Want a Successful Photography Business? Start by Leaving the House

Every year a slew of burgeoning entrepreneur types thirst to make a New Year’s resolution to go head first into full-time photography. The siren call to shift that beloved passion into an all-out career beckons.

You have a modest but effective savings built up from a job you loathe, a nice camera or two, understanding of light, and a spunky client base. You covered all foreseeable angles, and scoured the Internet for tips like Paul Adshead’s article to help gauge readiness via his 10 steps. With those boxes checked it seems the time to strike the stake deep into the full-time ground is now. 

Speaking from my personal experience, initially, it sure can feel like the right decision was made. Those first few days, weeks, even months — one can surely get used to the self-employed lifestyle. Day after day with no direct supervision, nor clock to rigidly follow along to in a rhythmic soul-sucking fashion. It’s all so perfect. Hold that thought a second. I have a point to make with this story, but first I just need to quick answer this one group message, and maybe real fast check on today’s featured deals over at B&H (man that new a7R III sure does look nice), drop a few Instagram hearts, head over to YouTube for a quick video or three. Oh wow look at that, where did the time go? I’m exhausted. Now, let me just make another cup of coffee and I can really get this day started. Well would you look at that, it’s lunchtime.

Look at all familiar? Your intended productive morning is now past tense, with nothing resembling productivity to show. Think this can’t happen to you, right? You’re eyes locked on the prize, full to the brim with a desire to make it, understanding every second counts, you're one chance to get it right, and so on. Well, think again.

Truth is as a full-time photographer so little of the time is actually spent behind the camera. So where then does that leave the majority of time spent? Well, you guessed it. If your not at an actual place of work you are probably at the same spot you went to bed and woke up in: you’re home.

Let me be bold, working from home is a trap, those walls were built for many great purposes but you are tempting your business’s fate by trying to mix one's life’s ambitions with your couch, television, comfy gray sweatpants, and fridge full of food to attack over and over throughout the day.

Now ideally in a perfect world, financially you worked the numbers and are comfortable posting the business up at a remote studio, and it goes without saying that decision A) elevates your branding to customers and increases your chances of closing jobs, and B) eliminates the many poisonous at-home distractions thus allowing you to simply focus on making a difference in your photography business daily. 

That said, hitching along to a pricey dedicated studio to work from to create that much-needed separation, especially during your company’s infancy, is an equally tempting fate, a possibly very expensive fate. The simple fact is if things go bad this will increase the time to failure for the worst.

Now we’ve arrived at the ultimate point of the story. I get it, one way or another you have decided to hand in that two weeks notice. So let’s look at some options that will simulate a sense of purpose that comes from being an active member of society. And equally important, will eliminate those distractions from within your reach.

1. Coffee Shops

This one is super cliche and a well-used option among the creative field. Typically the environments are warm and cozy in the winter and cold air condition filled in the summer. Generally, they have good window light and a full menu of delicious caffeinated beverages that will keep you moving while going great on the table next to that laptop and notepad. These spaces also double wonderfully as a friendly meeting spot for you and your clients to discuss pricing and package options.

2. Parks

This is a great excuse to take in some nature. These are the days you really appreciate the decision to leave the old career behind. Find some shaded cover, a picnic table to place the workstation on, and soak in the fresh air and tranquil ambient sounds surrounding you as you knock out that business to-do list. Depending on the climate where you live this isn’t always going to be an option, but when it is, take advantage of it every chance you get. It’s like recharging your human battery while you work.

3. Other Local Photographers' Studios

Just because you are not ready to fork out the dollars necessary for a dedicated space just yet does not mean that there are not those who have in your hometown. Get in touch with them, and after investing the time to get to know them look into knocking out some work alongside them. Offer to pick up coffee on the way, it works every time and it is nice to rub elbows again as opposed to always opting for isolation. Who knows, this could be the start of a lucrative partnership that you wouldn't be able to otherwise explore from your pajamas. 

4. Virtual Meeting Spaces

On those days that leaving the house isn’t in the cards, expanding on the idea above, there are bound to be tons of photographers and fellow creatives networked in your area. Take the reigns and invite the group to jump in a virtual meeting space with you at a designated period of time and hold each other accountable for staying productive while you are at home for the day. This is also a great chance to socialize and share best practices throughout. Hangouts Meet is a one suggestion, especially if you already utilize Google's paid suite of business tools. Alternatively, a quick online search should get you pointed in the right direction with a service that works best for you.

To sum it all up, the important thing here is simple. Do not spring a trap for yourself inside your own four walls. Get out of the house into the world around you and keep the business and your sanity moving forward. Solve this and this business of yours will have a much better chance at survival.

Feel free to drop some of your favorite spots below in the comments. I'll be monitoring them as I’m not sure how many more lattes and blueberry muffins me or my wallet can take.