Business From The Ground Up: Launching Your Photography Business
with Jen Bilodeau
2 WEEK WORKSHOP
$150 Full Participation | $75 Study Along
Turn your love of photography into your dream job.
Follow this systematic, step-by-step approach to launching your photography business including business structures, taxes, contracts, marketing, SEO and more. You’ll move forward informed and ready to confidently embark on your journey as a photography business owner.
Learn how to start a business via a step-by-step approach covering goal setting, legalities, contracts, bookkeeping, website development, branding, taxes, workflow, marketing and more. Through the detailed weekly PDFs, daily discussion topics, exclusive interviews and weekly live chats, this class will cover everything you know to take those first steps. Launch your business, learn how you can set yourself apart in a crowded industry, and set the stage for long-term success.
After completing this two week class, participants are encouraged to continue the Click Photo School photography business start-up program by completing The Profitable Photographer: Your Guide To Sustainable Pricing, where Jen will help you establish the pricing framework your business needs so that you can set yourself up for long-term success. This four week journey is your complete guide to starting a business that is successful, sustainable and satisfying!
PREREQUISITES
None
what you’ll get
WEEKLY LESSONS
1 preassignment, plus 2 weekly PDFs (formatted for print or on-screen viewing). Weekly lessons also include daily action and discussion prompts to keep you moving through the materials.
START UP CHECKLISTS
General business start-up checklist, Branding Checklist.
DAILY INSTRUCTOR-LED Q&A
Full participation students engage in instructor-led discussion and Q&A for daily interaction and support. Study along students have full viewing access.
LIVE Q&A
Full Participation Students will have the opportunity to participate in weekly live Q&A chats with Jen. Study Along students will be able to download and view the recorded sessions.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS
Interviews with with a branding specialist, a social media expert, an SEO specialist, and a website designer.
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT FEEDBACK & CRITIQUE
Full Participation students receive extensive personal video critiques of weekly assignment submissions.
Study Along Students have full viewing access.
syllabus
Welcome
Lesson One
LEARN ABOUT
Understanding The Industry
Building Your Portfolio
Defining Your Target Client
Writing Your Mission Statement
Setting Yourself Apart
Determining Your Business Structure
Registering With The Government
Insurance
Contracts & Copyright
Client Documents
Setting Up Your Website
BONUS
Tax Reference Guide
Lesson Two
LEARN ABOUT
Bookkeeping & money management
Getting Your Website Noticed (SEO discussion)
Your Social Media Presence
Competitive Analysis
Workflow
Branding, Marketing and Grand Opening
Managing work/life balance
Introduction to Pricing (in-depth pricing is taught in The Profitable Photographer
Tax overview
Goal Setting
"My mind is blown with how much information Jen manages to pack into these two weeks."
- Megan
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about your instructor
Jen Bilodeau is a lifestyle and portrait photographer based in Massachusetts. Through her artistic use of light and shadow, and her commitment to capturing authenic organic moments, Jen creates beautifully timeless and powerful imagery. Jen is also a CPA and enjoys mentoring fellow photographers to help them take their business to the next level. Across all areas of her work, Jen strives to capture honest, emotive and timeless images that artfully preserve today’s moments that matter. Her portfolio is available here.
how it works
Full Participation students engage in an interactive online classroom experience that includes instructor-led group discussions and detailed, personalized guidance for the duration of the workshop. Full participation students post their assignments in the workshop and receive critique each week.
Study Along students have access to all materials and are able to view all content and conversation in the main workshop. Study along students will not be able to ask the instructor questions or request instructor feedback on their assignments, but they can follow along with instructor critiques of the Full Participation assignments.
If you are even remotely thinking about starting a photography business and don’t know where to start- this is your course! Not only does Jen give you roadmap for navigating the logistics of starting your business- she gives you the encouragement and feedback to make you feel like you can succeed. She is kind, helpful, thorough, and pragmatic. Her knowledge and expertise are amazing and her courses are filled to the brim with applicable information you will start using right away. I cannot say enough good things about the courses I’ve taken with her. You will not be disappointed and they are worth every penny!!
I’ve now taken two classes from Jen, and hands down she is the best. She explains everything in detail and will always answer any question you may have. I was looking for someone to walk me through all the steps I needed to launch my business and she was the perfect fit. She makes you really sit down and critically evaluate where you want to be going. I’m taking another class next week I’ve loved her style so much!
