I’ve been a family photographer in San Diego for many years now–and wow how the time has flown! I’m lucky to have built a photography business with clients I love and the workload that I want. But, like everyone else, I had to start from scratch. I had to learn from the mistakes I made as a new photographer.
The journey to growing a photography business is full of a lot of right and wrong turns. But, I’m here to help make your path a little easier! These are the six biggest mistakes I made as a new photographer. I learned from these to grow my business, but the good news is that they’re totally avoidable. As you’re starting your business, keep these in mind.
Mistake #1: Undervaluing My Work
This mistake is so easy for new photographers to make. We tend to think that we need to price ourselves low in order to start getting clients, but that isn’t necessarily the truth. In fact, a lot of clients prioritize value when they’re deciding who to work with. You do this too, just think about how you compare products online when you’re shopping!
Oftentimes, we know that the cheapest option isn’t the best. As a photographer, you might be unintentionally (and wrongfully) signaling that your client experience isn’t the best. Or, clients might think your editing style isn’t up to par if you’re too cheap.
Your prices should reflect the talent and experience you bring to the table, no matter how many years (or months) you’ve been in business.
Mistake #2: Saying Yes to Every Client
Another one of the biggest mistakes I made as a new photographer was saying yes to everyone. I wasn’t thinking about fit or pricing, and I was scared that every client would be my last!
In reality, opportunities always come and go, and they’re not always the best fit. Even if you’re just starting out, it’s okay to be a little picky about who you work with. It’s a win-win for everyone! When you work with the right clients, you’ll have excellent experiences that lead to glowing reviews and referrals.
It might not feel great to turn away business, but trust your gut. Clients who don’t have the right budget or the right fit for you can end up causing more friction than they’re worth.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Backup Equipment
Another thing I did when I first started my photography business was neglecting backup equipment. I would head to every shoot with just the equipment I thought I needed. That meant no extra lenses, battery packs, or SIM cards.
First, this made me less free creatively. If I had a fun idea in the middle of the shoot (maybe using a different lens to create a different look) there was nothing I could do about it! You don’t need to pack your entire studio for every shoot, but having a list of primary and secondary equipment is so helpful to ensure you’re getting all the shots you and your clients want.
Ignoring the need for backup equipment could put you in a couple awkward scenarios. Yep, imagine a dead battery in the middle of a shoot (not ideal at all!). Backup equipment helps you show up more professionally and ensure the best experience for your clients. It also makes your life easier–you can ensure you stay on time and avoid any hiccups.
Mistake #4: Over-Editing My Photos
This one is hard to think back on, but over-editing my photos was definitely one of the biggest mistakes I made as a new photographer.
I spent a little bit more time than I should have on following trends instead of sticking with my own unique editing style. When I first started out, highly saturated greens were super popular in photography, but now that looks SO dated. These days, super warm tones are in, but I bet we’ll look back in a few years and wonder why everyone looked like an oompa loompa in their photos!
Do what’s best for you, but make sure you’re considering your style first instead of what you see online. If you stick to a true color formula, you can make sure your edits are timeless and more unique to your photography. You’ll end up with a more distinct style and portfolio that helps build your brand over time vs. looking like everyone else.
Mistake #5: Thinking I Could Do It All Alone
Just like how I neglected backup equipment, I also felt like I didn’t need any help when I first started out. I would try to capture everything on my own, only to get home and realize that I missed some key candid moments during photoshoots. Now, I know when to bring on a second shooter to make my life easier and deliver the best photos for my clients.
Running a photography business also means that there’s the entire business side, which it’s easy to forget about when you’re just starting out. Luckily, there are people out there to help with everything–accounting, marketing, web design, operations, and more! Doing all of the admin and back-end work gets overwhelming quickly, so don’t be scared to find help even if you’re just starting out.
Mistake #6 Not Protecting Myself With Contracts
When I first started out, it felt so normal to book clients without contracts. I had all of my policies and information listed on my website, so I just assumed all of my clients read them. But nope! I learned the hard way when clients ended up asking for extras that weren’t included, but I had to give in to make them happy since we didn’t have a contract.
No matter what you might think, you need to protect yourself and over communicate with your clients. Even if you have a great intro call and agree on the photo session verbally, it needs to be put into writing. Ultimately it helps your clients as well–they’ll feel more secure knowing that you have contracts set up (it’s more professional)–and they’ll know exactly what to expect from their purchase.
Resources to Help You Avoid These Mistakes I Made as a New Photographer
By avoiding these mistakes, you’re already well on your way to becoming a successful photographer! I don’t regret my experiences, but I know I would’ve been able to grow faster and avoid a lot of headaches if I skipped some of the learning lessons along the way.
If you’re looking for a little more support, check out my resources for photographers! I offer a toolkit for photo editing and hosting along with online and in-person mentorship! I love helping other photographers through my experiences. Contact me today to see how we can work together.
