Photography {Business}

Warning: This is very, very long!

I have been asked by a few photographer hobbyist lately for tips on how to make the transition from taking their hobby photography to a potential part time or full time business. I've given a few tips here and there, but I decided to kind of compile all of my thoughts and share the things I have learned on my journey. I have to say, I am not an expert business wise by no means whatsoever. I still have a ton to learn. (In Photography knowledge is never ending) I will say, that these really are things I have experienced or another really nice photographer enlightened me with. These are purely my thoughts/opinions.

It is so awesome when people decide to become a photographer- for reasons somewhat like me, to be a stay at home mom (SAHM), or to make a little extra pocket change. So you purchase DSLR camera in hopes to start your journey. Yes, you can be an awesome photographer no matter what camera you have, as everyone has to start somewhere right? True. But there is so much more to a photography business besides just having a camera. I know a lot of people I have talked to that started and quit because they just thought the camera did all the work. WRONG. I myself, have just about pulled all my hair out and been borderline on the verge of breakdown throughout this process. (true story, ya'll) Its stressful! Which is why I thought I would pay it forward and share with my readers.

If you are wanting to pay your bills with your business, you have to work hard at it. As with any business. This takes time. So its not something you want to jump dive into. I would definitely recommend starting out part-time to get you started. This is what I did until finally the stars aligned and I was able to go full time. Reason being, people do not need photography, It is a luxury. With our economy the way it is, it makes it so much harder in our market starting out. You never have an exact income coming in....some months great, others, eh, not-so-great.

Starting up, well it requires a lot of courage. I myself battled myself more than anything on all of this. Am I good enough? will people use me? What if someone doesn’t like my products? What if I fail?.............. Nobody wants to ask and answer those hard questions to their self. The answer is so simple. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. It is just Satan trying to trample your dream. YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH, yes people will use you if you would use you, They will like your products if you do... What if you fail??? SO WHAT! You will never know unless you try. I mean for real! If you are going to do this you have to get you head right. Be confident, be courageous. Nothing great happens in your comfort zone. (Saw that on a fellow photographers page)...

I hate charging people. HATE IT. Hate money to be frank. Starting out, I charged a little and I was fine with it. After a year or so, I got a digital slr and charged $75 for the session and disc (a lot more images).

I was just starting out, so the pricing and inexperience went well together. I spent hours creeping other pages trying to figure things all out. I spent way too many hours on the computer , camera, photoshop, etc. It really consumed me. I had to re-evaluate and prioritize my time. I often thought I should just not do a business and just take pictures for fun. But something inside made me so passionate about it. I really loved it. So now I manage my time a little better so I can have Kid, Family & Hubby time.

WHAT IN THE WORLD SHOULD I CHARGE FOLKS?

As mentioned prior. I hate money. If I could I would do everything for free. I am not a flashy, materialistic person. I keep things classic. I am just genuine. What you see it what you get type gal. I wear my heart on my sleeve. So anyways, back to my point, me knowing photography is an elected luxury, I always feel bad for charging.

All that said, a business becomes non profit if you don’t charge and I had to take

into account that it takes time away from my family, and I’ve invested a lot of time and money into my business.

To make it less awkward on myself, when people tell me I was out of their price range, I refer them to a friend who is just starting out who charges less. I want people to have great pictures, but I am not a genie who can be three places at once. I have never charged my parents a penny, and a few close friends I shoot for free. But really you have to ask yourself, Would this person do this for me? Yes, ok go for it. No, ok there is your answer. My husband always comes in on this and tells me I am too giving.

So before I get to my list of actual tips, (Sorry for rambling, I tend to do that, bear with me hehe) Photography as a business is so much more than just a simple photo shoot. (Most people stereotype it as just that, and thats ok, its just lack of knowledge, they just dont know how it goes) Here is a brief rundown of what I do just for each session.

FOR EACH CLIENT

Time I invest…
1) emailing to set the date, time, location, what to wear, what props etc. (this could be 2 or 3 emails or 50).

2)Have clients sign all proper contracts and forms

3) Prop shop, purchase and plan. What I call PPP. LOL :)

4) driving to and from each session
5) actually shooting at the session

6)depositing checks/bookkeeping

7) editing/prep images in photoshop- this requires HOURS people!! Hours.

