Photography Business Tips Archives

How to Get Clients to Stop Texting at 2am

Clients often expect to be able to communicate with you 24/7 via Email, texts, Facebook messages, or any other way they find to contact us.

Some photographers don’t offer clients the ability to contact them by phone. But putting up walls for clients makes it harder for them to book you, and some people prefer to use the phone. So today I am going to share one tool that will make it easier for you to use the phone in your business, stop getting annoyed by client calls and texts at all hours of the day, and how to make it effective even if you prefer not to talk to clients on the phone.

Google Voice has been an indispensable tool for me in my photography business for the last eight years.

It’s even free, only requiring a Google account. When you sign up, Google will assign you a phone number (with some input preferences from you first).

Here is why I believe every photography business owner should be using Google Voice. [Click to read more]

Quick Tip to Turn More Inquiries Into Clients

These days, everyone is busy.

There’s nothing more frustrating than finally setting aside some time to get something done, only to find out that you have to wait several hours (or even a few days) in order to be able to finish it.

This is what we are doing to our prospective clients when they start shopping for a photographer to hire.

They check out our websites, then they use our contact forms, and finally they have to wait for an email from us to get the information they really want in order to make an informed decision.

So if you can find a way to get that information to them more quickly (while still capturing their contact information so you can follow up with them), you’re going to be more likely to book them than if they have to wait to hear from you again.

So let’s talk about how to turn more inquiries into clients without having to have email open all the time.
[Click to read more]

How to Move Your Photography Business to a New Location

Moving to a new location is hard enough, but when it comes to moving your photography business, it is especially challenging.

We just moved to a new state about 400 miles away from our old town, which means we get to completely re-start our photography business in a brand new place with no word-of-mouth or brand recognition.

In some ways, it feels a lot like starting from scratch. But instead of being discouraging, I’m really excited about it. This gives us a chance to re-define who we are and to do things “right” from the very beginning.

So I thought I’d share the process we’re going through as we move our business. So let’s jump in. [Click to read more]

Take The Stress Out Of Working With Friends & Family

Stress-Free-Working-With-Friends-and-Family-The-Modern-Tog-Clean — Photo by Maureen Cassidy, Used with Permission

Think back to when you started your business. Who were your first “clients” (whether free or paid)?

Chances are you started by taking images of friends and family before getting outside clients to hire you.

While it’s important to be thankful for the people who helped you get started, things can quickly become awkward once you start raising your prices and are no longer just building your portfolio.

Friends & family might expect free or discounted rates. In addition, they might be some of your most difficult “clients” to work with.

So today I’m going to tell you why that happens and how to avoid sticky and difficult situations when working with friends and family. So let’s jump right in.

[Click to read more]

Will Your Photography Business Survive In 2014? 13 Predictions For The New Year

The Photography Industry is in the midst of a huge change.

I’ve seen several well-established photography studios close while new, talented photographers rise up to replace them in non-conventional ways.

I’ve seen a shift in what clients are looking for and what’s important to them.

And more than anything, I’m seeing that marketing efforts that worked very well even 2-3 years ago are no longer giving people the results they once were getting.

So I wanted to share some of the trends I’ve noticed and what I think is going to be most important to focus on in 2014 and beyond in order to have a sustainable & profitable photography business in 2014. Let’s jump right in.

[Click to read more]

The Secret to Running a Successful Senior Photography Business

By Jen Basford of Seniors Ignite

Like me, I’m sure you hear these things all the time:

‘The senior portrait industry is dead.’ ‘You can’t make a living doing senior pictures.’ ‘Everyone has a camera now and I can’t compete with their low prices – they are putting me out of business.’ And so on.

Maybe you’re even one of the ones who feel this way.

I’ve cringed every time I heard this for so long, simply because I know it’s not true. It’s actually not the case at all. [Click to read more]

3 Places That You’re Wasting Money & Time in Your Photography Business

When you run a photography business, it feels like your to-do list is never-ending.

Besides all the client work you have to do, there’s all the business stuff as well. From essentials like paying taxes and updating your finances to brand development, planning, and visioneering, it’s hard to know what has to be done now and what can wait.

Too often, we waste our money and time in areas that aren’t actually helping to grow our businesses simply because we want to or because we think it’s what we need to do.

So today I want to share with you a few common places that you may be wasting your money and time so that you can focus on what’s really going to help you grow instead. [Click to read more]

Just Say No! 7 Ways to Tell When Buying a New Product is a Mistake

The number of products available for photographers right now is downright overwhelming.

With lots of people promoting products all the time, it’s hard to know what is worth buying and what is simply a waste of money.

I’m a huge proponent of learning and of buying educational products because they are a great way to grow your photography business faster, giving you more money sooner.

However, there are several instances when buying something is a mistake, even if it’s an awesome product.

So I’ve compiled a list of 7 tips to help you know when you should buy and when you should “just say no” and save yourself some money. This is a list you can use for all business purchases, not just educational ones. [Click to read more]

Are You a Successful Photographer?

When I first decided to pursue photography, I had visions of grandeur in mind.

