There are numerous avenues to becoming a full-time professional photographer. For many aspiring photographers who seek a career change, the responsibilities of family and financial commitments mean that quitting your current 9-to-5 job to pursue this goal is not possible. So there will be a period of time that you start to take on paid photography commissions whilst you still work your 9-to-5. Should you tell your clients the truth: that you are a part time photographer? Or should you fake it till you make it? We examine the pros and cons of both sides.
Honesty Is the Best Policy
Being honest from the start with a client will alleviate any tension tension of having a dirty little secret. You can try to convince your prospective client that although you are a part time photographer, your passion to make it your full time living will be reflected in the quality of work they would receive. Hopefully your portfolio speaks for itself, so the fact that you are relatively new in doing paid work is irrelevant. Most clients will appreciate the honesty and will warm to your passion as they'll see that the paid work is the oxygen to your dream.
Fake It Till You Make It
A prospective client would have shown an interest in your work with the intention of employing you for your photographic capabilities. So if the subject of your full-time employment doesn’t come up, then there may be no point in bringing it up yourself. Carrying yourself on set with confidence and authority will convey your ability, so any suggestion that this may not be your full-time profession will be alleviated. Of course, that still doesn’t mean that the subject won’t come up; and if it does, you will have to decide whether to lie or whether to be honest.
The Truth Hurts
Regardless of your superior talent and ability, there will still be some clients who will frown upon employing a part-time photographer, particularly as in my experience in the corporate world. As an aspiring photographer, this is going to feel extremely unfair, since you may be doing some great work for the client at a competitive rate. But being honest about your freshness in the industry could unfortunately lead to losing the job. On the flip side of this, if a prospective client is not interested in working with you because of this, then maybe they are not the type of clients you want to work for. After all, you’re chasing your dream of being a full-time photographer, and there is no shame in that.
Caught In The Lie
This is probably the worst position you can navigate yourself into. If you make the judgment call of pretending that photography is your full-time gig, but it turns out that the prospective client finds out this not to be the case, this lack of honesty and trust is not going to go down well. Being caught in the lie will be very difficult to mend, so if you do decide to go down this route, you must be prepared to accept the consequences of potentially losing the client and tarnishing your reputation.
But make no mistake about it, when you are trying to reel in a big fish early on in your photography career, you will have to make a measured decision as to whether it is more important to be perceived as a full-time photographer or as a passionate part-timer with ambition. In my personal experience, I tried to stay honest about my role as a part-time photographer working a 9-to-5. But I never encouraged the conversation. I would simply treat my photography jobs with the respect of my livelihood and hope this professionalism would alleviate any doubts.
Please share your own personal stories of how you navigated through this issue, any bad choices you made, and whether or not you lost any business by either being honest or dishonest.
I always tell potential clients about your 9-5 job, your real boss, the one who pays you so that you can undercut the full-time photographers, the one who can order you to not photograph weddings you've accepted money for, like the Air Force guy in my town who bailed on 7 weddings because his real boss needed him those weekends. My boss, my real boss, is my clients who hire me, because I'm a full time photographer. Period.
Sounds like you've got some pent up aggression there buddy. Just because someone is part-time doesn't mean they're undercutting anyone else. I'm part-time and charge premium rates. It's definitely a strong marketing tool to be able to say that you don't have other bosses who you need to worry about. But also, not all full time jobs have strict 9-5 bosses. I have a full time job and am responsible with how I manage my time and don't commit to things I can't guarantee. In many years of doing this I've never, not once, had a conflict. Your Air Force friend is a bad businessman and shouldn't have committed to things he couldn't actually deliver on or control. Your real boss is yourself, because you can decide what job you want to take. I chose to have a full-time job that is flexible and allows me to also shoot my own work too.
Well, I do agree with him about the undercutting... in my town (and yes I know this is public and anyone can google this) the vast majority is part timers and do charge what the mass market's demand, and they comply and its usually shoot & burn (S&B) sell for $100-$250.... I want to be a specialist full service studio, sadly the value in my market this does not exist so it'll take both time and a whole lot of money to build that value up in the area I'm at.
