by Dave Seeram
Seasons greetings to all of you here in PhotoCapM world! This is Dave Seeram from PhotographyBB here, and I would like to thank Mike for the opportunity to come back as a guest blogger for one of my favourite photography blogs on the internet. The technical photo-tutorial and photo gear review sites are all great, but by their nature the information we see there is not unique. This is why I enjoy Mike’s blog so much, and it is a real pleasure (and honour) to contribute here once again. With that in mind, please forgive my "Canadian spelling" and I hope this post can give us all something to think about as we get set for 2011.
A new year is just around the corner, which usually makes me consider my goals for the coming year and reflect on what I have achieved as the current year comes to a close. I don’t always achieve everything I set out to do, thus – the nature of life, but looking back at my achievements is helpful in setting new ones. My new goals are obviously important enough for me to remember them, but I like to write them down as more of an affirmation. It’s also a great way of reviewing them from time to time, and being able to restructure or re-prioritize as things change.
You know, "change" is one of those things which can be scary and great at the very same time. Fortunately (or unfortunately for those of you who haven’t given it a try just yet), "change" is something you simple cannot avoid in today’s world. There is so much uncertainty in the global economy, job security, and personal financial stability, that the only thing you CAN be certain about is "uncertainty." The sooner we realize it, the easier it becomes to plan for and deal with. Now, I say "change" is a fortunate thing because I have learned to embrace it – It always brings about new opportunities, and as a photographer, this couldn’t be more true. As professional or semi-professional photographers we rely on the services of others (printers, web hosts, your internet provider, sell-sites, etc…), and we rely on our clients to hopefully give us repeat business. We have absolutely no control over the changing needs of these people and business partners, but the one thing you do have complete control over in times of change… is yourself. Knowing that puts you in control of your goals and gives you both the ability and confidence to know you can adapt to this ever-changing industry.
As an example to illustrate my point: I personally know two photographers who both shoot weddings for a living. Both are extremely talented photographers, both work in the same general area/market, and both charge roughly the same prices for their services. However, there is one GLARING difference between them.
One of them complains that couples these days are struggling financially and don’t have enough money to spend on wedding photography, that so many guests have cameras that couples are just gathering everyone’s shots instead to save money, and there’s so little work he needs to have a part-time job on the side just to maintain his income.
The other one is booked solid every week. For her, business is booming to the point that she sometimes has to decline a job due to scheduling conflicts with other shoots. How can she be so much more successful when they are both catering the same demographic, same price point, and same geographic area?
The difference is in their attitudes and their ability to adapt to change. My friend, the second photographer, reaches out to her clients offering her services for shooting events, child photos, senior photos, Christmas card photos, corporate headshots, and so much more. She’s extremely pro-active, and it takes her very little effort – less effort than starting up a paid marketing campaign. As she puts it, "People are people no matter where you go. We all have babies, kids, parents, grandparents, and we all value special photos of the ones we love. My photos are no better than anyone elses’, but I make myself known by talking to people, letting them know I’m available, and asking them to even let their friends know. I may shoot a portrait for a Realtor one week only to find out that his cousin just had a baby and wants some professional photos taken… "Her attitude is great, and her business is booming because of that. Conversely, the first photographer above prefers to let people check out his website and packages, and waits for people to find him. Business comes to him regularly, but obviously not enough to maintain a full-time living.
In these uncertain times, we just can’t wait and hope that things will happen, we have to make them happen. It’s easy to say, but much more difficult to do. We don’t necessarily know HOW to make things happen, but through trial and error, and sharing our experiences with each other, hopefully people like Mike, myself, and our readers can make it easier for each other. It really doesn’t matter what type of photographer you are, there are opportunities everywhere as long as you are willing to go out and make them happen.
The world is truly what you make of it. If your goal is to make photography into your full-time living, a side-income, or simply just improve your photography skills this year, then opportunity is there for the taking. Set big goals, set small goals, start that project 365, find new clients, meet more like-minded people, and learn new techniques. One of my goals for 2011 is for Mike and I to help the NEW entrepreneurial photographers in their dreams to "go pro" with information, tutorials, and through sharing experiences. Achievements come in steps and while change can happen anytime, the new year is a great time for defining the paths of our dreams. I believe in all of you, and I know you all have it within you. So, in the words of my hero, the great (and fictional)Captain Picard… "Make it so!"
