Photography Tips and Tricks

5 Things I would change in my business if I could go back

I hope these photography tips and tricks help you in your business…

A common question I get asked a lot is- so how did you know you wanted to become a photographer?

I didn’t…that was not in my vision for life.

I was going to follow the footsteps of my dad…go to college…and go into pharmaceutical sales.  That was it…I’d travel…meet new people every day..be a top sales rep for at least one year…I had big dreams…I knew I could do it…my dad’s team was top in the nation for several years…why couldn’t I?

Then…that changed when I was a teen and fell in love with teaching piano/music.  I began teaching…yes teaching piano at age 15.  I started with a handful of students…then two years later I was teaching two days a week at a Christian school and three afternoons at my home.  At the age of 17 I had 50+ students…I was in love teaching and working with children.  This became my passion…I was enjoying and loving what I did as well as making an impact on others lives.

I couldn’t have been happier. In 2008 I flew to Olympia Washington with my first dSLR camera in hand.  This was my hobby…I loved “taking pictures”….why did I go?  I wanted to learn more…see new places…I was young…single and could go. For a week long workshop I learned so much and met so many great friends.  It was my first stepping stone on this journey.  As I came back I began to dig into more…I wanted to learn more…know more…enjoy it more…I researched…asked questions…read…went to workshops and seminars.

That is all a very condensed version of where I am today…VERY condensed. But…
If I could go back to this time frame…what would I change?

5 Things I’d change if I could go back to the beginning…

1- Ask more questions.  Yes I would have asked even more questions. I am a “question asker” (if there is such a thing!) to begin with…but I think I would have taken one of my leaders in this industry out for coffee and asked more questions.  Of course paid them for their time…but would have asked MORE.  i.e. where do I start?  What do I need to refine?  where should I go with this? etc.

2- Invested in the right equipment.  I wish someone had given me clear and honest advice in my equipment and what I needed!  Having the right tool for the job is a necessity…this is something my dad taught me all the way through business and life. You have to spend money to make money and having the right tools is the key.  I knew that…but in this industry I didn’t know where to begin to have this knowledge.  Then understanding the quality and what quality really means in this industry.

3- Focusing more on my art and craft, not others.  Comparing ourselves isn’t wise…period.   Fully knowing that and taking it to heart is what I wish I would have done…but I didn’t.  I compared and strived to be like others, instead of focusing on who God made me and how he made me.

4- The cost of this business.  There is an expense with ANY business you start.  Again back to #3!!!  But it’s so much more than having a dSLR camera a kit lens and wanting to make money.  I know we all start somewhere…but there are way to many “photographers” out there who buy a $500 camera and kit lens and think they are ready to offer sessions and make money.  I may have stepped on some toes there…but what have you done to refine your craft and art?  No doctor wakes up one day and says oh I think I’ll get a scalpel and a book and perform surgery…no they INVEST in themselves…and their education.  I’m not saying a photographer has to go to 8 years of school before you press the shutter button…but what have you done for YOUR art and skills?  I’m asking you because I’ve been there, looking for these opportunities to learn…I went to an internship in Nashville for 10 days…Colorado for a one on one Lighting Internship for 8 days…online mentoring with leaders in the industry…and more of which I’ll blog about later!

5- If I only knew this phrase at that season of life…

You can’t be EVERYTHING to EVERYBODY!

I wish that had been engraved in my brain…starting you take baby steps…but at the same time you are taking any job you can get that comes your way…but I missed the boat…I never was hitting my target client… I aimed but missed every time.   If you are just starting out…I hope these 5 things were  a help to you.  Take at least one and learn from it!!!! Were these 5 things a help?  Please comment and let me know your feedback!  Click SHARE to share this with others.