Granted when I was S&B I also charged the "premium" rates too, heck maybe the most expensive in the area too. But I do see many others just playing the price game just cause that's what the masses in the photo buyers want and comply with in certain markets... not all, certain ones. Price is king, just like in retail, fast food, etc.... for the masses. Hence why photographers/studios need to focus their marketing better, like myself, on very specific audiences and demos to get best bang for your buck and building that value for higher priced studio rates.
Wow.
Adapt or die.
Period.
It depends on the type of full time jobs.
MANY people have 9-5 jobs that won't ever require surprises weekend overtime which limits the possibilities of last minute cancel.
Wedding photographers' dilemma :D
Tell'em why you mad champ! :)
Well, in my case I'd put the PTO request in advance, get approved if its on a regular work day, which for weddings (when I did them) usually is on a weekend and I never really was scheduled to work those days. So if they ask me to come in, I'd say no. Depends on the company's overall respect for their employees and level you're at in the company. In my day job it used to care a lot more for the lower level employees so back in the days they'd respect anything you scheduled around your own work schedule and leave it at that. Today after being bought out its a little different... at least at the current low level position I'm at in the company where value is extremely minimal when compared to before. So it really depends on your direct boss and overall company's goals and level of respect/value for their employees.
I wish I could quit my day job to work full time, but in my reality its sacrifice the art for the business and worse become a full time high volume factory photography studio and end up hating photography... its not the world I'd like to live, even while holding a camera. I'd rather bust my ass working at a decent job to make ends meat, have a little extra to invest into my business as much as possible until I make my name more well known to be that photographer/studio to must have for what I offer in my area.
I work 10 hours a week on Thursday evening and Saturday.. If clients ask me if i'm fulltime i always say yes but i also work 10 hours for an employer.
Since I don't photograph for the private market it doesn't stand in the way of my photography business.. I actually wouldn't know how to combine a 9 to 5 job with my photography business it's just not possible.
I kept my spending down in the beginning driving a cheap car and renting a cheap room.. The income of my 10 hour job could barely cover these costs.. I invest everything in my photography business. Because of this clients take me serious, i'm always answering the phone and returning e-mails within a day.
That being said i don't have kids, so i don't have the pressure providing for a family, i wouldn't need a 9 to 5 job anymore if i would get kids. But for photographers just starting their business i can imagine giving up their 9 to 5 job being a very scary thing. The dilemma is you just don't get things done that much when you work full time for a boss.
If i would be in this position i'd reduce my hours so you can spend your time 50/50 on your job and your business and budget on luxury things. This way you can provide for your family and chase your dream. And when your business does become successful you can provide to the extent you did before you reduced your hours.
Not to sound cliche, but you'd be surprised how many hours there are in the evenings and on weekends that you can get work done.
Of course this is true, and i also work in the evenings and even at night on postprocessing and e-mails. But since all my clients are businesses i have to do the photography part during the week between 9 to 5. That's why i can't combine a 9 to 5 job with it.. If you're a photographer for the private market you'd obviously be able to do this in the evening or in the weekends.
You are right, there are definitely jobs I turn down because of that. But there are so many types of clients. I've done work for an ad agency shooting lifestyle photos for a beer brand. They gave me creative direction and I'd get the photos done on my own schedule. Some clients definitely require availability between 9 and 5, but don't let that make you think there are no creative options.
Not enough for me honestly... I could use the extra 40 hours I spend at my day job, at my business. Marketing is very time consuming and resource hogging where the extra 40 hours could reallly boost effective execution honestly. Sadly I don't earn enough from the business to simply quit it and live off the business yet, so I use the 4-6 hours a night I got available to just that, marketing... plus the 20-30 hours on weekends on producing work to the marketing.... hustle.
Obviously 40 "extra" hours would be beneficial, but my point is that there is enough to make it work, if your manage time well and find the right clients. Of course more time would be more beneficial, that's always going to be true.
