Top 10 Smart Business Decisions
There are so many things I have done wrong in my years of building a business. The good thing is, I have learned from them. No one can prepare you for how difficult it is to build a business (especially with small children) and succeed. It takes years of dedication, commitment and determination even when there are dry seasons. In a photography business, there are months a lot of work and months of very little, so you need to know how to save and prepare for those times. Fortunately, for myself, it's harder to go without shooting than without money. I love shooting and everything about it. I love it when people see their photos for the first time.
I have moved forward and then backward many times and much due to beginning and growing our family. During that time, however, there are some things I did right.
1. I bought my first camera- in 2008. It was beautiful and perfect to me in every way. This was something I dreamed of for a long time and finally decided to take a leap during a season in college. I did a ton of research and decided a Nikon crop sensor camera would be a great start for me. However, back then, I thought it was all about the camera that made all the difference. Truly, it doesn’t matter nearly as much about the camera, it has much more to do with your knowledge and lens choice.
2. I got some training. I first began learning a lot of the technical stuff there is to know about photography while in the communications program at Columbia International University. I had planned on attending CIU for the psychology and Bible program but little did I know I would fall very much in love with photography during that time. I am quite certain that this was the path laid out for me all along because I couldn’t love any profession more.
3. I put money back into my business. Every single time I made money from sessions, I put that amount straight back into my business account. This is what I would use to pay for licenses, lenses, education and equipment. Photography is a very expensive profession because it is constantly changing. We must stay up to date on the latest technology and ideas; that is what people are looking for. I know that many of those interested in buying pictures do not understand that the phrase “You get what you pay for” applies to buying portraits more than any other area. Portraits are a luxury, not a necessity. Just like a nice family vacation. It’s optional, it provides your family with a ton of memories, it’s an investment. The only difference is a nice portrait is going to last longer than one person’s lifetime.
4. I got some more training. It’s important to realize that it doesn’t matter how much we think we know about our craft, there is always more to learn. Photography is constantly growing and evolving. If a client wants a certain look, they are willing to pay for that look and you as a photographer need to have the training to know how to do it. Hence, more education, the more money we pay, more hours working behind the scenes, more talent used all equaling happier clients.
5. I upgraded my camera. I know I just said that it doesn’t matter as much about the camera and that is true however I am a natural light photographer. I prefer the look of light coming in from outdoors versus artificial light. I upgraded my camera to a full frame a couple years ago, one with capabilities of handling very low light situations. This was a major plus for me.
6. I moved into a studio space. The freedom to shoot in a space where you can leave all your equipment out is amazing. I can’t express what a game-changer this is. I do not have to set up and break down for shoots anymore. Another huge benefit is it is so much more professional to have a place to bring a client and not have to worry about your kid’s toys laying around. Also, decorating. I get to decorate a whole new place. Bonus.
7. I took the time to become legal. Now, I keep up with my accounting, have insurance, tax id for sales, contracts and licenses. It’s worth it to become legit. There are so many people out there who haven’t bothered to do any of this and it could come back to bite them. The licenses and the contracts are important to have for peace of mind. I don’t have to question whether I am going to get caught out in public without a license and get fined. Even though it can be quite frustrating that they need to be updated every single year in every single area of Columbia. Unless I have a request to shoot in another area, I only need to have a license for Lexington. Another benefit to having my own space.
8. Practice. Even if I don’t have anything to shoot for a couple days, I go find something. Anything. I like to try to get creative with random objects. Having kids also helps even though photographer’s kids are known for being the worst subjects. Surprise!
9. Give gifts. When I know of a family who would appreciate amazing photos and they may not have the money to purchase them, usually once or twice a year, I will gift a session. I also gift a friend or two during the year with a family portrait. On occasion, I will give a complimentary session if I see someone who I would like to have in my portfolio. Being an artist means refreshing your work regularly and trying new things.
10. Network with other photographers. I am thankful to be a member of a group of photographers who network together and share referrals rather than become competitive. Yes, the photography market is saturated and you do have to set yourself a part offering what others cannot. Each photographer has a unique style and preference about what they shoot. So, when one of us has an inquiry that isn’t necessarily our favorite thing, we may pass it on to someone who will love the opportunity for that specific shoot.
Now, reading back over this quick list, I could also add an 11. That would be communication. Learning how to effectively communicate with others is a smart move. We need to accurately communicate expectations before the meeting, during the meeting and after the meeting. There are certainly some other valuable tips floating around out there but these are the ones I have found most important in my business. These are the decisions I have made that have shown the greatest results.
Newborn Photography in Columbia, SC