With the proliferation of affordable DSLRs, photography has quickly
become a business-in-a-box for many. Although camera equipment is
expensive, this can be a relatively low overhead business to run once
you have acquired your gear and this makes it appealing for those who
see it as a great way to finance a very expensive hobby or have a
flexible part-time job. I find it so funny when folks think I’m rich
because I charge £2k for a wedding. What they don’t realize is that I
have to pay for insurance, hired equipment, my assistant, petrol, the
cost of producing the end-product, etc. In total, I make a pretty decent
income, but not a giant one.
It’s so super important that you not get into this business out of
either desperation or lethargy. I know so many young people who see
people like myself and other young(ish) business people and want to be
successful too. They’re desperate for money but instead of getting a day
job and building their business on the side, they wait for a big break
to fall into their lap and it rarely ever does. What they don’t realize
is that business people are hard workers. We have to hustle for the
money and work really hard to keep it coming. I know a wedding
photographer who does two weddings every weekend and still has his day
job.
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| That's me |
So, yes…it has to be talked about…the dreaded day job. This is where
your photography business building success starts. When you have an
income that’s not related to your photography business, you are free to
build something that will last. You won’t make rash or unreasonable
decisions out of desperation and you will be able to approach your new
venture with a clear head. Albeit, a tired one, but it’s better to
slowly build your empire than to get a domain name, a limited company
and a giant loan all in one day.
While you’re working your day job, start your business slowly in the
way all businesses -photography related or not- start. Decide what you
actually want to be shooting (find your market), formulate a business
plan,
build a portfolio
and begin building your business brick by brick. You will start making a
small income and as you build, it will grow. Eventually, it will begin
to rise towards the amount you make in your job. Then, it will begin to
overlap with your normal day job income. This is when you can start to
cut back on your job and carefully work your business more. And one day,
the photography business will overtake the day job and you’ve done it!
You have become a full-time pro without risking life and limb (and
missing quite a few meals and water bills).
So be safe, make sensible decisions and enjoy your life as a professional photographer!