CONTEST: $1,900 worth of Prizes – WordSmith Guides to Help Your Photography Business
Yesterday Joyce Smith shared on the MCP Blog about the important role of confidence in having a successful photography business. Now it is your turn.
WordSmith is giving away 5 HUGE Prizes – each Prize is valued at $380. This is a total of $1,900 worth of prizes.
Each of the 5 winners will get all 5 guides:
{what to wear}: seniors guide (Brand New)
senior pricing menu (Brand New)
{what to wear}: children and families
{what to write}: the perfect words for client communications
{how to sell}: the complete online sales workflow
To those who just have to have some of these right away, use the code “mcp” now through November 1st for 15% off any of the WordSmith Products.
To enter the contest:
1. Think about your level of confidence in both your personal and professional lives. How does confidence relate to your ability to interact with others, your ability to capture the pictures you love, and your ability to sell yourself and your work to clients? (If you are not in business you can skip this last one.) Rate your confidence on a scale of 1-10 and explain your score. If your confidence is not good, please share what you plan to work on to get it there. Conversely, if you have a lot of confidence, please share a tip on something you do to help yourself feel more confident. Enter your thorough comment on this post (commenting on Facebook does not count – you must be on the blog at http://mcpactions.com).
2. Blog about this contest, post to twitter or post to your facebook wall or page, letting people know to come here and enter. Once you do this come back and get a BONUS comment – just tell us which you did.
Sample Twitter Post: Win 5 WordSmith What to Wear, How to Sell, What to Write Guides & Pricing Guides @mcpactions – http://tinyurl.com/winguides
Sample Facebook Wall Post: Are you confident? Do you lack confidence? Come share your thoughts on confidence at MCP Actions Blog @ http://tinyurl.com/winguides and have a chance to win $380 in WordSmith What to Wear, How to Sell, What to Write and How to Price Guides.
Here is a sneak peek at all the WordSmith products:
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Awesome prize! I could definitely use that myself!
I’d rate myself at a 5. I don’t have an outgoing personality and I takes me a little bit to warm up. But I’ve really been going hard for 2 years and feel like I’ve improved so much. I get lots of people saying they love my style.
Like most of the others above, I rate my confidence at a 5. I’m just getting started and haven’t had the time nor the experience it takes to feel “certain” in what and how I do things. My plan for building it up? Keeping at it until I find that certainty.
I shared it on Facebook!
I have a hard time with the confidence thing too. When I’m around people I don’t know I’m much more confident than I am around my friends. I am relatively new to this, and it’s hard for me to all of a sudden say “Yes, I’m a photographer.” So I would say I’m at a 6 or 7 around people I don’t know, but still around a 3 or 4 around my friends, and maybe even lower than that around my photographer friends.
My general confidence in life would probably be at around 6 but varies depending on what I am doing. In new social situations it probably drops to a 4/5 and in my teaching day job jumps to a 7/8. Fortunately when I have a camera in my hands I forget all of my social inhibitions and just get on with the job. It is all of the aspects of building a photography business that have to be done without a camera in my hands that bring me undone! I question every decision I make to a ridiculous degree and then I start procrastinating. The prize would be an amazing kickstart for me so I could get out there confidently and fulfill my dream of launching my photography business as a full-time venture.
I’d rate my confidence – today – at 8. I just received my copy of a book which has my images included in it! A real book. About the show Ace of Cakes! But it’s only an 8, because they are OLD images and I know I’ve gotten so much better since these images were taken – and I wish that my more recent work was in it instead. But it has caused me to look back and see just how far I’ve come. Comparing then to now is always a nice confidence booster. Oh and put on a great pair of boots. I love a great pair of boots.
I believe my confidence level to be somewhere around 7. I am confident in my ability to talk to people, no matter where I am, or what situation I am facing. I practice starting conversations with relative strangers. I enjoy giving another person a reason to smile, or giving them something to feel better about themselves. There isn’t much I love more than delivering an authentic, honest compliment – there is something good about everyone. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that instilling confidence and security in my subjects draws their spirits out and directly translates into images that my clients love.
Where I need help is in feeling and behaving confidently about my technical skills as a photographer. I am VERY shaky on how to translate my skill into a solid price list that suits my market and still provides me a means to earn a living. I am told that I am underpricing myself, but I feel that my lack of experience in years means I should charge less.
I tweeted.
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I shared abut the contest on facebook
I TWEETED about this contest…what a great opportunity!
-Tanya
REALLY great article – I absolutely think confidence is critical to business. I believe I am about a 7 – I am a confident person in general but I need a lot of affirmation to keep it going – especially in the photography area. Surrounding yourself with encouraging people is important but it’s even more important to be willing to believe the compliments you receive. Thanks for sharing this article – it was a great reminder. And amazing to see how many people struggle with confidence (myself included) – so it was definitely a useful article! Thanks!
Great post/idea… confidence is something I struggle with a lot more on the inside than on the outside. That said, I would think my confidence level is around a 5. I love my work and the pictures I create, but I’ve had a hard time figuring out pricing that feels fair and find that too often I’m apologizing for the cost or handing out a ‘deal’. The blog post written recently was so perfect for someone like me. I plan on sitting down after the holidays to completely rework my pricing and have confidence that the price I choose is fair to me (most importantly!) and my clients.
