I get asked a few times a month about business “stuff” so I figured I would make a blog to reference it once and for all so I won’t ever miss anything and can add on as I think of more things to add…

So you want to be a photographer? Awesome. I can say, it’s pretty much the coolest job ever. For me personally, I get to snuggle A LOT of babies, help brides and grooms get through their big days, watch kids grow up right before my eyes and I’ve made many friendships through clients over the years. It’s seriously the coolest job and most days I still shake my head in disbelief about how it all got started and where I’m at today. 

First things first though… you NEED insurance and a proper tax ID. I am an LLC. For me, it protects me the way I need to be protected if something were to happen. Sole proprietor is another option but from what I understand, most photogs are LLC. This is a non-negotiable. There are many resources online to help you set this up in your state, even I did it alone back in the day. Insurance is super important. Many wedding venues ask for proof of insurance before I can shoot there. I work with Megan Harper from Allstate, mention me if you  talk to her. I was using another company for YEARS and paying a lot more and then someone smashed a brick through my studio window and it wasn’t covered. Call my girl Megan, she’ll take great care of you. 

A lot of people ask me, “Did you go to school for photography or are you self taught?”. The answer is “I’m somewhere in the middle.” I started shooting when my kids were babies and I posted this photo online and a few people asked me to take their Christmas card photos.

It all snowballed from there. I ended up taking some classes to learn how to shoot manually with my camera at Dan’s Camera City in Allentown and they hooked me up with Creative Photo Workshops from Australia who occasionally come to the US. Glynn Lavender was and still is my mentor. He not only taught me how to shoot manual, he’s been one of my biggest cheerleaders from across the world and we talk a few times a year about my business. Find yourself a Glynn. Someone you can learn from, who you trust and respect. Take some classes. Workshops galore. I’ve taken workshops with Rachel Vanoven in Indianapolis, Brigette Schaffarzick in Seattle and Meg Bitton in New York City. The cost of any of those workshops, especially including the very first one with Glynn at Dan’s Camera City, have paid for themselves in a few sessions and 1,000 times over. You can’t be afraid to spend money on learning. That wedding class at Dan’s was $500 and I specifically remember standing at the counter saying to myself, “I can’t afford this” and being deflated when I went home to talk to my husband about it, he said, “If you learn ONE THING that can help you be a better photographer, won’t it be worth that $500?”. So I went back and I put the class on a credit card and I hoped for the best. That money I didn’t have in 2011 was HANDS DOWN, THE BEST $500 I have ever spent. I am not a good teacher so I’m not a great person to ask to mentor, but there are many people who are great photographers and teachers. Don’t be afraid to ask the question. 

If you want to be a photographer, you must be okay with:

-Working LONG and HARD hours. I am pretty disciplined in my editing. Under promise, Over deliver. Editing for me is the “work” in my work. I hate it. It’s part of the job. 

– People’s reply to you saying you’re a photographer, “Oh my (fill in the blank) sister’s husband’s cousin’s dad’s brother’s nephew’s mechanic’s uncle is a photographer, too!” Just like when you get a new car, you see that car everywhere when you can’t specifically remember ever seeing it before, everyone is a photographer or knows someone who is.

-Missing stuff. My kids are very active. Dance, baseball, horse back riding, softball, basketball. I miss A LOT of stuff. It’s the toughest part of my job. Finding a balance is key. 

Must Do List

-Invest in lenses, not cameras. I started with a Sony SLR. Invested in lenses and then switched to canon. I had a Canon 7d, Canon 6d and now I shoot with Canon 5d Mark IV. I always refer people to Dan’s for which cameras to buy to start. They are the best and know a lot more than I do but I’d say any entry level SLR will be sufficient. Especially since nowadays, their low light capabilities and megapixels are pretty awesome. As far as lenses, they depend on what you’re shooting. My favorite portrait lens is 70-200mm and it’s on my camera 90% of the time. I love my 35mm and my 50mm. But a great lens that is very versatile is 24-70mm.

– BACK UP EVERYTHING. From photos to your gear. I have all my photos backed up on my hosting site Shootproof and I have back up gear in my camera bag because I can promise you something will break. 

-Work with what you have until you can comfortably afford more. Not credit card comfort, cash comfort. I worked out of my basement studio until I literally outgrew it. Make do with what you have because if you try to go too big too quick, you’ll find yourself with a closed up shop. I’ve seen it happen too often. Or share a space with a friend. Lots of options if you think you need a studio. 

– Join facebook groups to get your photos critiqued. Some are very mild and some are harsh. The only way to learn is to ask. 

– Learn to shoot manual before you call yourself a professional. A professional anything means you get paid to do it. Take on free jobs until you learn more and feel comfortable charging someone. 

… BUT DON’T let anyone ever tell you to stop or that you’re not good enough. I had a girl message me anonymously saying that I didn’t deserve to be a photographer and that my photos looked like I photoshopped everything and that I should be ashamed of myself because of me, she wasn’t able to pay her bills. This was 2012. My cousin, a little computer genius, reverse searched who she was and it turns out she was jealous because my boss at the time of a restaurant she frequented, asked me to take some pictures that ended up on a billboard. There’s always going to be haters and it’s easy to say “don’t let them get to you” but I promise they’re not worth even ONE SECOND of tears. Imagine if I had taken that girl’s words to heart. That same year is when I quit my serving job and went full time. God has provided for me every step of the way. 

Be real. Be you. Don’t compare yourself to others. Be confident and don’t let anyone walk all over you. When you don’t know, ask. Never say “I’ll fix that later in photoshop.” Get it right in the camera. Stay organized. Never stop learning. Have fun and always remember that someone chose YOU to capture their loved ones, never take that for granted. Do your best and everything that’s meant to be will be. 

Blessings, 

Lori

PS. If you think you want to sign up with anyone listed above, simply mention my name and we both get free goodies. Here’s their contacts. 

Shootproof: http://shpr.ws/1G3

Megan Harper Allstate: meganharper1@allstate.com