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What Do People Buy?

One of my clients who just started out at creating a business for their photography asked me a couple of interesting questions this week.
She asked…..

Do you think most people actually buy different types of photos?
Should I focus on learning a different style of photography than what I am doing now?
Very interesting question I thought.
Let’s face it, as professional photographers we photograph ultimately for money.
As much money as possible.
So the question is, what type of photographs do people buy?
I think in general people buy photographs that……..
1. Flatter
2. Show personality
3. Show relationship
4. Are technically good
5. Reflect happiness
If a photograph contains most or all of these elements, I feel that the photographs
become very saleable.
Focus on getting these elements in your photographs, and your sales will soar.
Maybe portrait sales like one of my Inner Circle members had this week.
One sale was for $8,330 while another on the same day was $3,695.
Yes, get all the elements right and your bank account will thank you.
NEW ONLINE COURSE
Let’s Do This Together.
GET IT HERE https://www.aswpp.com.au/courses/get-more-portrait-photography-clients-fast/

Bernie Griffiths
World’s Number One Photography Business Coach
https://www.berniegriffiths.com
http://www.aswpp.com.au
info@aswpp.com.au

Rockstar Photographer

From Gary Fong’s book. So You Want To Be A Rockstar Photographer.
“The inconvenient truth is that it’s harder than ever to forge success as a professional event photographer.
That’s why it’s critical to learn the real skills and secrets that will help you succeed day to day.
Not the motivational, “Buy a BMW and believe in yourself” stuff, but the hands-on, practical principles that generate business in the real world.
The Rockstar myth is not unique to photography.
In the Internet-driven world we live in, it’s hard to thrive in any field.
Economies are tough and global competition is ruthless. It is tempting to look for easy, sexy shortcuts to success.
Because of that, a huge cottage industry has erupted, filling freelancers and small business people with hopes that if they only take this course or that seminar, they, too, can enjoy six- or seven-figure lifestyles.
Most of the people offering the seminars are not real successes  themselves.”
Real Coaching.
My coaching programs are designed to get you RESULTS with unlimited email and phone contact with myself at any time.
This is the only way to FAST TRACK your business!
Regardless of what is on offer, the question is this…is it possible in this very competitive environment to earn a six figure
income from your photography?
I guess the only way to answer that is to ask a photographer who is making a six figure income in their business at this present time.
Amy Cope is one such photographer, who created a photography business that turns over six figures and she created it all on her own.
By the way she has 4 kids and runs her newborn photography business from home.
Watch this short video chat with Amy here………https://youtu.be/XEXLc68bQ64
#photomentor
Bernie Griffiths
Photography Business Coach

Facebook Has Made Some Dramatic Algorithm Updates!

Photographers around the world are watching their income diminish, as their one source of income fails to deliver.

Not really.

The boosted Facebook ads that I set up with my clients are still working fantastically well.

Just ask one of my photographer clients in Boston, Masachusetts.

She did 3 Facebook boosted posts last week and had an amazing 676 people respond that want to be photographed, and she has many more still to call.

She has so far booked in 40 photography sessions in 7 days!

Average sales from this type of promotion is just under $1,000, so 40x$1,000 = $40,000.

That’s pretty cool.

Don’t believe everything you read.

The Facebook changes will certainly impact on the big companies who advertise with them, but because of the way I structure the Facebook ads with my clients, the changes will have no effect at all on our Facebook Marketing results.

My clients will continue making hundreds of thousands of dollars in lead generation and portrait sales, with just a $100 investment on their boosted Facebook ads.

Wedding/ portrait photographers rejoice.

New 5 Week Photography Business Coaching Program

Soon to be launched is my brand new 5 week Getting Started Program, that I have designed for photographers who want to take that first step into turning their photography into money.

Starting a photography business without any training, and very little capital, can be daunting.

Do you like the thought of having more spare time?

How about just working the hours that you want?

Having a holiday whenever you feel like it?

Making a great income?

Working the hours that you want?

Earning lots of money?

Get some paying customers now.

Learn What the Top Photography Studios Do To Make Them so Successful.

Proven Marketing Strategies to bring Money to Your Photography Business right away.

