How NOT to Start a Photography Business in 2022
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 พ.ค. 2024
- How to start a photography business in 2022 is on all of your minds. But have you thought about how NOT to start a photography business? Let's talk about the photography business mistakes you should avoid while starting your photography business.
Make sure you look like a professional photographer and build your website with Squarespace. Receive 10% off your first website or domain with Squarespace today. www.squarespace.com/jbivphoto
Photography Education to Help Your Start Your Business bit.ly/3zuDvtW
Camera Rentals: www.borrowlenses.com (use code johnbranch for 20% off)
M1 Finance: m1.finance/l2WpSTwA6YPh
Novo Bank: bit.ly/36ILb1p
Tired of the horrible tones you're getting while editing photos? Here's your solution: bit.ly/naturalfeelspresets
___________
Check out my favorite tools as a PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS OWNER, CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR, and TH-cam CONTENT CREATOR
HoneyBook for Client Management + Online Contracts (50% off of your account!): bit.ly/honeybookdiscount
Lightroom Classic + Lightroom CC for Photo Editing: bit.ly/2AYEtBz
Bench Accounting to Manage my Business Income (30% off of 3 months!): bit.ly/2ZC2lqQ
Backblaze to Backup my Data: bit.ly/2E1esUQ
Rev.com the Best Way to Add Closed Captions to your TH-cam Videos: bit.ly/30V6GVm
VidIQ for TH-cam content and tag research: bit.ly/3npDX4J
License Free Music for TH-cam and Wedding Videos:
Artlist: bit.ly/2T1olqT
Epidemic Sound: share.epidemicsound.com/LvNCq
____________
Video Index:
Intro 0:00
Mistake One 0:33
Mistake Two 2:39
Mistake Three 4:17
Mistake Four 6:15
Mistake Five 7:27
My Recording Gear:
Fujifilm XT4: bhpho.to/2ZSpEfo
Fujifilm XT3: bhpho.to/3uq764e
Fujifilm 23mm f/2: bhpho.to/3q2c1oR
Mefoto Tripod:
Rode VideoMic NTG: bhpho.to/3sxJRUl
Atomos Ninja V: bhpho.to/3r0LfOY
SanDisk Extreme Pro: amzn.to/2wfqzHK
MagMod MagBox Softbox: bhpho.to/2MoNwEl
Godox SL60W: bhpho.to/3uzyTiH
____________
Follow Me Online:
Patreon: / jbivphotography
Instagram: / jbivphotography
Facebook: / jbivphotos
Twitter: / jbivphotography
________________
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we’ll receive a small commission. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![[TH] VCT Masters Shanghai Swiss Stage DAY 5 // FPX vs TH | FUT vs LEV](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/r61uDZTmu44/mqdefault.jpg)
There could be more tips:
1) Act around everyone the same, be modest, don't boast about yourself or your craft. Let it speak for itself.
2) On the opposite side you will have to lick your own boots from time to time, just don't overdo it, be concise and fast about it. It's marketing!
3) Deliver fast but not too fast - if you're fast it might be perceived that you don't invest time in editing, if it is too slow it's obvious why it is not good - 30 days is a sweetspot and they will not forget that they had a wedding lol
4) Don't wear screaming colors -> wear black/blue/brown. The photographer doesn't need the attention to himself but to the bride and groom.
5) Don't show up late, always show up more early. Don't laze out at the job, try finding the best compositions, be proactive with the groom, bride and guests
6) Don't hit up on women, it should be a nobrainer but I heard a lot of stories how it can turn really bad for you.
7) Don't shoot with only one camera, unless it's new but even then you need a back-up.
8) Don't send any photos to the guests first!!!!! The couple will be really upset on this one (truestory but not mine, fortunatelly)
9) Don't drink alcohol
10) Don't breakdown the costs to the couple unless they ask you for it. For most its a turnoff (in my opinion) thinking you will charge them for every minuscule thing.
Wait don't wear screaming colors?, last weedding i attend inwas wearing an "Ahegao Suit" do you think it has something to do with my clients not answering the phone?
Here's another thing regarding Mistake One as someone who has been doing this for just two years. There WILL be some people at a wedding, some guests, etc who will ask you what camera you have, how many pixels, what lens, etc - they also *DO NOT CARE*. They're just trying to have a conversation with you on what they feel is common ground. That's all. Even if they remark "Oh, why don't you shoot Canon, I love Canon! You should get a Canon!" They don't really care in the slightest - they're not judging you; they're just trying to engage with you. Don't be weird and defensive. Have a laugh with them. Ask them what they like photographing. Just be cool.
