So I was sitting here thinking today about my most recent meeting with a client. I was asked some pretty off the wall questions at the end of our meeting. Questions I have never been asked before except when I was on a job interview a few years back. Well, I liked the questions so much I just had to share.
Client: What do you think the advantages of working for yourself rather than a large studio are?
Me: The best part of being self-employed is I am the one calling the shots, making the decisions and deciding how to run the big show. I do not have to answer to anyone but my client. That gives me the freedom to try new things, explore the photography world and define my style instead of defining someone else’s style and vision. The more real I am the more real my clients will respond to my work.
Client: WHat is the biggest business risk you have ever taken?
Me: The biggest risk I have ever taken was when I first started out and spent $15,000 on my credit cards for camera gear and not knowing if I would even make it to pay the credit cards back. Even thought it was the biggest risk I ever made, it was the smartest risk I made because that $15,000 I spent made me a lot more to buy better gear and expand our business even more. More importantly, it has enabled me to spend the extra money I have made on better quality products for my clients. I am about giving back to the client, so taking a few extra $$$ from my pocket to make a client a better album or give them a larger framed picture is well work it. I am a firm believer in taking risks, but if you work hard and believe in it with your heart then you will succeed.
Client: What was the turning point in your business?
Me: I cant answer that one just yet because I have had so many amazing experiences that all have been turning points in our business. We learn from every picture we take and I feel every wedding or event we shoot is a turning point for us. Ask me again in 30 years when I retire and I will have a better answer for you of an exact event or series of events.
Client: What is your deal breaker?
Me: I have to say that my deal breaker is that I will not compromise my artistic views and techniques for a client. People book me for my skills and vision. No, not everyone will like the way I shoot, but that is ok. I understand and will be more than happy to refer them to another photographer who will better suit their style.
Client: What is the most important element in your business?
The most important element in my business is my support from my family. My wife assists me for a lot of the weddings and she also helps me choose the perfect images for the albums we provide for our clients. I plan on building a family empire in the wedding photography world and hope one day my children can take over.
So at this point my client looked me in the eyes and said to her fiancee “honey, write this guy a check. I want him to do our wedding….”
This conversation with this client got me to really think these past few days. It made me realize how much I love to shoot weddings and how much fun it is to do this every weekend. I would not trade this for anything.