I would rate my level of confidence at a 6. I feel confident in my ability to know what makes a good shot and to capture the essence of people. I lack confidence in my technical abilities. I am always worried if I have the right settings on or if I am messing up the exposure, etc…
I play around a lot with the technical things with my son, so if I screw up, it isn’t on a client. I also need to start charging more in the next year so I can quit my day job. Need to feel confident enough that I will get business once I do. I need to continue to market myself and make every client very happy. Word of mouth has been good for me!
I would rate my confidence a 6. I am not sure if that is accurate, but it is so much higher than it used to be. I think confidence is one of the most important factors that affect our relationships–personally and professionally. There was a time when I didn’t do many things because of my fear of failure. I am over a lot of that now but still struggle from time to time.
My lack of confidence sometime keeps me from charging what I should. It keeps me from saying no to unreasonable requests. It keeps me in the background at times even when I feel I could get a great shot by being more “out there”. I plan to keep working on it. Realizing that I am not such a big deal helps (if that makes sense). I can focus on the big picture rather than tearing myself apart.
Like a lot of the other comments my confidence level depends on different situations. Inner confidence during a photo session is about 5-6 (slowly increased over the past year) and outer about 8. I end up missing or messing up shots and forgetting some that I planned. Wording is something I really struggle with, (I am not a writer) I sure would benefit from the WordSmith products. Great Contest!
Honestly, I have always had a problem with confidence, and it is something that I’ve been having to work on lately. I’d probably rate my confidence right now at a 6. I’m trying to start my photography business, and I’m such a perfectionist that I tend to get down on myself and start to think that I can’t do it. But my husband reminds me that confidence is going to be one of the most important things I need with a photography business. And he is right – who wants to pay someone to take their picture that has no self-confidence? I’m making a daily effort to not be so hard on myself, and maybe even if I have to fake it, one day I’ll be there!
I’d say my confidence fluctuates daily. I often feel like it depends on the conditions surrounding a shoot or how I feel the images are turning out (or turned out). Overall, my confidence level is probably around a 5-6. I’d say it’s getting better as I learn more and continue to grow as a photographer. Something that gives me far more confidence is knowledge, which I continue to pursue.
Confidence: 6-7 but outwardly more like an 8… I have to remind myself to act confident sometimes, though.
I’m an introvert and I like doing introverted things (reading, watching TV, doing laundry, yes, I do actually like doing laundry – it’s washing the dishes I just can’t handle!). I’m also a photographer & I love doing photography. So these 2 come into conflict sometimes, and one of my weaknesses can be interacting with clients, especially at the initial stages.
Like is mentioned by several other posters, I think my prices are another area where I really need to grow my confidence (I’d give myself more like a 5 in this area). Pricing is just conflicting, because I wonder if people have the money for sessions & whether price raises will drive them away. But I do have to run a business, too.
My confidence has grown immensely over the last year, but I’ve also been in situations over the last month that make me doubt myself. I think it will always be that way… hopefully the doubting times become more far apart as I learn more about photography, my skills, and my ability to work with others.
And I’m so excited about this contest… crossing my fingers. : D
Tweeted: @GreenShoesPhoto
I think I would rate myself around a 3 or 4 on confidence. I am just getting started in the business of photography and am just starting to book my first paying clients. My get a lot of compliments on my photography but I am very critical of myself and have to make a big effort not to compare my work with those that have been doing this for years! I think once I am conisistently booking sessions through word of mouth, my confidence will grow because I will know that my past clients have passed my name on to their friends and family because they valued the work that I do or the experience that they had with me as a business owner. I also need to realize that clients don’t look at their pictures with the critical eye that I do, in the same way that I look at them. They don’t see white balance, or red skin tones, or cut off limbs. They see great smiles, pictures that capture how they were feeling, and captured memories of a time in their life that they would have otherwise lost if it were not captured on camera. Once I can consistently pound these thoughts into my head, I think my confidence will grow.
Tweeted: @simplysilver1
This is a timely article for me. I was just explaining to a friend that I lack the confidence I need to pursue my dream of becoming a professional photographer. She asked what I was going to do about it and that has led me to think long and hard. I realize that I need to practise, practise, practise, find my own unique style, update my blog, and not be so hard on myself. Photographing seniors is my favourite. This is a contest I would love to win!
I would rate my confidence an 8 of 10. Many factors have contributed to this and the most prominent three being teaching kickboxing, teaching assertiveness and my husband. Teaching kiclboxing not only gave me the physcal fitness I desired but the confidence to feel like I really could handle myself if need be. Teaching assertiveness to other taught me more about being assertive instead of aggressive or non assertive behavior. I can articulate my needs and wants better than I used to be able to. My husband increases my confidence by his belief in me. Even when I am feeling nervous or uncertain, he truly believes I am capable ofdoing the things I set my mind to and supports me in any way he can. Without any of these three things, I would not be able to branch out to things that are not in my educational track or I would have given up on things that didn’t come as naturally.
In taking photos – my confidence level dips a little because I have so much to learn and such a difficult time remembering what I learn. Although my children and nature have been my primary subjects, and I am not as good as my sister, I try. I know if I write things down, keep track of photos and settings, I will learn what I need.
