I’ve been a professional photographer for about 12 years now… So this also means that I’ve learned quite a bit of things since 2006 - and lots of things have changed since. Here’s a short list of things I’ve learned over the years.
1 The nerves never go away
I’m forever always nervous before a session and even more so before a wedding. Before my sessions I say a short prayer asking God to use the talent he gave me to give my clients the best possible photos I can. Because it’s not about me, it’s about them. I’m an instrument and I’m here to create but I definitely need God’s help to keep the nerves down.
I get one chance to get it right. Most of my clients live in far off lands (mostly Canada and the USA lol) and it means we can’t reschedule, there are no do-overs for me. It’s doing it right or cringe. This makes me nervous because so many things both in and out of my control can happen.
2 Photography is a practice
Even though I’ve been at this for over a decade, it doesn’t mean that I’m an expert or can rest and think I’ve got it all figured out. Photography is ever-evolving and changing from year to year, let alone in the last decade.
Practice is important and while it isn’t as glamourous as it once was with models and other great photographers to learn from, I’m home shooting something new or some concept I had or taking photos of my three-year-old, which is good practice for family photos! ha ha ha
And it’s not just about taking photos. I also learn new things in Lightroom and Photoshop, about my own camera, taking videos (which I’m not great at yet), and figuring out both the technical and creative side of photography.
3 It’s about the experience
Being a photographer doesn’t come with any real special recognition outside of the photography world. It really comes down to giving my clients the best possible experience I can - and then great photos, in that order.
Making sure you’re having fun will automatically make your brain tie the fun experience to photo sessions and it will make it much easier for you to come and get portraits taken again! It will link the way you felt during that time with fun, family, and connection.
Portrait photographers who shoot to get recognition from the outside world first and take into account their client’s experience second, in my opinion, aren’t true portrait photographers. Because it’s not about us, it’s about you.
4 These are not my photos
Which leads me to my next point that the photos I take of you are not mine. I’m not going to hang them in my home. I’m not going to gift them to grandma for Christmas. I can certainly help you get all of that done :).
However, these are YOUR PHOTOS and it took me a couple of years to start shooting with you in mind as the viewer than shooting with what I had in mind.
Yes, I’m the professional and will help get the best photos possible, but with your experience and appreciation in mind. Will YOU love these photos? Will they make YOU cry when you see them because your kids are now in college and you have these beautiful images to remind you of such a beautiful vacation? Are YOU seeing your photos and thinking, “Wow, what a beautiful photo of MY family”?
You are my main focus. Your appreciation for the photos and giving you something that is irreplaceable is my goal.
Not getting photos to show off, get awards for, or get the most likes for. Usually, those photos are the ones that don’t get the most recognition.
5 Sharing knowledge is better than hoarding it
I started in a photography world when holding secrets was the key to success because it meant you had an upper hand on other photographers. Charging what seemed ludicrous for workshops, which is still the norm btw, just seemed crazy to me when Google literally has endless information on what I want to learn.
Also, given that I learned a lot of what I know by working for and with other photographers who opened up about their knowledge and experience was amazing to me.
So I share photo tips. I share what works for me and what doesn’t. If someone has questions, I’m an open book. I can’t give you a simple formula to follow to get rich quick, but I can help you as best I can.
6 Live and learn and do not repeat
Learning from my mistakes after weddings and sessions is hard. Learning mistakes I’ve made in business is an even bigger pill to swallow.
Clients are important, session experience is important, watch your focus, underexpose don’t overexpose, yes, the tripod is useful during church ceremonies, stay positive throughout long wedding days, and remember to eat before, during, and after will keep you sane, check your memory cards so that one doesn’t fall out and you have to go back after hours to look for it in the dark and with the sprinklers on (true story).
Remember, keep a percentage in savings for taxes too - learned that one the hard way. Invest in equipment, not shopping sprees.
So many things I’ve learned over the years that I do not want to repeat at all! If you can shadow or work for another photographer for a couple of years first, do that, so you can learn what to do or not to do for your own photo business.
And then don’t repeat them!
7 Community over competition
Once upon a time, photographers used to gather and create and have studios all over towns across the world. Then something shifted and it became an art and secrets were held and people got stingy with their experience and competition ensued.
Then, thankfully, during my time as a photographer, this has shifted again and as artists, we have put community over competition due to one singular undeniable fact: THERE IS ENOUGH WORK FOR EVERYONE.
Make friends with other artists, creators, photographers, writers, models, etc. These friendships can mean a referral, a learning experience, a helping hand when you need one, and the incentive to keep creating and using this community to share what we have.
8 Keep to a schedule
One thing I’ve learned, don’t be on call 24/7. Decide which days are no-work days and stick to them. Schedule certain days for certain tasks if that works for you. Yes, an inquiry is important, but not important to answer at 11:50 pm on a Sunday. That can wait until Monday. People don’t expect to have a full-on conversation at midnight via email anyway.
Don’t let photography lead your life. You’re in control and it’s best to establish that right away.
9 It’s a business to take seriously
When you start photography as a business, even if it’s a side business which is the norm in most cases, it’s still a business. My mistake was treating it like an extra each time I booked a wedding because I still had my main job.
I wish I had put what I need a way for taxes, investment in equipment, and business courses. I didn’t treat it as a business, I was all over the place.
Some things I’m still working on and refining, but make sure you treat this as an actual business if that’s your goal. Read about markups and research the best photo lab, get to know your pricing and how to figure that out, know what your workflow process is and keep perfecting it until it makes your job easier.
And most importantly, don’t give in to impostor syndrome. This is a real job even if you’re the only employee. Blogging, posting on social media, reaching out to clients, selling products, keeping your website up to date, SEO, marketing, are all apart of your business and it’s actual WORK. Don’t down play it and it will make it easier to keep this as an actual busienss than a hobby.
10 Photography is essential to life
I started photography because it was fascinating being able to take a photo of someone or some thing and allow it to be just like it is forever.
Over time, I started to really enjoy the connection forged when I would do model shoots and ultimate when I would photograph families and let’s not even get into how beautiful weddings are. Not because of the decorations or planning or the dress, it’s due to the fact because love the connecting factor during the entire day.
Photography has and always will be essential. It’ll be a reminder of your now 30-year old’s laugh when he was 3. It’s a reminder of how you felt when you took those last photos with your grandparents at your wedding. It’s a moment relived when you see you and your brother riding a wave while on the one vacation you will never forget.
I didn’t always give photography its place in this life. With time, having my own child and seeing my parents grow into grandparents, it has completely cemented the truest fact I’ll ever know:
PHOTOGRAPHY IS ESSENTIAL.
It’s all we have left at the end of the day. And it’s beautiful.
What have you learned as a photographer? What do you hope to learn in the future?