I am a hobbyist and took this course to gain a better idea of the foundational aspects of a business to entertain the idea of a side business. The class Jen prepared was so thorough and broken down into digestible steps that made the process easy to follow. I enjoyed the daily prompts which encouraged me to give thought to each of the pdf sections and share. Jen was super involved in the forums and the weekly Zoom calls were so helpful too. I feel 100% prepared to move forward and even signed up for her next class because I know what to expect in terms of the thoroughness of her content! Jen- thank you for an eye opening two weeks!!! I highly recommend this class to anyone entertaining the idea of starting a photography business!
This course is a MUST for anyone thinking about going into (or already in) business. The sheer amount of information, along with the logical way it is presented, is incredible, and just plain what you need to know in order to structure and start your business in the right way. Period. Jen is so knowledgeable and accessible – a fantastic instructor! I am looking forward to taking The Profitable Photographer next!
Jen is truly an incredible teacher, and this class is really valuable. If you are planning to start a photography business, this is a MUST. The way Jen puts the material and assignments together is informative without being overwhelming. I can’t imagine starting my business without this class.
This is my second course with Jen and I cannot say enough about her awesome teaching skills. She is a very involved and thorough instructor. Her advice and recommendations are so helpful. Jen’s assignments are insightful and informative. She has put a lot of thought into her courses and has covered SO many different aspects of opening a business. If you are considering it at all or already have one and want to grow it and make it better, I highly recommend this course!
Great course that made me really go deep in creating my branding. It covers a lot, it is intense, but so worth it. There are still aspects I need to work on before I take the step, but I learned a ton and am now very well prepared. Jen answered all questions and helped us out creating our brand and mission statements. She was just great. I can tell how knowledgeable she is and willing to help everyone in their business endeavors. I can not imagine someone would just start a business without taking her class.
If you are considering starting a photography business, or already have one but feel like you’re either missing something or like you’re reinventing the wheel, Take This Class! Jen is a rare blend of gifted artist, clear business woman and talented teacher all wrapped into a kind and clear person who obviously loves sharing her knowledge with others. She a remarkable educator with a wealth of incredibly useful knowledge that she manages to convey in a manner that is clear, friendly, personable and approachable. She is available and responsive throughout the course to answer questions and does so in a kind and direct fashion and in a way that shows that she loves the teaching process and that there is no question too small. The amount of information she packs into this two-week powerhouse is mind-expanding, and while it can feel a little daunting at times, it is well worth the time, money, and effort. This class will move you forward, help you to define what you want to put out in the world, and help you decide how you want to do it and the best ways to go about it. I’m so grateful I took this class and I’m so grateful to Jen for teaching it.
I can not recommend this course enough!! There is so much amazing information packed into two weeks. By the end you will know everything you need to know about launching your photography business. Jen is such an incredible instructor! I loved learning from everything she had to teach us. Jen is so attentive and available to answer any questions and has so much knowledge and experience behind her. Her work is also so beautiful and the way she runs her business is inspiring. Definitely recommend this course!!
Hi! When will this be available?
Hi Keleigh! The next run starts December 30, 2020! Hope to see you there!!
This is a great class for boutique portrait photographers just starting out or wanting to get serious about their business systems/processes/brand. Jen covers a TON of information and it’s all really helpful, helping you think through how to structure your business, build a brand, and think about all your workflows. I’m still exploring a business and not 100% sure I’m going to set up a portrait/family photography business, but if you are, you should definitely take this class; it will set you up very well. And if you’re like me and not sure what kind of business you’re going to set up, still take it! Jen is a fantastic instructor and offers great insight, and you’ll come out with the structure you need to set up your own roadmap to starting a business. You just might have trouble keeping up with the work during the actual class.
I am so glad I signed up for this course to help me better understand what I need to do to get my business running. I still have many steps I need to take before I can get started, but I wouldn’t have known that or have the guidance to do that if I hadn’t taken this. Jen gives a great step-by-step guide to help you build the foundation for your business and is there to help every step of the way if you have any questions or need additional help. I highly recommend this course for anyone trying to get the ball rolling or even already established business that still have backend questions. I feel more confident going into this and I wouldn’t have it wasn’t for Jen.
If you are even considering starting a photography business, take this course! Jen presents the material in a clear, approachable way that makes taking the initial steps much less scary. Her enthusiasm for both the art and business of photography comes through with each lesson, and I know my business will be in a much better place because of this investment!
This class is just what I needed to push myself further in my business and to make sure I have a solid foundation to stand on. Jen covers it all and is very helpful on the forum and generous with advice and her time. She is so organized and that is something that will help me get organized too and make sure that all things are in the right place. I definetely recommend this class to anyone who is just starting up a business and want to get serious about it.
