Wow, it's been a roller coaster ride for me in the last 3 years. As well as holding down a full time job as a marketing manager I've also been building up my wedding and portrait photography business. Whilst it's been very challenging juggling the two elements in my life, it's also been richly rewarding, and I've learned some very valuable lessons. So what advice would I offer other like-minded photographers looking to build a career in social photography? Here are some of my top tips:
1. Plan your week ahead - When you are juggling both a job and a business it's absolutely critical that you manage your time effectively. A great tip is to spend an hour every Sunday afternoon planning your week ahead. Also, plan in time for your different 'roles', such as 'Photographer', 'Day Job', 'Father' and 'Husband'. It's vital to keep some balance in your life, so plan in some down time and recreation.
2. Look at other photographers' work, but keep true to your style- Whilst it's great to look at other photographers' work and style to get inspiration, you shouldn't overdo this. It's important to develop your own unique style and trust your own artistic instincts. At the end of the day it's your own unique vision and style that you must sell, and this is what becomes your brand identity. Rest assured that you are probably much better than you think you are!
3. Write a business and marketing plan- If you don't set yourself objectives for each year, and write out a plan of how you will achieve them, there's a high probability you won't achieve them. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it's a fact! We write a business plan every January for the year ahead, set out all of our objectives and then work on a marketing action plan for how we are going to achieve them. Write a plan, but more importantly, work the plan!
4. Keep networking- Keep building links with other wedding suppliers, such as other photographers, make up artists, venues and dress makers. It's a great way to raise the profile of your company and also generate leads. If possible join a local business networking group.
5. Maintain a positive mental attitude- This is less tangible but incredibly important. It's tough getting a business off the ground in the current economic climate, and you're going to face knock-backs and challenges along the way. You must keep your objectives in mind through it all, and remain positive. You have to build up some mental resilience. In addition I would say that you should try to adopt the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, which basically means that you seek to continuously improve every aspect of your business and photography.
Good luck! Keep positive and above all persist, and I'm sure you'll make it as a professional photographer.
Matt Foden Photography are Wedding Photographers in Surrey. You can check out their site here:
http://www.mattfoden.co.uk/
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