How to Start a Photography Business in the UK [2025 Guide]

If you've ever found yourself obsessing over light angles, framing details in your everyday surroundings, or capturing the perfect candid moment, starting a photography business in the UK might be more than just a creative calling. It could be your next smart business move.

This business suits:

Understanding the market

Photography in 2025 isn’t what it was even five years ago. Today’s clients want storytelling, not just snapshots. They expect photographers to understand mood, branding, digital formats, and to deliver quickly.

What does that mean for you? It means the opportunities aren’t limited to weddings or portraits anymore. There's room to specialise in niche areas like:

Trends that are changing the game

Who’s buying photography in 2025?

Let’s get more specific. These are the kinds of people and businesses paying for professional images this year:

The value you provide

Professional photographers do more than take pictures. Here’s what clients are really paying for:

Photographers who understand these deeper needs and deliver on them consistently are the ones who get booked again and again.

Legal requirements & company setup

Do you need to register a business?

If you're earning money from photography (even if it starts as a side gig), you must register with HMRC. This is a legal requirement and not optional.

You can choose one of three structures:

✅ Quick tip: If you're unsure, start as a sole trader and switch to LTD once you're earning consistently.

💡You can register your business, set up a bank account, and manage tax paperwork all in one place with ANNA Money. It’s ideal for creatives who hate admin.

Essential legal requirements

Photography businesses in the UK must comply with several legal obligations:

Optional but helpful:

Costs & finances

Starting a photography business doesn’t require a six-figure investment, but it does require smart financial planning. 

Some costs are obvious, like camera, lenses, software. Others, like insurance, marketing, or cloud storage, are easy to forget until they hit your pocket.

📌 Tip: You don’t need everything at once. Start lean and reinvest profits into better gear.

How much can you charge?

There’s no one-size-fits-all pricing model. You’ll need to factor in:

Profit margins & financial tips

💡 Pro tip: Did you know your bookkeeping habits could be saving you money on taxes?

With Bookkeeping Score, you can instantly see how tidy your books are and get simple, actionable tasks (like recategorising expenses) to boost your tax efficiency. The better your score, the more tax you might save!

Are there grants or support?

Yes, especially if you’re just starting out:

Client acquisition strategy

Step one: Build a portfolio with purpose

Before you think about advertising, build a body of work that speaks to your target audience. 

If you want to shoot weddings, consider doing 2 -3 styled shoots (offer them free or at a discount in exchange for permission to publish the images). 

If you're targeting e-commerce brands, mock up a few product shoots at home using real objects and strong lighting.

Step two: Set up the right channels

You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to be where your clients are looking. Here’s where to focus first:

Where to find your first paying clients

Don't forget to:

Operations & capabilities

Technical talent is only half the job. To build a sustainable business, you’ll need to combine artistic, interpersonal, and business management skills:

Should you go solo or build a team?

Most UK photographers start as one-person businesses. It’s lean and gives you full creative control. But as your bookings increase, consider outsourcing or hiring support:

Tools, systems & automations

If you want to avoid burnout and keep your operations smooth, the right tools can save you hours each week, not to mention elevate the experience for your clients.

Booking & scheduling tools

Let clients check your availability and book shoots without the back-and-forth emails:

📌 Automate confirmations, reminders, and intake forms to eliminate no-shows and wasted admin time.

Invoicing & payments

You don’t need to chase invoices if you automate your billing. These tools make it seamless:

💡 Pro tip: Include a payment link in your quote or contract. Fewer clicks = faster payments.

Image delivery & client management

Gone are the days of mailing USBs or juggling Dropbox folders. These platforms offer polished, branded delivery:

🎯 Send clients a gallery that feels like part of your brand, not just a file drop.

CRM (Client Relationship Management)

When your inbox gets messy, a CRM keeps you organised:

Why a business account & registration matter

Using a personal bank account might seem easier, but it makes taxes, accounting, and professionalism harder.

📌 ANNA Money makes this effortless with built-in invoicing, receipt capture, and bookkeeping support.

Taxes, accounting & compliance

Once you’re earning through photography (even a few hundred pounds a month) you’ll need to stay on top of your tax obligations. Ignoring this part of your business can lead to fines, missed deductions, or unnecessary stress come January.

Your legal structure (sole trader vs limited company) determines how you report and pay tax:

📌 Even if you’re a sole trader with modest income, you must still register for Self Assessment if you earn over £1,000 per year.

When do you need to register for VAT?

VAT registration becomes mandatory when your annual turnover exceeds £90,000. You can also register voluntarily if it benefits your business: e.g., you're working with VAT-registered clients or have significant equipment costs.

Keep accurate records (Without going crazy)

Photography businesses typically have dozens of small expenses – subscriptions, mileage, props, client gifts, and cloud storage. Good recordkeeping helps you:

What to track:

✅ ANNA allows for mobile receipt uploads. Capture them as you go – don’t wait until the tax deadline.

End-of-year filing requirements

Depending on your setup, you’ll need to complete some or all of the following:

Why ANNA is the smart start for creatives

Let’s be honest: the admin side of business is rarely a photographer’s favourite part. But ANNA takes the hassle out of company setup and financial management, so you can spend less time stressing about spreadsheets and more time doing what you love.

What makes ANNA different?

ANNA is your backstage crew. It keeps everything running behind the scenes while you focus on your shoots, edits, and building a business that feels like you.

Join over 100,000 UK creatives and freelancers using ANNA to simplify their business life.

Start your photography business the smart way with ANNA Money. One setup. Zero stress.