In my personal & professional life I am not very confident. So I would rate myself at a 4-5 maybe lower. I am a people person but the confidence is just not there. I’ve had my husband tell me many times that if people didn’t like my work, why are they calling you to schedule appts and buy your pictures. Even though he has told me this on many occasions I still don’t believe him. But once I get to a session for some reason I hold my head high and work my butt of to get those shots that I envisioned and to please my client. I do all my work out of my home and hold sessions on location. I wish I had a studio to be able to sell more of my work to my clients but right now it’s just not feasible. I just started my photography business but I’m hoping as time goes on my confidence will get bigger and I will believe in myself more.
facebooked it! http://www.facebook.com/home.php
I also added to my facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=628441389&ref=profile
I would say my confidence level would be a 6. I am confident in the work I do but I sometimes have a hard time in being confident while interacting with clients. It’s an ongoing process and I am building my confidence more and more, one day at a time.
My confidence level is a 6. I feel very confident behind the lense. It’s the cliff hanger of how the client will react upon seeing their images that leaves me weak in the knees. Perhaps I am selling myself short here. I have the confidence to take the picture but feel like I am constantly revealing my darkest secret to clients again and again just waiting to hear critisism. It always works out perfectly, and after going through the same series of events time and time again, I am not so stressed out about it. My clients like my work, my eye and how I edit. If they didn’t, they would not have hired and paid me. I just have to learn how to own that.
Tweeted the giveaway! @monroefiles
I would say my confidence is probably a 7. It is so true that if you are confident your customer can tell. If I talk something up, my customers get excited about it (example Christmas cards, gallery wraps, etc.). Also, I am a people person so I really try to connect with my customers and do my best for their session to be enjoyable. I often pray for my customer before the shoot … especially for seniors. I want them to feel special & pretty (or handsome) when they are with me and later when they see their images. I look at it as their special time.
I would say I’m a 4-5. I just started a couple years ago and still have TONS to learn. I’ve booked 2 weddings for this next year and I feel like sometimes I’m not “good enough” or there are tons others out there… are my clients sure they don’t want them??” But, in the end, you know what… they chose me. And they must love my work or my personality (or both) and that’s why they chose me. So, I’m learning and I’m trying to gain more confidence… I really just need to keep at it and practice in my own time. I get compliments from peers, but when the compliments “go away” is when I feel vulnerable. These guides would be amazing! Hope I win!
I tweeted @meltonbritt
I also added it on my facebook http://www.facebook.com/brittneymelton
it is so funny that you would post this question, since i have been spending time the past couple of weeks working on raising my level of confidence. it varies a lot. personally i would say that a good day can get as high as a 9 or 10, but a bad day somewhere around 4 or 5. prior to the past few weeks, professionally, i would have said that on a good day it is probably a 7 or 8, but on a bad day it can get as low as a 2 or 3. those levels + their variances enormously affect both my personal interactions and professional development, because if someone catches me on a bad day i am sure they walk away from the interaction wondering what it is they have done wrong or believing that i won’t be able to deliver the promised results. as a result, i end up holding myself back from success in life + work. the past few weeks i have been doing several things that have helped keep the level of confidence more stable + at a higher level. first, anytime i find myself getting down about anything i immediately start listing five things i am grateful for. they can be as small (or large) as i want them to be. second, i have stopped comparing my work to others. third, i am focusing on my future but doing the best with what i have in front of me. and so far these things seem to be working in my favor, because in the past week my professional confidence levels are much higher than they have been in months.
i tweeted about the contest…@littlebites
Such a fun question. I think my confidence level is about a 9, but in photography I would say 7. Mostly because it is still new to me and I am still learning. Maybe each year it will be an 8, but I will be learning forever won’t I? Hmmmm… I guess we will see.
I would like to begin with a thanks to Jodi for all the great contests and this prize would be THE GREATEST. My confidence has always needed a bit of a boost, but when I am in the groove and it is working for me and I am getting those images that just work I convey a 9 and I am able to sell the image that I believe presents the best. However, my business sense needs a boost I need a better plan and help with presentation. I would love the opportunity to win this. I also work as a nurse and being a health care provider to those with both substance abuse and mental health issues gives one plenty of opportunity to sharpen those confidence skills and it has really helped me with my photography skills also. Hope I win this!!!
i tweeted about it!!
Hmmm…confidence level…I think I’m about a 4 in my own head, but I think I project more like an 8 or 9. I feel like I AM more confident if I ACT more confident. I am taking steps to market myself a little more aggressively – I let the “competition” intimidate me for a while – so I am finally seeing my business pick up a bit. I would really love to know how others overcome their confidence issues though. My husband tells me that I should stop doubting my abilities and just plow ahead!
i have confidence because my clients believe in me. My confidence level is 8+ when I meet with my clients before a photoshoot and get to know them their tast & style.
facebook comment sent…..a must read for anyone who is anyone…
I would rate my my confidence level at about a 5. I think mainly because I’m unsure of how to market myself. I know that I would like to appeal to seniors and families, but I’m not sure how to get out there. Today’s economy makes me feel like people aren’t interested. I want to be interesting. I want to be different and attract the business that’s out there. I also find myself not 100% confident when first meeting a client. I don’t feel prepared for whatever questions they may have, even though I have prepped myself. I need to work on a total intro package. After we’re into the shoot or if I already know the client then I’m much more open and comfortable. When I finally get into the shoot, I feel better giving the client direction. I just think that it’s going to take practice and research. I say research because it will help me be prepared with an answer for whatever question the customer may throw my direction. I know that I will need to work on my poise and confidence in new relationships and fostering existing relationships and stepping up and getting my name out there. Welcome packets, newsletters, blog consistently, effective website, return customer/referral program….I want my presence and confidence to put the client at ease and make their experience with me the best and not the last. Help me make myself memorable!
