6 things I wish I knew before I started as a photographer
Learn the vital lessons I wish I knew before starting out.
Read time: 6 mins
What sets a professional apart from an amateur?
It's simple: a professional gets paid.
But let me clarify, getting paid doesn't mean being more skilled.
It just means they've turned their skill or passion into a profession.
Take my path into photography for example. It started casually, capturing memories during my travels to then documenting my futsal club training sessions and matches after my knees stopped me from playing.
As I practiced, I improved in sports photography, I began building a portfolio and seeking paid work. Everything was going smoothly until COVID hit, bringing sports to a halt.
During lockdown, photography became my mental escape. Strolling through town with my camera became a therapeutic routine, and soon, local businesses noticed my work and began hiring me.
Fast forward a few years, and photography isn't my full-time gig, but it's a steady side job. Along the way, I've learned valuable lessons that would've been handy when I first started out.
These insights aren't just for aspiring photographers. I think they're applicable across various professions. Let me know if you agree at the end.
1 - Learn about business
Don't just rely on photography books and Instagram for inspiration.
Get stuck into business books. Learn about marketing, sales, and set up to make profit.
YouTube is full of photographers who talk about the business side of their operation.
Evan Ranft is a personal favourite. In this video he walks us through the process of setting up a website that not only showcases his work but also serves as a source of passive income.
My favourite bits:
Find a website platform that allows you to focus on creative work, and not website maintenance.
Practical tips on managing product listings, handling transactions, shipping and delivery.
2 - Value your time
Know your worth and set your prices accordingly.
When potential clients complain about your rates, consider reducing the scope (less time, fewer final photos) of your work rather than slashing prices.
I've learned that I often sell myself short, and the client usually has a bigger budget available.
Chris Do creates resources for creative businesses, touching on how to build a personal brand, lead generation, and in this video, pricing models.
The Van Westendorp pricing model
Also, when offering discounts, prioritise repeat clients over new ones.
Offer discounts to those who consistently hire you, rewarding loyalty and building trust.
They are the ones who have shown they value your work at your full rate.
3 - Match your clients' needs to your skillset
Two things here.
Focus on understanding clients' needs and providing tailored solutions rather than delivering a rehearsed sales pitch.
Follow your interests and develop a transferable skillset.
Let me explain:
I don't know if going from sports to restaurant photography is a common path, but I discovered an overlap in skill sets.
In sports photography, I learned about anticipation and adaptation. Despite not controlling the game's events, I must read the action and position myself strategically for the perfect shot.
For instance, while covering lower division football matches with limited seating, I adapt by framing shots to include the stand, emphasising the match atmosphere.
A goal for CE Manresa in the Copa del Rey
Transferring this skill to restaurant photography, I adopt a similar approach of being unobtrusive yet attentive.
Like a silent observer, I capture the kitchen-to-table experiences without disrupting the staff's flow.
Chocolate truffles prepped and ready for table with a recent client
This style aligns well with the needs of restaurants where efficiency and authenticity are valued.
By offering organic, unforced, and realistic photographs representing the customer experience, I provide clients with a visual narrative reflecting their personality and story on social media platforms.
4- Community over competition
Other photographers in the area are not competition.
Instead of competing with them, build a community with them.
Collaborate, refer clients to each other, and grow together.
Network, go for a coffee with them, and meet for lunch. If you can allow it, treat them to it.
by Roberto Ferraro
You'll have a wider surface area for capturing clients, because if your community can't commit to a client, they're likely to refer you, and vice versa.
What's worked well for me to create a community has been hosting photo walks. It brings together all skill levels and a chance to network with everyone.
Group photo from my first photowalk
5 - Relationships > Followers
Quality relationships over social media metrics.
(In fact, the Instagram CEO just posted about how follower counts don't matter.)
What matters is how you convert individual followers into real relationships.
Something very well explained in this video by Sean Tucker.
He also points out how social media interactions come from beginners in photography, and how these users are more likely to engage with straightforward images that resonate with their current skill level than more complex images.
Harsh, yes, but I've found this to be my experience too.
Other key points from the video
more advanced photographers and artists who could provide meaningful feedback are less active on social media due to different priorities
the nature of social media promotes quick consumption rather than thoughtful engagement
encouragement to focus on personal growth and skill rather than seeking approval from social media
6 - Choose your game
Determine your business goals.
Whether it's building a scalable enterprise, pursuing your artistic passion, maintaining a lifestyle, or maximising your entrepreneurial potential.
Jodie Cook recently appeared in several podcasts I listen to and I connected with this idea she has about the 4 types of games you can play in business, and how you can only play one at any given time.
The Exit Game: building a business you can sell. You nerd out on the systems and processes that will enable you to exit the arena and hand over the keys. This might take months, it might take years, but that’s the goal. Think LeBron James, building businesses and investments around his personal brand.
The Artist Game: where your company exists so you can do your art. You don’t care for the admin, the processes, or the day-to-day sales stuff that most business owners do. Think Andrea Pirlo, the creative force behind the business, and everything else exists to support the artistry.
The Lifestyle Game: Your business operates to fund your lifestyle. You don’t want to spend more time than needed training a team or banging the drum, you just want an easy way of making money so you can spend time on other things. Think Dennis Rodman, a lucrative career to fund the lifestyle he desires.
The Performance Game: Your business is your vehicle for achieving your potential as an entrepreneur. You live and breathe your business. You don’t know if you’ll sell it, you don’t care about your lifestyle anywhere near as much as building something incredible, and you’re motivated to continue this mission indefinitely. Think Cristiano, who's obsessed with an extraordinary goal, and willing to dedicate all his resources and energy to achieve it.
Conclusion:
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