Hey, how’s it going? I’m Andy Jones, and this is episode 187 of the Photography Side Hustle podcast.
Last week, I did “34 Genres That Make Money,” and I said I’ve probably missed some. I was right. There were two that listeners told me about. They were Maternity and Iris photography.
Maternity is an obvious one. I shouldn’t have missed it.
The other, Iris photography, if you didn’t know, is taking photos of eyes. This is one I really shouldn’t have missed because last month, I was chatting with Tallon Kalischer from Sydney, Australia, about on-site printing, and he does Iris photography.
I even looked into the equipment needed to shoot it. It’s scary how your memory fades the older you get.
Anyway, that’s enough of my problems.
Let’s get started with Common Mistakes 11. First is …
Gear
So many people start their business with one camera body and one lens. That is a scary position to be in. If either the body or lens fails during a shoot, you are done. The only thing left to do is explain to the customer why you can’t continue.
Instead of spending $2000 on a good body and kit lens, buy used equipment. Bodies from 6 - 10 years ago are still a great option and used pro lenses can be picked up for half the price of a new one.
We are all guilty of wanting the latest equipment. But, when you are starting your business, you need to keep your costs down and make a profit.
Here in Ontario, Canada, there is an auction company called MaxSold. They specialize in estate sales, downsizing, and clear-outs.
Occasionally, I like to see if there is any photography equipment on there. Well, this week, there was. It was a basket of camera bodies and one lens.
There were two old, nasty-looking bodies that had no value. There was also a Canon T4i, a T5i, and a Canon 1D that was either a MK3 or MK4. The lens was a Canon 24-105 f/4L.
Everything I mentioned sold for $600 CND, or $430 USD. If you were looking to start a photography business, 75% of what you would need was in that basket. All you would need is a backup lens, like a 50mm 1.8, for around $100.
I would use the 24-105 on the 1D body and the T5i body as a backup. Then, sell the T4i to pay for the 50mm 1.8.
The 24-105 f/4L lens sells in average condition for $450-$550 USD, more than the price paid for everything in the basket.
Even if you buy your equipment through a dealer, which I advise you to do, you could easily get two bodies and two lenses for less than $2000.
So don’t start thinking you need $10,000 to get started.
Okay, next …
Using Customers as Guinea Pigs
That is, when you turn up to shoot a session, only use equipment you know how to use.
It doesn’t matter what it is: a new body or a flash. You need to practice using it in your own time.
During a session, you need to do everything smoothly and not spend 5 minutes trying to find a setting.
Next is …
Not Putting Everything in Writing
Just because you discussed something with the customer doesn’t mean they will remember the conversation.
If you are going to be traveling outside your area, make sure you charge for the extra gas you will be using.
Just remember to write it down in the contract. Even if they don’t remember the conversation about your travel costs, they have to pay if it’s written down and they signed it.
This next one stops so many photographers from moving forward.
Everything Has To Be Perfect
I hear it all the time. My website isn’t ready yet, or my portfolio isn’t good enough.
If this is you, just relax; perfection isn’t going to happen.
I heard this quote a few years ago. “Perfection is the enemy of progress.”
As soon as you start worrying about your portfolio not being perfect, you just sit there with your foot on the brake. Your business comes to a shuddering halt. You’ve put the perfection barrier across the road, and you can’t go forward.
Instead of thinking of your website, portfolio, and marketing as steps to be taken one after the other, do them all at once. Then, accept that they are all in constant flux. They are never finished and are always changing.
Your job is to remove obstacles, not create them.
Next …
Light Direction
This is a simple thing, and it normally takes a mistake to realize its importance.
Before starting a photo session, think about the direction the light is coming from. Over the years, I have seen family portraits where all the subjects are squinting, or the scene is backlit, and too much light is coming into the lens.
Just take a minute to think about the effect the light will have.
Now, while I’m talking about light direction, I heard this from a product photographer.
Here in the Western world, we write and read from left to right, and because of that, we find images lit from the left more pleasing. So, if you are a product or food photographer, start off by lighting your scenes from the left.
I thought that was interesting.
Okay …
No Proposal
This is something you send to customers after first contact.
It could include your prices, editing times, session fees, or payment installments. In fact, anything your customers need to know about how you operate.
Most of these things can be addressed on your website.
Photographers who don’t put prices on their site need a PDF file to send to customers when they inquire.
Whether you put your prices on your site or not, it is still a good idea to send out a PDF file with all your operating information as soon as someone contacts you.
Think of it like a brochure. Introduce yourself, and add some testimonials.
While I’m talking about it, I think it’s best to put your prices on your website.
If you don’t put your prices online, you will get inquiries from people that can’t afford you. You will spend valuable time replying to them.
Putting your prices on your website will pre-qualify customers. You will only spend time dealing with customers who can afford your prices.
Make your life easier and put your prices on your website.
Okay, that is the end of Common Mistakes 11.
If you need help with anything, you can find me in the Facebook group, Messenger, Instagram, and Bluesky.
I’ll be back next week, talk to you soon, bye.
