Weddings, portraits, corporate events. Below is what it actually costs, how long before money arrives,
and the part most guides leave out.
Startup capital
€3,500–€12,000
Hours / week
10–35
First income
~8 wks
Net margin
70%
Saturation
high
Realistic ceiling
€800–€3,500
What nobody usually tells you
Strongly seasonal: you earn May to September and survive the rest. Word of mouth beats portfolio, so the first two years are slow for everyone.
The route, in five steps
Buy used, and one good lens
Second-shoot three events before selling your own
Build one package and one add-on, no long price lists
Take a 30% deposit at signing
Go after companies: they pay better than weddings and don't argue
What you'll need to buy
These are the categories every event photography pays for in the first month.
We break down what each one actually costs at this size on the
tools page.
equipmentbackup and storageinsurancewebsite
Does it hold up for you?
These numbers are the average case. Whether this business clears your target depends on
your capital, your hours and how long you can wait — put them in and see.