“Once you started treating your hobby asI purchased an existing studio for the princely sum of $500. I had no money so I borrowed the money off my older brother. Initially I photographed weddings, portraits and passports. I thought with having a shop front on a busy road that my business would flourish. It didn’t I was constantly behind in the rent . I faced a challenge. So I learned as much as I could as quickly and as I could about Business and Marketing. I began to market like crazy. I ran ‘Win a Family Portrait “ Competitions  wherever I could even promoting a wedding competition “Win a Wedding Album”  in Chemist shops as well as in jewellers, promoted portraits in movie theatres, shopping centres, children’s wear shops, promoted Pet portraiture, advertised in the local paper, got a lot of press coverage as well in the local paper, and so I got my name out there. I LEARNED THE POWER OF MARKETING BIG TIME! My business took off………My Business boomed.

I added staff…firstly a MARKETING PERSON then a SALES PERSON then  a PRODUCTION PERSON then FIVE  PHOTOGRAPHERS to  shoot weddings for me. OK……I know  what you are  thinking. BUT BERNIE TIMES HAVE CHANGED…ITS NOT  THAT EASY ANY MORE . I TOTALLY AGREE The way of doing  business has changed, and we must change too. The fact  is… Photographers, have been busy devoting their time to  developing their technical digital skills in Photoshop or Lightroom  rather than dealing with this revolution in consumer behaviour. We have to re-invent a lot of what we do. OUR PRIORITY if we are to not only to survive but to THRIVE in business is to be a Master of  BUSINESS AND MARKETING. I realised that I had a bigger Passion than Photography…I LOVED BUSINESS If you are like myself and most photographers, you went into business because you are passionate about taking photographs… and you wanted the freedom of owning your own business. You were probably thinking, “As long as I take good photographs, how hard can it be to make a decent living and support my family?” Once you started treating your hobby as a business you may have discovered that it is harder than you thought. Here’s the problem… Are you one of the 97% of photographers who discover that, although you work incredibly hard and your sales seem ok, you have little to show for it financially. Perhaps you are doing well but you are unsure how to accelerate your results or expand your business. Or you may be wondering why you are struggling to pay the bills lately even though your accountant says that you are making a good “profit.” One of the biggest problems is that as business owners often convince themselves that being busy is what business is all about. And you tell yourself, “As long as I work hard and do my best, there is not much else that I can do.” Everyone knows that we’re supposed to work smarter, not harder, but the challenge lies in knowing HOW to do that and exactly what to work hard on. Need help with your business?  info@berniegriffiths.com  0418 509 228

Tags: ,

photography business coach Bernie Griffiths has had over 40 years of experience in proven, profitable, photography business solutions.