors, and newborns? HELLZ YEAH.

It’s okay—and smart—to say no to what doesn’t serve you. Say yes when it aligns with what you’re good at, and what you enjoy.

Track expenses and income from day one

This was one thing I did right from the get-go: tracking every expense and dollar earned—first in a Google Sheet, then later in Airtable.

It wasn’t to be obsessive—it was to watch my business grow.

Sometimes tracking your numbers is a brutal wake-up call—like one of my mentees, who realized she was clearing less than $1,500 for the entire year.

She nearly threw in the towel. Instead, we created a budget and I guided her through a price increase. One year later, she’s booked full, earning more, and much happier (so is her bank balance!).

Social media is not a marketing plan

My business was present only on Facebook for the first 18 months.

Then I got serious: built a website, claimed my Google Business Profile, and focused on SEO.

Over 70% of pages on Google’s first page are more than three years old. The average #1 page is five years old¹. Don’t wait; start creating a website NOW.

Start using a contract ASAP

I avoided contracts until my third year.

I was lucky.

But imagine it: you’re at a park mid-shoot with a family when dad trips on uneven ground and breaks an ankle.

Without a contract, things could go sideways and you’d find yourself on the hook for medical payments.

If you haven’t set up an LLC, your home, your savings, and your family’s security is at risk.

That’s why you need a contract yesterday.

(Bonus tip: SET UP A LEGAL ENTITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS. That, combined with a contract, is the real way to protect your family and your home.)

📄 Need a solid, attorney-approved contract that actually protects you?

Check out my Template Shop — I’ve got an attorney-created contract template built specifically for family photographers.

Get a mentor and skip the rookie mistakes

Here’s the truth: you can figure it out all on your own.

It’ll take time, energy, and money—but you’ll get there.

Or…

You can shortcut the learning curve by working with someone who’s already done it.

Find a mentor who’s already made the mistakes for you, and you’ll speed up your business growth by a LOT.

Trust me. Spend the money. It’ll come back to you in multiples.

If you’re tired of second-guessing every decision, I can help. I mentor photographers just like you.

📣 Click here to learn more about mentoring with me and I’ll help you design a business that actually works for you—not one you’re drowning in.

References

How Long Does It Take to Rank in Google? And How Old Are Top Ranking Pages? Publish date: May 2025 on ahrefs.com