3 Critical Mistakes I Made in My Photography Business

As a photographer and business owner, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the way. These missteps have taught me valuable lessons that have ultimately shaped my success and how I operate my business today. In fact, these lessons have become the foundation of the advice I share when coaching others to avoid making the same mistakes. Let’s dive into the 3 critical mistakes I made in my photography business (and how to avoid them!)

Critical Mistake #1: Neglecting Health and Wellness

In the early years of my business, I was so consumed by the rapid growth and managing everything as a solopreneur that I let my health and wellness take a backseat. Late-night editing sessions accompanied by unhealthy snacking became the norm, and exercise was limited to meeting the FedEx delivery person.

It wasn’t until 15 years into my business that I realized the importance of prioritizing my well-being. Sadly, this was discovered on the floor of my walk-in closet, surrounded by clothing that no longer fit. I had a rock-bottom moment, which ultimately shifted my morning routine, ended late-night editing sessions, and inspired me to get back into the kitchen and make nutritionally dense meals.

By making my health and wellness a priority, something remarkable happened – my business soared. I began attracting my dream clients, making more money, and feeling energized even after long wedding days. And to boot, I lost 60 pounds, earned my holistic health coaching certificate, and became a personal trainer.

The Takeaway: Your health and wellness should never be compromised for the sake of your business.

Prioritize self-care, and establish healthy routines, and you’ll be better equipped to tackle the demands of running a successful photography business. When you’re operating at your best, both physically and mentally, you’ll be able to provide top-notch services to your clients and maintain a sustainable, thriving business.

Critical Mistake #2: Not Charging My Worth

In the early stages of my business, I made the mistake of pricing my services based on what my competitors were charging, plus or minus a few dollars. This limited mindset prevented me from recognizing the true value of my work and charging accordingly.

It wasn’t until I started charging what I was truly worth that I began attracting my dream clients and achieving the success I deserved.

A slight rant to accompany this topic: I realized far too late in my business that giving discounts and chasing clients did nothing but frustrate me. I was giving away my time and talent for those who appeared budget-conscious and were out living their best lives and attending the events and activities I wished I could but couldn’t because I didn’t charge my worth.

What this meant is that what I offered and the work I created wasn’t truly something they valued. (A harsh reality I had to learn many times over.)

The Takeaway: Don’t undervalue your skills and expertise.

Research your market, analyze your unique offerings, and confidently set your prices based on your worth. This will attract clients who appreciate the value you bring and are willing to pay for it. And, remember, not everyone has to be your client. By valuing yourself and your work, you’ll attract the right clients who align with your vision and respect your pricing.

Critical Mistake #3: Not Outsourcing Soon Enough

One of the biggest mistakes I made was not outsourcing aspects of my business sooner. Back in 2003-2013, the concept of outsourcing and virtual assistants wasn’t as prevalent as it is today. Had there been more opportunities to outsource, I could have avoided the burnout and maintained a better work-life balance.

As a solopreneur, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything yourself. From client management and scheduling to marketing and administrative tasks, the workload can quickly become overwhelming. This is where outsourcing can be a game-changer.

By hiring a virtual studio manager, for example, you can offload many of the day-to-day tasks that consume your time and energy. A virtual studio manager can handle client communications, schedule appointments, manage your calendar, and handle various administrative duties.

This frees up your time and mental bandwidth to focus on what you do best – capturing stunning photographs and delivering exceptional experiences for your clients.

The Takeaway: Don’t try to do everything yourself.

Identify tasks that can be outsourced to skilled professionals, freeing up your time and energy to focus on the core aspects of your business. Embrace the power of outsourcing and leverage the resources available to you, such as a virtual studio manager.

By delegating tasks to a reliable and efficient virtual assistant, you can achieve a better work-life balance and focus on growing your photography business without burning out.

Running a successful photography business is a continuous learning process. By sharing these 3critical mistakes I made in my photography business – neglecting health and wellness, not charging my worth, and not outsourcing soon enough – I hope to provide valuable insights that will help you avoid similar pitfalls and pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future in your photography career.

Remember, taking care of yourself, valuing your work, and leveraging outsourcing resources like virtual studio managers can be game-changers for your business and overall well-being.