How Often Do I Post To Social Media For My Business

We all have a love hate relationship with it – Social Media. I’ve found myself taking many breaks from it. Un-plugging and going back to quality in-person family time! Enjoyed some paperback books, in-person moments with my lunch (instead of photographing it until it’s cold) and just quality human time.

But what’s too much? How much is too little? We’ve all heard the saying, “less is more” but in a world obsessed with having more what exactly is the balance for your photography business?

Obviously you don’t want to spam your followers, but you also don’t want them to forget you exist. Over the years I’ve found that there is no one right answer for all businesses when it comes to social media. Wedding photographers need to spend more time on Pinterest than on Twitter. Portrait photographers need to spend more time on Facebook than on Pinterest. It’s all different for every specialty.

What I do know is that you can figure out exactly what your photography business needs by tracking how your posts do.

10 Things I Wish I knew Before I Started My Photography Business

They say, “Do what you love and the money will follow.” They also say, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.”

I thought I had it all figured out. I had the talent, the time, the support, the business school education, the artist education and the drive. For many of us we learn that the best education available to us is the most expensive, and yet actually priceless.

This education is from the School of Life. Here’s what it has made me realize what I wish I knew before I started a photography business:

1. You spend a lot less time shooting than you do running your business.
2. Clients aren’t really hiring you for your talent, but more for your personality and the experience you can provide them with.
3. Fancy gear, high-end props and cool photoshop actions are worthless in the grand scheme of things for business.
4. Setting office hours will save you from becoming a slave to your clients late night questions.
5. A solid photography contract reviewed by a lawyer is probably one of the best and smartest investments you could gift yourself.
6. The way you dress, speak and present your work (website, social media, final images, prints, etc) all play a part in whether or not you can reach/access your desired target market.
7. Hire an accountant…for the sake of your financial safety and because the IRS is scarier than any angry client you’ll ever have!
8. Make friends! Fellow photogs and vendors are an amazing network to have.
9. Backup. Backup. EVERY IMAGE.
10. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re a one (wo)man show, doing the work of an entire corporate company while trying to be an artist, pay your bills, keep your friends and be kind to yourself.

That’s all for today my Photo Biz Lifers!

How To Switch Photography Specialties

When I first began shooting, I shot anything and everything – like many of us in the beginning. All I knew was that I wanted to shoot! As time passed, I learned I wanted to specifically shoot Weddings and Children’s Portraits. Having a chosen specialty is one of the best things you can do for your business. Showing off that you “specialize” in it is pretty hard when your portfolio ranges from macro shots of fall leaves, to band covers and even high fashion models.

Two years ago, if a bride or parent visited my website, they wouldn’t hire me. I had NO wedding photos in my portfolio and only a couple of children’s portraits. I desperately wanted to shift to love and babies, but without a portfolio how could I? I was already making money shooting, but not shooting what I really wanted. If they wouldn’t hire me, how could I show off my talent for it? Did I even have a talent for it? Would I really have to start my portfolio from scratch and work for FREE?

Yes and no.

Friends, Family, Co-Workers and More!

We all have them – our network. I approached 5 families, and 3 couples, and asked them if they’d like to model for me in exchange for: low-res digitals, the opportunity to purchase high-res digital images and/or photo prints which included the high-res digitals.

From the moment I approached them I made sure to emphasize the quality of the photo prints I offered and included a price list with their welcome package. I’d already begun “selling” to them even though they were getting a free session. I also requested that they leave a review online about their experience with me.

Following the sessions these 8 new clients not only ordered print products, but they also referred me to friends and family. One couple came to me for their maternity and newborn session, and three of the families booked their holiday portrait sessions with me that year. I would say this was a marketing success!

The icing on the cake was when one of the couples referred me to a cousin who was getting married. She explained I had years of experience and needed to break into the wedding industry. Of course, I offered that first couple a discount. It was my foot in the door and I was beyond excited.

The rest is history!

— Have you switched specialities? How was your transition?

Customer Loyalty & Breakfast Sandwiches

Understanding Consumer Behavior and How To Be Better Than Your Competition!

You ever buy something from somewhere all the time even though you know it’s not the best place you can get it from? For example, every morning I go to the Bodega on my street and buy a ham, egg, and cheese on a roll with a ton of mayo (I know I know so unhealthy). Now, across the street from this Bodega is The Bagel Store, a one of kind bagel shoppe that makes amazing sandwiches and has been all over yelp and won awards for their amazing-bagel-ness!! Adjacent to my local Bodega is a 24-Hour Deli, who are very busy each morning because their bagels/rolls are so good!

I do not buy my morning sandwich from The Bagel Store because they are more expensive ($6 for my sandwich versus $3.50 at the Bodega). The 24-Hour Deli is the SAME PRICE as the Bodega, and their sandwich is actually BETTER tasting!!

Why do I get my ham, egg, and cheese roll at the Bodega then? I only have to walk across the street for a better sandwich at the same price.

CUSTOMER LOYALTY

What Does It Cost To Start A Photography Business?

When you love what you do often times the cost of doing it is just a small detail. It brings you happiness, joy, and excitement! For many of us, we feel this sense of inner fulfillment when we partake in the activities that we enjoy most. But they say, “do what you love, and the money will follow.” So what happens when you love what you do, and you realize you want to do it professionally? The money is supposed to follow, right?

Usually you invest in your craft. You spend more time practicing and honing your skills – after all you want to provide a product/service that both you and your clients will be proud of!

So you want to be a professional photographer…Great!

Now let’s break down what it costs to start your photography business. If you’ve already started it, don’t click away from this post! There’s more to learn here than you may think. If you are just starting out, keep reading because this is something you need to always remember while doing business. The information below is based on the bare minimum, but the real lesson comes after the breakdown. Here it goes: