A lot of photographers start their own business because they have a great idea and want to be their own boss. But what most of them don’t realize is that running your own business can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t know how to do it properly. It’s not uncommon for photographers to fail at their businesses in the first few years, so if you are going to succeed, you need to learn from the ones who failed first and make sure that you avoid making the same mistakes that they did.
1) How to Charge Clients More
Don’t be afraid to charge your clients more. How much a client pays you is ultimately up to you, but in many cases, people won’t go higher than you think they will. If you want to increase your income and value as a photographer, start charging what you’re worth. The worst that can happen is that someone says no—but if they do say no, at least it was because of price and not because of quality or service.
2) How to Not Get Ripped Off By Freelancers
Making sure you’re working with good, professional freelancers is crucial. If you’re not careful, you could end up losing time and money—and getting pretty mediocre work in return. Make sure your freelance team is a good fit for your project by following these tips:
I recommend using Upwork for finding a great team of freelancers. They have great filters that allow you to find only those who are skilled at what they do, have positive reviews from past clients, etc.
3) Start a Personal Brand
Don’t neglect your online presence. Since you can’t be everywhere at once, a personal brand will help make you memorable and authoritative in your field. Think about what sets you apart from other photographers and then find ways to emphasize that individuality—whether it’s by creating a unique website, incorporating elements of your personality in photos or videos, or organizing special events around your work.
4) Don’t Be Afraid To Fail
It’s simple advice, but so important: don’t be afraid to fail. If you stay in your comfort zone and never try something new, then you will not grow as a professional photographer. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and expand your skillset by taking on different projects. Doing so will help you gain confidence, which is vital for any successful entrepreneur or freelancer.
5) Get Involved In The Community
One of the best ways you can connect with prospective clients is by getting involved in your community. Volunteer at a nonprofit or school, join your local camera club, or start a photography meetup. Building meaningful relationships with people in your community not only helps you get hired more often—it also provides an opportunity for word-of-mouth marketing.
6) Use A Blog As An Asset
Regardless of whether you’re a full-time photographer or a part-time blogger, it never hurts to have your website as an additional asset in your business. Adding content regularly can help position you as an expert within your industry and create new opportunities for collaboration and business. Start blogging today by creating a new site on Squarespace using our simple platform; no coding required!
7) Have An Outstanding Website
This is one of, if not THE most important elements in getting your photography business up and running. Potential clients want a site that represents your brand well, but they also want it to be functional. If you’re unsure how to make it look beautiful and modern while keeping it user-friendly and responsive, invest in a professional web designer. They’ll bring your vision to life and keep you from having any costly mistakes on a site where potential clients can easily see them.
No matter how successful you are as a photographer, you’ll always be looking for ways to grow your business and attract more clients. There are some basic best practices that can help you gain new clients, but there are also some less conventional methods that can really work wonders on your photography business. Here are seven tips to help you grow your photography business in the long term and compete with other photographers in your area.