Private Facebook Support Group Page.

PLUS BONUS unlimited Email and Phone Support.

A personal 5 week “One on One ” Coaching Program.

Includes 5 x weekly 45 minute Skype ” face to face” sessions.

Week One

PRICING

Sorting Out Your Pricing To Suit Your business.

Week 2

MARKETING

5 Proven Marketing Strategies

Week 3

SELLING

4 Ways Of Selling Your Photographs.

Week 4

PHOTOGRAPHY

Discovering Your Photography Style.

Week 5

OBSTACLES

8 Obstacles That Are Holding You Back.

Save money and take advantage of the pre-launch price.

Enquire to see if you qualify…Email me on on info@aswpp.com.au  

or call +61418509228.

photography business coach

worlds number one photography business coach

#photographybusinesscoach

Photography Business Coach Ramblings

Is Your Life And Photography Business Like Tug-of-war?

I love this recent article from Dave Gillen.  

“26 long days ago (who’s counting) my wife gave birth to two milk-swilling intruders twins and our lives changed.

Needless to say it’s been a challenging time for my business – I have less time, less sleep, and more to do.

So what do you do when life happens?

Do you downgrade your business goals?

Delay them?

Forget about them?

Well it might surprise you, but three weeks of sleep deprivation and unrelenting demands on my time are resulting in the biggest steps forward for my business in two years.

Here’s how I turned what seemed like obstacles into a breakthrough.

“Three weeks of sleep deprivation and unrelenting demands on my time are resulting in the biggest steps forward for my business in two years.”

I remembered what I was really chasing

When you’re chasing a goal of creating a photography business and something starts eating away your precious time it can be frustrating.

But sometimes we forget what we were chasing in the first place. I remembered that money and business success are just stepping stones to getting what I really want, and started seeing that many of the obstacles popping up were in fact the very things I want in life.

Life events (good and bad) are not just diversions and time outs, they’re often the most important things and need our full attention.

I’m instantly happier when I remember that my kids and the time I spend with them are not obstacles at all – they’re the nuggets of gold I’m seeking.

I realised that my life is the canvas for my business.

We tend to ask questions like “Which business model is the best?” and “Which niche is more profitable?” as if we’re designing the perfect business on a blank canvas.

But no business is ever built on a blank canvas.

Your life is the canvas and your business needs to fit its unique size and shape.

When life changed I caught a glimpse of the shape of my canvas changing. That was a breakthrough for me because for the first time I saw the type of business I needed to fit my life and goals.”

Do your life and photography business work together or is it more like tug-of-war?

Your Time To Shine

You have the tools for your photography, now you need the business tools to fill your business with customers.

Is it time for you to take the next step in your business?

Is It Your Time To Shine?

Welcome to my BRAND NEW “ONE ON ONE” Coaching Program called “GETTING STARTED” in your Photography Business.

It’s ok to make a little money from your photography passion, and live the lifestyle tyou want.

Like to know more?

http://p1.pagewiz.net/Getting Started Coaching Program

Email me on on info@berniegriffiths.com or call +61418509228 for all the info

#worlds number one photography business coach

#bernie Griffiths

#photography business coach

World’s Number One Photography Business Coach

Who Is Bernie Griffiths?…World’s Number One Photography Business Coach….

