4 Habits Photographers Should Start in The New Year
There is nothing quite like being a business owner. We have a to-do list a mile long of all the ways we can improve our business, simultaneously we don’t know where to begin. Imposter syndrome is real and playing the comparison game on social media is a trap.
So we lean on each other.
Being in communities of like-minded business owners makes the negative thoughts and challenging days feel more…normal?
We pick up tools of the trade from one another, learn from our mistakes, and slowly we all rise together.
With the new year right around the corner, there is no better time to lean on your fellow business owners. I have picked up a few habits from those who inspire me and I want to share some of those habits photographers should start in the new year.
But First…
This list is not intended to overwhelm you. You should not need to implement every item below into your business. Decide what is right for you and appropriate for your business.
Some items I will highly recommend, which will be indicated but that does not mean you cannot reassess in 6 months.
The great thing about working with other business owners, especially bookkeepers, is that there is not always one solution. Often I can provide you with multiple options that are tailored to your business. Consider our suggestions below and if you run into trouble, reach out! I am here to help you brainstorm.
Habit #1 - Start treating your business like a business, not a side hustle
(highly recommend)
At first, maybe you just enjoyed photography. You got a few clients and the dream began to feel more real.
But maybe you do not have as many followers on social media as you would like. Your prices are more entry-level or you have yet to make this your full-time job….that’s fine.
Wherever you are, treat your business like a business. Not like something you occasionally do on the weekends. What does that look like?
Opening a separate bank account exclusively for your business income and expenses
Sending out invoices with your logo
Creating a professional website to display all of your work
Utilizing QuickBooks to record all of your income and expenses
These are small steps you can take to improve your business that will financially benefit you! Even if you are at a point where you are not ready to take on more work, investing your time in something like bookkeeping can save you money.
Habit #2 - Track Your Time
We have all had those projects where we send out a quote and once the work begins, we realize how much we severely underpriced our services.
Maybe the client is high maintenance and requires much more of your time. They contact you at strange hours or the editing process takes way longer than you anticipated due to the underwater wedding they wanted….
Tracking your time can help you in the quoting process and determine whether your rates are inexpensive, average, or competitive.
Remember, this is YOUR business. Set it up so it creates a sustainable lifestyle for you and your family.
Habit #3 - Work with a bookkeeper
(highly recommend)
Am I a bit biased on this one? Sure - but it is only because I have seen it drastically improve so many photography businesses!
At first glance, bookkeeping can feel like just organizing your income and expenses into the proper categories but it is so much more than that! Great bookkeeping looks like this:
Being able to tell whether you are profitable with your current pricing
Identifying unpaid invoices or bills
Tracking growing expenses and where you can cutback
Knowing how to put all this information together takes experience and education that you, as a business owner, should not have to invest in. You’re a photographer, a creative, and an artist! Not a bookkeeper.
Instead, get the answers you need quickly and invest your time in activities that only you, the business owner, can do.
Habit #4 - Invest in Yourself
Speaking of investing your time, it is about time you invest in yourself. This can sometimes feel selfish or like there are better ways to spend your money but investing in yourself with your business end goals in mind is completely necessary.
Best part? Investing in yourself is going to look different for every photographer. It is about you and what your business needs.
Investing in yourself can look like taking that professional education course to refine your skills. It can look like upgrading your camera equipment or editing software to save you time. Investing in yourself can also look like outsourcing some of your bookkeeping, admin, or editing work to free up your own time.
All these expenses are an investment in yourself….and your business.
Which means they are also tax deductible. That’s a win/win.
It is about to be 2023. Your business has been through a lot in the last few years and for many of us, our only goal was to stay afloat. Now is the time to invest back into yourself, get specific with your goals, and develop some habits that will help you build the business of your dreams.
