The Artist vs the Salesman.

This lesson isn’t about the technical side of studio lighting, it’s more about business.

As you become comfortable with studio lighting, chances are, you are going to start charging money for it! (unless, you are interested in it soley as a hobby!)

Once you make the decision to start charging money, at some point, you are going to have the  “artist vs salesman” internal battle.

For me personally, I didn’t start off as a photographer.

My background is in business.  And one day, I found myself trying to decide what business I could start that would allow me to work part-time, raise a family, make good money, and set my own rules.

A home-based photography studio came to mind.

I enjoyed photography…but didn’t have any experience.

However, I figured the technical side of things can be learned fairly easily (which they can! If you are a complete beginner too, check out the online bootcamp for beginners – and you will see just how easy it is!)

As far as the business side of things, I felt I had a fairly good handle on what would be needed to create a profitable photography business.  And, I realized that unless I could sell myself, AND my work, I wouldn’t have a business.  I would have a fairly expensive hobby.

Now, many other photographers have an opposite background.

They grew up loving photography. They had a camera attached to their hip by the time they could walk. They are incredibly talented. And at some point, they thought, “I am going to make my living doing what I love.”

They are photographers first.

Often the sentiment is, “I’m talented, my work will sell itself.”  Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.  In fact, it rarely is.

You HAVE to be the salesman in order to get to be an artist (at least, in order to be a PAID artist!).  Or, if you really, truly hate selling, find someone else to do that aspect of your business.  Or consider working for another studio who handles the sales and marketing for you.

If you take photos that are amazing, but you have no clients to buy them, you are a photographer, but you do not have a photography business. See the difference?

One final thought (in regards to the salesman vs artist) - Your “Poses”

When you get into studio-style photography, you are going to learn some poses that consistently work, and ones your clients consistently love.

After awhile, you are going to be sick and tired of these poses.  The thought of taking one more photo of that pose is enough to make your groan.  You are going to be tempted to drop them from your arsenal forever. Please don’t.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t try new things, and discover great new ideas that clients love – but, please, PLEASE remember, that while you are sick of a particular shot, your client is not.

It could be the very photo you are sick of that drew them to your studio in the first place.

They may say, “You know that shot…of the hands making a heart over the pregnant belly…can we do that one?” Do NOT roll your eyes! They are paying your bills, and letting you have the lifestyle you want.

Let the salesman in you win over the artist!  And you will be rewarded!

My two cents anyway.

Good luck on your journey!

Erin Brule, Prairie Child Photography
Studio Lighting for Beginners – easystudiolighting.com

P.S. When I was getting started, I struggled with making the business side of things work.

I’ve taken the things I’ve picked up over the years, and put together a workbook called “Getting Down to Business“, because running a photography business is only fun if you get paid…and anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying or independently wealthy! If you could use a little boost with your bottom line, it’s worth checking out!