by photographer Andrew Hellmich

Bernie Griffiths is a business coach to wedding and portrait photographers and in this interview I ask for his professional advice on a whole bunch of things. I came onto this interview with a list of questions and it seemed each answer led to another and it was sidetrack after sidetrack with useful and actionable content a plenty.
The beauty of what Bernie has to share is that he has been in exactly the same position you are at some stage in his career. He had his own photography business for over 40 years… the difference may be that he ran his business as a business from the start and before anything else. Yes, he loved photography and creating beautiful images but he loved business just as much and as his sole income in a new country, it had to work as a business from the start.
Here is some of the business strategies he spoke to me about…..
• social media bundling for wedding clients
• selling digital files to portrait clients
• is any client the right client for your business?
• staying organised
• renting or buying photographic equipment
• advertising budgeting and getting a good deal
• where is the best place to source clients?
• what to do if bookings drop and how quick should you react?
• are photography awards important to the success of your business?
• testing and measuring your marketing efforts
• core products, what are they and do you need them?
• why you shouldn’t be looking at what other photographers are doing
• photography excellence awards
Nowadays, Bernie uses his knowledge of the industry as a business coach and was happy to share plenty of real life examples in this interview. I challenge you to not make changes in your business.
What is your big takeaway?
Following the interview, I’d love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you’d like to implement after listening to what Bernie had to share? Let me and other listeners know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
Better yet, if you do actually implement something, click on the voicemail tab to the right of the page and let me know what changes you’ve made and any differences you’ve noticed as a result.
Shout Outs
– https://www.berniegriffiths.com
Advanced Success for Wedding & Portrait Photographers – http://www.aswpp.com.au
Bernie on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/aswpp
Bernie’s Book – Success Secrets of a Professional Photographer
•
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paul pennell

Boom – my head just exploded and this guy is the bomb……..!!!!!

Andrew Hellmich
Haha, love your comment Paul!
How good is Bernie and how many marketing ideas does he have… what a resource he is.

Joey Joiner

Speechless!
I felt like I was Batman (Christian Bale) as he took advice from Alfred (Michael Caine)Subconsciously I kept wanting to hear Bernie say, “Yes, Master Wayne, this is how you become a Master Photographer”.
What a cool guy, this Bernie Griffiths. I could listen to him all damn day. His voice alone is amazing. He should sell an audio version of his book. Talk about sales!
I’m definitely going to be listening to this interview again. And then maybe again. Damn you, Andrew, now I’m going to have a become a premium member, to get my hands on his e-book.
What a treasure that interview was/is.
My head is spinning right now. I don’t even know what my biggest take away was/is. So much great info.
Will have to get back with you.
Many thanks!
Joey Joiner
Fort Worth, Texas
USA
And Bernie, if you’re reading this, you are amazing, Sir. Thank you for your giving us a glimpse into your wisdom.
I don’t even know what else to say right now, except a big from-the-heart Thank You!!!
Andrew Hellmich

Love the references Joey I’m sure Bernie will too!
I had the feeling that this was going to be one of those interviews that will have listeners pulling over in their cars or interrupting their retouching to take a note or two about things they can implement in their businesses. Sounds like you were happy with what Bernie shared.
Thanks for commenting Batman!

Chris & Shae Pyke

That is exactly what I was thinking! Bernie had Alfred’s voice, and wisdom. Thanks for all the great advice. Like he said, we have so many things that we aren’t taking advantage of that we should be. We have video on our cameras, and free access to youtube, so why not use them for the clients, and us with the testimonials and video thank you cards. So many great tips in this one. The interviews just seem to be getting better and better.
Chris & Shae Pyke recently posted…Family Photo Test

Te

Loved Bernie’s interview! Its so timely cause I just started mentoring with Bernie yesterday! Photography business coach.
The point about entering awards was awesome. I think it would be a massive confidence booster to win or even get positive feedback from a judge.
Now I have a bunch of things to go work on and pick his brain about
Te recently posted…City2Surf – my run & the 5 things it taught me

Andrew Hellmich

Hey Te – what a coincidence! From what Bernie had to share in this interview, it’s plain to see you are in good hands.
Can’t wait to hear about your progress! Keep us up to date.

Matt Smith
Really enjoyed Bernie in this this interview, what a wealth of information, a gentleman and devoted educator. I love how obvious but straight forward some of Bernie’s ideas are to engage the client e.g.; video interviews of the couples testimony at the reception. I think this guys mentoring services would truly be worth every cent. Thanks again Andrew for sourcing another quality interview.

Andrew Hellmich

Hi Matt – have to agree with your takeaway being one that stood out for me too. A quick video testimonial on the day or night of the wedding is so easy and I’m sure will pack loads more impact than a written sentence or two on a blog or website.
Glad you enjoyed the episode Matt.