Like John said, your end product and just as important, the experience you offer the couple and their guests is what they leave with.
YES OMG!! This is a SUPER common thing as well at weddings. I would say 4 out of 5 weddings there's always someone who wants to "talk cameras" with you. Which is why I'm glad I shoot Fujifilm because usually they've never heard of it. They're all "what do you shoot 😎" I hit them off with the "I shoot Fujifilm" and they're always like 🫥 LOL
This is soooo true! Every wedding I’ve done I’ve had this experience! It’s absolutely just a conversation starter! I quite enjoy it!
I shoot Canon and a guest once told me 'Ahhh a Canon guy, I shoot Sony'. I usually reply with something along the line of 'Sonys are great but when I started all my roommates had Canon's and we shared lenses, i'm just too deep to make the change now but maybe one day i'll get the chance'
I don't plan on shooting Sony, but I just don't want to deal with any fanboyism when on the job.
@@loganz I always joke with them and say “oh so you’re a youtuber?!?!?” And then we laugh about it
Back when I started I shot two engagement sessions for free. One booked me for their wedding. I had one referral from their wedding for another wedding and a referral for a family photo shoot. I also used the photos from the pre-wedding shoot to advertise and booked several weddings from the ad. If you know what you are doing go ahead and shoot for free, it's an investment if you are capable to turn it into profit.
.....I was that photographer that felt like I needed a expensive camera to produce great work. I am working on not shooting for free
Yeah it's rough. It's hard to operate a business when you're in the negative starting out. But after my years of experience I've found that having the best gear is a LIE. Especially when you're first starting out. Once you're profitable you know buy whatever you want. But before that it's not going to help your business.
Hey John, great to see you again. I'll be taking notes for me to refer to, and for anyone in a rush:
1. Don't buy expensive gear. Rent it when you can
2. Stop shooting for free (unless it's your own decision, like if you need to build a portfolio or so)
3. Use more than just social media. In other words, get a website, business cards, a professional email address, etc
4. Stop charging too little, but also don't charge too much when you clearly have zero experience. Find the sweet spot, and charge just that
5. Measure your finances correctly. Taxes, IRS and other stuff will quickly add up, so be prepared for that (I'm not in the United States though, so idk about my case yet), and create a business account to separate your own money from your business money.
Thanks for that
Always great and honest information! Thank you for providing this information!
Amazing info ! Need more personal videos like this. It’s authentic and helpful.
This is so helpful, you gave me an direction 😊thank you John!
Awesome! I’m glad this is helpful!!
Thank you thank you thank!!! I really needed the other side to HOW TO START A BUSINESS type aspect and everything you have mentioned is changing my mindset! Good to know the pros/cons. Keep these tips coming
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for sharing this sir. Really appreciated 🙏 I'm a new subscriber
Welcome to the channel! I hope you enjoyed this video!!
New subscriber here! I’ve been working toward starting my photography business since 2020. I’ve successfully accomplished 1 wedding Halloween of 2020, but I’ve had some confidence issues, working toward changing my game plan this go round. 1 was sold with Tip 1 😭 I have a home studio set up now and pushing toward actually taking some photos. I’m glad I found you before I put myself in debt buying more equipment to feel “prepared” 😭🤣
The thing about gear is that you need to shoot more to hone your workflow, and therefore figure out what gear will help you.
Great stuff, John! Wedding photography today is not my main source of income, so for 2022 I am way more concerned on putting a portfolio together. I've select some couples and I have approached them offering my services for free. I have also went to a few weddings with two other photographers and did not charge money for those; instead I got the right to use the photos I took in my own portfolio. I used those experiences to understand if I would actually enjoy doing wedding photography, which I can say now that I really do! With all the experience I am getting, I feel like in 2023 I can start charging as I will have a few weddings under my belt and feeling more confident about my work. Cheers from Canada!
Great advice!
Thanks for watching!
I’m starting a photography business and this video was a HUGE help. Thanks for what you do. Subscribed!
Awesome! That’s great to hear this was helpful.
Hey John! Another fantastic video!
Would it be possible to make a video on how to approach a wedding photographer to land the gig as being a second shooter? (from the very first interaction and what to look for?)
Keep up the great content!
That segue into square space was clean lol! Also, bravo for mentioning retirement. not a lot of people think about their future!
