11 Must-Read Business Books For Photographers

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz is a book that outlines a new approach to business accounting. The book argues that the traditional approach to business finances, which is to focus on revenue and expenses, is flawed and can lead to financial struggles and even business failure.

The book provides a step-by-step guide for implementing the Profit First method, including how to set up a profit-first financial system, how to determine the right percentage of profit to set aside, and how to manage cash flow and make financial decisions that support your business goals.

Profit First is a must read business book for photographers, as it provides a framework for financial planning and decision-making that can help ensure the long-term financial success of your business. By prioritizing profit and making it a central focus of your financial planning, you can take control of your financial future and set your business up for success.

This book was the reason I could continue to pay myself throughout the the pandemic, and why I now have enough money saved to guarantee I can pay myself for the next 18 months.

Superfans: The Easy Way to Stand Out, Grow Your Tribe, and Build a Successful Business is a book written by Pat Flynn, an entrepreneur and online marketing expert. The book is aimed at helping business owners, including photographers, build and cultivate a loyal group of “superfans,” or highly engaged and passionate customers who are key to the success of any business.

In the book, Flynn argues that building a strong relationship with your super fans is essential for long-term success, as they are likely to promote your business to others, provide valuable feedback, and even serve as ambassadors for your brand. He provides practical strategies for identifying, engaging, and retaining super fans, including using social media and email marketing to connect with them, offering exclusive content and experiences, and consistently delivering value.

Superfans is an essential read for photographers looking to build and grow their businesses by fostering a community of loyal and engaged customers. By following Flynn’s advice and strategies, photographers can create a strong foundation for their businesses and set themselves up for long-term success.

Building A Story Brand is a classic business book for photographers. It provides a framework for creating compelling stories that engage and persuade customers. The book argues that in today’s crowded and noisy marketplace, it is more important than ever for businesses to effectively communicate the value of their products or services to potential customers. According to Miller, the key to doing this is to create a clear and compelling brand story that connects with customers on an emotional level and helps them see how the product or service can solve their problems or meet their needs.

One of the key ideas in Building A Story Brand is the concept of the “hero’s journey,” which is a narrative structure that has been used by storytellers for centuries to create compelling stories. According to Miller, every successful brand story follows this structure, which involves a protagonist (the customer) who is facing a problem or challenge, a guide (the brand) who offers a solution, and a transformation that occurs as a result of using the product or service. By using this structure, businesses can create a clear and compelling brand story that resonates with their customers and helps them understand the value of their products or services.

Overall, Building A Story Brand is an essential read for photographers because it provides a practical framework for creating compelling brand stories that engage and persuade customers. By understanding and applying the principles outlined in the book, photographers can effectively communicate the value of their services to potential clients and stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace.

Atomic Habits provides a framework for building good habits and breaking bad ones. The book argues that small, incremental changes in behavior can lead to significant improvements in overall outcomes, and that by focusing on the systems and processes that drive behavior, individuals can make lasting changes to their habits and achieve their goals.

One of the key ideas in Atomic Habits is the concept of “keystone habits,” which are habits that have a disproportionately large impact on other aspects of life. According to Clear, keystone habits are often the underlying drivers of success in various areas, and by identifying and focusing on these habits, individuals can make rapid progress towards their goals. The book also emphasizes the importance of making habits easier to perform and more enjoyable, as this can increase the chances of them becoming ingrained in daily life.

Atomic Habits is a must-read for photographers because it provides a practical framework for building and maintaining good habits that can help photographers improve their craft and achieve their goals. By understanding and applying the principles outlined in the book, photographers can develop habits that support their work and help them to consistently produce high-quality work over time.

Badass Your Brand provides a framework for building a strong and memorable personal brand that commands a high-end price tag. The book argues that in today’s crowded and competitive marketplace, it is more important than ever for individuals to stand out and differentiate themselves from the competition. According to Silva, the key to doing this is to build a strong personal brand that clearly communicates the value and unique qualities that an individual has to offer.