Joey Joiner

Upon listening to the interview again, I picked up on the fact that Bernie regularly watches the Home Shopping Network (or the equivalent in Australia) in order to see and listen to how they sell/market each item. Brilliant. I never would have thought of that one.
Joey Joiner

Andrew Hellmich

Crazy good interview and to be expected, that’s the thing about Bernie, he gives it to you straight and he is always willing to help. I went and saw him at a seminar in his South Melbourne office a few months ago and now have just signed up for mentoring. I’ve done a few sessions already and looking forward to doing more. Great interview Andrew, cheers!

Andrew Hellmich

Hey Sash, thanks for adding your comments and totally agree, Bernie was great to chat to and offered plenty! Don’t forget to let us know how your business progresses as you start implementing what you learn. Who knows, we may see you on one of Bernie’s YouTube videos soon

Claire
My biggest take away was to GET COACHING FROM BERNIE!!
amazing interview, and I like the compliment he gave you about your interviewing! its very true and love listening to these!

Andrew Hellmich

1.
Shane Jackson

This was a amazing interview with Bernie!!! Thank you sooooo much for taking the time to produce this. I’m going to become a premium member soon and can’t wait to see the extra content.
I am also going to be speaking with Bernie soon..

Andrew Hellmich

Hey Shane, thanks mate, love that you’re enjoying the podcast.
You won’t be the first or only listener to get in contact with Bernie, I just received an email from Kim who started consulting with Bernie after hearing him on the show and judging by the other comments here, there will be more.
Don’t forget to stop by and let us know how it goes or better yet, leave a voicemail that I can share on the show
Caitlin McColl

Consider my mind blown by Bernie. Still in the middle of listening, but I’m loving the tips about recording testimonials for You tube and the idea of a social media bundle!
o
Jamie October 27, 2014 at 12:03 pm – Reply
Another great listen Andrew! I loved to hear Bernie’s ideas on using video testimonials. Great stuff. Why didn’t I think of that?

No wonder that Bernie is regarded as World’s number one photography business coach
photography business coach

http://photoprofit.libsyn.com/size/25/?search=bernie+Griffiths

Creating an Amazing Photography Business In Seconds

How easy is it to get “sucked in” on the internet.or a successful photography business.

Secret 1 …From zero customers to 20 a month without any marketing.

Secret 2… One photographer making $10,000 monthly in her portrait photography within 3 weeks of starting without any selling.
Secret 3… Position yourself with pricing so that customers will queue at your studio door.
Secret 4… A guaranteed way to create a photography business in a competitive market, that you don’t have to work in.

Easy to believe everything you see about making money in photography, and then buy things that you will never use, or that will never do what they promised.

Do you really believe that you can make money easily in photography?

Do you really believe that you can make money while you sleep without doing too much work?

Do you really believe that you can start a photography business and turnover $100,000 in the first year?

Some educators/photographers selling various products on Facebook will tell you can have a great photography business working just a couple of hours a week, or less.

Some claim that you can succeed simply by buying their free E-book.

I guess from time to time we all look for the easy way out, the magic wand, the goose that lays the golden eggs.

We are grown up mature adults right?

You will see some of these photography educators running Facebook ads, doing free preview webinars and seminars, sending numerous emails, doing podcasts, and generally selling their fantastic money making photography products on social media.

Maybe some photographers who succumb to these unrealistic claims will have a little success, but believe me, the majority will fail.

But when we get desperate or get “sucked in” by advertising we start to believe in anything.

So what is the reality?

Creating and sustaining a successful photography business takes a lot of commitment, willpower, planning and TIME.

And, of course it takes a lot of work.

The key is to work on doing the tasks that will give you financial growth, and I don’t mean sitting at your computer playing with your files!

The alternative is learning by trial and error, which can be a big waste of your time.

We all have a certain number of hours in each day, days in each week, and weeks in each year to achieve success in our photography business.

Untested methods may work, but if you just keep doing the same things and expect things to change, then you will be very, very disappointed.

In fact, Albert Einstein once said that the definition of insanity was “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. “

I believe you can only achieve a successful photography business, by trying new things, but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

It is better to learn from those who have had many years of success, than trying to learn from a multitude of many different less experienced sources.

