PRO CASE STUDY
WHAT WERE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES YOU FOUND AS A START-UP BUSINESS?
The first is setting yourself apart from other photographers and communicating that effectively. The next is how to run the business, finding clients and keeping them engaged. If you want to make this venture work, you’ll have to be organised and recognise what you want to do early on.
HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES?
I attended business management and marketing seminars, watched a lot of CreativeLive videos and got help from London Business Centre (now www.nwes.org.uk). I had a mentor who helped me write my business plan, then apply for funding for studio equipment. He provided answers to any of my business-related questions. I also kept an eye on any available resources from reliable websites. At the end of the day, your passion and ambition are your best assets to make this work. Do not be disheartened when things are slow, just keep your eyes on the prize. I keep a nice balance between family life, photography and my other interests. Regarding my style and what sets me apart, I rely on my personal preferences and experiment with what works with clients.
HOW DID YOU KEEP YOUR START-UP COSTS AS LOW AS POSSIBLE?
In order to keep costs low, you have to prioritise with the essentials and work out what’s best for your target market and budget. Photography is an expensive endeavour, with expensive equipment you need to renew regularly. Know what you need to do the job and don’t buy gear because you might need it one day. It helped that I work from home. I don’t spend too much on marketing materials and fads. I host and manage my own website and use a free cloud-based client management software and network. There are a lot of people out there who can help you.