My Formula For Success in Photography & Business

Often, success is not really about being particularly good, exceptionally skilled, or having the most credentials. Of course those things come with practice and effort, but we all have to start out somewhere, and we’re not likely to be particularly good when we do. Most people get really annoyed or pride won’t allow themselves to be “bad,” so, it’s easier to just give up rather than go through the process of “failing” in order to get better.

There are a lot of photographers that understand the technicality of the craft more than I do. It doesn’t bother me because service, availability, and having passion is more valuable to me. My craft is naturally going get better with experience, and of course, that includes messing up.

Fortunately, DSLR cameras are smart enough to do successfully do the technical details automatically, so it allows me to focus on composition and creativity. I can work more efficiently without trying to focus on ten things at the same time. Professional photos need to be touched up anyways, so the camera doesn’t have the final say in the final outcome of the photo. A photo can always be changed through post-processing.

Spontaneous moments are especially important for couples and family photos – they make the photos way more interesting for everyone. It’s impossible to get spontaneous photos when over-thinking all the technical details of the photos – at best everyone will just get the pained, awkward smiles from someone who takes 15 seconds to take a photo while everyone wonders if it’s actually being taken or not.

Aside from being available, people would rather have someone who actually cares. We all can tell the difference between a salesman trying to get my money and a person who actually cares, listens, and understands. With the prior, I don’t even need to think twice, my gut knows a hustle in process. When I focus on what my client actually needs, feel excited for their event - then everyone benefits.

If I weren’t able to actually care about these things, then it would be time for me to find new work. Money isn’t simply enough motivation – I want to feel connected, alive, and useful. Most businesses would rather have an inexperienced but enthusiastic employee who’s willing to learn, rather than an experienced worker with a loss of passion. There’s a reason why some people move through company ranks despite lack of experience - charisma, passion, and care is a simple but powerful formula.

Do work for passion and the money will come. Do work for money and the passion will go.

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