Such an amazing class with Jen! The thought of starting a business is completely overwhelming to me, but Jen breaks it down step-by-step. It is absolutely full of information. There is a lot to work to do, but she makes it easy by breaking the steps down each day. I have asked so many questions, and she is prompt and thorough in responding and gives actual help instead of fluff answers. I’m really loving the interactive workbook for daily work.
How can I buy the course? And when I do can I decide later wether I want the package of $150 or the $75?
Hi Jen, When will the Business from the ground up workshop be opening and how can I get notified?
~Donna
Jen is amazing!!! If you are thinking about starting a photography business, this class is a must. I recently started my business and I wish I had taken this class before I had my grand opening. Be warned, Jen provides a ton of information in a short amount of time. So be prepared to dive in and soak up all the wonderful bits of knowledge that Jen shares. Keep up with the daily activities because you will learn so much. And ask any questions you have. Jen is an amazing resource and she’s very active in forum. I loved this class so much, that I’m signed up for her other class, The Profitable Photographer.
This course has been amazing! If you are at all thinking of moving from hobbyist to a business this course is a must! All my thoughts and ideas to move my passion for photography into a business were organized in a time table that enabled me to feel more confident to embrace a business. Jen is amazing, answers your questions, provides resources and material that will continue to help me grow!
Thank goodness for Jenn and this class!! For the last 2 year, I’ve been running my business with just enough information to make me dangerous…and dangerous I was. Eek! Now that I know what I didn’t know (through BFGU), I’m set up to run NNP professionally, efficiently, and oh, yeah, legally! This class gives you a ton of information, but Jenn keeps you on track with the daily lessons and by answering your questions pdq.. Be prepared to work hard but then sit back and reap the benefits. Highly recommend.
This class is exactly what I needed as I prepare my photography business for launch later this year. Jen is knowledgeable and competent, engaged with her students and passionate about helping her students start their businesses off on the right foot. Jen pulls from both her experience as a CPA and her experience with her own photography business, and her guidance is absolutely invaluable. Thank you again, Jen!
Take this class!!! You will not regret it! I’ve been floundering to try to figure out the business of photography for 3+ years now, and without this class, it would easily be another 3 years before I found my footing.
I was reluctant to take this class, because I’ve spend thousands of dollars on classes in the past, only to never finish them or not even follow through what the class teaches. I wanted to be confident that I could do the assignments and really get the most out of the class. With the actionable-steps, live check-ins, and active class participation, this class is fast enough pace to keep you on your toes, but supportive enough that you are not overwhelmed, but are motivated to take the necessary steps to launch your business. I’ve done every evaluation there is about “Ideal Clients” and who they are and what you see and vision casting and yada yada yada, but at the end of the day, nothing stuck. With the whole package of how to launch your business, tailor-made to fit your needs, there is nothing like this class on the market! The PDF on taxes ALONE is worth the price of the class! It’s straight-forward and helpful and Jen’s there every step of the way to answer every single question. The setup of the whole class is easy to understand, and it makes learning a breeze, so that you can focus on what really matters: Getting to the heart of *your* business. I cannot tell you how much I love this class!
If you have $150, or even if you don’t, buy this class! In fact, might want to go ahead and set aside another $150 for Profitable Photographer, and I haven’t even gotten that far yet, I’m just *that* confident it’s worth it!
First of all, Jen is an absolutely stellar instructor. She is very knowledgeable and present. This workshop will no doubt answer all your questions and provide you with the tools and a plan to create a professional and successful business. If you are or are considering charging for sessions, this course is a must!
Hi there
Please could you advise if this course covers information relevant for outside the US (insurance, taxes etc)? Specifically for me – the UK.
And also, how many hours per day (approx.) would you recommend setting aside to do it.
Many thanks.
Hi Kate! This class does not cover tax information or tax laws outside of the US as my certification is here in the States. Much of the other information (many of the Week 1 topics, and all of the Week 2) will apply regardless of your location. As far as time commitment, we cover a lot of material in a short period of time, so I recommend about 2 hours per day to commit to reading the materials, participating in the daily discussion topics, and completing assignments. Hope to see you there!
I highly recommend this course. You can tell that Jen is passionate about seeing local photographers flourish. She takes time to get to know you and your personal situation and goals to best direct you through this course.
If you are ready to take the plunge and build your photography business, this course is invaluable. Jen presents all the things that a photographer needs to consider so that you can build a great business structure that will serve you as care for your clients. Covering everything from business structures, taxes, workflow, finding your ideal client, planning your grand opening and so much more, she is bound to remind you of something you would have otherwise forgotten. Over the two weeks of the course, I was able to make great strides towards having my business off the ground and left with a clear checklist of items I still need to complete. Jen gives kind and thoughtful advice and is the kind of friend you would like holding your hand as you take the big steps to build your business.
