Mobile Photography Business

How Profitable Is A Mobile Photography Business? (Updated for 2024)

Updated: October 4th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Mobile Photography Business? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a mobile photography business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are mobile photography businesses actually profitable?

With a market size of $10.9B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

  • You could start a mobile photography business with as low as $500
  • Based on our data, mobile photography businesses generate an average of $1.25M per year

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a mobile photography business.

Let’s dive in!

Is a mobile photography business profitable?

Yes, a mobile photography business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $1.25M per year with an estimated gross margin of 65%, you could expect to recover your investment within 7 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your mobile photography business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your mobile photography business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a mobile photography business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a mobile photography business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With mobile photography businesses, you have the potential to earn $1.25M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $10.9B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a mobile photography business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful mobile photography businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Mobile Photography Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable mobile photography businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. Results Imagery ($1.32M/year)

Co-founders Kyle Nelson and Eli Libby came up with the idea for Results Imagery after realizing the importance of high-quality media in the eCommerce industry. With their backgrounds in media and eCommerce, they fused their expertise to create a digital agency focused on providing conversion-centric media solutions for brands and product companies. Since their launch, they have found success in search advertising and have expanded their client base to include eCommerce sellers, online retailers, and marketing agencies. With a monthly revenue of $45,000, the future looks bright for Results Imagery as they continue to focus on key partnerships and monthly retainer clients.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $1.32M/year

How We Started A $45K/Month Product Photography And Video Company

Results Imagery co-founders Kyle Nelson and Eli Libby launched their digital agency that focused solely on media creation for brands and product companies, helping clients monetize their conversion-centric media, with their current monthly revenue at $45,000.

Read by 9,928 founders

2. Two Little Monkeys Photography ($24K/year)

Getting pregnant with twin babies, Samantha wanted to document as much as she could about her kids. She wasn't set on a particular career path until then, and immediately saw photography as the viable option to pursue.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $24K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K

How I Started A $2K/Month Newborn And Family Photography Studio

How a single mother went from starting a newborn and family photography studio with just a Canon 40D - risking everything after a turbulent time as a teenage mother - to achieving steady growth of 5-10% YoY.

Read by 6,175 founders

3. Photobooth Supply Co. ($6M/year)

Brandon Wong, CEO of Photobooth Supply Co., came up with the idea for his business when he and his wife, who were wedding photographers, noticed a surge in popularity for photo booths at weddings. They saw an opportunity to improve upon the existing photo booth designs and created a sleek and portable photobooth with high-quality picture capabilities. After selling over 10 booths at a wedding photography expo, they realized they had tapped into a market with huge potential for growth.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $6M/year

Embracing the Experience Economy with a $300K/mo Photo Booth Startup

Photobooth Supply Co. offers a profitable business opportunity through their sleek and portable photo booths, with up to 97% satisfaction rate and a focus on customer experience, in a fast-growing event industry where photo booths are exploding.

Read by 16,964 founders

Learn more about starting a mobile photography business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a mobile photography business?
-> Pros and cons of a mobile photography business

Need inspiration?

-> Other mobile photography business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a mobile photography business
-> Mobile photography business slogans
-> Mobile photography business names
-> Mobile photography business Instagram bios
-> Mobile photography business Instagram captions

Other resources

-> Mobile photography business tips
-> Blog post ideas for a mobile photography business
-> Mobile photography business quotes

How much can you make with a mobile photography business?

With a mobile photography business, you can make an average of $1.25M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $500. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 7 months.

How much does a mobile photography business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a mobile photography business ranges around $26.1K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $104K.

To know if your mobile photography business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your mobile photography business.

How much do mobile photography businesses owners make?

The income of a mobile photography business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established mobile photography business is about $26.1K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a mobile photography business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Mobile Photography Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a mobile photography business can expect profit margin of around 65%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a mobile photography business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, mobile photography business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, mobile photography business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Mobile photography business owner salary

The salary of a mobile photography business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established mobile photography business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $17K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a mobile photography business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your mobile photography business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable mobile photography business.