On the Business of Photography {Conversation w/ Becker at Burning Man}
Photography’s biggest challenge in 2013 lies not in better camera gear with mega megapixels, but in the business of photography itself. Barriers of entry lower each year, business owners are taking a closer look at their strategies not only to make a buck and survive, but how to stay competitive. I’m grateful for my friendships this year with my industry colleagues who have helped my business grow in directions I never thought possible a year ago.
Burning Man offers the opportunity to connect with creative individuals in a relaxed, creative environment filled of playa dust, distractions, and lots of color. I met up with my wedding photographer friend, Becker, this year at Burning Man to discuss business strategies for 2013. Becker is an industry veteran. He’s been shooting weddings for 17 years. He also founded The B School, a website which serves as a social mentoring & referral network for wedding & portrait photographers. I’m a member and it’s been a good investment for my business. Not only is it an effective way to help the industry grow in the right direction, I find the educational videos helpful for reviewing fundamentals of business, branding, infrastructure, and shooting. The forums are friendly. And it has been a decent way to find second shooters and even sell gear I no longer use… I sold my Nikon 24-70mm lens easier and safer than on craigslist. Think of it as an after school special for CreativeLive, another amazing learning resource for creatives.
I signed up for the “private school” membership plan 12 months ago which included a few freebies along with a free consulting session with Becker. He was instrumental in helping me in 2010 at Burning Man and I did not hesitate joining the same camp in 2012 for more quality time. I recorded our conversation to share with my blog readers in the video below (FYI: PG-13 material may be inappropriate for viewing in the workplace).
Tune in to hear :
_What three take-home lessons from Burning Man you can apply to your business
_How wedding album pre-design is a WIN-WIN-WIN formula
_Why gear isn’t as important as a smart workflow
_ How each of us have the ability to offer a killer experience for our clients
_Why you may not want to trust a skinny chef (SERIOUSLY!)
In addition to a few laughs, Becker offers his #1 tip for photographers (it’s not what you think).
My blog readership (that would be YOU) remains very important to me. I value your input and comments. As you listen, ask yourself:
1. How do you reinvent yourself?
2. What steps can you take to focus on longevity for your passion and make the most of your specialty? Is it working?
3. How are you maintaining a network of people that keep you accountable for your goals? Is it working?
4. Is your workflow rock-solid, yet free enough to experiment and explore?
5. How do you working smart vs hard?
Stay inspired as you think about changes in 2013!
And if you aren’t a [ b ] School member, you can save 50% on your subscription by using the code 12DAYS when you sign up.
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