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out of business

Aug 25th, 2006
by Jim Reverend.
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Push came to shove last night. I tossed and turned all night weighing my options. I almost didn't go to work today. Then I sucked it up, took a deep breath and made a decision. I'm not happy about it. It leaves me with lots of feelings of uncertainty, failure, disappointment, and disillusionment. But, the alternative was worse, believe it or not.

So, from this point forward, I am no longer in the Photography business. It is still a hobby, a passion, and an art form. However, I no longer aspire to use it to put food on our table, clothes on our backs, and smiles on the faces of our future children.

No, I'm not selling my equipment and of course I'm still going to be taking photographs just as often as I used to. I'll still be selling prints of my work, starting new projects, seeking exhibits, holding photo sessions, posting photographs online, begging for donations, and looking for people willing to let me point my camera at them and turn it into art.

So what's the difference, then? If you have to ask you probably won't understand, but I'll try anyway.

I won't finish designing the pamphlet I was working on to advertise a new niche service I was going to provide for newborn babies and their mothers. While the work was very interesting to me, there's no reason for me to run around in my free time taking the same 15 photographs of perfect strangers if I'm not trying to make money doing it.

I won't spend my nights worrying about the next big thing and how to get in front of it so I can get my business out of the red. As a hobby, it is, by nature, something that costs money not something that makes money. It's similar to motorcycle riding, golfing, fishing, boating, and playing music.

I won't be spending any more of my free time trying to find new customers and new business ideas. I'm still looking for people to work with, of course. When I see someone I'm interested in doing something with, I'll be sure to let them know. I'm always happy to be approached with new projects as well. However, it's no longer a requirement for me to look for work. If I don't have a session scheduled or a place that I want to photograph, then I get some free time for a change.

I won't stress out over the amount of work I have to do. I won't get upset when I don't have enough free time to do the other things in life that I enjoy. I won't trip over my own words when I feel like a customer is slipping through my hands.

I probably won't be replacing the studio strobe that exploded last month or the Expan Paper Drive that cracked in my last session anytime soon. As a hobbyist, my subjects can wait as I deal with less than perfect equipment. If they'd rather not, then they can find a professional photographer to take their photographs.

Most importantly, I'll be keeping my sights right here at ground level where it's safe and sound and uneventful.

My heart is broken.

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Posted in: business, everything, life, ljxp, photography.

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  • No matter how you slice it, to make a living is a pain in the ass. As the fellow above said, the actual trade generally ends up being the least of your focus. It has to be, a lot of the time. Which I think is a big reason why my husband is still destined to have a dayjob for a good long while. And if we do manage to go Hollywood or fall into inheritance or win the lottery or whatever, frankly, I'll be perfectly happy to make a hobby out of healing. Even though I've spent the last four years of my life studying because I don't believe I could hold down any other job. I do get the pain of giving up a dream, but I totally get why you came to the conclusion you did for now.

    Anyway, the clinic would still love to buy some prints. No stress, since I've currently got the table turned so they're looking at the window and my diplomae instead of blank wall. Extra 5 feet of space between their heads and the construction next door, ya know? Hopefully that won't be too much longer. Foundation's almost done, and I think the roof is done.
  • MikeO
    Its hard to run a photo business. In the 2 years that I have been doing it I always remember a few things. That it will take years to even see a good profit, You will always be in debt. Being in the red can make the whole thing feel like it is not worth the struggle but you must do your cost of doing business figures to know what you have to charge to stay out of the red and make a decent living. Average it out and set your price.

    Now, you probably know this and have done this but have you also kept up with the minimum amount of leads you have to generate to stay at that comfort level? If not then you are not trying hard enough. Easier said then done but it takes a special rebel to keep at it in a society that wants everything NOW. The future hold great things for those that have faith.

    As they say a business goes under not because they plan to fail but because you failed to plan. and starting out with less than good gear and enough money to hold you over on the dry months is a sure way to cut yourself off at the knees. We all get an opportunity to venture off and do our thing but we should only do it if we are ready. Like the train of opportunity that comes into the station you must ask yourself am I ready to get on board? Be true to yourself.

    I remember saving up and buying my gear for 3 years, purchased used on Ebay, spending nights researching online till 1 or 3 am, that hard, steap learning curve that many times I remember the idea crossing my mind to just go back to my graphic design position that pays good. But if you don't have that real drive to keep going then, as they say don't leave your day job.

    Find a role model to work with, find your special talent and it will help you to get past this hurdle but what ever you do don't give up. Your feeling of relief is only temporary. Remember that being self-empolyeed is what you make of it. If you want big money charge big money but your services and your product better be better than the average photog in your area. If not step back and ask yourself what can I do to make it better. To make more money to be a good business person and a good family man. It ain't fo the weak at heart but it can be done.
  • Jeremy
    Hey Man,
    Sometimes we have to realize that our art is something we can do for free or minimal pay because we love it and have a driving passion to do it. I think that sometimes we do our best work when not getting paid to do it!
    Big decision man, but it isn't the end. I think all of your stuff I have seen is amazing. Who would have thought when you strolled into that theatre class in highschool that you would be shooting amazing pictures that evoke emotion?
    BTW, I got a teaching job!
    Jeremy
  • Jillithian
    I don't even know what to say.
  • vaxocentric
    It's tough to run even a minimal photography business that just keeps you out of the red. Almost every pro will tell you the very least of what they do involves holding a camera. I didn't believe this until I started working for Winn and quickly found out it's very true. There's a LOT of work that is required to just run the framework of the business, not even considering things like marketing, communication (meetings/emails/calls), and accounting.

    I tell my clients I'm a professional photographer; I tell my friends and family that it's just a hobby. It's both, and I'm careful not to take too big of a bite in the pro realm because I know I don't want to devote *that* much time to the business.
  • Tony
    You wanna have a frank talk about this? I think you still have options.
  • Em
    *hugs*
  • Mel
    :o/
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