Believing in yourself might very well need to be your very first step. If it is, re-read the letter I wrote to myself. If you have the courage to take that first step you will never regret it.
For the rest of you who find yourself in the same place I found myself not too long ago I have a few words for you.
You are ready. You are educated. You are prepared. You have worked hard to get to where you are today. Because your phone is not ringing off the hook does not mean your prices are too high or your art not good enough. Be patient. It takes time. And, in the meantime when you do book that client be grateful. Treat them like family. You will get referrals. And, the snowball will only grow larger.
When you find yourself working more than you intended learn to say no even more. Be selective. Take care of you. Take care of your family. Don’t lose site of why you went into owning your business in the first place. It wasn’t to be a slave to everyone else. It was to have flexibility in your schedule. Keep it that way.
When you find yourself in a rut take a step back and think through why you fell in love with photography in the first place. Check out Jodi’s tips for breaking out of a rut, too. Take a break from looking at other artists’ blogs and sites and focus only on your own work. Visit your site as if you were viewing it for the very first time. Get out and take pictures for yourself. Take breaks. Give yourself weekends when you don’t even check email. Not even on your phone. Focus on those around you. It won’t take long before your head is clear again and you are creating work that comes easy, genuinely, and from the heart.
With every step you take be confident, remain humble and do not apologize for any decisions you make for yourself or your business. As soon as you let others dictate your life you will hate what you do. Don’t let it happen. Be kind, be bold, trust your instincts and be you. Then, enjoy a fulfilling career doing something you are passionate about, making money that not only pays the bills, but also gives you a bit extra to take that vacation you’ve always wanted to go on.
You are working your dream job. Congratulations!
Jessica, our guest writer for this series on going from Hobbyist to Professional Photographer, is the photographer behind 503 photography and the owner and creator of 503 |online| workshops for adults and now, KIDS AND TEENS!
p.s. Sign your chid up for one of our kid/teen workshops and use code MCP503 for $50 off. Offer ends May 23rd.
THE BUILD YOUR STOREFRONT CONTEST
Prizes:
Winners will be picked and announced on Sunday, May 23rd. Winners must contact me by May 25th to claim prizes. Make sure to enter past contests too.
1. Cinnamon Girl Studios
Cinnamon Girl has kindly offered a custom designed blog sites (examples here: wordpress or blogger) to one lucky commenter. The winner can choose one of the pre-made templates and then she’ll customize it just for you! This is a $220-$360 value.
2. Joy of Marketing
Woh, Mama! Sarah Petty, creator of the Cafe Joy Marketing Materials for Photographers, is offering a huge giveaway! It’s her Meaty Marketing DVD set (a $499 value!).
How to enter:
Add your entry in the comment section of this MCP Blog post (not on Facebook) by answering the question: Write 3 words that describe you? If you are in business already, write 3 words that describe your business/company/brand as well.
Want more chances to win? Get bonus contest entries:
* Error correction – the lens rental give away is by Borrowlenses.com
It’s your business, it’s your storefront and it’s you. Building your identity for the web and in print is so important and it must be done well. It’s a non-negotiable. I thought today I’d share with you all the things I’ve done wrong so that you don’t have to do them, too.
When I first got started I spent countless hours researching the industry. This is important to do, but can be also dangerous. It is necessary to assess the photographers in your area (including their pricing). It is not necessary to do if you are looking for what everyone else is doing so that you can fit in.
I was so inundated with millions of sites I had checked out by the time I was designing my own I picked out a template that fit in like one more candy added to the giant bowl of M&Ms! It didn’t take long before I realized my efforts and energy were in vain. My site looked like every other one out there.
I quickly wanted something that was custom designed for just my business.
My next wrong step included hiring a designer to design me a blog that fit my genre of photography (which is mainly kids and families). We designed it bright and colorful, large patterns and fonts. Using Showit I then designed a bright and colorful website to match. I was happy to have a custom design that fit my brand. But again I quickly realized my efforts and energy were in vain. I was confused as to what my brand was. It was photography, yes. It was children and families, yes. But, most importantly, my brand was me. My bright and colorful, large patterns and font design work wasn’t me. At all.
