Introduction
I started my business in 2015. That was the year when I quit my corporate accounting job and moved across the country yet again. It was also the year that I decided it was time to follow my passion and become a wedding photographer. In some ways, my first year was amazing! But in others ways? Not so much!
Here are some things that look a little different in year 8 vs. when I first started out as a photographer:
I’ve niched down.
- In what I shoot – I don’t do family photography or newborns, seniors etc. anymore. It’s just not an area that I’m interested in and my business was taking on more work than I could handle in areas that didn’t light up inside. Instead, I focus on one specific type of photography: couples (weddings, maternity, engagement, etc.).
- In who I shoot for – Focus on one type of person, not everyone. When you’re starting out as a photographer, it’s easy to think that everyone wants your services–and sometimes they do! However, if you market yourself towards everyone, nobody will really feel like you’re speaking directly to them. When you narrow down who you love working with, you become magnetic to those people.
I’m not afraid to say when someone isn’t a good fit
As a wedding photographer, it can be tempting to take on every job that comes your way. However, it’s important to remember that not every client is a good fit for you. Each wedding is unique and requires a certain level of expertise and style that may not align with your strengths and preferences as a photographer. Taking on a job that isn’t a good fit for you can lead to dissatisfaction for both you and the client. It’s important to be honest with yourself and the client about what you can and cannot deliver. By being selective about the jobs you take on, you can ensure that you are providing the best possible service to your clients. This will also help you to produce work that you are truly proud of. Ultimately, taking on the right jobs will lead to a more fulfilling and successful career as a wedding photographer.
For example, if a client came to me and told me that their dream wedding photographer would be very traditional and they wanted to be looking at the camera smiling in every photo, I’d kindly let them know that I think there’s a better photographer fit for them out there.
I’d be doing myself and the couple a disservice by taking on this job. And you know what… there are photographers out there who love shooting this type of work! It’s just not me.
I give myself time off.
You can’t do it all and you need to give yourself time off. It’s important to take a break and get away from the computer, but also be able to say no when something isn’t a priority right now.
This is one of my favorite things about being an entrepreneur. I don’t have anyone telling me what I should or shouldn’t do with my time! But it’s also scary because there are so many options out there, so making decisions can sometimes feel overwhelming.
When I allow myself to take time off, I ultimately show up better for my couples when it is time to work.
I’ve stopped copying Pinterest poses and started telling a story.
I used to copy Pinterest poses. It’s easy to do, and there are some great posing ideas out there! But the truth is that many of these poses aren’t very authentic or personal–they’re just what looks good on the website.
Since beginning my business, I’ve realized that not all couples are alike! Some couples want to be silly and have fun; some don’t! Some like being in front of the camera while others prefer being behind it! And some couples just want their love story told… not necessarily with all those fancy locations or poses you read about online.
I now try my best not only to create poses that fit the couple and their personalities, but also ones that tell a story in themselves. So instead, I focus more on helping couples find natural positions within our environment–positions which make sense for them as individuals within this moment together as well as positions which help tell part of their own unique love story through gestures or facial expressions.
I understand my lighting and how to use a flash.
It’s impressive to see how much you can grow as a wedding photographer by taking the time to understand lighting and learning how to use flash.
I, like many others who are just beginning, classified myself as a “natural light photographer.”
Although I do love the look of natural vs. artificial light in most of my photos, I now believe there’s a time and a place for flash photography. And beyond that, even natural light photographers need to understand how to work with shadows and direct sunlight.
When I first started, I would just look at the background of the photo, but not at the lighting.
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photography, and being able to master it can make a significant difference in the quality of your work.
I manage and set expectations ahead of time.
I’m a big fan of setting expectations for your clients and then delivering on those expectations. I used to do things differently, but now I know that it’s much better for everyone involved when you manage client expectations ahead of time instead of always feeling like you’re playing catch up.
After every wedding I shot, I’d eventually get the “just checking to see when our photos will be done” email! Every time I’d receive these, it would take me out of the task I was currently working on and my heart would drop… even if I wasn’t behind, it felt like I was. Since I was receiving the same email over and over again, I was dropping the ball even if it said their turn around time in my contract.
Now, I very clearly lay out my turn around time not only at the beginning of our journey together, but also in writing when we’re at that next step where they’re waiting for their images. This has been a game changer! It’s extremely rare that I receive one of these emails now.
I ask for help and outsource where it’s needed.
If you’re like a lot of photographers, you might enjoy the creative side of photography but not so much all the business stuff. Outsourcing can be a great way to find someone who can help you grow your business without having to lose out on too much creative time.
- Find someone who has the same values as you and can help grow your business together.
I’ve been lucky enough to find an amazing associate photographer. We work together closely on every project we take on because our values are aligned: we want each client’s experience with us to be positive, authentic, joyful and memorable (and yes–that includes paying attention to details like their comfort level during shoots).
You can also outsource editing, blogging, social media, emails, accounting, advertising and so so so much more! Sites like Fiverr make outsourcing accessible even on small budgets!
I’m not afraid to spend on education to further my business.
Investing in education as a wedding photographer is crucial to the growth and success of your business. The photography industry is constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, techniques, and technologies to remain competitive.
Continuing education can help you refine your skills, expand your knowledge, and develop new areas of expertise. It can also help you stay inspired and motivated, which is essential for maintaining a successful business. In addition, investing in education can help you build a strong network of peers and mentors who can offer support, guidance, and opportunities for collaboration. Ultimately, the more you invest in your education as a wedding photographer, the better equipped you will be to provide exceptional service to your clients and grow your business over time.
Conclusion
I hope this post has given you some insight into how I run my photography business and why I do it differently than most other photographers. It’s not always easy, but the payoff is worth it!
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