My head is currently swimming. I’ve been doing much research on how to run a successful business. Life, a healthy case of imposter syndrome, children, a pandemic, etc. have all contribured to me putting off the enevitable: being a real business lady! Ha! I definitely graduated from the “building my portfolio” stage years ago and it’s time I put away my fears and embraced this life fully and give it the serious consideration needed to make it worthy of full time job status.

But holy crap, I’m utterly overwhelmed right now. I’ve stayed away from “the industry” for 11+ years now. I remember when there were slams about moms with cameras trying to make it as photographers. I felt like people would find out I was one of them if I tried too hard to be professional. Doesn’t matter that I already had been in love with the medium since 1994 (Hello! I have a Bessler enlarger packed up carefully in my basement waiting for the day I can turn a corner of the laundry room into a darkroom!). That fear kept me behind the curve for far too long. Jumping into the deep end of photography business best practices is a steep learning curve and I don’t really like it!

I have always said that I run this business the way I’d want to work with a business like me. Does that make sense? I’ve kept my prices low (far below standard for the industry and for the DMV in particular), I don’t push sales or packages, and I prioritize meeting people where they are. I am here for the uncoorperative toddlers, the stoic husbands, the surly teens. I’m here for shoots squeezed in between soccer games, with dogs and pushy grandparents. Why? Because that’s life! Life is messy and crazy and varied and full of personalities. I don’t want every shoot to look the same either.

As I read more about how I’m *supposed* to do business I’m actually more turned off. I don’t know if it’s the artist in me or the furgal miser that is more upset. Half the photographers out there don’t even list price ranges on their websites and instead they title that page “Investment.” I’m sorry, but when I’m pricing out service providers be it contractors or photographers or babysitters I need to know the price up front. I can’t stand people trying to suck you in by telling you how awesome and valued their product is before telling you how through the roof their price is. I don’t want to get clients by guilt or cooersion or anything. Yes, my skill and eye are worth money. No that amount is not going to be for everyone. That’s OK and we can all move forward with no hurt feelings.

Part of this research has also been looking at many many many other photographers’ work. There’s a “look” out there these days. Sure, it’s pretty, kind of sepia toned warm goodness with low back light. I suppose I could drag you all out to our local field (oh wait…lower MoCo is fairly devoid of fields unless you don’t mind soccer goal or two) and very specific times of day and then layer on the photoshop presets so everyone’s pics look the same. Nope. Not going to do that either. I want my pics to be different. I want them to reflect the people in them and the environment we’re in whether that’s out in nature or in your backyard or on mom and dad’s bed. I want portraits of my clients looking their best and I shouldn’t have to depend on outside factors to do my job.

Anyway, thats all for now. I’m tired. Still much to think about as I plan this re-launch of sorts. If you’ve managed to read this far give yourself a high five for hearing a weary artist out.