When we jump in the car to head out somewhere, it’s a fair bet that we have a clear idea of where we want to go, even if the exact route may be a little sketchy. Rarely do we drive away with absolutely no idea of our destination, or how we’re going to get there.
Being in business is no different, yet too many of us start a photography business with little or no clue of the direction the business should take them. Why do we do this? How can we reasonably expect to be successful running a business that, to all intents and purposes, has no direction or destination?
Where Do You Want To Go?
Your adventure in business is a journey; you start with nothing more than an idea, which manifests itself as a physical business, gaining momentum as you attract more clients, finally arriving at a state you consider to be successful and self-sustaining. That’s the point at which you can take a deep breath and say, “I’ve arrived!”
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How To Be A Professional Photographer
motivation, photography business, professional photographer
Time for a quick introspective question (warning: this is not for the faint-hearted!): “When you started out in the photography business, did you think it would be an easy business to be in?” How has your perspective changed now that you’ve been doing it for a while?
Can You Answer Honestly?
Like most of us, you probably started in the business because you had a passion for the art of photography. You loved being behind the camera, and the excitement of seeing your inner vision translated into a finished photograph that meant something to you and your subject. If we’re honest about this then I suspect most of us probably didn’t think too much about whether it would be easy or difficult to run a professional photography business – we just jumped in with both feet and splashed around, caught up in the incredible sense of fun that comes with doing a job that we love…
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Photography Business Ideas
motivation, photography business
Dear Self,
Have you formulated your goals for 2011 yet? Did you actually commit those goals to paper, so that you can look at them in black & white and know that they are real aspirations for the future, not just pipe dreams?
When you look at that paper, with your desired achievement staring back at you, does it make you feel a little scared perhaps? Do you feel a small shiver of doubt that you might not realize your goal and that you might fail instead?
Of course, the answer very much depends on how realistic your goals are, but I’ll assume for the sake of this post that you did indeed set yourself the task of achieving something feasible. It doesn’t have to be easy – in fact, it’s much better if it requires a stretch out of your comfort zone, but not so much of a stretch that you can’t make it if you just try hard enough…
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Personal Zen
business success, motivation
I know what you’re thinking, “What in the world does this have to do with being a professional photographer?” Or, perhaps even, “What in the world does it mean? Is it something to do with politics?” The answer to the second question is a resounding “No!”
What Is A Left-Sider?
I’ll state right off the bat that this isn’t my own original concept, but I am so in love with it that I just have to share this with my readers. You can find the original post that inspired this one at the link below, and full credit must go to Simon Sinek, the author. Go read it, and then come back to read the rest of this (although mine is not as well-written)…
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Personal Zen
inspiration, left-sider, motivation, Simon Sinek, Start With Why
There’s a saying that I’m sure everyone knows, that’s as true today as it was when it was first said, and that sits quietly at the very foundation of what we do every day as professional photographers (or any other business for that matter):
This is supposed to be difficult – if it wasn’t then everyone would do it…
Do you find running a photography business difficult? Do you have days when you think you really can’t carry on much longer? Are you constantly frustrated because clients don’t show up as expected? Do you wonder if the phone company has routed your calls to a remote Siberian outpost? Are your special offers so special that no one wants them?
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Personal Zen
inspiration, motivation, photography business, professional photographer
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