So, for a third go around I started doing a bit of research and was able to find an incredible designer locally. Since it was my third attempt I wanted someone whom I could sit with face to face. I also desired a designer that didn’t typically work with photographers. I wanted something new, something fresh and most importantly, something that was genuinely me.
I can finally say with a smile across my face that everything you see is totally, 100% me. (Check out my site and blog here.)
It’s my business. It’s my storefront. It’s me.
When clients come to my site the pictures that they see, the music that they hear and the words that they read is me. I know that by the time I receive an email or a call with someone looking to hire me we are going to connect. My websites and my blog quickly let people know who I am and what I value.
As I wrote before, I made a ton of mistakes (and spent a TON of hours working) before I landed here. I am no know-it-all, but I do know quite a bit more than I did just a few years ago.
No one is going to have everything figured out when they are just getting started. Don’t feel like you have to. Having said that, here are a few pointers to help you process as you are figuring out how to design your storefront.
1. Be you.
It seems so simple, but it’s oftentimes missed. As artists we feel like we have to be this way or that way, but really the best thing we can do for our clients and ourselves is to be well … us. If this is navy, white and a love for open fields, fresh fruit and horses well then incorporate that. Yes, even the love for horses.
p.s. the way my site used to be designed gave the impression that I was vibrant and outgoing. I’m quite the opposite. I love connecting with new people, but I am not a loud and crazy kind of gal. I’m very much a deep thinking introvert who enjoys the slower pace of life. My stuff now reflects that much more accurately.
2. Investing in quality design work is money well spent.
Quality needs to be sought out. Do not hire the first designer you stumble upon. And, just because there is a designer that designs tons of websites and blogs for other artists does not mean he/she’s the designer for you. Be picky. You’re the one paying.
Once you find someone who really takes time to get to know you and creates a look for you that is genuine you will not regret paying for it.
3. If you do not have the money to invest in quality design work, no worries!
Having a well-designed brand is definitely worthwhile, but you know what? Our clients don’t care. What they care about is seeing quality photographs and having the chance to connect with you as an artist.
This can be done free of charge. My first blog (still Google searchable) was white with a simple text image at the top. It was plain, it was boring, it was a place where I could create an environment to write, share photos and make business announcements and that was all I needed to get started.
There are many different and inexpensive ways you can showcase your portfolio without spending a lot of money. I do have to say you pay for what you get, but when you’re first getting started going “cheap” is often times your only option.
4. Write genuinely.
Yes, you are selling a product, but even more so you are selling yourself. Writing in fancy language that is similar to what “most” photographers use will not draw people in. Writing genuinely about you and your business, your values and your art is what will draw people in. We know when someone is the real deal and when they are not.
5. Let people get to know YOU.
I’m all for a little mystery (okay, for those of you who follow my blog maybe that’s not totally true for me), but when people are looking for an artist to hire to come to their home or to meet over coffee to discuss their upcoming wedding they want to know who you are. Have a picture of yourself. Have multiple ones. Talk a bit about yourself. Help them to get to know you, not just your work. That will make them much more likely to contact you in the first place. Then, when you meet them remember you don’t have to share that much about yourself. They already know you. All you have to do is get to know them (which everyone loves when people will take time to listen to us talk about ourselves, right? ; ).
6. Show only what you want people to see.
Yea, I know … I’m repeating myself from step 4, but it’s SO important! Think of it this way: If I’m designing the storefront for Gap I’m not going to hang curtains, set-up couches and top them with throw pillows. Pier 1? Yes. Gap no.
If I’m a photographer desiring to photograph seniors and newborns I’m not going to showcase the family reunion I photographed or the boudoir session I did for my friend. Like I said during Step 1, taking jobs like this is okay when you want/need the money, but don’t post them online. Your storefront will only confuse potential clients.
I hope a piece or two of what I’ve shared helps some of you. If I can share the mistakes I’ve made and help others not do the same today has been worth it’s while!
Giveaways tomorrow!
Jessica, our guest writer for this series on going from Hobbyist to Professional Photographer, is the photographer behind 503 photography and the owner and creator of 503 |online| workshops for adults and now, KIDS AND TEENS!
p.s. Sign your chid up for one of our kid/teen workshops and use code MCP503 for $50 off. Offer ends May 23rd.
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