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A couple of key turning points in my business (I retired 18 years ago at 50, so I guess I did some things right). 1. Get rid of customers that take all your time, but won't let you have profits commensurate with the time spent. That initially caused a drop in business that I freely gave to my best customers...who recommended more people like them. 2. Separate the executive functions in the company operation, even if you're a small company. Have the chairman of the board, sit down with the manager and say, what are you doing to improve shareholder profits? (As it was, I was both of those people, but I still had that conversation! Every company no matter has the same structure as a larger corporation, just the positions may be filled by the same person in a small company. It's great for the "owner" to say to the "mangager", "what have you done for me today?").

I have worked so hard this past winter on getting my business side together. Making a new, much improved website, became an LLC, got insurance, just trying hard to get my shit together to match my artistic side, so I'm equally matched. Yet, I still have a hard time asking for $$$. All i can think about is people telling me, why should I pay you when i can use my cell phone for free. Keep in mind, I'm a professional event photographer and I have multiple confirmed gigs every year. But i still have a hard time asking for compensation. I have gotten better! But I still need to work harder on that. Ug!

Great to see that you are passionate about what you do Scott, as that is the most important thing for any client big or small. They want to know that you love what you do and want the best, regardless. The second thing that we all harp on about is style, develop your style and get it out there. People will always hire you on how you see things or create an image or a video sequence. I've spent my whole career (35 years) doing just that, it will come in and out of vogue over your time, but make the most of it and maximize your potential.

I watch ALL your vids. Never disappointed. The one was SUPER INTERESTING

😂I noticed that as I improved at what I was doing, I lost prospective sales later in the process towards the acceptance. Now, we view the entire package, from advertising through to post job debrief, as a single live entity. It takes a lot of refinement, attention to detail and real time awareness to keep that good energy flowing throughout the process. The more of these we get right, the easier it seems to secure new work.

Great insights, Scott! To succeed as a photographer, focus on your creative work and offload distractions like bookkeeping, website maintenance, and marketing. By doing this, you can fully commit to your craft and grow your business.

Thanks for the video Scott. I've almost quit many times over the last 20 years, then work seems to happen. I live in a small city in Australia so getting those bigger jobs is very difficult and near impossible. I've just had another lull over the last month so felt like quitting again, then I got shortlisted in the Pink lady food awards in the UK so that has spurred me on to continue. My struggle is marketing myself to the bigger companies. This photography game can be a roller-coaster for sure!! Thanks for the no bull content you create!! Cheers

Agree with the social media/IG follower amount! I only have over 1600 something followers, but I’ve made connections and done my marketing. Next weekend I have three shoots, all paid 👍🏾

just what u said at the start made me believe, I was pitched recently by ad agency to shot adidas and samsung campaigns ( as director but I guess all is the same) but I didn't land the gigs due they picked another directors but it you kinda get that you are getting there slowly.

I had that happen to me too. I did a lot of local wildlife photography and I did that for years with a local shop picking up my Big horn Sheep photos to sell to tourists. Then it seemed to stall for a while and I didn't think it was going anywhere until a Art Consultant needed local wildlife photography. They found me thorough people who I didn't know were following me and I landed a contract for my photos to be displayed at the local clinic (the only clinic in 50 miles) that was being remodeled.

All I’ll say is Thank You ❤️

I've also always subscribed to the theory that I know I will never out-talent some people but I can always out-work them. :) (Though you do run into a challenging situation when competing with someone else who also has the "out-work" philosophy as it becomes an arms race of exhaustion. ;)

How to compartmentalise a personal emotional setback non-related to your work, in such a way to still stay focussed on your work. Or, how to use that setback (sadness in my case) to help drive you to work. The latter is probably the unhealthy one - the former as well if it turns out you just work not to be alone with your thoughts.

Love your videos, always helpful and sometimes just what i need to hear at the right times

Great video Scott!

Loving the videos Scott

needed this!

Excellent commentary Scott!

Okay those rejection emails I’ve gotten a few of them lol my confidence doesn’t get bothered by it. Rejection happen in life, happy to know that insight that I’m getting there 👍🏾

Great video Scott - I always love to come for a dose of inspiration and cheering from you 🌱 So many great points here 🙌

I think I'm in my "just need to that one" phase

Love these videos! Amazing work, Scott. I’m currently looking for clients in my area… I started 2 months working in Real Estate Photography after almost 20 years of working in IT. Trying to get clients at the moment, but these videos and your tips are definitely very helpful!

yes, yes and yes.

Love your videos! I might not have caught it but in case it doesnt exist yet, any chance you could touch on how to find a team to work the sets, lights, grips, etc? Do you bring them in from london or have a group or source to find them? Etc. Thanks!