From my experience with over 40 years of running a successful studio, and with over 3,000 hours of coaching photographers, as a photography business coach, I can tell you that creating a consistent income stream in photography is not easy, and can be very challenging.

It also can be very fulfilling, financially rewarding, and a lot of fun.

So please mister internet don’t tell me all it takes is just an hour a week, or an 8 week online course to create my dream photography business.

In my experience what you do NEED is a real person that you can be accountable to.\

A person who you can trust, a person who can guide, advise, encourage, motivate, and help you on your journey.

You need a person to SHARE your struggles and your successes.

You can’t get this level of support off the internet.

You need a person who cares.

Let’s face it, the Internet just doesn’t care, like a person does!

Try hugging your computer after you have had a bad in person sales experience and see if it cares.

You need a wife, a partner, a husband, a really good friend or a coach.

World’s number one photography business coach.

They care!

To Your Amazing Photography Business Success

 

 www.berniegriffiths.com

 

 info@aswpp.com.au 

Need More Customers??

Many Portrait Photographers around the world struggle with getting more customers in front of their cameras.

Without customers there are no sales and no money!
I have spoken to photographers who are either trying to start their business or re-invigorate an existing business which is not getting results.
There is a common theme – photographers are passionate about their photography but are frustrated that they can’t get enough good customers to sustain a viable business.

They need help!

Why sit by the phone waiting for it to ring.

Get paying customers now.

How much money are you losing right now using your own marketing methods?

Wouldn’t it be great to have your camera in your hands, and be doing what you are passionate about?

Facebook Rocks

Facebook and Instagram are quite simply a part of our daily lives.

Your customers are on it and your future customers are on it.

If your are not generating business from it, you may be missing out on more enquiries and sales that you can handle.

Your Photography Business may not exist in the next 12 months if you don’t start to make Social Media a priority.

If the photographers in your town haven’t started utilising the potential and power of Social Media, then there is a good chance that they will.

Facebook Is Powerful Targeting.

With Facebook you can “ bulls eye” target your customers, in your town.

You can target specific genres to photograph, choose your suburbs, how much money you want to spend on an ad, when you run ad, and you can do it all from your phone, computer or laptop.

Whether you are looking for women with newborns, engaged couples, pets, families, kids 3-6 years old etc you can select them in your Facebook Ad.

You can also target the household income and even what car they drive!

The specific targeting available with Facebook is quite simply amazing!

Facebook is also so easy to engage with clients and prospects, and is by far the least expensive way to get clients in front of your camera. Nothing comes close.

It also enables you to easily communicate to your audience and the wider community around you.

There are thousands of people who want your photography, and Facebook can help you find them.

Instagram Can Lift Your Brand

Instagram is slowly becoming the new “go to” social platform.

It has highly engaged and loyal audiences made up of consumers, businesses and brands. Instagram is a more visual platform, making it ideal for photographers like yourself.

As a photography business coach I have learned that people create and consume content on Instagram a lot differently.

Let Murielle and myself show you how to use it correctly, so you can avoid the pitfalls that most photographers fall into when trying their hand at posting on Instagram.

Why Are We Doing This?

Many of you may be wondering why Murielle and I are giving you such valuable information, at such a cheap cost?

After Murielle and I had completed our series of “A Day For Photographers” around Australia earlier this year, many of the photographers attending told us that they would love us to do a specific presentation on how to implement Facebook and Instagram strategies into their business.

We also hate to see photographers struggle when we feel that we could help them.

As a photography business coach I am always looking for those photographers who want to grow their photography business (as Murielle did) a lot faster than if they were to try and work everything out by themselves.

WHEN……….Thursday 16 November.

WHERE……..Parkview Hotel. …562 St Kilda Road Melbourne.

TIME…………10am – 3pm.

COST …………$47.

Who Is This For?

Whether you are a full time or part time photographer, if you are looking at getting more clients to your business with minimal investment, then this is for you.

It’s all about making a difference in your business, and earning a lucrative living to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of being a professional photographer.

Our previous presentations around Australia were BOOKED OUT… so don’t miss out.

Venue capacity is limited, so the sooner you grab your ticket the better will be your chance of attending.