8) prep images for the sneak peeks on my website or Facebook

9) getting rid of not-so-great images and editing the rest of the images

10) working on any additional edits that the client has requested (removing unwanted zits && other blemishes, hair craziness, body slimming)

11) Burning disc/packaging orders

12) Setting up a delivery/pick up time or mailing package at post office

13) backing up client files burning backup discs and saving to external hard drives

14) Posting images to social media for others to see

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:

*professional camera-

I started out with a Rebel, which was great, but honestly you should only really be using a more professional camera if you are charging. I got embarrassed when I realized some of the people I was photographing had better cameras than I had. (Again, I started with one too, so I am not bashing, just telling you how I felt!)
*Variety of lenses, flash, extra batteries, flashcards

*photoshop, lightroom, other software-

TIP-online editing, is usually not good quality. (My beginner images, show just that! They don’t print well either, just an FYI)

*Copyright info

*Thank you cards

*Business cards

*Social Media Accounts-Lifesavers!

*Professional lab

*Stationary

*Packaging

*Gift Cards

*Pricing list online and/or in print

*Accounting software/accountant (every business must pay taxes)

*Contracts- a very wide variety

*Client info form

*Cd’s/ cases

*DBA & Tax Id

*Charge/pay taxes

*Insurance

*Open a business banking account

*External hard drive

ETC....

OTHER TIME SPENT:

*Marketing- Endless hours Creating advertisements, etc

*Branding

*Trying to build up clientele

*Networking

ETC....

So as you can see from all listed above there is a lot of time and money that goes into this. It is not just shooting a 1hr session. Ask enough money to cover your time. Your time is WORTH it. People may not understand how hard you actually work and how much your heart and soul goes into this. Thats ok. You really honestly don’t need those clients anyway. Politely explain yourself, and if they are horses putoons about it just go on about your merry little way. Still do not be ugly. Just tell them no thank you. My time is worth a lot to me, so I charge accordingly. Every minute away from home and away from my babies is time I could be at home with them. So how much is your time worth?

Photographer snobs. Ah, yes the elephant in the room. So many photographers out there are so mean. I mean, mean ya'll. I have had some people be so rude. I was just trying to make friends with them. I can understand not wanting to give out info and all, but you can be nice and use a little etiquette all while not disclosing too much information. So beware. I just dont see why we all just cant get along. We need to be for each other not against. I mean everyone wants business and all but I am not going to bruise my integrity over it. Just deal with it. Kill them with kindness. Smile. :)

So on the other hand, I have met and talked with some great photographers! Very helpful and nice. Build on those relationships. They may ask you to second shoot one day or need a helpful hand during a twin newborn session, whatev the need, they may choose you. And because you aren’t a snob, you both will grow from it. Then when you are booked up, or someone is wanting a different style photography or whatever the case, you can refer to them. Just please please don’t client steal!! This is a big no no!

So be sure to be kind and considerate. It is a win win for both photographers and I am telling you....you get a lot further in business using a little honey. Time to put the vinegar away peeps!

Read, read and read more. Books of any kind, business, common sense or photography, I recommend “How to win friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. Its been around for decades but contains some good stuff! Online forums are good TOO. You can never have too much knowledge, tips and insight.

Compile a business plan and create a system. You must have goals, and you must have a system in tact to carry out these goals. You have to be in control, or else, everything will happen by pure accident. I don't know about you, but I want to be in control over here! :)

Uncle Sam's Cut. Did you know that if you make more than $600 a year, you have to pay taxes? You need to get a tax person and visit with them. ASAP. To cover your booty. They will let you know what you can and can't claim and so on so forth. You can get crazy fines for not doing so. This is something I didn’t know until recently honestly....but as soon as I found out, I did it. If you are earning money then you are self employed and you need to report income. I know personally I couldn’t sleep until I got this in place. I like a good clean conscience.

Feedback. You. Must. Get. Feedback. to. Grow. Ask everyone, including clients, how you are doing, how you can improve. You can not grow without it!

I hope you found this helpful! I am pretty sure I probably missed something, so in comments let me hear what it is! Also, let me hear what you liked or what you didn't like. Any Feedback would be appreciated! Be sure to pin this article below on pinterest to share with others! :)

xoxox, 

Mandi Ragland