Business. Man…that’s a scary word. I’ve heard so many things about running your own business. There have been plenty of seminars, webinars, narnars…whatever. Marta and I are members of PPA. A great source of business knowledge that is related to photography. I’ve hear plenty of people talk about it. I’ve heard plenty of people do it. I’ve seen plenty of people fail. Is it scary? Heck yeah. What happens when you can’t make it? Do you lose your home? Your cars? There have been so many successful people throughout the times that have had great success stories. Those are the people that make it happen for themselves and not without the help of others. Here are somethings that I wish I was told when I started this adventure four years ago.
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Business Tip #1: You will spend 10% or less doing what you love
Many, many, MANY people think that being a photographer is simple. You go to a wedding or event. You take some pictures. You go home and edit them. I thought that as well. Something that I was very wrong about. This applies to anyone that has a service or experience that is even remotely artisan. You will do 10% or less of what you love by starting a business. It’s so easy to forget what other things are involved when running a business. Then again, most people don’t even know. I for one went straight into the business without knowing anything about running a business. Taxes? Advertising? Marketing? Customer Service? Branding Strategy? Profit and Loss Charts? What does it even mean?
Business Tip #2: You are your own everything
This applies when you’re starting out. If you’re brave, then you can do it throughout the life of your business. You are going to be your own lawyer, which I recommend hiring or befriending someone to help you out in this field. It’ll save you future headaches. You are your own accountant, which we did a lot of research on and did our own taxes for years. If you can afford it, get your own accountant. Another headache you can avoid. There are so many aspects of a business that you can outsource. Get your workload and send it to someone that you can trust that specializes in something you can’t do. Do I do any maintenance on my car? You betcha, but I don’t literally do anything. I take it to my local mechanic and pay them for their services.
Business Tip #3: Prepare to fail
This is probably the one thing that I can’t stress enough. I thought that shooting a wedding for free and then getting some awesome images up on our website would validate me as a wedding photographer. If you do any service for free, people simply don’t appreciate it. They don’t value it, because you don’t value it. It’s something that you’re willing to give for free. We edited the images, got them posted online. I was sure that I was going to have people knocking down my door begging Marta and I to take their pictures. Gosh…was I wrong. It took almost 4 months after our first wedding to book another one. It was a small elopement. After that, we didn’t book anything until 3 months after that.
Something that we got through Craig’s List (bad idea). We got a great couple, but that place is a minefield. After that we did nothing for about a year. We still had our day jobs, but what would have happened to us if we just had the business and nothing more? That year we were paying for advertising, which isn’t cheap and we were still getting crickets. It was then that I realized that posting pictures up online and hoping for the best isn’t how your run a business. If you do, then good luck. Photography, let alone any business, is not run by sitting on your hands and hoping for the best. Even when you don’t, you have a high probability of failing. Don’t give up. Make it happen.
Business Tip #4: There will be haters (this applies to photographers mainly)
I am a very honest person. I don’t like to be negative and I try to avoid confrontation. In short, I’m a lover, not a fighter. It’s really sad to see other photographers try to downplay other photographers. If there’s anything that I’ve learned, it’s that every single person in this world has a different perception of things. As an artist, we can all take a portrait of a person, but everyone will get a completely different outlook on that subject. It’s crazy what other photographers do to each other to bring each other down. Personally, I believe that there is plenty of business to go around. If someone doesn’t like what you do, then they won’t hire you. It’s sad to say, but this is all like high school. Who’s the most popular kid? Who is the prom king and queen? In high school I was the everyman. I got along with everyone. Hopefully, I’ve still got that knack. It hasn’t hurt me yet. *Fingers Crossed*
Business Tip #5: Work, Work, Work…Never Give Up
If there’s anything that I’ve noticed is that your business will not grow if you don’t take care of it. My dad has had several businesses in his life. He does things, build things, sells things. I’ve seen the lows and I’ve seen the highs. One thing that I have learned is that you can’t give up. You have to constantly work at it. Business is kind of like a plant. If you don’t take care of it, nurture it, and feed it, then it won’t grow. I don’t have a green thumb, but I’ve been working more than normal on this business that I have and it has finally started panning out. Seeing results of your work is exciting. It’s invigorating. It’s almost liberating. I am fortunate enough to have great friends and clients (usually they’re both). They’ve helped so much and I couldn’t do it without them.
Extra Business Tip: Network
Seriously, become friends with people that have been in the industry for awhile. Try to learn if there’s a busy season. Try to learn if there’s tricks of the trade in your area. You would be surprised how many people are willing to give a lending hand to people that are starting out. That being said, make sure that you have something to give. Always give before your receive. It’s networking 101, but that’s for a different post. Overall, just be nice. That’s all it really takes. Genuinely care about people. People can smell BS a mile away. If you show sincere interest, then it’ll be reflected and they’ll show genuine interest in you and your business. Simple as that.