Generally I cruise along at a confidence level of about 6. Taking a deep breath, I put my confidence level up to an 8 to manage new situations, meeting people, and dealing with difficult situations. I’ve learned that the more confident you appear, the more others will relax and listen – as long as it’s done with smile! In life I like to surround myself with positive people, which is probably why I love photographing kids and new families. I’m new to the business side of photography but have a friend working in the field with me which I find invaluable, as the sharing of ideas, and the constructive feedback is a real confidence booster.
I facebooked! http://www.facebook.com/heather.verde
I totally agree – you NEED confidence to get you where you want to be in this business. When you present yourself as a timid, you-can-walk-all-over-me kind of person, people will take advantage and also sense your insuperiority and fear. I also think there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. No one likes a braggert. I am confident that I know what I’m doing behind the camera, and even though I’m not in the business (yet), I’ve seen first hand that when I give people a little direction and encouragement, they relax in front of the camera. Having that confidence is the only way to get there with your subjects. I would rate myself at an 8, but only b/c I’m not in biz, so my photography is a whole lot more relaxed, plus there are no real expectations being set upon me. That DOES make a difference. The last two points will be when I master flash photography – then I know I can walk into any lighting situation and be confident I can get the images I want/need.
My tip would be, if you are in business, you should KNOW what you’re doing. Don’t let your clients tell you how to take photos (you need their input, but only to a certain degree of course). Plan ahead as much as you can if you struggle with confidence (sketch out poses, make sure you know what your clients will be wearing, bring props, pre-visit locations, etc.).
I think my confidence is a 6. I have a lot to learn. I just started out this year, but I think my blog is true to my personality. I just need to get out there a little more.
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amymom24
I think my confidence is a 6. I have a lot to learn. I just started out this year, but I think my blog is true to my personality. I just need to get out there a little more.
I just added my facebook update. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/jacqueline.childress?ref=profile
Confidence. Indirectly that has been on my mind lately. As I embark on a new adventure and start a photography business (even as I write this), I am constantly checking my confidence level. Will I be able to take photos that are top quality; will I find the right location, the right look, and the right light? Will there be 20-30 great photos? Mostly, I ask myself if I will find the right words to interact with a potential or current client. I was relieved to read Joyce Smith describe herself as someone who is not a salesperson or super charismatic. I feel very similar. I have a harder time selling myself and acting like I know what I am doing. This is where my confidence suffers and would rate myself as a 4 or 5. On the other hand, I would rate myself higher on my confidence level as a photographer – maybe a 7. I know that I can push myself and learn more. I look where I started and I see how far I have come. I know that I can keep learning and practicing. So as I focus on the interpersonal skills, I remember what I tell my 12-year old daughter as she struggles in middle school, you grow by doing hard stuff. By starting my own business I am pushing myself to become more confident with my interpersonal skills and my ability to sell myself. This contest itself has been helpful. It is insightful to read how other people view themselves and you realize that you are not the only one out there with insecurities. Thanks!
Hmmmm…I’d say my confidence is a 5+.
Last year a 2, so this seems to be a big improvement. I had an “aha” moment recently when my husband told me that I needed to stop looking at my statements of “I still have so much to learn” as meaning “I’m not good now.” I have learned a lot, and each session I learn more. I’m never going to stop learning, if I do, I’m not striving to be the best photographer I can be. So realizing this has actually boosted my confidence. I know that if I don’t know how to do something, in time, I will, just not all at once. Patience, persistence, and practice!
I agree with Elli! I think in my head I’m a 3 or 4, but my (pb) clients think that I have an 8 or 9! I always, always only see the flaws in my work. I almost never take a shot that I’m 100% happy with. It’s part of the reason I’m still floundering with making a decision to go pro. Despite building a healthy pb client base that are all very happy with my work, I’m not sure I can sell it. Despite my misgivings, I always appear bright, bubbly and proud of my work to clients since I want them to believe in it even if I’m not quite there yet. My plan to gain more confidence is to continue building my skill set and maybe letting go just a slight bit on my perfectionism criteria. Not that I don’t want my shots to be perfect, but they don’t have to be exactly perfect to be a great shot ya know?
Also posted on Facebook!
It is amazing how much confidence affects everything – including how other people react to you and think about you. If I had more confidence with my photography work I would have lots more freedom to do crawl on the floor or ground to get a better angle and not feel self conscious! My confidence is getting better – probably up to 6 or so… Joyce Smith’s post the other day was really helpful. I particularly liked the part about getting excited about your work to clients, and not in a boasting manner. I often feel excited about the shots I get but for some reason thought it was childish to relay that to clients… I can see how limiting that is. Thanks – Nancy
I’ll give my confidence an 8.5. I am very confident talking to clients and I have a partner. We play off each other so well. This prize would certainly help me though!