Similar to my teenage dream of becoming a famous recording artist, I somehow imagined that I would become a world renowned photographer.

I could just see it in my mind: getting published in magazines, traveling the world because I was in such high demand, maybe even winning a Pulitzer for my amazing photojournalism.

What I’ve learned in the years since is that the world is full of mind blowingly talented people and compared to them, I’m just not that good.

Lucky for me, talent isn’t the only factor to consider when defining success.

How do I know if I’m successful?

Good question! What is the recipe for success? Just like there isn’t one single recipe for chocolate cake, there isn’t one single recipe for success. You can bake the cake differently and still get a yummy chocolate confection.

After all, how many amazing chefs can you name? I’m certain that Paula Dean and Wolfgang Puck have completely different recipes for chocolate cake but I’m equally certain I’d scarf down either!

Photographers define success differently as well and follow different recipes to achieve the success they’re after. If you want to be successful, you need to begin by figuring out what success looks like.

Define what success means for you.

What are your ultimate goals with your photography business? Do you have a set financial goal you’re trying to meet for the year? Are you portfolio building? Is your ultimate goal to get published in a magazine? Are you planning to quit your day job and focus on photography full time?

If you haven’t taken the time to write out a business plan, then I would highly encourage it. Seeing your goals on paper somehow helps to solidify them and setting yourself a deadline takes it a step further. It’s part of the recipe. You need both the ingredient list and the step by step instructions to make the cake.

How many bookings do you need to meet your definition of success? If photography is your full time job and/or your sole source of income then your definition of success will be a lot different from someone like me who works only part time.

Successful for me at this point in my business is one session per month. It would be silly for me to then compare myself with someone who boasts booking three sessions a week. We have different goals and different definitions for success.

If I’m really not that talented, how can I become successful?

Well first off, not being as talented as someone else doesn’t equate to not being talented at all. I have a beautiful singing voice but I sure don’t sound like Carrie Underwood!

Secondly, if I spent all my time comparing myself to Carrie Underwood, I’d never have the courage to utter one note. Don’t waste your energy comparing yourself to other photographers. You’ll go a lot farther if you focus on you and what you can offer.

Discover your strengths.

I’m not the best photographer in the world. Heck, I’m not even the best photographer in my city! I am, however, good at things that many others in my field struggle with.

While some people stumble through client interaction, I’m a people person and flow effortlessly through conversation. I’m also a good writer, very organized, have attention to detail, etc.

What things are you good at? Don’t focus on photography related skills only. Think of all your strengths and write them down. There’s a reason we so often hear the term “starving artist.” Talent alone doesn’t pay the bills. You’re not only a photographer. You’re also a small business owner.

The End Result

Maybe you will be an award winning, world renowned photographer. Maybe you are talented enough and disciplined enough. But don’t focus your business on the assumption that talent alone will equal success.

Talent is only a jumping off point. Becoming a successful photographer requires hard word, discipline and focus. These are the things needed to help you achieve your dreams.

What area of your business do you feel is holding you back from becoming successful? Leave a comment and let’s chat!

Photos in post by Lea Hartman.

How to Get Higher Sales & More Clients Using Gift Registries

How much money do you think wedding guests spend in total on the bride & groom? How about friends who buy gifts for a baby shower? Or how much is spent in gifts for a graduate?

People spend a LOT of money on gifts for other people for important milestones in life. And we often are hired to capture these milestones. People will be spending a lot of money on our clients as they go through these events.

A baby shower may have 20 guests, and if each guest spends $50 for their gift, that’s $1000 in gifts.

A graduate may receive gifts from 50 people, and if they each spend $50 that’s $2500 in gifts.

An engaged couple that sends out 200 wedding invitations may get $10,000 in gifts or more.

People are going to spend lots of money buying things for your clients, and they want to buy something they know your clients are going to love.

If you’re not offering a photography registry that allows them to spend some of this money on your products and services, you’re missing out big time.

Not only that, but your clients will be telling everyone they know about your photography business. More exposure means more new clients which means even more money for you. Gift Registries can be game changers for your business, so I’m going to tell you everything you need to know to get one started and stop losing out on all the money and clients you could be gaining now.

[Click to read more]

3 Easy Tips for Stress-Free Photography Accounting

A psychologist teaching a stress management course raised a glass of water and inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”

Answers ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

She continued, “The stresses in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”

We All Have Our Own Glass of Water

I tend to put off things I don’t like to do. It’s true.

The longer I put them off, the less I want to do them.

But as time goes by, the stress builds up and starts to impact me, my other work, and my personal life (as I steal time away from my wife to work more).

How about you? What is your “glass of water”?

Do you procrastinate doing your business finances and get totally overwhelmed by the time tax season comes around? You’re not alone.

When you put off doing updating your books, you have no idea where they stand during the year and will have to spend a few hectic days preparing anytime you owe the government money. It’s just as important as doing any of these other tasks that help you grow your business.

I want to show you how to overcome this ugly cycle and be free from the stress it brings. Not only that, but you’ll be able to make better business decisions when you know exactly how your business is doing. Here are 3 easy tips for stress-free photography accounting! [Click to read more]