While no one could argue that you need talent, shooting skills, and post-production ability to have a successful photo career, it’s also critical to know some secrets that successful photographers know. People who are successful in any business know how to use both “left brain” business data and also employ some “right brain” tools to ensure their career success.
1. Know your cost of doing business (CODB).
You have to know what it costs to keep your doors open. You have to know that there are many things that go into your CODB. When starting out, many forget to pay themselves– or to include insurance in the cost of doing business. Here’s a good tool to calculate all those line items.
An emerging photographer you will likely be offered some jobs that pay a “credit line” in lieu of money. While I certainly do not recommend that as a business practice, sometimes you do want to accept one of those offers. Caveat: that can build your business when you know exactly who will see your images and if that’s who you want to reach. It might be good PR but the PR you receive from the shoot exposure has to be a fair value exchange. That’s where knowing your real CODB comes in.
It’s been said that “Failure to plan, is planning to fail.” If you do shoot anything pro bono (or at a lower rate), the decision to take–or decline the gig– becomes easy when you already know in advance who your target market is and your CODB.
2. The other key to success is to know how to keep your creative juices high and your stress levels low.
The most successful shooters know this. They know how to manage their minds. A calm and peaceful mind allows them to hear their inner muse that inspires them to shoot new portfolio pieces– which will attract clients. They keep their stress levels at bay so that they can remain non-reactive when a client makes an unreasonable demand at the last minute. They don’t freak out and blow a business relationship.
There are tools for that (besides drugs!). As I’ve mentioned in some of my other blogs posts, I’m now a fan of meditation; I’ve gotten results and so have my clients. More and more major research institutions are reporting each year on the benefits gained from regular meditation–both in overall health and in business relationships. It’s now become practically mainstream. There are many easy ways to begin a practice. I started with Deepak Chopra’s free online program.