When I first picked up a camera, I had no idea how much it would change my life, not just creatively, but for my family too. What started as a hobby slowly turned into a way I could help bring income into our home. After I had my first daughter I knew I didn’t want to go bank into banking, I wanted to find a way to stay home BUT still help provide for my family! If you’re here, maybe you’re wondering the same thing: Is this something I can do? Could this actually become a business? The short answer: yes, absolutely.

But starting a photography business can feel overwhelming at first. You’re not just learning how to take pretty photos—you’re learning a craft. That’s why I want to break down three of the most important basics I leaned on when I was just starting: the exposure triangle, lighting, and editing. But just remember this is just some basics, running a bisenuss is so much more work then learning how to take good photos and edit them. I actually didn’t know running a photography bisness was more marketing and SEO then it is actually doing the fun part. That’s for another day though, let’s get into it!

1. The Exposure Triangle: Your Camera’s Foundation

Before you dive into anything else, you need to get familiar with how your camera works. The “exposure triangle” is the foundation. It’s made up of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. These three settings work together to control how bright or dark your image is—and they also affect the overall look of your photo.

Here’s the simplest way to understand them:

• ISO – Think of this as your camera’s sensitivity to light. A low ISO (like 100) is great for bright light, while a high ISO (like 1600 or more) helps in darker situations. But be careful—higher ISO can make your photos grainy.
• Aperture (f-stop) – This controls how much light your lens lets in and how blurry your background is. A lower number (like f/1.8) means a blurrier background—great for portraits. A higher number (like f/8) keeps more of the scene in focus—great for landscapes or group shots.
• Shutter Speed – This controls how fast your camera takes the photo. A fast shutter freezes motion (great for kids or movement). A slower shutter lets in more light but can create blur if the subject moves.

The key is learning how to balance these three to get a properly exposed photo. It takes practice but once it clicks, it’ll feel like second nature.

2. Lighting: Practice in Every Situation

If there’s one thing that can make or break a photo, it’s light. I’ll be honest, I’m a golden hour junkie. That soft, warm glow right before sunset? It’s pure magic. And most photographers will tell you it’s their favorite too.

But if you want to run a photography business, it’s not always about ideal light. You’ll need to be comfortable shooting in all types of lighting, midday sun, cloudy days, or even inside with limited natural light. The best way to learn? Practice. Take your camera out at different times of day, in different rooms, and in different weather. Watch how the light changes and affects your photos. As a newborn photographer I go into peoples home and I have no idea how the light will look until I get there. I always have my flash on me just incase but I love using windows and well lit areas of the home for natural light because that’s how I best achieve the look that I love! It took lots of practice with trial and error to be confidant walking into each home.

If you’re feeling stuck, I highly recommend taking an online lighting course. There are so many great resources out there that can walk you through things like using natural light, backlighting, shadows, and more. If you want a great teacher who does classes for beginners, I highly recommend checking out Devon Adrianne Photography on IG, she is amazing to work with and has helped me a TON!!

3. Editing: Finding Your Style

Once you’ve got your photo, the next step is editing. This is where your style really comes to life.

I use Lightroom, and if you’re brand new to editing, YouTube will be your best friend. There are tons of tutorials that break down the basics, exposure, contrast, white balance, and color tones.

When you’re ready to find your style, look for a preset that fits the direction you want to go. Light and airy, warm and soft, or bright and bold. But here’s the truth: a preset is just a starting point. It’s not a one-click magic fix. Every photo is different, and you’ll learn to tweak things to get the look you love.

The more you edit, the more you’ll start to see what you’re drawn to. Eventually, you’ll develop your own signature style. There are other platforms to edit on, I use a combo of Lightroom & Photoshop but there are others you can try out as well.

Final Thoughts

I’m not a teacher or an expert but I’ve been where you are. Starting out can feel like a lot. There were times I thought I’d never figure it all out. But little by little, things made sense. Other photographers encouraged me along the way, and I hope this post can do the same for you.

If you’re passionate, willing to learn, and not afraid of making mistakes, you’ve already got what it takes.

Keep going. You’re just getting started, if I can do it YOU CAN TOO!!