The terrifying chart that slaps photographers in the face
When you see all these tasks, opportunities, chores (whatever you want to call them) presented like this then it can blow your mind. How the crap can you get all this done. Watch the video and soothe those stress ulcers!
The photography industry is pretty exciting right now. In ‘Is the photography industry dying’ I mention how it’s easier than ever to share your photography with the world and make a name for yourself. However, the flip side of that is you may feel completely overwhelmed by all the choices out there. What path should you take? Should you Tweet, Pin or Like? Should you blog, network or exhibit?
Have you ever thought:
“how is it some photographers seem to get way more done? Their name is everywhere, with clients beating a path to their door.”
Speaking of the word ‘path’ – which path should you take when there are so many options out there? The video below helps you crystallise in your mind what you need to do – what it takes to drive your photography business forward in today’s competitive Continue reading
What’s holding you back from a great photography career?
A little bird told me many people have chips on their shoulder and some of those are holding you back from a great photography career.
We’re all great at thinking up excuses about why we’re not where we want to be in the world. This video explains what’s holding you back from a great photography career and how to overcome the issues.
I know exactly how it feels. You feel you’re not as smart as everyone else, or you’re not as naturally gifted at photography. Maybe you don’t feel confident around people. Perhaps you feel lost and just don’t know where to start because launching a new business is pretty overwhelming.
Take a look at this video – I’m sure a lot of my experiences will resonate with you. Best of all, I explain how I overcame the chips sitting on my shoulder.
If you’d like to read more on this subject then you’ll like my post ‘A Photographer’s Biggest Competitor is in Their Head’.
Please leave a comment if you have a sec – I’d really appreciate it.
How to get, or become, a photography apprentice
The photographer – apprentice partnership has huge benefits for both parties. This article explains how get connected and make the most from the relationship.
I’m going to look at this concept from the point of view of the professional photographer and from the point of view of the beginner who wants to be a photography apprentice.
First – how to get a photography apprentice
Many people think photographers just press a button, download the photos and rake in a tonne of cash. As I’m sure you’re aware that’s so far from the truth it’s not even remotely funny.
Wouldn’t it be nice to do less work for the same amount of money?
Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy some of that camaraderie you get from having a team-mate?
Wouldn’t it be nice to be inspired by someone who bounces in with effervescent enthusiasm?
6 sicknesses that prevent your photography career from taking off
The 6 sicknesses that stop your photography career from taking off are all to do with your head.
In this post I explained how you need to think of all the problems and concerns your client may have and then think of ways to help them overcome them. This time we’re going to look at some of the problems your business has and what you need to do to overcome them. Actually, to be technically correct, your business doesn’t have these problems, your brain does. But then you ARE the business, so if it’s not working you have to kick your own ass and set things straight.
Today I’m going to kick your ass for you! So, I apologise in advance if any of this sounds less pleasant than a dentist appointment. However, the more this information hurts, the more you probably needed to be told it…
Don’t worry though, you’re not alone. We all suffer with some, or all of these afflictions at some point. In fact I actually highlight what I did to overcome each issue. The key is to acknowledge the problems and set out a plan to deal with them.
Continue reading
Where is your photography business going wrong?
If you give your business more focus you'll find it easier to create a business system rather than running around like a headless chicken.
If your photography business isn’t where you want it to be then this is the question you need to ask. Too many photographers lower their prices as soon as things get tough. This is almost never the problem.
It doesn’t matter which area of photography you work in there are only three ways to make more money:
- Get more people to buy from you
- Get each person to spend more money
- Get each client to order more often
That’s it! There are no other ways. Refreshingly uncomplicated when you look at it like that isn’t it? This concept for making more money in your photography business may be simple but, we all tend to over complicate it. This brings me on to… Continue reading
How much money does a photographer make?
People generally get into photography because they love it or because they think it's easy money. Just like any other business the people who do well are normally the people how understand sales, marketing, pricing, merchandising and branding. Money doesn't grow on brides or babies any more than it does on trees.
Aspiring photographers and photography clients think we make decent money. But how much money does a photographer make, really?
Why photographers must be rich
Wedding photographers cost hundreds or thousands of pounds and all for a few hours (yes I’m being sarcastic!) work. The paper and printing of a family portrait doesn’t cost a great deal, so charging £50 for an 8×10 should be about fair, right? Yep, photographers must be loaded.
The shocking truth
It’s actually quite surprising to most people how much Continue reading
Time management for photographers
Time management for photographers
The question you need to be asking yourself every morning is ‘What can I do today to have the biggest impact on my business. You should be planning your day, week and year to ensure you are working to an organised plan. Too many photographers tinker with their marketing in a slap-dash manner and wonder why it doesn’t work.
Split your tasks up like this:
Important and urgent
These are the tasks that you absolutely must work on today because they are directly related to sales, or are likely to cause a big problem if it’s not dealt with soon.
Do you have the sharpest axe in the forest?
It doesn't matter how big and indestructable you think you are, you constantly need to sharpen the axe of your photography business.
In the immortal words of Monty Python, “And now for something completely different.” This post is a little parable to help you take a smarter look at your photography business and ask yourself some important questions…
Chop, Chop, Chop went the axe of the champion woodcutter as he successfully felled another tree. He was defending his world tree chopping title against 100 other top class tree choppers. There are a lot of good tree choppers in the world, but he wasn’t worried because he knew he was the best.
As the competition started both he and the wood cutter next to him were chopping in rhythm Chop, Chop, chop. However, after just one hour his neighbour stopped altogether. He started to chop with extra vigour in order to take advantage of his neighbour’s weakness. He must have got ahead as his neighbour didn’t start chopping again for 20 minutes.
Once again, they were more or less chopping in time until his neighbour stopped again after another hour.
This stopping and starting went on all day so the woodcutter knew that he was at least going to beat his neighbour.
But then the unthinkable happened…
5 tips on how a photographer can manage time better and make more money
This diagram shows how photographers spend their time. Hint: Make the marketing chunk about 3 times bigger!
Despite many of our clients initially thinking that we just turn up and press a button*, any photographer knows that the demands on our time are huge, many and varied.
As photographers we are selling our time, not paper or digital files. Clients are buying our expertise and creativity, not a piece of paper. The more efficiently we manage our time, the more money we can make.
1. Don’t be afraid to turn clients away
This seems crazy in the current economic climate, but bear with me. If you can tell by speaking with your prospect that they don’t particularly value what you do and they’re only interested in the price then don’t be scared to let them go. Of course most clients will focus on the price initially so be careful here – don’t be too quick to give up. But, if you spend time talking with them on the phone and the following warning signs continually crop up then it may be wise to let them go:
