Photo Business Plan

[Imagebuffet]

I'm in a Small Business Management class at Collin College. Our big project is writing a 4-page business plan. Mostly, I need to be able to justify the expenses of my business, and make the case that I have a good business plan. I am supposed to interview (apparently, not as an assignment, but as a suggestion from my professor) a sole proprietor.

I would like to write a great business plan, but I need data, and I'm not sure how I'm going to get it for a photography business. In fact, I'm not even sure what kind of photography business I should consider? The most obvious would be portraits, or weddings, or seniors, as those are low-barrier-to-entry type jobs and I somewhat understand what is involved. Of course, I would need to get some data regarding the market viability in my area. Any suggestions?

[Tom]

I think getting accurate data would be incredibly hard for photography.

[DSL_PWR]

Start with the Chamber of Commerce in your area, they can help you with statistics for small businesses in your area and may even be able to provide you with leads of persons to speak with for further information.

You will need to show a need/viability for your business in your project, the potential of value to the business at certain intervals/years in business, potential for new clients and possibilities for repeat business.

Also you might want to take time to sit with (call and try to get seat time) a small banker on the business side of things and they will most likely be able to help you with expense planning, etc.