Someone recently wrote me asking what it was like having my own photography business. She is starting out and wants to know the reality of it. Running this business is a lot more work than people think. Here’s a little peek into what goes on behind-the-scenes, these are just some of my job duties…
-customer service – responding to all emails and phone calls
-booking and scheduling shoots
-processing contracts and paperwork
-coordinating the shoot
-executing the shoot in a creative and artistic way (even when lighting is very challenging)
-downloading and sorting of images
-picking favorites for clients image gallery
-narrowing down favorites even further for blog post
-editing of all images
-uploading images to gallery
-corresponding to client about gallery and how to order
-ordering prints for client
-burning disc of images (includes making a pretty label for disc)
-mailing disc to client (packaging it in an attractive manner)
-creating and posting a blog post of favorite images
-designing of album in Photoshop
-ordering of album
-packaging album appropriately and shipping of album
-archiving files
-responding and posting via social media sites
-updating and maintaining websites
-keeping software and equipment updated and clean
-maintaining financial records for accounting & taxes
… And I’m sure there is more. So many people starting out think that owning and operating a photography business is cake. The photography part of it is definitely fun!! But you also have to be very organized and detail oriented to do the business part. I do everything myself which is rewarding but also stressful at times. If you are starting out, I hope you find this post helpful.
Overall, I love my job and wouldn’t trade it for the world!!
