Wednesday Wisdoms

We are in business that requires a continuous flow of fresh vibes! Clients hire you for your IDEAS skillset; show them you are a non-stop source generating new ideas. Take note of how your ideas come alive, pinpoint what works, and schedule more of this into your routine.

The business we are in requires new ideas; we have to stay fresh. I keep emphasizing this, but how do we stay fresh and generate ideas? Everyone is different, so figure out what works best for you. For me, it’s in the morning when I have a lot of energy and when I talk on the phone with my support staff. We trigger each other’s ideas and flow of thoughts.

What works for you? Do you go mountain biking, rock climbing, or meditate? Do you use a sketchbook to jot down ideas or visit mood board websites? Consider how you can track and capture your ideas effectively. Even if you’ve just launched a new campaign or website, you need to continue generating fresh ideas. One successful project doesn’t sustain you indefinitely. Find out how you get your ideas and integrate that into your life and routine.

Be specific about which SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE you are licensing to the client.

1. PAID is for their ads.
2. OWNED is on their social media.
3. You posting it on YOUR FEED (Influencer Posts) which is a separate fee.

Make sure you are clear and cover yourself with all crew and talent on a photoshoot that you own the images, and no one is allowed to grant usage to anyone on Instagram without your permission. 

Don’t assume they know the copyright laws; that is your job.

Bidding on a project without a shot list means you cannot know the exact costs for expenses, and you will be concepting the creative shot list. When you are wearing more hats, you need to charge for your time and call it a CREATIVE CONCEPTING FEE.

When bidding on a job,  you are in the position to make an educated decision to be the “bank” running all the costs through your own company vs having it go through the producer.  Any markup or differences in actual prices will be a profit to whoever gets paid for the job. This can be you if you want to handle your billing. The decision is yours.

When you’re asked to bid on a job and choose a producer to work with, it’s important to make an educated decision about billing. Many producers handle all the costs and serve as the financial intermediary, and this is also common among reps. However, this isn’t how I operate, so I can’t speak from that perspective.

You need to decide whether you want the money to go through your name, directly through the producer, or through the rep. This decision should be made and clarified beforehand. If you choose to handle billing yourself, keep in mind that there could be a markup and leftover money from production expenses that could potentially benefit the producer.

Some photographers prefer to manage their own billing to avoid the markup and keep more of the budget, but this might limit your opportunities to work with certain producers. It’s worth considering how many producers would be willing to work under these terms. Ultimately, it’s your decision and you should carefully weigh your options.

Success as a photographer requires a long-term plan of constantly “growing with the flow”. The busy shoot days come and go and so do the trends of our market. Your business is not about this month; it’s about putting in the right attitude to stay fresh until you retire. 

Don’t forget to invest in your career.

Make sure to use your words wisely and get into good routines to share your ideas on client calls. If you find yourself needing a traditional phrase to finish your zoned-in thoughts, get them ready and mix them up. Saying a phrase more than once will weaken your “director” presentation, and remember, this is a presentation.

What do you do if you are in a SLUMP? In a creative slump, take the pressure off by knowing it’s really normal. You can’t be your artistically motivated self every day. Learn or experience something new to get the inspiration back. Delegate something that you don’t want to do yourself. Ask yourself why you became a photographer and do what feeds that same interest you had back then.

I had a Clubhouse room discussing what to do if you feel like you’re in a slump. There are two types of slumps: when work is slow and when creativity feels blocked. Today, we’ll focus on creativity.

First, take off the pressure. It’s normal to not feel motivated every day; it’s part of the job. Reducing this pressure can really help. Next, try something new. Step out of your routine—go to a movie, book time at a café, or read a book at a theater. Doing something different might spark artistic inspiration.

If you have tasks hanging over you that you dislike, such as bookkeeping, organizing files, or managing hard drives, consider delegating them. Hire an assistant, enlist an intern, or ask for help. You don’t have to do everything yourself.

Remember why you became a photographer. Reflect on who you were back then and what fueled your passion. Find activities or experiences that remind you of that initial excitement and passion. Even if it’s hard to see right now, reconnecting with that true, passionate place can enrich your life. Go find it.

Throughout the bidding process consistently put your ideas on the table and take the lead. Be the director the whole way through!

When you’re bidding on a job, it’s not just about figuring out what the client wants; it’s also about stepping up as the director and leading the project. You need to explain your solutions and ideas. Even after you’ve submitted your bid, continue to reinforce your value by coming back with more ideas. Show them that you’re the professional who can provide creative solutions and help them make informed decisions.

It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where he’s getting his kitchen built, and the builder offers no opinions of his own. It’s frustrating because clients need to know that having more opinions and ideas demonstrates your capability as a director. That’s what they’re hiring you for.

Quick sales tip that you may not have thought of is to wait and spread out your communication with a client. If it’s not a pressing production matter, use your response/question/personal note as a way of staying on their mind for a longer period of time.

Here’s a sales and marketing tip you might not have considered: I often don’t respond to clients immediately. While sometimes prompt responses are necessary, if it’s a personal matter or if you have a question for them and you’ve just been in touch, try to delay your response as long as possible. The goal is to stay on their mind and remain visible. Use your email communication strategically to keep yourself in their thoughts for a longer period.