BERNIE GRIFFITHS The “Go To’ Photography Business Coach.

After having a successful studio for over 40 years, Bernie transitioned into being a Photography Business Coach.

He is now the “go to” coach for those studios looking at taking their business to the next level.

His studio experience, expertise in Facebook Marketing, and down to earth approach to business, has enabled him to help and guide photographers globally in growing their business processes, and generating thousands of dollars more  income.

MURIELLE SASSINE  “The Photography Queen of Social Media”

Murielle has run a successful photography business from home for over 17 years, and has achieved great success with her sales in the areas of family portrait and glamour photography. Her portrait sales this year have been “mind blowing” and she had a record turnover for her business, over the past 12 months, largely due to her use of Instagram and Facebook Marketing.

She will outline how she uses Social Media to create new customers and continually strengthen her already strong brand.

Don’t Miss out….BOOK NOW !

Andrew Hellmich from Impact Images “I used to pay for online ads that weren’t working – Google adwords and Facebook Ads. These ads weren’t generating bookings, so I used to tell myself, at least it’s good branding… my name is getting out there.

Then I stopped spending on any advertising at all. I was tired of wasting money.

Until I realised I was doing it all WRONG!!

I learnt one simple tactic from  photography business coach Bernie Griffiths about Facebook Ads and booked 7 engagement shoots, made print sales to almost all the couples and booked 6 weddings from those shoots. Ahhhmaaazing!

One couple even cancelled a booking with another photographer and lost their deposit to book me, all from one ad!

I used the same tactic with another FB ad and booked over 20 portrait sessions. FROM ONE FACEBOOK AD.

Paid Facebook advertising works… if you do it right.”

Let Murielle and I show you how to create money from Facebook and Instagram.

Don’t Miss out....BOOK NOW !

To Your Amazing Photography Business Success

                                                      www.berniegriffiths.com

  info@aswpp.com.au  

photography business coach

worlds number one photography business coach

photography coach

Photobizx and Photography Business Coach

PBX198-Premium-Bernie-Griffiths

http://www.photobizx.com.au

Photography Business Coach Bernie Griffiths of berniegriffiths.com is responsible for the episode of PhotoBizX that has produced more leads, sales and discussion than any other – The Facebook Ad Challenge episode. I contacted Bernie for a follow up interview to ask him to share what listeners felt might have been the missing link when approaching the FB Ad challenge – how to sort the spenders from the non-spenders when offering free portrait sessions.

If you’re new here and want the full story of the Facebook Ad Challenge, how to structure your ad, what copy you’ll need to maximise results, which images to include and how to generate a lot of leads, shoots and sales. Go and trial the Photobizx Premium Membership for $1 and check out episodes 136 and 138 in the Premium Area. Then jump into the secret Facebook Group to see a lot of examples and discussion around these ads which have been used to book portraits, engaged couples and weddings for a lot of members.

Here’s some of what we cover in this interview with photography business coach Bernie Griffiths:

What to expect when working with Bernie to seek help to grow your photography business

Photographers should drop their wedding photography and concentrate on portraits instead

Wedding photography is overly competitive while portrait photography is wide open

How you learn more from you losses than you do from your wins

How to improve chances of sales from Facebook Ads and “free” shoots

The three possible outcomes you should be seeking from your Facebook Ads

3 strategies that you need to implement into your photography business

Why a 15% lead conversion is ideal from your Facebook Ads

Engaged couples sessions are a portrait sessions and why you should treat them as such

Stop aiming for wedding bookings and consider the portrait sessions as the win from your ads

How to filter the spenders from the non-spenders amongst your leads

What content needs to be in your Facebook ads

Email open rates  – only 30% of people open their emails let alone read them

How to be successful with your client phone calls

The best rebuttal statement when clients decline to pay upfront during phone calls

The need to involve all involved parties when booking photo sessions

Grabbing people’s attention about your business is never a trick – it’s a marketing strategy

Why pre-consultations guarantee higher sales

How to work less yet earn more

The need to overcome every photographer’s mindset to book more sales

Planting the seed on how much clients are likely to spend after a photo session

Why it’s OK for clients to walk away after the mention “average spend” on free photo shoots

How to deal with objections from clients

Which is better: Adverts or Boosted Posts?

