The Millionaire Photographer
I am an admirer of Bradford Rowney, known as The Millionaire Photographer.
Like myself he has turned over millions of dollars in his photography studio.
Below is an extract from his recent blog post, all of which I agree with, but I would like to add a couple of things.
After having a successful wedding/portrait studio for over 40 years, and now being a full time Photography Business Coach for over the past five years, there is one thing that I have learned.
Every photographer is different!
They have different backgrounds, different photography skill levels, different everyday lives, different family and friends, different wants and needs, different personalities, they live in different parts of the world, with different cultures, and different communities.
But they do have one thing in common.
They all love photography!
Those wishing to take their business to higher levels, generally don’t like as much the business side of things….Marketing, Selling, Bookwork, Social Media etc.
This is where a Business Coach comes in, to help the photographer to understand, implement, and learn to enjoy the business side of things.
Personally, I have always loved the business side of things more than the photography.
I loved the challenge of having my own photography business and all of the rewards that it has brought me, and now the challenges of being the best Photography Business Coach that I can be.
From Bradley Rowney’s Blog……http://www.milliondollarphotographer.com/dont-hire-a-photography.html
Don’t Hire a Photography Business Coach Until You Do This!
“There is an old saying: “Those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach.”
This certainly isn’t true in every case – there are some amazing teachers out there (for example, Tony Robbins) – but with so many photographers turned teachers, it does make you wonder if this statement is true in at least some cases. In fact, I often get this accusation made against me.
Some say I must be teaching because I can’t make it in my business anymore (I’ll answer that one throughout the article).
Having a business coach is important. One could even say it is essential. Whether it’s Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, virtually every person who has dominated their field has had some form of coaching.
But with all the choices, especially where photographers turned teachers are concerned, how do you decide who will give you the most explosive results for your money and time?
Below are four things you can do to help protect yourself and make sure you are truly getting someone who is an expert at getting results, who actually walks the talk, not someone who is just a well-known name in the industry (which happens all too often).
If you are hiring one of the 17,500 coaches outside the photography industry and they have a proven track record for results, no problem.
If, however, it is someone inside the industry who advertises themselves as having a successful photography business and is using this claim as their credentials for teaching you and sharing their secrets, these steps will help you learn if they are truly running a successful business that also offers teaching, or if they are making most of their money from teaching while merely creating the illusion of a successful business.
Google the photographer/teacher.
What comes up first? Is it their photography studio, or is it all about teaching photographers and educational materials for sale?
If it’s the latter, be careful. If their website is mainly geared to photographers, that is a big hint that they make the majority (if not all) of their money from teaching, not photography.
Again, this is fine if it’s how they represent themselves, but if they represent themselves as having a successful photography business as their credentials for teaching, then be careful.
Ask the photographer/teacher what percentage they make from teaching versus photography.
Ask the photographer/teacher to provide the names of people they have taught who have made significant increases as a result of their teachings.
Experience does not matter. Industry accolades and awards do not matter. The ONLY thing that matters is results!
Hiring a coach may be one of the best business decisions you can make.
The questions above are good ones to ask to make sure you are employing someone who has a proven track record of achieving great results for themselves, and who is able to translate their skills into helping you achieve great results for yourself!”
Put Up Your Hand
If you need help in your Photography Business don’t be afraid to put up your hand and ask for help.
Follow Bradford’s advice, and as he says…… Hiring a coach may be one of the best business decisions you can make.
Put up your hand if you need help. You don’t have to do it alone.
I only Coach “one on one,” and my coaching services start at just $130 a month.