1. Quiz
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  3. Your plan
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Step-by-step guide

Event and portrait photography: your step-by-step start

Photograph birthdays, graduations, church events, family portraits and small weddings, and deliver edited photos online.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • People with a decent camera or phone, a good eye and the confidence to direct people.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 30 days.
  • You do not want to find and talk to customers yourself.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 30 days.
  • Part time, this can become a meaningful second income once you have regular customers.
  • The main risk to plan for: lost photos: back up every shoot twice.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How event and portrait photography worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Write packages: hours, edited photos, delivery time3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Set up a booking form with deposit terms3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Shoot two events and deliver on time3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Ask every client for referrals and a review3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Add portrait mini-sessions on weekends3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Raise prices once booked out3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to R15 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Camera or good phone
  • Editing app
  • Backup storage
  • Booking form

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.