Is it possible to get an email when this is about to open?
Hi Fleur! Just wanted to let you know that registration is open now for Lifetime CM members, and it will will open on Monday for everyone. Hope to see you there!
I cannot recommend this class enough! What sold me with registering for this class was someone’s review that said the first PDF alone is worth the cost of the class. I would agree, so you got a treasure chest full of gold here! & Jen being the instructor (her teaching ability, attentiveness, and gentleness) makes it all the more valuable. You’ll also want to take the follow up class, The Profitable Photographer. Thank you, Jen!
This class is amazing and well worth the investment, in my opinion. So much so, that I’ve actually taken it twice! The first time I took it, I wound up being too busy to do anything at all. I considered just working through the materials – which are amazing and thorough and worth the price of admission – on my own, but ultimately decided to pay to take it FP on my second try, just to get Jen’s feedback. I have to say, this was a worthwhile decision! Jen gives daily feedback and has answered every question I can possibly think of! She goes above and beyond in her commitment to her students and it’s really been worth every penny to get her guidance about all my startup decisions! I’m so excited to have a solid business plan!
What is the cost for this course? And when will you be offering it again. Thanks!
Hi Victoria,
Full Participation is $150.00 and Study Along is $75.00.
The dates for the next run of this course have not yet been released. Be sure to follow Click Photo School for any upcoming workshop dates and registration information: https://www.clickphotoschool.com/click-photo-school-workshops
This course was fantastic! Jen has provided such a thoughtful, detailed path to absolutely everything you need to know about starting a photography business. The information is presented in a very detailed manner, and Jen has left no stone unturned. I loved the step by step learning path set up through the checklists, workbooks, and PDF’s jam packed full of information to take away. You can tell Jen has poured her heart and soul into this course and she was very present, responsive and helpful throughout. An amazing course taught from a very talented artist and extremely knowledgable instructor. If you are thinking of taking this course you will not regret it!! What a great experience and honour to take a course with such a talented artist and knowledgeable instructor.
This course was awesome. Jen has provided such a thoughtful, detailed path to everything it takes to start up a photography business. I loved the step by step approach through the checklists and PDF’s jam packed with all the information you need to get your business started the right way! If you are thinking of taking this course you will definitely not regret it. Jen has put so much heart and soul into this course and she was so present and helpful through the process. What a great experience and honour to take a course with such a talented artist and knowledgeable instructor.
This class has been so, so helpful! I am not the most “business-minded” person; Jen has really helped me get organized for opening my “doors” in the next few months. I would have been a mess without this class! There is so much useful information, it is laid out in a very organized method and Jen is so responsive and helpful. I’m looking forward to my next class with her.
Jen is so helpful and generous with her knowledge. This class covers every detail of starting up a business and Jen is there through all of it to answer any additional questions. I finally feel like I have a concrete plan to get my business going. I am also so thankful that I’ll have these materials to look back on as my business grows. This class has been worth every penny!!
I wish I had known this class earlier, it would have saved me a lot of time and energy running around for advice and ressources! Jen covers all aspects of starting (or even thinking to start!) your own business. The training, the Q&A and the zoom sessions, where we get to ask our questions live to Jen, are all great to get you moving to the next step. There is a lot of material so I advise you keep enough time aside for the 2 very packed weeks of learning. Jen is not only a talented artist, she is also a patient and knowledgeable mentor so don’t miss the full participation to the class if it isn’t full!
If you are looking into starting a photography business, this is your go to workshop. Jen leaves no stone uncovered here! It would have taken me years to figure all of this out on my own. Not only is she amazingly talented as an artist, she is wonderfully efficient in her process of running a business. She engages daily and answers any and all questions you may have. I have been very impressed with the detailed feedback. This workshop is the catalyst that I needed to have the confidence to start my business.
I debated for a long time about this course and am so glad I took it! If you are unsure about becoming a photographer this gives you a great insight into what it actually involves, if you are ready to set up your business this will give you all the ins and outs of how to do it. I debated about taking it full participation and am so glad I did it. Jen gives daily feedback (in fact I think I have had more instructor feedback in this class then any workshop I have taken previously) and answers questions you have no idea you even had. I highly recommend FP for this workshop!!!
I can’t be happier with this course by Jen. I did my research online and read some blogs about how to start my business, but never got real answers and I always wondered if I was doing it right. This course set me back on track step by step. Jen makes it so easy to follow those steps and she answers any questions you ask very fast! so you can keep moving forward. Her PDFs are beautiful and easy to follow, and TONS of information. If you’re an artist and “no-so-good-with-numbers” like me, I definitely recommend to take this course. You won’t regret it!!!
