Starting Out As A Photographer In 2024
You are about to embark in something that is HARD. If it was that easy, then there would be more small independent business owners. It’s much easier sometimes to work for someone else than sometimes working for yourself. Especially in the beginning, when you are 10 teams rolled into one. You are not just a photographer, but a marketer, designer, a blogger, a business owner, accountant, a set designer, customer service manager and a wardrobe coordinator. Things are going to go crazy that you never thought you may have encountered before. Like an unhinged client or an issue with your computer not working and need to complete a deadline, or golly forbid an SD card goes bad and you are doing everything to recover those images. It’s not going to be an easy journey and it never will.
It took me 7 years to get a onsite studio. Don’t give give up on your dreams!
The Road is Not Going to be Easy
You will eventually realize that IT IS HARD… but after awhile, it is soooo much better than having to work for anyone else. If your kid is sick, you can be home with them. You can schedule your work around your life. Now, not saying you aren’t going to put in 18 hour days, especially in the beginning, but life is a little bit more manageable.
Take Risks!
Many people are scared of failure and are afraid of taking risks. MOST fall in this category. Heck, look at Elon Musk. Back in 2008, he almost went BANKRUPT. He put everything on the line and had 100 million to his name. He bet it all into his Space-X rockets. He had only five tries to make his rockets work and that would be it for him, if it didn’t. Thank goodness it eventually worked (with a few failures), but what if he never took that risk? Would he be still one of the richest men in the world or just a failure?
Nine out of ten businesses fail and it is up to you to be that one out of ten who make it! Half of those businesses will survive the first four years.
The Riches are in the Niches
One thing in starting a photography business is you have to find your niche. The riches are in the niches. If you are like Joe and Sally down the street, NOTHING is going to make you stand out to prospective clients. Then it just becomes a price war! Who has the better price?
I thought long and hard and I like to stylize my sessions for the best results. However, if a client wants to wear something of their own. That is okay!
Develop A Plan for Your Photography Business
Planning ahead is the key to starting out. Lay the foundation. Come up with a business plan. How you want to edit, what do you want to photograph, how are you going to market yourself? What is going to set you apart? Then go from there!
Search for Funding!
One thing a lot of women don’t take advantage of is that there is sometimes special financial assistance from the SBA or Business Administration for women-owned businesses and minority entrepreneurs! This is something you may want to look into, if you don’t have the funding available to start!
Take the Plunge
Whatever it is.. take the plunge. Hey if you don’t succeed, you’ll have a great story to tell everyone one day. Sometimes failure is winning. As Elon Musk even states, he learns two-fold by his failures than he does is winnings! Life is meant to be lived. Go out and get it!
Twirl and have fun! BE THE BUSINESS BOSS THAT YOU ARE!
Quitting your full-time job is going to be scary going into this. TERRIFYING. It is going to take a good 6 months to really get things in motion and it will be a continual challenge. If you quit, there will be a lot of questions you will ask. Will be you consistent? Will you have enough money set aside for all the what-ifs? Is your family going to be supportive? This is a big thing believe it or not. It’s do or die at this point and it is that tenacity that will drive you forward.
Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum
You cannot get depressed or let one nasty comment from someone get you down. You need to keep trucking ahead.
Sit Down And Come Up With Your Plan- Some Questions to Consider:
Why do you want to become a Photographer? As yourself this before getting into it. Can you see yourself doing this for the next 5, 10, 20 years?
Now after you asked yourself that question.. now it’s time for the market research for your prospective genre. What is it that you will offer and set yourself apart from everyone else?
Now look at your strengths and weaknesses!
Are you a great photographer and you can’t market right? Are you a better business person than you are a skilled photographer? Learn to celebrate your strengths and get help for your weaknesses.
For example, if you struggle with marketing, hire someone, reach out to a friend, or study up on it to become better! There’s always a solution to a problem.
Are you a better business person than a skilled photographer? Awesome! That’s actually a great stepping stone! Keep on building on those skills and then take a workshop with photographers you admire.
A little bit of everything I love. Mommy and me, unicorn, stylized sessions, maternity sessions, you name it… DO what you LOVE!
The fact of the matter is work on your weaknesses or get help for them! Build on your strengths!
Listen, Listen, Listen
One of the greatest things I learned as a photographer is LISTENING. Listening to my customers, listening to other photographers around me. Sometimes, you don’t want to listen and can be stubborn, but lean in to those who have been in this game and take their advice! This will be a great asset. I wish I had LISTENED more in the beginning.
Nonetheless, the road will be hard, not easy, but I can guarantee you that it will get better. NO ONE is perfect in this game. Even those who have been in this for 20 years, still learn, still want to improve and have their bad days!
My advice is to keep on trucking. I am always here for any help or advice!
Happy Shooting, my friends!
Dee
Shooting Star Photography
