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.

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What have you learned as a photographer? What do you hope to learn in the future?

1.  Second Shooting (Assisting)

I know that this lesson is pretty much the standard lesson to learn.  I was so fortunate to have interned with Kristen at Kristen Mary Photography for 150 hours in order to get my degree.  She was kind and very experienced.  She has 14 years of experience in the wedding industry!  I was also able to assist Luke Duval at a shoot in LA and see how the fashion/editorial photographers worked.   

What I am trying to get is this: Watching and learning from others is so invaluable in photography.  They teach you how to be a better photographer, how to see things from a different perspective, and ultimately show you all the bad habits and how to correct them.  With Kristen, I learned the wedding schedule, the must have shots, what a wedding day entails.  I learned to fluff a dress, style a veil, and use two flashes at once.  With Luke, I learned how to set up lights, which wardrobe goes with what background, and all the inner workings of a fashion shoot. The more people you shoot with, the more you learn.  And the more you learn, the better you get.  Just don't forget to be a grateful and helpful student :).

2.  Make Photo Friends

 I don't know about you but I can talk until my voice goes out about photography.  I can talk about the techie side, the photos I like, famous photographers that inspire me, and so on.  Only, I'm sure most of my friends won't know what I'm talking about.  

Hence: Make Photo Friends!  I am a part of a few groups on Facebook that allow me to talk shop with others who share in my passion and love for the craft of photography.  Those that can offer a critique or perhaps a location to shoot in.  And it's much more fun when they actually understand what f stop means and when I talk about bouncing light.  

3.  Social Networking and Netiquette

Social networking has been such a big staple in today's society.  If you don't have a Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Blog, or Skype, it's like people don't know what you've been up to.  It's a lot to do being on all of these sites and even I myself have a hard time keeping up.  But they are necessary!  They help spread the word about your recent work, they allow you to stay on top of news and friends, and even on top of industry news.  

However, when used incorrectly, they may not work in your favor.  Remember that good manners also extends to the web.  It's called netiquette.  This is exactly why when I'm having a bad day, I don't post about it.  I don't curse nor do I allow others to post inappropriate things on my page or photos.  I am in full control of the content.  Many of my clients and their friends are linked to my Facebook profile and photography page.  I make it a point to stay professional yet friendly and hep enough to keep people coming back.  No one likes to read about your bad day, unless something funny happened. 

4.  Business is Business

Photography is fun.  Anyone can do it.  Conversely, not everyone can run a business.  Doing photography and doing it as a professional are two different things.   If you are considering jumping in and doing it as your profession, there are many a things to consider before making your Facebook Fan Page.  Do you have a business license?  How about a seller's permit for the prints you sell?  What about  a separate checking account?  Are you prepared with liability insurance?  What if your stuff gets stolen or damaged?  

Do your research for the city, county, and state you live in and find out what you need to really make yourself the professional photographer.  A cool website is not enough to make you professional.  Plus, all of these documents can help save your butt in case of any emergencies.

5.  Style takes time

Every famous photographer has their style.  Style, takes time to build, perfect, and it is something that constantly changes.  I did not always have a style.  It took me years of practice, trying out new things, new gear, different models, clients and locations until I finally realized what my style was.  And in a few years from now, it will evolve and become something a little different.  Don't pressure yourself to define your style if you're just starting out.  From one photog to another, it takes time.