So glad I signed up for this course! This is exactly what I needed to get me in form to open my photography business. Jen has so much wonderful information in her PDF’s and I love that she breaks it down into daily assignments to keep me on track. And, her great checklist is so helpful. know what I have completed and what I need to finish. She is thoughtful in her comments and feedback and so encouraging! I recommend this course for anybody wanting to start up their business!
This class has given me exactly the momentum I needed to begin building the business that I’ve been dreaming about! Jen lays out a clear roadmap for everything from actions that need to be taken to ideas that need to be thought through – complete with checklists and a wookbook – and her comments/feedback throughout the class are thoughtful and encouraging and obviously based on such deep experience as a family photographer and as an accountant! Such a perfect combination in a photography business teacher!
I’m blown away by this course! Jen provides a very clear roadmap for how to start your own photography business through easy-to-understand, detailed coursework. She walks you through each and every step, answering questions and providing resources to help. Jen is there to review work and answer individual questions each day, and she meets with students through video conferences each week as extra support. This course is time and money very well spent!
Shoot! I missed joining this class by a few days. Please let me know when you will be offering it again!
Hi Christie! The dates for the next run of this course have not yet been released. Be sure to follow Click Photo School for any upcoming workshop dates and registration information: https://www.clickphotoschool.com/click-photo-school-workshops/
My mind is blown with how much information Jen manages to pack into these two weeks. The week 1 PDF was worth the enrollment fee alone! This was just the beginning. I’m so full of appreciation for the time Jen takes in the forum DAILY and with her assistants. She answers anything and everything with such knowledge and will search it out if she’s at all hesitant. Worksheets to keep/ponder, amazing PDFs full of info, and weekly video chats in two weeks. This course is AMAZING!
I am in the final days of Jen Bilodeau’s Building a Business From the Ground Up, and I am simply BLOWN AWAY by this class!! I’ve taken a lot of CM classes (and I mean, a LOT of them!!), and I’ve enjoyed them all, but Jen was absolutely the most responsive, knowledgeable, accessible and helpful instructor I think I’ve had to date! The PDF itself is MASSIVE, packed to the brim with so much information to completely demystify the process of starting a business. Jen’s knowledge of business best practice is top notch, her knowledge of the sticky parts (like what kinds of insurance you might need, what kinds of questions to ask an accountant, etc.), amazing, but it was her constant presence and feedback that was so outstanding. After this class, I feel that I have all the information I need to make this transition well informed. She has structured it so well that I actually completed tasks that have been on my to do list for MONTHS in week one! I’m not kidding!! If you are even THINKING about starting a business, I cannot recommend this class highly enough.
I am so happy I took this course! Jen has set the materials up in such a great way that it is impossible to not feel organized and on top of all the steps to start a photography business. She is also quick to answer questions and is very present every day. She even has two video conferences. I could not be happier that I decided to take this class and will be turning to the incredible materials often as I launch my business. I highly recommend this class!
I hope this course will run again soon. I am so sad I missed it and would love to see it run again soon.
I took this class just as I was on the brink of opening for business and it was exactly what I needed. Jen lays out step-by-step what you need to do to get up and running. In addition to the logistics of getting formalized as a business, she helps you develop your marketing plan, start a newsletter, prepare for grand opening, etc. It’s a lot of information in two weeks, but she keeps you organized with daily activities and a workbook to keep all of your information in. I can’t recommend this class enough!
I am now finishing up this course and am beyond grateful for all of the knowledge that Jen and the TA’s have shared. They all run successful photography businesses and are open books to share their experiences. Jen has done an amazing job and laying out the steps it takes to build a successful business, from contracts to marketing to websites and everything in between. This course was exactly what I needed to gain the confidence for opening my own business!
Hi! How often do you offer this course? I’d love to take it next month or in June if possible.
Hi Ali! I will be offering this course several times a year. I’m currently not sure when the next run will be be I’m guessing late summer or early fall. Hope to see you there!
Is the study along as beneficial if I am unable to do the full participation.
Hi! Is the bulk of the content via the PDF? I really love videos and find them much easier to grasp the information.
If you are looking to get your business running and off the ground, Jen is 100% your girl! Not only is she an incredibly talented artist, She is a gifted teacher with a solid, professional foundation in business. She has a tremendous heart and is extremely generous with all of her business knowledge. I highly recommend both of her courses if you are looking to halt all of the decision paralysis and jumpstart a business that speaks to your own unique vision!