I think I have grown more confident in myself this year than I ever before. I never thought I would be good enough to take photos professionally. I certainly never thought that people would seek me out to take their photos. But even though it’s a nice affirmation, it hasn’t been the real reason behind my certainty. Growing confidence has been largely a matter of practice. When I’m feeling less-than-able, I know that it’s time for me go out and take photos. It doesn’t matter what they’re of or if anyone will see them. Knowing that I can pick up a camera, see a shot and take it is great practice and a huge boost to my confidence – it has truly given me the boldness to say “I am a photographer” and mean it. It translates to my interactions with clients and my vision for business and marketing, because I know deep down that I have the confidence to sell myself. I am a photographer.
Bonus tweet! (which also gets posted to my facebook). Extra bonus!?!
I feel that I’m a fairly confident person. Not overly confident (to the point of cocky or proud), but I also don’t shy away in a corner. So on a scale of 1-10, I’d say I’m probably about a 7. As far as my photography, I’m probably not confident enough. I’m not a professional in any sense, but I enjoy it as a hobby and would like to get into it more (maybe as an extra revenue source?). But I also feel that I’m not that great despite the praises I get from others. I’m working on being more grateful of compliments and putting myself out there more. If not for myself to bring others joy.
I rate my confidence level at an 8. I think the area I need to work on is sessions with middle age kids. I go into those sessions thinking that I do not know how to relate to them as well, so I get nervous. I think on all the other sessions I do view my confidence is high. I research what the family wants, and found that speaking to my clients in person, or at least over the phone, before the shooting really helps to get to know them, and builds their confidence in you as well. I quickly learned the hard way, that with clients, if you don’t go into it confident, then they will take over the session, and that never ends well. You are the pro, not them. The minute they see weakness in you, they will jump in, and direct you. You have to learn to stand up for your ways of photographing, why you do it the way you do, and teach them, and make them listen to you as well. If you have a certain pose in mind, but go into it with “ummmm, well, kinda” then you will not put your clients at ease either, so to get the fun loving true laughter shots, you need to show confidence! The mom that thinks she knows what she is doing more than you is the hardest client ever, and the session you need to be the most confident in! When doing ordering sessions it’s the same thing. You have to be completely confident in your work and your products. The minute you second guess yourself is the minute your clients will start asking for discounts and specials. As much as we’d like to, we cannot give discounts all the time, it will portray that you are not confident in your work 100%. At a minimum, fake confidence until you get enough sessions and clients under your belt, but make sure with every shoot you take time to really study your photos. Learn what you did wrong, and teach yourself how to fix that next time. Take time to congratulate yourself for what you did do great! If you go into each new session knowing more and more on what you need to avoid and keep doing then you will be confident before you know it!!
I tweeted about you! @JeniG
I would say that the older I get the more confident I get. I’m about an 8 depending on what it is. As my photography skills grow so does my confidence.
Great contest! I might purchase these if I don’t win!
I also tweeted about this and posted on facebook.
My confidence goes up and down all the time. I have been considering jumping with both feet into the photography business, but my confidence keeps me from doing it. I put my confidence with photography at a 5, but my skills with photoshop, I put at a 3 and my confidence in business I put at an 8. I’m the most confident when I’m in front of a customer with my camera in front of my face because I’m doing what I love and making people happy. There is just so much to learn.
BONUS ENTRY (woot! woot!) My facebook page about the contest: http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Diego-CA/Vita-Bella-Photography/172720369528
My confidence level depends wholly on the vibe I get from my customers during the shoot. If they give me a so so vibe (confidence 5-6) then I am much much less confident in my work then with customers (confidence 8-9) who trust me completely. Even though the end product is the same I really feel worse about the whole experience when my customers give iffy vibes. I need to just get over it and be more confident myself without letting people dictate my emotions. Also, I used to be much more willing to turn down business when I get funky vibes then I am now. Maybe it’s time to start turning people away again. It worked well in the past.
I would rate my confidence level at an 8. I feel very confident in myself and know that I can do my job very well but right before a shoot I tend to get nervous and fumble in the beginning. Usually after I warm up to the client and get a feel for their personality I am a full 10!
I feel like the key to my success is personality. I try to find a connection with every client that I meet. When I am out on a photo shoot and someone has a dog I comment on how much I love my dogs and ask about their dog. Or I might compliment them on their home, admire their clothes or really just anything to make them feel more connected to me. I am easy to talk to and really love interacting with people. I guess that would be my confidence tip “connect with clients”.
My confidence level is on the rise both professionally and personally. I would put both of them at about an 8. Professionally, I feel that I have both the experience and technique to make it through most anything.
Personally, I have just lost 55 lbs and still losing. Believe me, that has really boosted my confidence!
Leah
My confidence has definitely grown and even since I read the post yesterday, I have thought a lot about it. I would say I’m a 7 and I hate odd numbers!!! So to change that number I go back through my work and look at where I have come from and browse my favorite sessions and think “wow I am good!”
As a person my confidence in myself is pretty low and I tend to be very shy and meek. In my capabilities as a photographer I am pretty confident and on a shoot I’ve learned to direct them the way I want them to go. The problem is as a business woman I let my personal confidence issues get in the way and don’t pursue it out of fear, fear of what I really don’t know. I know it’s time to step it up and I plan to sit down and write out goals and figure out what it will take to get where I want to be.
