In October I started my photography business - today I babble about that first month!
During October I finally opened my brand new photography business!
After advertising on Facebook, local newspapers, and in a couple of shops that allowed me to put some posters up, I quickly discovered that newspapers are an absolute waste of money and no-one looks at posters either. All of my interest was generated from Facebook. I bought a new phone specifically for business activities, and it's been sitting here gathering dust. All correspondence has been conducted from Facebook.
What this tells me is it's a waste of money to print more posters, don't bother with newspapers which cost $120 FOR ONE FREAKING DAY, and just stick to Facebook. Which is $4 a day. And seen by more people.
I had a total of nine clients during this first month. Of course I was very cheap to generate interest in this first month, so I doubt my next months will be as popular. And out of those nine clients, only four didn't cancel at the last minute.
I didn't want to have a booking fee being a brand new unknown business, and I know that a lot of photographers have a fairly hefty deposit, and after this first month I totally understand why! So now that the first month is over, I'll be implementing just a small non-refundable booking fee which is more of a deterrent than a safety net for myself.
I just don't feel good enough, professional enough, worthy enough, to have a "proper" booking fee yet. Yes, yes, I know — I need to appreciate and believe in myself more. The thing is I know I'm a newbie, I know there are better photographers out there, and part of me is like, why should I charge that when I'm only worth that?
Maybe because the editing process is long and gruesome and I'm working for maybe $4 an hour at these low-low prices. Minimum wage in Australia is $23 an hour. HAHA!
Anyway! Out of my nine four clients, two have allowed me permission to share their photos on social media including Hive, and so, I hope you enjoy these amateur family photos. 😊 They're not super amazing professional photos, but I love them. I'm getting better. Practice, practice, practice. PRACTICE!
I already have one client booked for next weekend. And Christmas is coming up! After this client, I'm planning on decking out the studio all Christmassy and hoping that people would like some fancy non-Santa photos. 😆 Fingers crossed, Freddy.
If you've been wondering why I've been so quiet on Hive lately — this is why! I'm still here! I promise!
Until next time! 📷✨
Brilliant! That's so cool, and to be fair, I think the pictures look great.
Here's an idea, why not tell all of your current and future clients that you're working at a cheaper rate to generate business, but eventually you'll be upping your prices. But, just for you, here's a 25% off voucher that'll be good for life - people love getting a deal and feeling special - so, then when you up your prices, decide what you want, then add 25% and duduct that for all of your current/ future clients. You get a good pay, and they think they're getting a discount. Win win.
I was doing music videos for people dirt cheap when starting out, and what I noticed is, most of my clients didn't trust me due to the low price, also, it was kind of hard to up my prices with earlier clients who were used to paying X amount.
Good to know about FB, compared to posters and newspaper. It's just the way things are now I suppose.
I've advertised as an Opening Month Special with a side-note informing people that prices will be increasing after October. :) And I have a client at my proper non-special price next weekend, huzzah!
My Proper Non-Special price, however, is still low compared to other photographer's because I'm basically a beginner. I wouldn't feel confident charging what other people do until I'm much more experienced.
I saw a photographer in town recently basically doing what I'm doing - she's been doing $100 sessions for a year now and announced to the community that she'd be raising her prices now due to more experience and whatnot, and people took the news well and congratulated her. So I like to think that I'll have the same reception when I get to that level. 😅
Sadly! I was hoping, being that I'm in a small regional town, that social media wouldn't be as effective as old fashioned advertising. But alas. Social media advertising has dug its nails in even in a dusty old heritage town.
Cool! Wish you all the luck for your business. Photographs are looking great :)
Cheers! 😊 I was really happy with these two shoots so I'm really glad they gave me permission to share the photos and add them to my portfolio too!
All the best for your endeavours!
Thanks! 😊
Make that $$$!!!
Awesome to see this!
Haha, I wish I was making $$$ XD it's going to take me a long while to recoup my expenses, but if I get just one photoshoot a week, that'll help contribute massively towards our family budget.
...if not, I have a studio at the ready for OnlyFans, HAHAHA.
Best of luck with your new business, hopefully you are having fun doing the photography.
Cheers! :) I love photography but unfortunately my business isn't very busy, haha. I've found myself studying instead, getting more qualifications for other work.