I think you answered your own question — you say you don't make enough money from your business to quit your day job. So yeah, use whatever hours you do have to further the business to the point where you can quit (if that's what you want). Then you can devote all your hours to it and it'll take off even more, but there has to be a tipping point. It's a side hustle and never will get your undivided attention until it's your main gig.
I assisted, bartended and waited tables before my photo career became full time. Whether you're available to your Clients for phone calls, emails or actual shoots with proper notice is what counts. Who among us has secured Clients in such a short period without at least having a part time job? I believe that the biggest part of this job is to arrive on time, produce images and instill confidence in your Client. Or "act like you've been there before".
Sometimes its better to ask for forgiveness than for permission
Depends on situation and personalities involved tho
I have a full-time job where I have a great deal of autonomy and trust that I'll do what needs to be done and consistently prove that to be true. That job is also creative and involves non-typical work schedules sometimes. I do my freelance work around that schedule, being mindful that that IS my first obligation. However, I'm very careful about what I promise and how I schedule things. I don't commit to things that I can't say with 100% certainty I can follow through on. I've seen more than one full-time photographer be upset at part-time freelancers because they think we're somehow stealing their work. Unfortunately for them, that's not what's happening, at least not in my case. I don't work my ass off a a full time job plus nights and weekends on my side work to not make any money. If people are "stealing" work away from you, it might be because their portfolio can back it up, and the client doesn't care what else they have in their life, as long as they can do good work.
In regards to how I communicate with clients about this, I'm delicate and don't go into details that aren't relevant. I don't volunteer that I have another job, but if it comes up, I don't lie about it. I've never lost work due to the fact I'm not a full-time freelancer, it seems as long as you can deliver, that's what matters. They know I have other clients too, so nobody is living in a fantasy land where they think I have nothing else on my plate but just them. If things get crazy at work for 2 weeks, I'll tell people inquiring about my freelance services that I'm too busy for the next 2 weeks to take on new work. It's entirely true. Fake it 'til you make it, but don't outright lie.
This very much sums up my position.
Aside from that, I use my "9-5" to put food on the table and pay the mortgage etc, which can be a marketing tool in pricing discussions. I charge what I perceive to be fair rates for my photography work, without having to rely on it to make ends meet. I frequently review my prices based on experience and to help manage volume of work. But to be completely honest, my clients probably benefit financially when comparing my rates to full time photographers with studios etc. But then I know I'm charging a lot more than other people.
To each his own, but I've decided for myself, that it's not doing anyone any favors to undercut the market. Why get less money when more is on the table? Also, because I have a full time paycheck, it gives me the freedom to have higher pricing, because if I don't get the job, it's not as big a blow. Basically, because I'm not relying on it, I leverage that to ask for more, not less.
I hear what you're saying Caleb, and that is part of my thinking behind pushing my prices up regularly. There isn't always more money on the table though. And sometimes (like when you're still building your portfolio and experience) getting a shoot for slightly less, is better than not getting the shoot. Plus, if you're working with clients that you know, or want to support, it's not always about the money. That said, starting cheap does set expectations for future shoots, which can make raising prices for repeat clients (and referrals from them) a bit harder.
For sure. There are always going to be low budget work that somebody will do. The issue IMO is when you are producing high quality work for cheap. But if it's a small / non-existant budget, they should be getting someone who is learning, not a seasoned pro.
Newspaper photogs shooting film shot weddings on weekends to make extra bank.
No different than today if someone does the same....just digital.
Digital has made photography virtually democratic.
Never lie. It's stupid.
I actually am a server part time at a restaurant. I hate it when someone recognizes, but I also know that I have gotten business because of it. When someone contacts me about shooting and doesn't know that I am a pt server I don't tell them. If we work together more than once and we develop a friendship then I don't mind. I guess at the end of the day I like to keep things separate the best I can.