Like a lot of photographers out there, my confidence fluctuates all the time.
I am a pretty shy person so it is difficult to sell myself to prospective clients and it is hard to get out of my shell when I photograph them, even though I know I can do a good job! I would rate my confidence at 4 in both my personal & professional life. I am trying to make a living with photography in a foreign country, start a business where I don’t have an extended network and where language can be a barrier. But I am trying little by little to use my quiet personality as an asset and sometimes, when I crack a joke in my fake australian accent, I feel pretty pleased about myself! I work on improving my images by looking at other photographers’ work and plan on attending workshops on branding & marketing to give me more confidence in dealing with prospective clients.
Posted this on FB share yesterday!! Check it out!
The WordSmith products are beautiful, fun and very useful tools!!
I think that I’m a 6 on the confidence scale business-wise. But, it’s my personal confidence 8.5-9 that carries me. I love that each session is a learning experience and my photography skills increase with each session. I’m not shy by nature and I love to interact with people on a one-to-one basis (although I don’t really like small talk). I have personal photographic style that I love and try to achieve at every session all the while worrying my client won’t like my style. The other facet with which I struggle is delivering only 15-25 stellar images to the client. I worry that because they heard the shutter click 90 times that they think they should have 80 images. I hope someday to be able to over-come these sticking points. It would greatly increase my ability to enjoy the session itself as well as the end result.
In school I was that kid that freaked out just having to give an answer to the class, I hated talking about myself and still do. Being a business owner this makes getting myself out there quite difficult, I’ve had instances where acquaintances have gone elsewhere because they didn’t know I offered the services they were looking for because I never told them. I consider myself great through e-mail and written word when I have the time to think about what I am saying (and the delete button) but I hate talking on the phone. I will admit that while my confidence could have easily been ranked as a 2 or 3 previously I would now say that it has grown to at least a 5 through the continued support of my peers, clients and family. They keep telling me how great I am and I guess I finally started to believe them
Also tweeted – @limepeels
Blogged and FB’d. LOVE THESE PRODUCTS…the more I look, the more I love. It might be my next ‘must have’.
i think confidence makes all the difference int he world. the clients can feel it if you think you arent going to get the shot. i think its especially important when working with small children. You have to be sure that you are going to get the smile. I am also a pediatric physical therapist and you have to gain the kids trust very quickly. they can sense when you arent sure! thanks for hte awesome giveaway!
When I started working as a contracted assistant wedding photographer my confidence, both personal & professional, was very low. I had just finished graduate school, found a job, and within two years realized that I was headed down the wrong path. Luckily, a photography class that I took (just for fun) grew into a job when my instructor asked me to work for him. I left my job and haven’t looked back. The experience of growing from an assistant to lead photographer helped me get on the right track and bring my confidence level to 3 – a good starting place. My abilities and comfort in a new field were budding. During that time, I decided to experiment in child/family photography and found my passion. My first eureka moment occurred when the daughter of my very first client (also my first newborn shoot) celebrated her first birthday. Seeing a child grow in front of me, from newborn to 1 year old, solidified my commitment in this newfound career and skyrocketed my confidence to 6. Buoyed by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, I began reading books on business, marketing, and communication. From the Carnegie classics to Dane Sanders and Seth Godin (next on my list), I can’t seem to put them down. I follow several blogs, and every day that I read something new I can feel my confidence incrementally growing. That’s just how my brain works – I research, then act. My research has, so far, brought me to a 7 (I’m still just getting started!) but I’m anxiously anticipating the moment when I hit 8. That’s when I’ve decided to act on my dreams of officially starting my own business!! My constant professional growth has mirrored itself beautifully in my personal life, a connection that spurs me on like nothing else can. I am one of the lucky ones. My interests, values, and (growing) abilities have come together in one job, and my personal confidence now soars.
I would rate my confidence at a 2 or 3. I lack the time and materials to really be where I want to be, and I have oh-so-much to learn. Challenge is a good thing right. I just need to have the vision and put effort forth to get there.
I would say my confidence level is somewhere around a 5 (she says more as a question than a statement). I absolutely love what I do. I love to see people get excited about their photos. I sometimes feel as though I am “faking it until I make it” with my business. This is my first year offically as a paid photographer and I still get very unsure about myself. I had a conversation with a friend the other day and told her that I still get very nervous before and during each shoot and she couldn’t believe it. She said she never would have known and didn’t really understand why. I think for me, I see so many other photographers that are so much better than me and they appear to really have it all together…and I just don’t. My plan for making myself feel more confident…I think the more sessions I do the more confidence I will have. I also am trying to piece together some posing guides for myself because this seems to be the area that freaks me out the most on a shoot.I also have plans to attend some workshops in the next year.
Yay for a bonus comment! I tweeted!
I REALLLLLY want to win. 
I think my confidence is at about a 6 maybe 7. I know I have a long way to go before I’m great, but I feel like I’m on the right path. My photography isn’t perfect and never will be, but I love what I’m doing. I continue to think about where I’ll be in 4 years from now. That is what drives me. Each session I do makes me more confident because each one teaches me so much.
By the wya I have How to sell, and it is great. I have had my eyes on the others.
My confidence sucks – Like, I’m a two or three.
