7 Things I've Learned Operating a Photography Studio

7 Things I Learned Operating a Photography Business

This week marks 7 years since I opened the doors to my studio. Still the best decision I ever made! Absolutely the hardest but, without a doubt, THE best decision. A milestone in my business that should definitely not go unnoticed. Seven years is a HUGE accomplishment for any business owner but most certainly a photographer. I remember one of my college professors mentioning that photographers rarely make it past 5 years in business and the average first year profit is $800. EIGHT HUNDRED a YEAR! Talk about encouragement!! With a saturated market really anybody has the pick of the litter when it comes to choosing a photographer for their portraits which can make competition steep. And at times self doubt can get the best of you…at least for me anyways. Trudging through the deep valleys of business ownership is not for the faint of heart but getting through those valleys with strength and faith can make the peaks so much more enjoyable. Through the years I have learned a tremendous amount about running a business AND about myself. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on these things and I thought what better way to celebrate this milestone then to document permanently all the things I’ve learned.

1. Start Out Slow

One of my favorite mentors, Rochelle Green from Green Door Photography, gave me the single most important advice I could have ever been given as a new photography business owner. She told me to start out slow and grow your business over time. As a new business owner I had starry eyes and wanted to dive in head first with the best of the best equipment, lighting, props, backgrounds, all the things so I could hit the ground running. But I’m so glad I took this advice at heart. I could have easily gotten everything I desired starting my business with a large debit and then sit flat with no clientele and no way to pay the bills. It would have been a failure just waiting to happen. It takes years to grow a good clientele and I must say that I have some of the best clients around!

2. Streamlining Daily Processes

When I first opened my business I probably conjured up the most difficult and least efficient ways to do daily tasks. And in return all I got was wasted time. Time is money. There were seasons in my business where my work piled higher and higher and I was drowning, but most embarrassingly I was under delivering to my clients. Eekk!! Definitely not a path I wanted to stay on! By learning simple procedures to streamline daily tasks like, email templates, email invoices and contracts, simple editing techniques, etc. drastically cut down the time I was spending doing clerical work. Which left more time for the things I love like designing session setups and, of course, photographing.

3. Education

I am a strong believer in continuing education. Not only do I need to keep up with the latest software and equipment technology but I also strive to learn new techniques to improve my work in every way. But I needed to learn that “learning” is a lifelong process in order to evolve into the best person I can possibly be. For quite some time, after I graduated the Professional Photography program at Hawkeye Community College I thought I knew it all! I was the best of the best because I went to college and there was no way I could get any better. {Insert eye rolling and face palm emoji haha!} Oh boy could I have ever been more wrong! Truth is that continuing education is one of the single, best ways to grow any business. And I am still learning everyday to improve my work and procedures to owing a business. Knowledge is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you.

4. Always Set Goals

I quickly learned that in order to avoid staying stagnant in my business I needed to set goals and feverishly work towards accomplishing them. No not just accomplishing them but crushing them! No matter how big or small, goals create movement in my business and I always want to move forward. At the beginning of each year I write down every thing I want to achieve and strive to hold myself accountable so my business continues in an onward and upward direction.

5. There will Be Bad Days

Being a service oriented business owner is not all rainbows and butterflies. There are days that get me down and sometimes to the point where I feel like I can’t keep going. BUT I don’t give up! I can’t! It’s not in my blood. I force myself to show up the next day determined to make it better then the last. I learn from my mistakes knowing that I’m not perfect but that I can always improve with my newfound knowledge.

6. Believing in Myself

This is the hardest one and kind of goes hand in hand with number 5. Self doubt is my biggest enemy and at times can even consume me. It’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap. There have been countless times where I think to myself, “What am I doing? I’m crazy! This can’t work for much longer. I am not good enough.” But then I look back at where I started and how far I have come. And then I look forward to all the good things that will happen and I chuckle a little. I’ve made it 7 years so far! A feat I’m extremely proud of and I don’t see any slow in sight. I HAVE to believe in myself because if I don’t then why should anyone else?!?!

7. Releasing My Worries

If I have only learned one lesson in this life it would be to throw my cares into the wind and pray for peace. Peace is the ultimate soul soother. When I have done all that I can do and there is possibly no more that can be done, then I leave all my worries to God knowing He is working for what is best, even if what’s best is not for me personally. This is so hard to remember! I can’t hold myself responsible for the things that are out of my control. Taking a moment to breathe deeply and release my anguish to the Lord brings a certain calm over me and then I can refocus on the things that I can change.