The 10 Best Business Books for Photographers in 2024
As someone who’s read 60+ business books, there are plenty that aren’t worth investing time into. But as photographers, we definitely tend to focus on the creative aspect of our business and not so much the actual business aspect. I think it’s absolutely imperative that we actually understand how to run a profitable business first, because that’s essentially our entire goal here. If we’re not operating our business efficiently, with proper pricing and systems in place, we won’t last long - and we certainly won’t enjoy it in the meanwhile either.
The following are 10 business books I would recommend to any photographer who is starting their own business or has been running a business for a while now - because we can all learn something, at any time.
"The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael E. Gerber
This boring-looking old book (originally published in 1995) is probably the best business primer for any small business owner (that’s you, photographer!). It introduces the concept of the "Entrepreneurial Myth" (E-Myth), which is the mistaken belief that most people who start small businesses are entrepreneurs. In reality, many are technicians—skilled professionals who are experts in their craft, like photographers—but who lack the business acumen to run a successful company.
For photographers, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of taking photos, editing, and managing clients. However, Gerber stresses the importance of stepping back and focusing on the bigger picture—building systems and processes that keep the business running smoothly, even when you’re not there every step of the way. It’s really a must-read and your local library probably has a copy.
"Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz
Finance and accounting is probably the worst understood and most avoided topic for photographers (we are creatives after all). But it’s also incredibly important that you understand this topic - and not only that, but also actually apply the best financial principles to your business.. and I will never stop recommending this book to everyone I meet!
In "Profit First," Mike Michalowicz flips the usual way of thinking about business finances. Instead of the old formula of ”Sales - Expenses = Profit”, he suggests a new approach of “Sales - Profit = Expenses”. This simple change in mindset can make a big difference, especially for photographers trying to run a more profitable and sustainable business.
By putting profit first, business owners are pushed to live within their business’s means. This might mean taking a hard look at what you’re spending, cutting unnecessary costs, and finding smarter ways to run your business. For example, you might question whether you really need all that expensive gear (so many lenses!) or software subscriptions, or you might discover more efficient ways to handle your workflow.
What’s great about this approach is that it uses psychology to make profit a priority from day one. This helps photographers avoid the all-too-common trap of spending whatever money is on hand, and instead encourages a more disciplined and thoughtful way of managing your business’s income.
“Free to Focus” by Michael Hyatt
You can’t run a successful business if you waste time and can’t follow through on tasks. This is something I personally struggled with at the beginning and for some reason it doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of business education, which I think is a mistake. I found this book super useful and a huge mindset change for how I personally approach my day.
Instead of piling on tasks, Hyatt encourages focusing only on what truly matters. He introduces the Freedom Compass, a tool to help you identify where your time should be spent. The idea is to work in your "Desire Zone"—where your passion and skills align—and delegate or eliminate everything else that distracts you from your core goals.
For photographers, this means saying no to tasks that don’t move your business forward, automating repetitive tasks, and delegating what others can handle. Hyatt also emphasizes the importance of designing your ideal week, so you’re intentionally making time for your most important work and personal life. Plus, he reminds us that rest and renewal are crucial to staying creative and productive.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear
The same goes for productive habits. This is one of the biggest sellers for a reason, and it’s a fantastic read for photography business owners looking to make real, lasting changes. Clear's big idea is that tiny, everyday habits can lead to huge improvements over time. Instead of trying to overhaul your entire business at once, start with small tweaks—like refining your editing process or setting up a regular schedule for client follow-ups.
Clear also emphasizes creating an environment that supports these new habits and making them a natural part of your routine. For example, if you want to be known for excellent customer service, consistently focus on delivering that high level of service until it becomes second nature.
Really, Atomic Habits is all about making small, easy changes that stick, helping you build a more successful and steady photography business over time.
"Building a StoryBrand" by Donald Miller
Recently updated, Donald Miller’s mega-hit Building a StoryBrand spawned a whole slew of related business books, but this one is the true foundation for his concept. Miller’s main idea is to use storytelling to make your brand message clearer and more engaging. The key is to position your client as the hero of the story and you as the guide who helps them shine.