What I’m doing: I just bought new clothes. Okay, I bought new clothes twice. The first time around I got all classy and business-y, maybe even a little stuffy. I told my husband how I don’t really feel all that comfortable like that, but that I wanted to quit looking like a bum. I guess I thought that classy was the only way to go. He reminded me that I’m an artist first, business woman second, and it’s okay for an artist-businesswoman to dress like an artist instead of dressing like a businesswoman. So I went back out and bought some clothes that were more funky – more like me, but without the “bum” look I’d been sporting. I’m MUCH more comfortable with this middle ground, and I feel like if I can present MYSELF at photoshoots and client meetings, then I won’t feel like I have to pretend to be someone I’m not, because my clothes are helping to tell them my style.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/grisaleen
I would say that I have a different confidence levels. Personally, I’d say it’s around a 4. I’m getting a whole lot better though. I’ve always been shy, but by doing the work that I do it makes it easier to come out of my shell and that is crossing over into my personal life.
Professionally, my confindence level is at least an 8. I’ve been photography people for 10 years (only 3 years on my own) and yes, at first it was hard because I am a shy person. Don’t get me wrong I’m still nervous, like one of the girls above me stated, before every shoot. I’m always afraid I’ll mess up some how another, I mean, these are people’s very own memories that we’re making. It’s stressful. But as soon as I meet my customers for the first time, it’s like I’ve known them for years. Something in me clicks and it just happens. I think that to make the best photos of someone you need to be able to capture their true self and if you can’t interact with them on a very personal level, then you can’t acheive that. Some customers have questioned me about shots and afterwards they’re like “wow, I didn’t think that would have turned out like that”! While others let you do pretty much what you want without any question at all. And it’s because they’re different and we have to adapt to that. And that is what makes my confindence better in my professional world. It is so easy for me to adapt to someone. I don’t know what it is about me, but people open up around me. Which makes it easy for me to open up around them. I guess it’s because I reallly do LOVE what I do and maybe that shows! I would, however, like to work on my editing skills and learn more about the camera. I don’t think you can ever know enough. I would love to be as awesome as some of the photographers I’ve seen. But it’s all a work in progress. I’ve got so very much to learn! And I’d like to improve my blog and website as much as possible!
Hmm. I think internally my confidence level varies quite a bit. There is always some anxiousness going into shoots for me. I usually feel about a 5 before the shoot. I think about everything that I am convinced will go wrong and have a hard time until I start shooting, when most of what I have been worried about doesn’t happen. Then I am into it and my confidence shoots up anywhere to 7-10, depending on how it’s going. Editing usually brings me back down a bit, as I am still trying to find my style with post-processing. But when I am presenting my images to the client I can fake a 10, all the way. I know it’s important for the client to feel that my images are ‘have-to-haves’, and that I play a crucial role there. And then I am always nervous delivering the final products. Will they find some minuscule flaw that I overlooked? Will they wonder why that one image isn’t tack-sharp? Then when they don’t do either of those things and are gushing over their images I always feel great again.
I just try to remember that my clients hire me because they love my work and want that for their families.
More confidence will come as I get better at more technically advanced shooting, lighting conditions and post processing.
I rate my confidence at about 3. This has been a really rough year for me and I’ve had a lot of stuff knock me down.I’m working on starting my photography business, and my lack of confidence is making it hard. Sometimes it is hard for me to get up in the morning. And yes, I probably am suffering from depression as well. So obviously the first thing is that I am going to find a therapist and work on my depression. When you need help, get it. It doesn’t provide any benefit to avoid your problems. Second, in my previous job, my customer service was top tier. People respected me, appreciated me, and I delivered outstanding customer service. I don’t have a bubbly personality, and I’m on the shy side, but I’m focusing on my customer service background–bringing that to my photography experience to differentiate me from my competitors.
Bonus: I tweeted about the contest.
My confidence, both personal and business, are at about an 8. I think it just comes from experience (I turn 40 tomorrow) and also letting go of the worry about what other people are thinking. I think that last bit is my biggest tip… stop worrying about what the people around you are thinking, ‘cuz you are probably wrong. And even if you’re right, they’re thinking it because of their own insecurities. Why is my confidence level not higher, then? Well, because I haven’t completely let go of it… I have this issue with being overweight and what other people think about it that’s been drilled into me since I was young, so I’m working on that. And with business – I’ve only been in business for a little over a year and haven’t really got the word out, so I’m not YET completely confident. Soon, though… I know it!
I decided to try for the bonus entry, and tweeted it, too. My username is meant2beamom
What a terrific article – so timely with photographers feeling the crunch of many new photographers entering the business. Confidence is so key – confidence in your art, your vision and what you have to offer both in products and customer service. Luckily for me, I have moved so many times in my life, (I had 13 elementary schools!) I learned how to make friends easily. I would give myself a 10 in confidence EXCEPT that I still have to garner the courage to stand behind the prices of a boutique photography business. People wise – not shy AT all – but I don’t have the hours to give to a full-time photography business and sometimes that hold me back in some ways (being pulled in many directions). I think I will overcome this as my business continues to evolve.
