It was suggested by a wise woman, that in order to know where we’re going, we must first understand where we are. I put a wee bit of thought into that today and thought I’d “verbalize” my current state.
Where I am today …
o 2.25 years into the business as a pro
o 5 months into the business full time
o A virtual unknown (so says me)
o One of 15 photographers in my town and over 350 in the geographic area
o One of four photographers with a physical, outside-the-home studio
o My own boss, the only employee
o A woman-owned business
o One of only two women photographers with an outside-the-home studio (in my town)
o On the brink of losing my current studio but buying (yes, buying) my own place (not the one I’m currently in).
o Making it session by session, but not booking months in advance … days, and sometimes weeks ahead at most.
o A beginner wedding photographer (but almost beginning to like these the most!)
o No longer photographing children exclusively. Started that way, but now anything that I can photograph I’m happy photographing! I have photographed socks for a website happily!
o Comfortable with my pricing (not too high, not too low); comfortable saying ‘no I can’t give you a deal’
o Comfortable with my products, but feel I need more diversity (or less?)
o Too personal with my clients (or is that the name of the game?)
o Extremely philanthropic. Every charity event, every opportunity to give, I do (time, gifts, resources, etc.) and want to whole heartedly, not just for exposure (though that’s nice!)
o Simple … in packaging, in branding, in dress, in image
o I have one permanent display gallery that I like; one that is temporary and one to be created in a couple weeks
o I have relationships with less than a 1/2 dozen businesses; but I have business cards for over 50.
o I LOVE my business name and logo (it was created by a customer of mine) and my “logo guy” makes a great tattoo.
o My family is NOT heavily involved in my business; my husband handles the accounting though
o My kids love my business and my studio
o I have had two people, total, not like the photographs I took for them.
o I write a quick “thank you” newsletter with the month’s happenings and submit it via email 1x a month
o I write thank you notes to all customers after their final purchases are delivered
o I do not do direct mail (have, but haven’t like the results)
o I have cut out nearly all print advertising due to cost (just in the last month (ish) ).
o I will be in “school” this summer for a week to “learn from the best!”
o I frequently review the websites of photographers I admire and want to learn from
o I know my competition, admire most of my competition, wonder how some of my competition can even be in business and sometimes worry there is just too darn much competition!
o I do online ordering OR in-studio ordering (which I’m coming to love for many reasons). I do not mind online ordering at all
o I do not project, but I do have a size-sample on my wall that has become handy
o I am 100% ok with orders under $300.
o I am 50% ok with orders under $200.
o I am 150% ok with orders over $300.
o I would prefer to do nothing but Deluxe sessions (as already defined by my deluxe package) but can’t seem to sell them as frequently as I’d like. This is actually where I started going, then backed off and re-added it in recent months.
o I like working with an assistant.
o Assistants keep me on my toes and working effectively and I get more than 2x stuff done.
o I have an MBA
o I have an outdates business plan
o I have a dedicated business marketing “day” that keeps getting overridden with non-marketing related “stuff”
o I submit for prints 1x a week … on Fridays
o I can work from home or from my studio thanks to techology; I prefer working out of my studio
o There are no sample contemporary boards on my walls; one gallery wrap; one canvas
o I do frame, some; I don’t like real mats; I do like digital mats though … a lot … and I want the program that creates them; but don’t have it yet.
o I have booked all weddings, except for one, through WedPlan or Gofinda leads that I have purchased; which means I’ve spent a lot of money to get them.
o I believe in two photographers (ie me and one assistant) at all weddings and events
o I love my camera … wish I had another exactly like it instead of a “cheaper” backup
o I love working with other business people … for cross promotion and “stuff”
o I hesitate to go to networking groups … I just can’t get myself there. Hmmmm….. ??? Why is that I wonder? I have one on my calendar every Tuesday at 10:30am and somehow it ALWAYS gets bumped. I’ve never gone because of that.
o My proofing, developing and finalizing process is very streamlined
o I have backups of everything (almost)
o My office computer is powerful; my laptop is adequate
o I love working for myself … with all my heart and soul