You've Got To Love Your Small Photography Business!
First and foremost in a small photography business…you’ve got to LOVE IT, because you are married to it! No matter how successful and dreamy a business that you build, there are issues and times that will make you crazy… and you’ll wonder why you ever thought having your own business was a good idea! So, if you start your business just to make money you may be in trouble before you start. It’s not just about the money, it can’t be, if you’re going to remain viable for the long run. And, as some statistics below will show, photography is not a business to start if monetary riches are your goal!
You can’t fake it in this business! You can’t fake knowledge and you definitely can’t fake passion. Now if you’re selling widgets, you may be able to get away with faking it. But, the photography business, is a totally different animal. Our clients look to us for not only excellence in our photographic skills, but superior expertise and good taste in design, as well as framing, etc. We must be well rounded in our knowledge to stand out from the pack, so continual study and education in not only photography, but all related areas is essential!
Here’s some recent employment statistics from The Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Photographers held about 152,000 jobs in 2008. More than half were self-employed, a much higher proportion than for most occupations. Some self-employed photographers have contracts with advertising agencies, magazine publishers, or other businesses to do individual projects for a set fee, while others operate portrait studios or provide photographs to stock-photo agencies.
Most salaried photographers work in portrait or commercial photography studios; most of the others work for newspapers, magazines, and advertising agencies. Photographers work in all areas of the country, but most are employed in metropolitan areas.
And, here’s some earnings data from them as well:
Median annual wages of salaried photographers were $29,440 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,620 and $43,530. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $62,430. Median annual wages in the photographic services industry, which employed the largest numbers of salaried photographers, were $26,160.
Salaried photographers—most of whom work full time—tend to earn more than those who are self-employed. Because most freelance and portrait photographers purchase their own equipment, they incur considerable expense acquiring and maintaining cameras and accessories. Unlike news and commercial photographers, few fine arts photographers are successful enough to support themselves solely through their art.
These aren’t real encouraging statistics are they? Especially if you intend to make photography your main source of income. So, if you plan to do just that, then you’d better be absolutely devoted to it, and ready to learn the business and marketing and photography skills necessary to separate you from the rest. Did you notice that I listed photography skills last? Well, if you think being an amazing photographer is enough, and that you’ll be discovered and riches will follow…you’d better read those statistics again. It just isn’t going to happen like that.
But, if photography IS IT for you, then your passion and love for what you do will show through. It will be contagious. It will result in larger orders, because of the trust that is established, and because your clients will know if something’s not right you will make it right. Guaranteed! And, even though it may be just a small photography business, it’s your business and that’s got to be a good thing! And, who knows it may not end up being so small after all!
If you would like to make your small photography business beat the odds and statistics, sign up for info on my Think Like A Successful Photographer online course today! Check it out! – SP
