What Does it Mean to be a Professional Photographer?

As a child, I always saw myself becoming a business owner. When I became a photographer, I discovered that I would also need to develop the skills of a business owner. To be a photographer, I had to enjoy the artistic and people aspects of photography, but I also needed to be a manager, an expert in marketing, a purchasing agent, and travel agent. I also need to continue to learn, so I can provide clients with the best service and product. I would like to share about the business side of owning a photography business and all the different hats photographers wear.

I am a CREATIVE.

Let’s start with the obvious, I am a creative. I am always trying new techniques with my camera, ways to direct my clients and re-assure them at the same time. This means knowing my camera backwards and forwards and navigating all the settings quickly, so I don’t miss any moment! This means knowing how to fix lighting and possible distractions in an image. And it means knowing how to make my clients comfortable as I guide them into poses. I need to know how to pose bridesmaids, groomsmen, family, the couple, individuals, and so on. I am also always looking for new locations that inspire me. Staying CREATIVE is essential in growing, and staying CONSISTENT is essential so clients know what to expect.

I am an EDITOR.

Editing images and uploading them to private galleries for my clients includes a sorting software (to quickly pick the best images to edit), an editing software, and a client gallery software. Editing is so important because I am able to fix any imperfections in the photo as well as creating a polished, aesthetic final appearance. Editing probably takes the most amount of time.

I am a DESIGNER.

I constantly design and redesign my website, guides, contracts, etc. to convey professionalism and personality, in order to attract clients. Another thing I design is photo albums! And although I don’t print with my own hands, I order specific prints and design high end albums for clients, meaning lots of trial and error by picking the right types of prints and right company to deliver high quality prints/albums.

I am a MANAGER.

I keep track of everything related to a business. I purchase software and hardware, maintain business license(s) and insurance(s), and pay credit card transfer fees, second shooters, and taxes! My biggest lifesaver is the client management software, HoneyBook. This software allows me to send contracts, guides, and schedules, as well as accept payments.

I am a CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE.

I am constantly responding to DMs, texts, emails, and phone calls in order to communicate clearly with all of my clients.

I am a TRAVEL AGENT.

Every time I go to SoCal or somewhere out of state I have to plan car rentals, flights, places to stay, etc. I don’t have anyone do that for me. And I frequently drive all over California, so I have to get my car tuned up regularly.

I am a PURCHASING AGENT.

I am always buying something! Not only am I always finding new helpful software but I must also ensure I have the best equipment for my work. For example: Computer(s), lenses, camera bodies, camera straps, hard drives, memory cards, camera backpacks, etc. Maintaining equipment and backups is essential so I don’t have to worry about losing any images!

I am a SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER / MARKETER.

I try to stay relevant by sharing my work and personal life on instagram. I also share my work on Facebook and on Pinterest, as well as through blogging. This includes multiple software products and apps to make images as aesthetic as possible. My journalism degree also comes in handy as I’m constantly writing captions and telling stories.

And I am always LEARNING.

You know how most jobs start by teaching you the ropes and there’s probably meetings that teach you more every week or month? Well, photographers don’t get paid to learn more, but instead typically pay to learn more. Because most photographers work alone, it’s so important to learn different ways to do things. I often listen to podcasts, connect with other photographers, and attend workshops. Workshops are perhaps the best way to learn from other photographers, as they provide opportunities to share knowledge and participate in styled shoots in beautiful places. For example, I’m going to Alaska in July to learn at a workshop called Wild and Unwritten and I’m PUMPED. The great thing about learning as a photographer is you get to go to cool places to learn.

I hope that you took something away from this and learned what it means to be a professional photographer / business owner!