For photographers, this means focusing on what your clients need and how your work makes their lives better. Instead of focusing your messaging on your skills or gear, show how your photography can solve their problems and enhance their lives.
Miller also gives a straightforward framework for crafting your brand story, from identifying your client’s challenges to presenting your services as the answer and showing the benefits of working with you. It’s about making your messaging resonate with potential clients, helping your photography business stand out and connect with the right audience.
“The Pumpkin Plan” by Mike Michalowicz
The Pumpkin Plan is another classic that’s perfect for photographers. Michalowicz uses the analogy of pumpkin farming to show how focusing on your best clients and cutting out the rest can lead to impressive growth.
It’s all about identifying your “ideal clients”—those who love your work and are willing to pay well for it—and by concentrating on serving these top clients and improving your offerings for them, you can grow your business like a prize-winning pumpkin.
Michalowicz also suggests ditching or delegating tasks that don’t align with your core strengths. For photographers, this might mean focusing on high-value projects and letting go of less profitable work or administrative tasks.
Overall, The Pumpkin Plan is all about working smarter, not harder, by zeroing in on what you do best and cultivating the clients who truly appreciate your work.
“Slow Productivity” by Cal Newport
A recent 2024 book release that quickly became one of my favorites, especially considering the amount of overwhelm and burnout most business owners are experiencing. Hustle and productivity are buzzword approaches that are facing a bit of a backlash right now, and for a good reason.
Newport’s idea is simple: to get more done, you need to slow down and really focus on a few important tasks rather than trying to juggle everything at once. For photographers, this means setting aside dedicated time to work on your big projects without getting distracted by emails or social media. Newport suggests that by focusing deeply on these key tasks, you'll produce higher-quality work and feel more satisfied with what you’re doing. And over time, that makes a HUGE difference.
The book is all about finding a rhythm that lets you excel in your craft while keeping stress levels down. If you’re tired of the hustle and want to get more out of your work, Slow Productivity offers a refreshing approach to achieving that balance.
“The Personal MBA” by Josh Kaufman
I honestly was so impressed with this book. And I 100% agree with Josh Kaufman that most business concepts are better learned from a book than from an insanely expensive MBA college program (can you even imagine?). His approach is straightforward and practical with rapid fire short chapters that outline absolutely everything you need to know about running a business.
For photographers, this book covers everything from managing your finances to marketing your work effectively. Kaufman simplifies complex ideas, making it easier for you to improve how you run your business. He provides clear, actionable tips to help you grow your photography business but also fills in all the knowledge holes for those of us who didn’t study this in school.
“Book Yourself Solid” by Michael Port
This book makes marketing and getting clients look easy. I will say that it’s not as effortless in reality, but Book Yourself Solid is still probably one of the most important reads for photographers.
Port’s book breaks down the process of getting clients and staying busy into easy, actionable steps. It’s all about learning how to market yourself, attract your dream clients, and turning those leads into regular bookings. He shares practical tips on networking, positioning yourself as a go-to expert, and building lasting client relationships.
With straightforward advice and strategies, Book Yourself Solid helps you craft a solid marketing plan and ensure you’re always busy with the work you love. It’s like having a blueprint for keeping your photography business thriving and booked solid.
“I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi
People often forget that once you start making money with your business, knowing what to do with that income is a huge part of the equation! If you’ve seen Ramit’s Netflix special, you’ll know that he doesn’t sugarcoat things, which is why I love his process. It’s all about straightforward, practical advice that’s easy to follow.
This book is all about managing your money smartly—budgeting, saving, investing, and automating your finances. Sethi breaks down complex financial topics into simple steps, making it easier to take control of your finances without getting bogged down. And he also doesn’t mind if you get yourself that Starbucks latte once in a while!
Long term success depends on how you manage your income and this book will give you a clear path to growing your future wealth while making smart decisions now.
There are probably a few more I could have added, but the 10 books above I feel are truly the most essential for photographers who want to be successful in business. Just remember that reading books and consuming content is just the beginning - you actually have to make things happen and put things into action. That’s why I really love the books listed above: they are the few I’ve read that make it really easy to implement the changes! And if you’ve read a business book you loved recently (or not so recently), please comment and leave the title and author below!
