online. I thought the best way to make myself accountable to my goals is to answer them right here so all the world can see it.
1. What’s holding you back from starting your photography business? Nothing! I'm out there but probably not as out there as I could be. I don't have business cards or brochures out anywhere locally. That's what I need to do.
2. What steps would it take to go from part time to full time? I would need to have a steady stream of clients, enough to make as much as I do with my regular job if not more. I would have to be making enough to sock some away for retirement like automatically comes out of my check.
3. How many clients have you made happy this week? Well it's Monday so I haven't made anyone happy. I'm dropping off a CD tomorrow of graduation photos that I took.
4. What makes your photography different from other photographers in your niche? I allow the person(s) being photographed personality to come out. In my opinion that's really what needs to happen. The photograph should look like the person. I don't like the stiff looking portraits that are prevalent in my area. I like more model shoot feeling, where the person moves and the photographer just snaps away, maybe a little music playing to help them relax.. If someone is unsure what to do then of course I'll help them but I don't want to bend them into a position that isn't natural for them.
5. What do you love more than anything? I love seeing people sharing the photos I have taken of them. When they are happy enough to share those photos with their friends and family then I know that I've done something right.
6. If you could do something all day long, and not have to worry about money, what would you do? If money wasn't an issue, I'd spend all day buying new lens and maybe even a new camera body. I'd fill two bags full of some great glass so I had no limitations.
7. What would your perfect client look like? What type of photography would they be interested in? How much would they spend? I don't have a picture of the perfect client. I'm not a looks based person so I guess that's why. They would be interested in photography from an art point of view. Things taken on a different plane then normal photography. They would spend about $150.00 total. If I was booking three shoots a week that would be perfect.
8. What photographer do you most admire? What steps could you take to make them your mentor, and follow in their footsteps? I admire lots of different photographers. When I find one that I like I try to find them on twitter and ask as many questions as I can. Sometimes they are willing to answer the questions and sometimes they aren't. I just roll with it.
9. You’ve taken a great picture. What would make it better? A shallower depth of field, more bokah in the background.
10. What words could you use to tell your customers how special they are to you? I don't think words as much as actions will tell your customers that they are special. Listening to what they want and then doing your best to provide it will go a lot farther than words. Also treating them like they are the only customer goes a long ways.
11. What words do you want to hear from your customers when they talk about your photography? Amazing, thank you, I love it
12. What’s your favorite store? Why? How can you bring their ideas into your own business? Wolfe's Camera store in downtown Topeka. I love that you see the same people in there each time you go in. They are willing to help you in any way that they can. I like the personal service. By keeping my photography to just myself and my husband then people will get that personal service.
13. What does your ideal workday look like? There is a photo shoot booked with a great family or a senior wanting knock senior photos. After an amazing shoot, I go back dump my cards on to my computer and start sifting through the photos.
14. What does your ideal workweek look like? 3 - 5 photo shoots and 3 proof sessions.
15. If you knew you only had 10 years left to live, how much action would you take to make your photography dreams a reality? 10 years is long enough to put any goal in action. I wouldn't quit my day job yet but would spend a lot more of my "free" time focus on my photography.
16. What’s more important, being a great photographer, or having a successful studio? Being a great photographer because a successful studio will follow.
17. What could you do this week that would bring you closer to your goals? Don’t have goals? What could you do this week to set your goals? I don't have goals yet! But I think answering this questions is certainly putting things into focus for me.
18. What do your friends think of your idea of having a full time photography studio? Are they holding you back? My friends are the people that are knocking down my door for me to take their photos so they are absolutely encouraging me!
19. What group or place could you visit this week to bring in one new client? I need to make brochures and business cards first, right now I'm going with word of mouth.
20. What could you do to make sure you are on track to make your photography dreams a reality? By answering these questions and posting them to my blog for the world to see I'm adding a level of accountability that I didn't have before.
21. What are you doing differently today than you did one month ago? One year ago? One month ago I barely had a web presence today I have 125 fans on Facebook and an Artfire account for my art photography. One year ago I wasn't doing anything with my photography.
22. What do you want to be doing differently one year from now? A year from now I want to be out shooting portraits on an almost daily basis, not sitting at home answering questions to make myself better.
23. Where could you find an extra 30 minutes today to do something towards making your photography dreams a reality? I could cut 30 minutes from my playing video games. :-)
24. In 5 years, how do you see yourself spending your perfect day? In 5 years my perfect day would be taking some great shots in my own studio.
25. When you die, what do you want to be remembered for? I want to be remembered for making a difference in someone's life.
