4 Mistakes Beginners Make in their Photography Business
Are you making these 4 critical mistakes in your business?
Prioritizing what you think you have to do rather than prioritizing what you love doing
It seems simple, but in the beginning, I remember thinking that I had to immediately jump into shooting things that made me SERIOUSLY uncomfortable. I was finding myself sitting around being anxious for events and sessions, even if they were months away. Everyone in my area was offering all of the things, like weddings, engagements, proposals, families, seniors, newborns, maternity, etc.. Of course, I thought that meant I had to do all of that, too. I saw all of them seeming to love what they were doing, and I thought something was wrong with me for not loving it, too. Over the last few years, I have quickly learned that it’s impossible for me to truly love doing it all. I spent years with the mindset that I had to do what everyone else wanted me to do because I was stuck in the people pleasing mindset. Thankfully, a lightbulb went off. How can you truly keep your passion going if you’re not in love with what you’re doing? This isn’t just for photography, either. It’s for all aspects of business, and well, of life, too. Specializing in something that I truly love shooting has singlehandedly been the smartest thing that I’ve ever done for myself and my business. This has allowed me to continue my education in my desired field to gain as much knowledge as I can to be the absolute best that I can be.
Thinking that you have to start with the newest and most expensive equipment
When I decided to make the jump to start my business, I was using an entry level DSLR camera that my husband bought for me for Christmas. It came with two kit lenses, that I ended up using a ton. It wasn’t fancy by any means, but it allowed me to find my passion as a photographer. It truly is one of the best gifts that I’ve ever received from someone. I spent months and months learning the ins and outs of that camera, along with learning a lot of the technical aspects of photography. I remember feeling envious when I would see someone else starting out with the best gear right away. It took some time, but now I know that it’s not the gear that makes the photographer, but rather the photographer that makes the gear. If you can make magic with a $400 camera, just imagine the possibilities once it is time for an upgrade. Learning the basic knowledge of photography is definitely possible with most cameras on the market, you just have to take the time to figure it out!
Not knowing how to say NO
This one sounds pretty self-explanatory, but it’s a little more complicated than you could ever imagine. It goes back to what I was saying in my first point: if you’re not comfortable with doing something, you are not obligated to do it. I found myself in situations over and over that I regretted because I didn’t know how to tell people, “No”. I felt like there were always people asking for discounts, people asking me to shoot things I don’t feel good about, or even people trying to take advantage of me and my time. Once I learned that it’s completely okay to say, “No”, I’ve never felt more empowered as a business owner. Of course, I’m not saying only saying no, but rather telling them that I cannot do what they are asking, but I can try to find a solution for them. If they are asking me to do something that I am not willing to do, I will point them in the direction of someone who can help them with what they are looking for. I’ve gained a lot of trust with most of my clients because of my ability to tell them, “No”, and that is something that I am super proud of.
Comparing yourself to photographers who have been in the industry for 10+ years
Imposter syndrome is a real thing and I find myself to be guilty of this one quite a bit. I remember starting out my first year of business and looking around at other photographers’ work and thinking, “Oh my goodness, I will never be able to create anything like that.” That was such a bad mindset to have. Chances are, those photographers had years and years of training and experience. You can’t get to where they are overnight, so it’s best to not compare yourself to them. My biggest recommendation is to only compare yourself to yourself. Sounds odd, right? Well, I have started a ritual that boosts my confidence and shows me my growth throughout the years. I will take a photo with my current knowledge and compare to similar photos I’ve taken from my previous years. That is such a good way to see how far you’ve come without having to compare your journey to others. After all, our styles are all so different and unique in our own ways!
It’s taken me a lot of time to realize that these things I was doing were not beneficial for me. Business is all about growth. You may be frustrated at times when you are building, but just give yourself some grace and you will succeed!
Happy Friday!
