What is high-volume photography?

Learn more about the unique niche of high-volume photography, plus its advantages and disadvantages.

If you’ve ever had school pictures or sports team photos taken, you’ve been part of a high-volume photography setup. In this type of photography, the photographer aims to take a large number of pictures in one sitting with a single backdrop or location. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this genre.

What are the benefits of high-volume photography?

As a photographer, you achieve high-volume photography by creating an efficient setup. This means that you use a single backdrop to photograph a number of subjects with the same lighting and camera settings. Creating such a setup provides a tremendous level of efficiency within your business, which can result in a consistent stream of work and income over time.

As you build a client base, opportunities for repeat sessions may include headshots at commercial offices, school portraits, fundraiser portrait booths, and sports team photography.

Another perk of high-volume photography is less time spent editing. Since your lighting and backdrop don’t change, there are fewer — if any — edits to make.

Are there drawbacks to high-volume photography?

Some photographers might feel like there is little room for creativity in high-volume photography. However, many photographers choose to use this niche to create a steady income while simultaneously working on other more creative pursuits.

Another aspect to consider is your digital setup. High-volume photography requires equally high-volume space for photo storage. This means that, in addition to quality camera equipment and tools, you’ll also need to invest in significant hard drive space and a fail-safe backup system.

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