If running a photo studio meant that you got to shoot photos every day and all of the behind-the-scenes work was magically taken care of, there would be a lot more professional photographers in the world. The reality of running a photography business however, requires the services of a full-time marketer, accountant, digital tech, printer, event coordinator and office manager. The answer, as professional photographer Heather Anne Thomas has learned, is to surround yourself with a team of professionals so you can concentrate on creating great images. During this week she explains how she went from RMSP student to running a successful photography business, and how you can do the same.

Operating a photo studio that fulfills the needs of a wide variety of customers establishes you as a well-rounded photographer and ensures that your calendar stays full all year long. Throughout this course, Heather imparts to you the importance of building a team that makes it possible for your studio to attract and accommodate customers with different needs, and one that can handle an increasing workload as your business grows. Heather’s classroom lectures, hands-on demonstrations, shooting assignments and group critique sessions are all geared toward teaching you the benefits of working with others. During location and studio shoots you create a variety of images, from business and family portraits for retail customers to interior and food shots for an editorial market. You and your teammates take turns being the photographer, assistant and post-production coordinator, and then work together to deliver the images to a mock client.