One of the key ideas in Badass Your Brand is the concept of “brand storytelling,” which involves using stories to communicate the value and unique qualities of a brand. According to Silva, brand storytelling is a powerful tool for engaging and persuading customers, and by developing a clear and compelling brand story, individuals can effectively communicate the value of their products or services to potential clients. The book also emphasizes the importance of consistency in branding, as this helps to build trust and credibility with customers over time.

Badass Your Brand is ones of the best business books for photographers because it provides a practical framework for building a strong and memorable personal brand. By understanding and applying the principles outlined in the book, photographers can effectively communicate the value of their services to potential clients and stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace.

Imposter Syndrome is a hugely common theme amongst photographers and creatives. The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women aims to help readers overcome the self-doubt and imposter syndrome. The book is based on research and interviews with successful women from a variety of fields, and it offers strategies and techniques for overcoming common mental barriers and achieving professional success.

One reason why this book is a great read for photographers, regardless of their gender identity, is that it addresses common mental barriers that can affect anyone in a creative field. Many photographers, for example, struggle with self-doubt or feel like they are imposters in their field. The book offers practical strategies for overcoming these kinds of mental blocks and helps readers develop the confidence and resilience needed to pursue their goals and succeed in their careers.

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women is a valuable resource for photographers looking to build confidence, overcome self-doubt, and succeed in their careers. Whether your gender identity, this book can help you develop the mental skills and resilience you need to succeed in your field.

Wanting is a book dedicated to the exploration of where our desires come from, and why we want the things we want. Burgis explores the systems we encounter throughout our lives that influence what schools we go to, the careers we choose, and why some people continue to chase goals that they don’t even want.

The book explores the impact of social media and “industry-defined success” that can hugely influence or goals and desires, and continues to explore how we can instead, find a more authentic path to discovering what we really want, by connecting with our core motivational drivers.

Wanting is a book dedicated to the exploration of where our desires come from, and why we want the things we want. Burgis explores the systems we encounter throughout our lives that influence what schools we go to, the careers we choose, and why some people continue to chase goals that they don’t even want.

The book explores the impact of social media and “industry-related milestones” that can hugely influence or goals and desires, and continues to explore how we can instead, find a more authentic path to discovering what we really want, by connecting with our core motivational drivers.

Make Time is a productivity and time management book written by two former tech industry designers who worked on projects like Gmail and YouTube.

The book isn’t about how to be more productive, but rather to find more time in the day to focus on the things you care about. Their main idea involves creating a “Highlight,” which involves identifying and prioritising the most important tasks or activities, and then making time for them above all other tasks each day.

As a photographer, Make Time can be a useful resource for helping you to manage your time and to stay focused on the tasks and goals that are most important to you. It can also help you to prioritize your work and to avoid becoming overwhelmed or burnt out.

You Are a Badass at Making Money is a self-help book written by Jen Sincero that focuses on helping readers to overcome their limiting beliefs and financial struggles, and to create more abundance and prosperity in their lives.

The book uses a mix of storytelling, practical advice, and humor to explore common issues and challenges related to money and financial success, and to offer strategies and tools for creating a more fulfilling and financially abundant life.

As a photographer, You Are a Badass at Making Money can be a useful resource for helping you to overcome any limiting beliefs or negative self-talk that may be holding you back from achieving financial success in your career. It can also provide you with practical tips and strategies for building a successful business, setting and achieving financial goals, and creating more abundance and prosperity in your life.

Overall, You Are a Badass at Making Money is a motivational and empowering book that can help photographers to overcome financial struggles and to create more abundance and prosperity in their lives.

Start with Why always comes up on lists for the best business books for photographers. It discusses the importance of understanding and communicating the purpose or “why” behind what you do.

As a photographer, understanding your “why” can help you to more clearly articulate your vision and purpose in a way that is completely unique to you, and can serve as a guiding force in all of your messaging. It can also help you to connect with clients and potential clients on a deeper level, as they can understand and relate to the values and motivations behind why you do what you do.

Start with Why is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that can help photographers to better understand their own motivations and purpose, and to more effectively communicate their vision to others.