Books on the Business of Photography

There is a seemingly endless supply of books on photography, but these books and virtual bookstores focus on the business side. You’ll find other mentions of books under other headings in this toolkit.

From the NPPA Bookstore

• Photojournalism and the Law, by Michael Sherer
• Photographer's Business and Legal Handbook, by Leonard Duboff
• Pricing Photography, by Michal Heron and David MacTavish

From Other Sources

(A majority of these are available through NPPA's Amazon Affiliate program.)

• The Law (in Plain English)® for Photographers, by Leonard D. DuBoff
  A step-by-step guide by an arts attorney, this book includes advice on everything from contracts to trademarks, as well as information on licenses, libel, privacy and more.
• The Photographer's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion, by Maria Piscopo
  Written by a photographer's rep, this book looks at markets, trends and how to take advantage of them.
• The Photojournalist's Guide to Making Money, by Michael Sedge
  Touted as an insider's guide to "take experienced photojournalists to new heights of success, this book offers step-by-step instructions on how to establish a business and make it work for you.
• ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography, Sixth Edition
  This is a direct order link to the classic guide.
• Photography: Focus on Profit, by Tom Zimberoff
  An all-in-one reference, complete with a CD-ROM copy of PhotoByte software for running your business.
• The Business of Studio Photography, by Edward R. Lilley
  This book focuses on portrait and wedding photography, which are important sidelines for many of today's photojournalists.
• The Photographer's Assistant, by John Kieffer
  A great way to learn how to be an independent photographer is to assist others. This book tells you how, offering perspectives from seven photographers who hire assistants.
• Negotiating Stock Photo Prices, by Jim Pickerell and Cheryl Pickerell DiFrank
  The fifth edition of this book is getting a little long in the tooth. But this includes lots of good advice, along with somewhat dated pricing tables.
• The Photographers Guide to Negotiating, by Dick Weisgrau
  This 2005 tome by the former executive director of ASMP outlines a variety of techniques and approaches for getting what you want while giving clients what they need.
• Photosecrets.com Books on selling photography
  This page includes several books cited elsewhere on this page, as well as others.
• ASMP Publications
  This is a list of publications for sale from the official web site of the American Society of Media Photographers. It includes the latest (sixth) edition of the definitive ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography. It also lists a variety of pamphlets and books from ASMP, on such subjects as copyright, pricing, buying photography, court decisions affecting photographers, and valuation of lost images.
• Freelance Photography Handbook, by Cliff and Nancy Hollenbeck
  Ten chapters in 128 pages on how to succeed on your own, written by a couple with a broad range of photography and film experience.
• Business and Legal Forms for Photographers, by Tad Crawford
  The latest revision of this book is due in fall 2009. Like previous editions, expect to find a long list of forms for all types of photography.
• The Professional Photographer’s Legal Handbook, by Nancy Wolff
  This 2008 book by one of a leading copyright attorney is a must read.

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