Replying to shares and comments on your FB Ads to keep the momentum and engagement going

Why you must include a call-to-action in your FB Ads

Changing photographer’s mentality to gain confidence in selling their images

Photographers deprive people of spending their money – how to stop doing that

Discounts are no longer motivators for client bookings

Marketing is all about doing multiple things at the same time

Chase your clients

How to increase your Facebook likes

How to target the right audience in your FB Ads

Photography Business Coach Bernie Griffiths Photography Podcast

Premium Photobizx Member Questions for Bernie

https://www.berniegriffiths.com

Photographer Going Broke.

I found this letter posted on a photographers forum recently. As a photography business coach I find it sad in some ways yet very inspiring and motivational in other ways.

Rebecca Tompkins  20 June at 08:23

” I sit here now still trying to wrap my mind around the decision. I closed my business today. After 2 years of trying, I just can’t do it right now. I am writing this post to acknowledge the many mistakes I made and to hope others will not make the same ones.

I closed my business for multiple reasons. One being no paying clients in over a year and the other being I just got diagnosed with a mess of issues with my back (degenerative disc disease, 2 herniated discs and spinal stenosis in 2 areas of my lumbar spine). It has been very rough lately. I am one of the lucky ones where I did not quit a full time job to start this venture, I was a stay at home mom with a partner who supports me in anything and everything I could ever dream of doing. My disappointment is due to my own personal guilt and feelings of failure.

The mistakes I made are common! Don’t get discouraged by my post but take into consideration as you amazing photographers out there start and continue on this journey!

  1. I started business too soon. I was one of those photographers you see everyone bash and hate on social media. I got a nice camera, took a few good shots and listened to everyone around me say “You should start charging for that. You are soo good!” I literally roll my eyes thinking about it now. I offered 25 and 50$ sessions with flash drives included. I just went out and thought I was a professional.
  2. I started my business to recoup the money spend on my hobby. I have troubles due to being a domestic violence survivor with guilt. I felt so guilty about how much everything cost that I wanted to make money to get back what was being spent. This is a horrible reason to go into business.
  3. I lacked confidence. I still to this day do not believe my images are as great as everyone else tries to tell me they are. I can find a flaw anywhere and after shooting consistently for 3 years, I have never, not even once been brave enough to ask for constructive criticism. If I get CC on social media without asking, I will usually delete the image and pretend it didn’t just destroy a small part of me in my head. You must believe in yourself!!! Believe in your work!!!
  4. I never found a niche! I certainly rebranded often enough to have tried them all. I did family, weddings, maternity, documentary, newborn etc. I just never found anything that quite lit my fire the way my own random shoots to bring forth a creative vision did. In a rural area (a town of less than 1,500 people, 10 photographers and no sense of community) a niche was needed. When I did market a niche, one of the more established photographers in my area would market the same thing I was marketing and well no clients came my way.
  5. I did not research enough. This goes back to number 1 and starting a business too soon. I never paid attention to who else was running a business around me, how they marketed, what kind of clients to market too etc. I just wanted to make money and that was it.
  6. I was no good at being a salesperson. How can you sell yourself, your talent and your product, if you don’t think it is any good??? If you cannot talk to someone and take the criticism or believe in your prices, you cannot profit off of your talent.
  7. I did not give myself fully to the business. Somewhere in the back of my head, I never thought it would be a success. So, I allowed myself to put less and less effort into it over time. Every disappointment was an affirmation that I was not good enough. The 5 times I advertised mini session and no one showed, the model calls no one followed up on, the lack of interest in anything other than standard posed images, well it all just added up.

I sit here and type this with tears rolling down my face, not knowing where else to lay it all out there, not having many who genuinely understand the frustration (my back) and sadness (giving up) I am feeling. I want any one of you who reads this to take to heart that running a business is not for the weak. You have to do so much to make it work, I have total confidence that you all will be a success and I wanted to share a few of the do not do’s to help you all along.