Lovely videos you are putting out. Despite me not aiming to become a professional I recently got myself the beginnings of a studio setup for my apartment, just so I can practice photography even during weekdays. From what I can tell, it is really helpful for learning to be deliberate about light and composition (even if I would prefer shooting at events/wildlife). You may have a video on this already, but do you have any tips focused on being strategic about developing your own style in photography? Specifically what order of things you would recommend focusing on, e.g., setbuilding before editing or anything else related to developing your own expression.

Here is a little tip. Become friends with Top models as they can get to meet clients (You can't) they will put your name forward for jobs.

I am thinking of starting, not quitting. This month I am preparing a portfolio.

You hit the nail on the head with this one. I get 30% of my business from word of mouth from customers, 30% from other photographers who know my work, and 40% from customers that know I'm crazy enough to take the crazy assignments that no one else is crazy enough to take (usually documentary assignment in places that are nowhere anyone in their right mind would want to go). And oddly enough, working in several genres, I get a lot of business from diverse customers. Nichingdown didn't work for me because I'm not near any big cities, but my customers in big cities know I will do shoots in remote places.

Hey! I would like to know more about the commercial viability of a portfolio! how to know if my portfolio has nay commercial viability? how to edit photographs that potentially could build a commercial body of work

Great video Scott, one question how do you find your style, voice? whatever people call it I'm doing prominently portrait photography.

Interestingly I am going through a flat spot at present, then I was approached by a news editor take some particular sporting images which will possibly be on a regular basis.

When I send updates to agents I do get a few replies, some saying not right now, some keep in touch.. let us know your new work etc. They may be a fraction in percentage of what I sent out. The last time was a few weeks ago.. I got three and all three were from guys I really want to work with. My heart skipped and I was almost scared to open the replies.. like you say, I have always thought if i get a reply then I am doing something good and It gives me the kick up the arse and the feel good factor to carry on! Good vid, cheers.

I moved to a new area, basically moved across country and need to break into a market which is very much against people from other provinces being successful in their province. It's one of those things where you can try hard, do everything right, but once they know you're not from that province they immediately tell you they won't deal with you. Due to my accent they can also tell I am not from this province. Unfortunately I just have to wait for someone to give me a shot. It's not easy waiting though

The out working people has been my MO for a couple years now and for many of my photography friends who have recently hit big, got agents, getting front pages etc. for myself it's not as strong as of late; simply because of life and being full time again; BUT i know if given the slightest chance and the time to out work people; I will. however and for now; I work with the time and space I have.

you said it: style. Is it the keystone ?

Outworking the other guy is a good strategy -- BAK

I wish I was good enough for a rejection letter.

I’ve been taking photographing aviation seriously since 2016. I’ve had a picture or ten shared by big companies on their socials. 2 years ago, a major magazine reached out and put one of my photos in a big article they published. Out of nowhere 2 months ago, that same magazine reached out to me to shoot for an article they were planing on publishing. Simultaneously, a second magazine reached out to shoot a feature for them in their next issue. What am struggling with ? Haven’t I just “made it” ? I’m struggling that now that I have finaly broken into the world of aviation magazines, that there won’t be anything after this…..

Definitely struggling to gain clients, and make that jump from hobbyist/part timer to full time. I'm lucky enough to have a half decent paying full time job, but it's not where I want to be in the end. This is always a good reminder to hear that I may not have made it, but I'm doing well.

Great advice. Off topic but what is the black grid stuff on the walls and ceiling? It looks like some kind of sound proof.

I am currently struggling to find the right people to follow, where do you find the art directors/buyers online?

How do I get my work in front of the right people who make buying decisions? Is it literally Research my fave brands and try to find out who the advertising companies are that handle those accounts and just frop a portfolio at the ad agencies office and keep doing it every three months and hope for the best?

Most overnight successes where 10 years in the making.

Hello! I am a portrait photographer who recently transitioned to boudoir exclusively. I was very busy from Oct-December but things have been so slow since. I've been working on marketing a ton + doing test shoots, but is there anything else you would recommend to get clients knocking again?

I’ve got a lot of my clients through social media! I still want to get an agent. I’m in the cigar industry.

Most of the websites that specialize in bringing together employers and job-seekers, as well as mail-agent programs used by small and big companies alike, have a specially designated button, clicking on which one can send a STANDARD POLITE TEXT declining application for a job or an offer of a service. 😆😆😆😆😆😆 I think drawing some sort of positive conclusion simply because someone clicked that button with their computer mouse declining your services...e-e-e-h, I'd say it's pretty presumptuous, Scott. Don't you think? 😆😆😆😆😆 Besides, having a REAL JOB and having a COMFORT in numerous polite refusals...it's not exactly the same thing. 😆😆😆😆😆

This is great if you already have enough money coming from somewhere for this advice to be relevant. What if you're completely broke, have thousands of amazing images, all the skills, and no startup capital- including nobody to hire? :/ None of the photography KZfaqrs seem to want to talk about that.

been doing this 20 years..and i am on the verge of quitting..because .. honestly.. i am becoming very annoyed at clients..