I have spent over a decade working as a photographer and I have learned a lot. I mean I must have if I somehow managed to put out a book on my experiences. However I think there are a great many lessons to take away from my time and share with those who may never read my book but stumble across this blog.

Networking is 100% the most important part of the job. You have to talk to people. I am not talking about going to events and handing out business cards. I am talking about having conversations and being a listener and a good converser. That will lead to getting your name out there, bookings, and generally opportunities you have probably never considered.

NETWORK. BE SOCIAL.

My number one you should know but probably rarely think about lesson is under promising and over delivering. Clients love knowing a time when they will see their completed images, but they love being surprised by getting their shots earlier or even getting a special extra. I sometimes will send clients printed shots for free, or do some extra creative post process on an image to make it more of an art piece. On top of trying hard to exceed my expected delivery date.

Do sessions outside your normal and comfort zone. Photography is built on more than technical know-how, equipment, and networking. It has a level artistry and creativity that is necessary to keep our work fresh, updated and modern. Even if it is above your level. DO IT. The only thing you risk is failure and we can learn just as much from that as success.

I have photographed political meetings, newborns, to fast paced, dark, stage lit shows without having a single clue what the performers were going to do or where they were going to be ahead of time. The first time I was nervous wreck I was going to miss shots and I did. But I made shots too. I challenged myself and created work I hadn’t imagined. It was worth the risk, it was worth the missed shots.

Working 24/7 is not a sign of success. Being successful is more than long hours and 100s of clients. It’s more than constantly being busy. When we start we get it in our heads that to make it and be a success we have to have a ton of clients, a bunch of work, and most importantly compete with the tired 40 hour work week grind idea.

In fact the opposite is true. Having more clients isn’t necessary for success. Having the right clients even if it’s a handful a year can be more successful than dozens. Why? Because we are looking for quality, we are looking for clients willing to pay our rates and invest in our work. We shouldn’t be looking to exhaust ourselves, work thousands of hours for low paying clients. Especially as our skill level and our confidence rises. We should raise our prices and look for clients who generally respect our craft and value, not ones who take us for granted or always want a discount.

And finally:

Keep records. Stand up for yourself and your work. Have a plan for those misusing your work.

The truth is as creators and artist we will have people try to take advantage, and some will even succeed. Photo theft is common in our field. But keeping records of our work, sales, invoices, and developing plans of action for those misusing our work will aid our peace of mind, stress levels, and finances.

In my business I tend to invoice and charge those I catch misusing my work. 9 times out of 10 they apologize and pay the fee. Othertimes they ignore me and I have to be a real bad guy— aka I will send the bill to collections to see if they can get some form of payment. I do this because if they have already taken the image I could fight them in court but its costly and stressful or I could try and get some compensation which is better than none if they are just taking it.

I had to start doing this to protect myself and my business. Because I was seeing my work on the regular get taken and needed to find a way to discourage the behavior. It’s a sad reality but we have to be protective of our business, our work, and that comes with standing up for ourselves and keeping meticulous records.

Just because we are running a business does not mean we have to be considered the nicest people ever. Once you reach the point where you are making an income with your photography those taking it are threatening that. Standing up for your business and work doesn’t make you a mean or bad person, even if that’s what those who seek to take from you believe and act.

After many years I know there is no right or wrong way to start and run your business. In fact you may never want to run a business and that is fine. We get into this field because we love it and as long as whatever path we choose makes us happy that’s what matters.

I learned that the hard way, the last few years I wasn’t getting joy from my work, but it turns out it was a situation and client I was working with who was sucking the joy from me. Using my abilities and desire help others without offering the same considerations in return. I felt used, and at the end they threw what I done in my face saying I never did it the way they wanted, they were ungrateful and fractured the joy I had in this medium.

It’s taken me a long time to mourn my lost time, I am still mourning, I am still trying to find my joy again. It’s why I have taken on less and less bookings because while I want to, I am struggling to feel what I once did. So I am giving myself permission to take the time I need to heal, find my joy, to be selective and work with those who will truly value the skills and talents I have to offer.

Settle for nothing less, and may the light for amazing photos always be in your favor.