So a tip that helps me go into every session with confidence – I believe strongly that my art, custom portrait photography, is a gift – to me, yes, but more importantly to the people I share it with. When I go to a session, I try to think of what I am giving back to this person or family. I learned from a great book called ‘The World’s Greatest Salesman (Og Mandino), that to be successful, you must truly love the people you serve. It also helps to love what you are creating, to shoot and edit with love (for the subject and for the process). This gives me utmost confidence that even though I may not technically get everything right, ultimately I will be offering my clients what they want most in life, to remember who they are and what they love.
Des
This is such a timely post for me I can’t even tell you! Confidence is something I have struggled with all my life and I feel like I am finally getting a handle on it. Most of my life I would say it was a 3-4, but over the past couple of years it has risen to a 7-8. That isn’t to say that I don’t struggle with self doubt on some level daily, but I’m working on asking myself why I have that doubt and if it is warranted. Usually it is just me playing a dialog out of habit.
My passion for photography and launching my business along with becoming a mother to a little girl has inspired me even more to work on this. I truly believe that I am my brand and if I’m not confident in myself and what I do I will never achieve the goals and dreams I have set forth for myself in my business. More importantly though, I want my daughter to have a mother who is an example of the kind of woman to aspire to be, not avoid becoming.
Confident? Hmm? Personally hands down, no questions asked 10!! I have everything a husband who has stood behind me and pushed me to pursue my dreams, a son, my “Sour Patch” kid who is the TRUE inspiration behind my business! Professionally, well that has to be a 7 and I am strecthing here giving myself a little extra since I a decided to participate in this contest! I am rating myself a 7 because I have always been very confident with myself, a people person, can realte with almost anyone! I will reach and approach anyone and ask them what they love what they want to capture/cherish! I truly love what I do! I feel that it shows in my work but I have just started out in the business I find that since I enjoy what I do so much I want others to be able to enjoy their works of “ART” it pains me to put a price on something that is so precious as a childs smile! So I lack in the business/marketing area but I am reading and searching and find every resource out there to help! These guides would be a true blessing!!
Bonus Comment:
http://krookedsmilesphotography.blogspot.com/2009/10/wordsmith-contest.html
I would say that I’m at about a 5 somedays more somedays less. I am very confident in some things, (interacting with people, professionalism, general eye for seeing things) and much less so in other areas (basically anything to do with the business end of things or shooting in a brand new location). The problem that I run into is that when I am down on myself about one thing, others follow.
Confidence is so important in photography. I’m getting more confident in my photography style (yea!), but still need work when it comes to giving clients direction (clothing, selling, etc.) – which is why these guides look so great! So a 5 overall, maybe?
On a scale from 1 to 10 I think my confidence sits at an 8. If I am not confident in myself and my skills I usually stay away from putting myself in those situations. A lot of times my confidence in my business and people skills outshines my photography skills. :0)
I think that my confidence level probably varies. I am a new photographer with a new photography business. I feel like on the business side of things I am like a 6 or 7, I have a great handle on how I want the business to go and great ideas and energy but need some help tweaking thing and coming up with a overall feel or image for the business and to also perk up my blog posts and business written materials. My confidence level with the way my sessions are run and overall composition of my photographer is again at the 6-7 range. I often hear that clients are having fun and that the composition, poses and ideas are creative and fun but believe that I need some help with keeping up to date and learning how to take chances on new poses, how to pose differently so that all my sessions do not look idential. My confidence level as far as the camera equipment is probably more around a 3. I can always see my “vision” with the shot and don’t always know how to get there and I am easily frustrated when I think I took the greatest shot and get to the computer and find out its out of focus or some other outside influence has ruined my perfect shot. My confidence level at photo editing and post processing is constantly changing because with MCP actions, tutorials and classes I seem to learn something new almost every day. Right now I feel that is about a 5 so much more I can learn about it but every session seems to get a little better and I would like to jump out of my comfort zone and learn how to do so really fun post editing. What a great exercise for me to do today to think about the areas I am good and think out plans to get even better and to admit the areas I need help in and how to attack those! Thanks Jodi for this opportunity and thanks for all you do!!!
What a great contest and opportunity. Thanks! Confidence is based on so many factors, and I’ve found that truly finding an inner peace has helped me so much in that outer confidence. That and announcing just a little way into a session, “We just nailed that shot!!” That one comment seems to free up families, moms, teens, whoever to relax for the rest of the time we have together. After that commment I think I’m able to relax and to project a higher confidence to clients, too, maybe a 9? (Even though it might not be quite that high on the inside?!)
I posted to my facebook profile what you suggested (guess I’m a bit lazy
Wow, that looks awesome! Those guides would help me SO much
As for my rating, I’d say I’m around a 4 but have moments where I’m higher. The times where I’m feeling higher on the confidence scale I find that I interact with people better, I’m happier and when I’m taking photos, they just turn out better. It makes me want to be at that higher “rating” all the time. I’m a shy person so I have to push myself to meet people and to be more out going. I’m working on it daily and learning as much as I can about many aspects of photography so that I can feel confident in what I do. My confidence helps not only me , but the people I’m taking photos of. They seem more at ease and that helps the photos turn out even better 
I’ve always had issues with my confidence but honestly since I’ve started taking my photography more serious my confidence has risen both personally and professionally. I know I still have a lot to learn about photography but I am very happy with where my business and I am at right now. It’s a great feeling! If I had to rate my confidence I’d say it’s an 8.
By the way, I have Joyce’s how to sell and I LOVE IT!!!