focus

When I first started my business about five years ago, I had absolutely no idea how to run a photography business. I had quit my job as a graphic artist and couldn’t find another design job. So I decided to create my own job. I was wide-eyed (not to mention a bit desperate) and had absolutely no idea how to start or run a successful business. If I could go back in time now to those beginning stages, I would do so many things differently. I try not to let myself dwell on the subject, as I get way too frustrated with myself (um, dummy, you could have read at least ONE book on how to run a successful business!). Instead, it just seems smarter to turn my attention to how I can shape the future. But if I could go back in time, the number one thing I think I would change is this: I would NOT look at other child photographer’s sites. (Oh, and I would exercise every single day and eat a strict, strict diet …  you know, because by now I’d be really fit!)

This may seem a little hard to believe, but when I got started, I actually didn’t know that this entire humungous industry of freelancing on-location photographers was in existence … let alone already booming. Apparently I was living under a rock. A “photographer” to me was either an elusive, famous person shooting for Vogue; a grumpy (sometimes sweaty) guy shooting at school events or weddings; or a third-generation shooter born to work in his family’s studio. That’s it … that’s all I knew about. So when friends started asking me to take pictures of their children, for about a red-hot minute, I kinda thought I was inventing an entirely NEW industry … on-location photography for the everyday person. Genius.

So, I did what any person who doesn’t first read a book on business would do … I googled the Mom and Pop studios in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to find out what they charged. And that’s when it happened. I discovered that my oh-so brilliant plan for on-location photography for the masses was in fact a very good one! And it was working well for about, oh, I don’t know, millions of other photographers around the world. For about 20 seconds I was a bit bummed that a pioneer in the photography industry I was not. Right around second 21, the disappointment faded out and gave way to excitement. I was looking at page after page after page of Web sites of people who were already doing what I wanted to do. All I had to do is see what works for them and then go do it, right?! And so I dove in head first. Before I knew it, I was completely and totally lost in a virtual sea of information, pictures, and advice.

As time went on, my business progressed and I grew as a photographer. But after about three years, I “suddenly” slammed head-first into a wall.  I was exhausted … both physically and creatively. It took a little soul searching, but I came to realize something very important: staring at other people’s photography wasn’t making me a better photographer. I needed to spend more time being inspired by the people and things in my life … by nature … by art. I needed to turn off the virtual clutter that I was allowing into my life. After all, the entire reason someone chooses to hire me is so that I can photograph them MY creative way. I went through the looooong list of photographer blogs I had bookmarked and deleted them. And in their place I started adding some design blogs, fashion blogs, and even food blogs. I started buying paper magazines (uh huh, they’re still out there) and getting lost in the beautiful work. And slowly but surely, I started feeling better. And I would say that I think my photography has improved because of it. I was too concerned with what others were doing and how they were doing it. Now I’m more tuned into my clients and capturing who they are.

I kept my three favorite child photographers in my bookmarks … and two of my favorite wedding photographers. I do still regularly look at their work and absolutely drool. I think of these folks as my photography role models because time and time again they blow my mind with their work … and that mind-blown feeling is good because it pushes me to want to do better and better. Today I noticed that all five of my favorite photographers are nominated for awards through Framed network. I don’t know … I kind of felt this sense of pride seeing “my gang” on that list. The Internet is a strange thing because even though I’ve never met these people, I feel like I know them and I’m really proud of them. (Weird, right?!)

If you want to see some amazing photographer’s work … check out all of the folks who are nominated for an [F] award. The collective body of work among these artists is just amazing. Definitely check out Tara Whitney, Jinky Art, and Dani Brubaker … as those are my personal child photography favorites : ) And Jose Villa and Elizabeth Messina are without a doubt the only two I could EVER have photograph my wedding : )

I was actually going to be sharing an adorable client preview today. But for some reason this blog post came pouring out of me … so I went with it : ) We’ll return to the adorable children tomorrow!

Happy Monday!
Kate