The Business of Photography

One of the best ways of examining your business, or even yourself, is simply by asking yourself three questions. I have included one or two sample answers just to serve as guide, but you would have to think of what answers are important to you. Try to include as many answers as you can think of, including those that relate to you as a person or photographer, to your business or family relationships, or to contribute to the growth of your business, your creativity or personal worth.

1. What am I doing that I should continue to do?

Sample answers:
a. I should continue to attend seminars and workshops, at least two in a year.
b. I should continue to read books on the business of photography, at least one book a month.

2. What am I doing that I should stop doing?

Sample answers:
a. Since it is not wise to buy all sorts of gadgets and gears that I see other photographers buy, I should stop trying to “keep up with the Joneses.”
b. I should stop offering my services for free.

3. What should I start doing?

Sample answers:
a. I should start having contracts to cover all my jobs.
b. I should start asking for down payments.
c. I should start spending more time with my family by devoting at least one day a week with them.

I hope you will find this productive, and I hope you do this handy self-examination regularly. By the way, I picked up this three-question self-examination from my daughters’ grade school.