I’m going to be very honest on my blog tonight. I always want to be open about who I am and my feelings. This is not only a place for all my wonderful followers to view my work, but a place for me to document my journey as a photographer. So here I go for this massive “brain dump” for lack of a better term. The last few months I’ve been exhausted with photography. I’ve hit that wall. The wall that you want to keep climbing, but you no longer have the strength because you’ve been stuck in on place for so long that you want to give up. I wanted to give up last week, to just throw my hands up in the air and say okay, I’ve had enough. Opening a photography business is a challenge, especially when you are still trying to find who you are as a photographer. It’s a struggle to constantly meet your clients needs and meet your own needs to capture life around you as you see it.
I like to compare being a photographer to the emotional struggles of being a teenager. One day you are so excited you can’t wait for the next shoot, the next you are in tears trying to keep yourself going. Burn out is a difficult thing to deal with as an artist, especially the first time around. You never think it will happen. I mean I’m one of those people who will take on the world and fight until there is nothing left. There are so many lessons I wish someone would have taught me when I started as a photographer. I’m going to specifically mention them for anyone who might be starting out or considering starting a business. I’ve had these things on my heart for the last couple of weeks. I admit I’m no expert, just someone whose learned things the hard way. I love photography. I truly do. I love being behind the camera, but currently I’m exhausted. Last week I sent a very open and honest email to my best friend in Japan. He is one of those friends who has helped me through a lot of difficult times when we lived in CT. He got me out of the house when all I wanted to do was lock the doors. The wise words my friend wrote was, “you love photography Julie and you’ve gotten pretty damn good at it, and will only get better and better, so DO NOT STOP!!” I read that sentence and I cried. I cried because I realize how true it is. He went on to state what I needed to change. I’ve known several of these things for a long time, but to have someone call me out, made me wake up out of the haze. I’m so thankful to have such a wonderful person in my life who will remind me to keep going when times get tough. Trust me it is easier to give up then follow your heart, but I believe my heart is truly leading me the right direction. I’m going to keep going and see where this journey takes me.
okay, here is my list for photographers who may be starting out or considering owning a photography business. There are several articles I’ll highlight that are great resources as well.
1) Figure out who you are as a photographer before you start. Do you love photographing children, couples, dogs, or all of the above? Try out everything, but if you find something you don’t like don’t feel pressured to do it.
2)Not all your clients will understand your work and how much time you put into. In the days of digital photography people think its just a point and shoot operation. People do not necessary understand white balance, focus, saturation, black and white, dodging, burning, and what makes a photo what it is. It is your job to help your clients understand. They are paying for the way you see things.
3) You should get paid for your time. I know in the beginning it is difficult to charge for something you don’t have experience at, but it is your time. In the beginning you will spend twice as long editing because you may not know your camera, post processing techniques, or have a fluid workflow. First off, if you decide to waive the session fee charge for prints and/or the cd (if you decide to offer it). Do not have the session fee and cd as one, EVER. DO NOT DO IT. The cd of your images is a product. A very expensive product where you spend a lot of time working on these images. This is time away from your friends and family. Your time is worth so much!
4) Take a break. If you need a one take one. Don’t feel you need to do as many sessions as possible.
5) Take care of your clients, but most importantly take care of yourself. You are your business and you will not be able to give your clients the service they need if you are exhausted.
6) Unfortunately, there are people out there seeking the best deal. They don’t necessarily understand photography and that it is an investment. They are paying for memories and moments that will be captured for a lifetime. Stick to your prices, it is part of your livelihood and time away from your family.
7) Learn how to say NO. It’s a difficult one. I struggle with this one more than anything.
8 Do not offer a referral program in the beginning. The reason being you are likely not making enough to pay your expenses. People will ask and tell you a million times they are referring you. Graciously give them a heartfelt thank you (because I’m thankful everyone time someone loves my work enough to tell others about it), but find a way you can afford to give back. It could be offering them prints or taking them out for coffee. Take care of your clients in ways you can afford, but still giving them an amazing experience.
9) Make sure a business is what you want. It is a lot of work. I think you spend more time away from the camera then behind it. Remember as your business grows you can hire people to do the things you don’t love to do or outsource them as well. I can’t wait to get to this point!
10) Network with photographers. This has been difficult in Omaha, but I finally found a couple of them and just having someone to talk to will make a huge difference. People to laugh with about all the crazy things that happen in this business.
11) Your family and friends will not always support and understand what you do. Do not seek approval from your family and friends. I admit I’ve received some of the harshest comments from my family. They do not understand photography and truly think I’m just doing a hobby. Listen to yourself. If you are doing what you love, you will know it.
12) Do not work for friends. I learned this the hard way. I hate to say this openly, but someone always ends up disappointed. If you receive a request from a friend, kindly refer them to another photographer (especially when it comes to weddings!)
13) Invest in workshops. Yes it is a huge expense, but worth every penny. It will change the way you see things and improve your work flow.
14) Sometimes you just need to cry. Just do it. You need to let it out when you have a rough day. Don’t obsess just take an hour, let it out, and move on.
15) Follow your passion and don’t give up. A great quote my friend Jason sent is “Follow your heart, it will take you where you want to go.”
Two other great blogs on this same topic are: Photographer Cafe, Heather Rivlin (amazing, read it now. I printed this article out and have it next to my computer) and Erin Vey (read this too, now)
Look at that little face
Safe in Dad’s arms.
Her cute little belly
Another Favorite
They are all smiles together