This is an interesting video. I'm also in audio post-production for film and TV and decided to do photography as a side gig. Been doing photography as a hobby for a long time so it didn't seem that big of a stretch. My first couple of events showed me that it was time to get over my snobbery of flash photography. So right off the bat I bought a godox 860 and an ad200 for my fuji system, it's been super interesting learning about flash photography, whole new respect for it. On the doing things for free, I do recommend doing that not to just to build up your portfolio, but to learn. That's what I did right out of film school and worked great for me. Just shut it down once your done getting what you need. I do a mix of free and paid photo gigs, right now and no issues. Once I feel like I've educated myself enough, no more free.
This was so helpful - especially the financial aspect! No one ever talks about that! Thank you so much!
It's true. No one talks about the money and that's a huge problem. It's probably why most business don't survive past a couple of years.
@@jbivphotography So true! But knowing your value is a tough one. We'll always feel that back and forth between I still have so much to learn and I've arrived.
Gosh I know nothing about finances and taxes 😭. I thankfully have the $ count on my client manager on how much $ I’ve made. And been trying to write down miles too! But still feel lost on taxes and such. Thanks for sharing M1 finance too!
This video helps a lot! But because I have a day job I find it hard to go out to take photos. And which is also another reason why I don’t have a portfolio/website. So I’m literally doing the mistake you said. Instagram. It’s hard to have the time. Also the area where I live, most don’t like their photos to be taken. I rarely go out to shoot anyone. 😢
Hey John awesome video again. I started my business because of you. I rock a Canon EOS R wise my profith a RF 35mm 1.8 macro lens and that's litterely all I have besides an M50 and EF Lenses. Before I shoot weddings I rent my lenses and a second EOS R body. I rather save on money and then little by little use my profits to purchase a lens. I rent from lens rentals. I'm not too sure what the differences are between them and borrow lenses but if you know it be great if you let me know :). I have tried avoiding everything you mentioned so I guess I'm doing ok lol. Let me know when your next website critiques are so I can sign up. I never really know when you do them or how we sign up. Thanks!
Great advice on camera's I shoot a wedding with a Sony A6600 and some good glass and the client never noticed but loved the pictures...🙂
Exactly. Honestly too if you keep up with the trends film is back in, and also blurry photos with meaning as well. So again clients are happy with the product. They don't care what tools you use to create it.
along the same lines as having a business bank account is to also have a separate business postal address/box at maybe UPS store if one is close to you. Thank you as always
Good day John, i pretty much enjoy your content. My inquiry is, how much does it to open a photography website through your recommended square Space platform ? Thank in advance !
Whether you buy it or not, the mirrorless cameras that have eye autofocus are substantially sharper for most photosessions outside the studio. I look for that, but I guess most clients probably won't understand photography on that level.
I love your photography🥰
Thank you. I really appreciate that!
Barrow lens is like that! Well worth it
I saw a used HX1 fuji in good condition. Do you thing that’s a good starter camera it’s on BEH website
Great points! I actually keep aside 50% for taxes since I live in California so need to account for both state and federal taxes. My taxes do not usually come out to 50 percent and are more in the 35% range if I account for business deductions and expense but I would rather have extra money set aside to pay taxes with vs not having enough.
When shooting for free for a portfolio don't do it if the client asks you to shoot for free. Only do it when it is of your own will either to build a portfolio or if it is a close enough friend or family member that you would gift that type of money to. If it is a friend that you would truly and willingly gift $3,000 or $4,000 to as a wedding present then go ahead and shoot that for free. If you do shoot for free or give a close friend or family member a discount make sure to let them know that if they do refer you not to refer the discounted price that they got. They should either just let whoever they are talking to come to you for pricing or reference your normal rate you would have for clients.
I am that guy. Brand new dual A7iv’s and godox V1’s and all the necessary holdfast gear. I don’t regret it.
If you start getting the work it will be worth it. Just normally for most peopel it's probably not the best approach.
@jbivphotography Thank you for the excellent explanation of "consumer bias" when explaining rates. We are psychologically conditioned to this phenomenon. Look people in the eye and tell them what your skills, experience, and equipment are worth. Nine out of ten times they will open their wallet. The tenth person will ask if you accept credit cards.
Gear matters believe me. I did a gig as a second shooter with my brand new Nikon Z6 back then. Only to find out that most of my images are out of focus. I ended up selling my Nikon Z6 after 2 months and switched to Sony. I never looked back after that.
It matters but barley. At the end of the day it’s the photographers job to know and understand their camera. Per your story I would much more think you weren’t familiar with the specific camera rather than think “oh no can’t get focus with a Nikon Z6”. There’s many photographers who use the Nikon Z6. How are they getting focus?