I am working through it all in my head and I may try this as a business venture again somewhere far in the distant future. For right now, I am just going to love taking pictures every chance I get and I am going to focus on my creativity and technical flow. The future holds a lot for me outside of a DBA and a tax number. I am and always will be an artist. My heart comes alive with the camera in my hand shooting the things I love. Thank you all for reading!!

Keep on trying everyone! Keep on striving and know that sometimes even if it doesn’t all work out, you are still a photographer and an artist when you go to bed!!!

Much love!

photography business coach photography mentor photography coaching

  Market, Shoot And Sell

After many requests from photographers over the years, I am finally coming to North Queensland to do a seminar, and I am bringing with me a couple Australia’s most successful photographers.

After the fantastic success of the “A Day For Photographers” in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, we will be travelling to Cairns to help as many photographers as we can to help grow their photography business.Do you lie awake at night thinking how you can get more customers?

Wondering how to take better photographs?

How to build your photography business?

This 1 and 1/2 day event will focus on Photography – Marketing – Selling.

1. Developing Your Photography Into A Clear Brand.
2. Getting the Right Customers.
3. Developing A Conversion System To Convert Leads Into Customers.
4. Creating Your Price List To Maximise Sales.
5. Marketing for a Constant Flow of Customers.
6. Becoming a Master Photographer.
7. Facebook Marketing Strategies.

Monday 24 July 1pm – 4pm
Live demonstration with Murielle and Carol photographing families and children in their individual unique styles. Bring your cameras along and and learn some new techniqes.

Tuesday 25 July 9.30am – 4pm
A full day in learning all the business things that you need to know to create a successful photography business, from Facebook advertising to making big portrait sales….it will all be there!
Tuesday’s Presentations

Bernie Griffiths

5 Keys To Developing A Successful Photography Business
After having a successful wedding/portrait studio for over 40 years, Bernie transitioned into being a Photography Business Coach.

He is now the “go to” coach for those studios looking at taking their business to the next level.

His studio experience, expertise in Facebook Marketing, and down to earth approach to business, has enabled him to help and guide photographers in growing their business and generating more income.

He will help you build something that lasts, and guide you in growing your business and getting results.

You won’t hear the same old strategies you’ve heard a million times before!

Other photographers call him the world’s only 365 days, 24hours a day photography business coach, because coaching is his life.

Bernie is widely recognised as Australia’s Leading Photography Business Coach, and his presentation will be on the 5 most important things that a photographer should focus on to build a successful photography business.

Murielle Sassine

Getting Work/Life Balance In A Busy Home Studio
Murielle Sassine, owner and operator of Vivid Imaging and Blackbox Portraits, developed a passion for photography at a young age.

She pursued her interests in photography and obtained a degree in Visual Communication, establishing herself as a photo media specialist.

Murielle has run a successful photography business from home for over 17 years, and has achieved great success with her sales in the areas of portrait and glamour photography.

Her portrait sales this year have been “mind blowing” and she had a record turnover for her business, over the past 12 months.

She will talk about some of the many challenges facing photographers who work from home and how you can get a good work/life balance.

Carol Gibbons

How To Sustain A Profitable Photography Business
Sydney Master Photographer Carol Gibbons, has more than 25 years experience specialising in portrait photography of newborn babies, kids, pets and families of all ages.

Her shop front studio is based in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, and she is celebrating 18 years in that location this year.

While studying Fine Art, Carol found photography was her passion and pursued further study in Art Photography, after completing her diploma.

She started her business in the early 90’s photographing Weddings as well as Portraits, and has continued to update her skills as well as judging at the State and National Awards for the AIPP.

Carol Gibbons is an Accredited Member and Licentiate of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography and has qualified as a Master of Photography many years ago, as well as winning a Grand Award for Portraiture at WPPI.

She believes that to survive in the portrait photography business, you have to develop your own style in photography as well as marketing, look after your customers, and give people a reason to pay us to create their portraits.

When : Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 July
Where : Pullman Cairns International 17 Abbott Street Cairns

MORE INFO……………………………

info@berniegriffithsbusinesscoach.com.au

https://www.berniegriffiths.com

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