Photography Studio Management and Professional Practice in Abuja

Professional photography in Nigeria has expanded significantly as a creative and commercial sector, driven by demand from the events, fashion, advertising, and media industries, yet the business management practices of photography studios remain inadequately studied. This study examines photography studio management and professional practice standards among established studios in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Primary data are gathered from 40 studio owners and lead photographers through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The study assesses business organisation models, pricing strategies, equipment investment and maintenance practices, client management systems, post-production workflows, and the use of social media for portfolio marketing and client acquisition. The theoretical framework draws on creative industries management literature, small business management theory, and the professional practice scholarship specific to visual arts enterprises. The Abuja context introduces the influence of a capital city client base heavily oriented toward government, diplomatic, and corporate events photography, which may shape professional practice differently from Lagos's fashion and entertainment-dominated market. The study also examines how the rapid diffusion of smartphone photography and accessible editing software has affected the competitive positioning of professional studios. Recent literature on creative sector business management in Nigeria has called for greater attention to professionalisation challenges beyond metropolitan Lagos. Findings are expected to benefit photography studio owners, the Society of Nigerian Photographers, and creative economy support organisations operating in the North Central zone. Keywords: photography studio, professional practice, Abuja, creative business, visual arts management