Thanks mate. Great tips, especially the money side! Too many people just gonna spend everything they earn then go under when tax man comes knocking
Exactly. The biggest thing I feel a lot of photographers miss is that you’re trying to run a business. Being profitable and actually making money is the goal. Not buying new gear all the time.
Really good tips John! Do you guys think Facebook groups for photography a waste of time? I been running into a lot of toxic photographers and people wanting free/to cheap sessions. I want to give up sometimes.
Honestly it's hard to say but it really is leaning towards they're not really good for new photographers. It's something I hate. I feel like the majority of groups are WAY MORE toxic than good. Especially for newer photographers. Honestly they're probably in the groups talking crap about me and the things I say as we speak. 😂
@@jbivphotography this is super synchronistic!!! I just saw toxic trend on fb group and not very uplifting words.. It takes a lot of mental stamina to push through and not listen to negative narratives 😂
Having the best quality in town pays itself really fast, I'm into the nightlife/events/wedding photography and video in northern Italy since February 2022 and I already doubled what I spent for my gear, (Fujifilm XH2s/XT4/XT30 16-55,50-140, 50 1.0, 23 1.4, 85 1.8, 8 2.8, 16" M1 Pro, Ronin RS3 pro, Godox v1 and stuff) never paid for a website or a sponsored adv on social media, just people talking and calling me
The price thing depends, if the place has low prices there's nothing to do about it, u could be the best but they will call the cheapos with old canon reflex cameras and kit lenses for 1/4 of the price and few of them will understand how much a well done work costs
Question: how do you make the retirement money “pre tax” if it goes to a bank first then you put the money in? If you could elaborate on that. Overall appreciate your guidance sansei!
Tax on retirement accounts depends on the kind of account you set up. I suggest choosing an investment account and then asking them any questions you have.
Shoot for free only if you think the photos with those brides are awesome or the locations are really good. Also try doing that as a 2nd photographer so you wont stay the whole wedding and there will be no pressure being a main photographer.
How much I should charge if I have no portfolio?
Yeah, don't worry about it. Gear really don't matter, don't buy the best camera on the market, let me use the Fujifilm GFX 100s now 😂
🙏🏽🙏🏽✊🏽
Glad you enjoyed it.
I think my weakest point is charging too little for my work. It's not just a lack of confidence, I just don't know what the base price should be.
I'm in a weird situation where the small community I'm a part of is lacking in videographers, so theres not really any competition to compare my product to.
I know you've talked about this point a ton in past videos, but could you make a video that describes your proccess of self-evaluating your work and charging it appropriately?
Thanks John!
I've had luck just asking other photographers in my area on Instagram. I will also tell them how much I am charging. Don't be that guy that pretends you need a quote. We all win if we are all around the same price point. If there aren't many in your area, try looking at the larger region and figuring it out that way.
This whole video felt like one giant affiliate advertisement
Sorry it felt like that. But you can’t scale a successful business without great tools.
how much your wedding package? whats is the freebies?
I now start at $6500 for weddings. I don't really shoot much for free anymore like I did early on. However, again if it's something that benefits my business and is something I want to do I might do something for free or a lower rate.
@@jbivphotography time cover the wedding? how many photos thank you
@@JethroMendoza that price is for an 8 hour day.
I feel targeted about 6:50 in 😂😂😂😂
😂😂 it really is hard not to think like that.
Mistake #3, I wont lie. When I am searching for 2nd shooters, and they only send me their IG - I dont even look.
I just go on to the next person.
RIGHT THO!! So many businesses if I don't see that website lose so much credability to me.
I've been learning the hard way about shooting for free. Ugh. And charging too little.
Yeah. It's really a hard rut to get out of.
Jhon no offense but you need to also express in your videos that if you do not invest in some sort of Google ads or something like that then no one‘s going to come to your website… that would helpful to learn more then anything else.
Hardest part for me is the pricing. People expect a full wedding for 200 bucks, or portrait sessions for 25 dollars including pictures, cause of people starting a business on Fb with a point and shoot advertising, so now everyone expects the same price for a professional.
Shit... Too late to not buy up a bunch of crap. 🤣
LOL. I bought way too much when I started too
@@jbivphotography Well, I just started out wanting to do it ALL. Wedding, products, headshots, landscapes, street photography, as well as cinematography. I soon realized I need to just enjoy my photography and then focus on one (maybe 2) types, professionally.
Awesome advice!
Glad it was helpful!