I have been a full-time Photographer for 3 almost 4 years now and along the way, I have come to realize quite a few things that I am going to share with you. This information is just for your eyes, so grab a glass of your fave Merlot, sit back while I dish on what life is like as real, full-time, honest to God Photographer.
- Starting a Business is hard work. There are going to be day and sometimes, often times many more nights where you will be up nights too working, editing, reading blog posts, crying in your popcorn, because you are waiting for your big break, waiting for your calendar to get fully booked and have all of these super awesome clients that you hear people talking about.
- There are many days that you will question your why. Why did you choose THIS field, why did you start now when your kids are still babies, why did you decide to be self-taught versus going back to school and learn?
- Know your numbers. Earlier in my career when I was starting out I had no idea what I wanted to make income wise. Well, that’s not true I knew I what I wanted to make I just didn’t know how to do it. I had SO MANY expenses, stupid little ones too that often times would land my account overdrawn, I HATED that, and because I didn’t know my numbers which included withdrawal dates too, I was always broke. Melanie Toner and Amanda Abella are both great resources for helping you get started on how to develop better money relationships.
- Sometimes you’re going to really dislike your clients JUST DON’T LET IT SHOW. Kill them with kindness ALL. THE. TIME. I have found that this is a growth process. Sometimes our clients rub us the wrong way because they are teaching us something that we need to change or implement in our business. I’m not saying that sometimes they aren’t just plain ol’ jerks but just take a moment and step back, look at the situation with a fresh set of eyes instead of complaining and see how the situation can be better improved.
- Don’t do this alone. I was watching the Serena Williams Biography and one thing stood out if you want to achieve championship status you need to have a coach. So I hired one. Coaches are not just for athletes the best and most successful business people have coaches and mentors. I know a lot I just don’t everything. I have worked with a few different coaches in my career until I found the right fit. My current coach is AMAZING! If it’s not in your budget to hire one find an accountability partner or group that will help you reach your goals until you are able to hire a coach.
Business is hard at any and every stage, experience does help but that comes with a commitment to your business, along with having a tribe of people who you can turn to. I have a Facebook Group that I welcome you to join. It’s private so you’ll have to be approved prior to admission because I don’t like spammers.
Share your business confession with me here on Facebook, I love juicy details.