I think to be a real pro you should be honest. How many "creative people" websites have very little contact info ? Would you hire a contractor for home improvements costing $ 1000 + if the contractor only gave out an email address or cell phone # ? Being a pro is more than a great looking portfolio and website IMHO. In the current business climate you may need more than 1 job. It is ok to be part time but be honest about it.
Great post, Mike!!
In my opinion, each client needs a different type of professional.
Some companies can only work with that professional that has the undivided attention for the project, and even his personal life could get in the way. Imagine for example a Wild Life Photographer that takes time to create connection with it's subjects, spending sometimes months away from home.
Other clients, crave for that passionate photographer who will give his best without limits, while understanding the need he'll have to survive outside that one photography job!
I've lost photography jobs for having another unrelated job, and I booked some photography jobs while working at normal jobs!
In my case, I'm upfront about it most of the times. I even start the conversation as it's something that makes me proud: being able to do jobs that aren't my dream (bartending, waitering, delivering newspapers in winter from 6h30am until 9h30am!) and still be able to follow my dreams!
I'm usually not the type of person who wants to work for people who don't really appreciate what I do. I'm quite happy with the judgments I have of myself, so I don't rely on others opinions about my life to make me feel secure about my decisions, be it at having another job or personal life matters.
In the end, I got the jobs I really wanted: Travel Photographer!! So, I've never been sad at what I could have had, I prefer to enjoy what I really have in front of me!!
Today is Travel Photography, tomorrow it could be other kind of Photography!
So the decision is always yours. Just be honest with yourself and how you'll really feel with any decision, and you'll be ok!!
If they have seen your portfolio or had a referal what difference does it make?
I am one of those 8-5er's, but I also have a lot of control of when I take my time off with 42 paid days a year and I never have to work nights or weekends for my day job. That said it is often very hard to schedule clients at times and while I did start with a lower price point because of my skill set I now have to charge more than the going local rate to keep myself from being too busy. While I'm averaging about 30k a year doing nights and weekends, I still don't have the guts to leave my steady paycheck and benefits.
As a general rule I don't tell people I have a day job, but if a client requests me during work time I will be honest and see if they can still work with me. Some of my larger clients need people at times I can't show up, but I've got a couple of other photographers I can hire to send in my place.
if it doesn't come up it doesn't come up. I don't lie about it, but i don't volunteer the information either.
What about those who work more than 40 hrs? That's the position I am in and why I gave up trying to make a career out of my photography. Tho I'd love to return to the field, I just can't afford the pay cut (family first). I just don't know how to go about doing it. I have no set hours at my job (railroader) and work 6 days a week sometimes out of the house up to 16 hrs a day. Any advice would be appreciated.
I run a business, I take ad hoc contracts for any of my skill sets if it pays a better bottom line especially during the quiet seasons. Do I tell clients? No, I just say I'm unavailable for that period, it's not any different if I was booked for a photographic session, fixing a web page or doing maintenance work on some wiring.
It really comes down to your geographic location and your client base, it's great if you can get regular customers that can pay your bottom line but in reality that's becoming harder to achieve in some areas of the world so you do what you need to do to keep the wolves at bay. Yes, it's possible to build a sustainable business but when you have a community of local photographers who will back stab you at every opportunity then that's not possible, and that is sadly the case for many photographers around the world going by the many photography forums I've seen.
To head off arguments I'm one of the best photographers in the area and clients love my work, but that won't stop clients going to someone who's cheaper or free and I won't drop my rates to compete as at that point I'm running a charity not a business.
I think in my case it's a plus to tell clients about my full time job.
I'm high-end retoucher, so that proofs to them that I'm good at what I'm doing and that they can expect great results. Because the thing is, when people ask you "What is your job?" and I answer "I'm a photographer", people ask me: "Okay cool, but what's your job?" So they associate with not getting paid at all. But since I started to introduce myself as a photographer and picture retoucher, people like the answer and don't ask me anymore, if I get paid. So, lucky me, I guess.
I practice "don't ask, don't tell". If they don't ask. I don't tell.
If they ask I'm honset about it and tell them how hard it is to survive on a photographers salary, thus the need for a 9-5.