How I Make My Photography Business Work: My Simple System

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

My last workshop for 2022 is now up for pre sales www.tinhouse-studio.com/product/pre-sale-mastering-bold-graphic-food-photography-everything-i-know/

[@alexkerry11]

It's great to watch a video of someone clearly, directly, saying what is most important for them, and what makes them happy. All explained and justified with some intellectual rigour. I have only a few friends who talk like this: I wish more people would do so.

[@josephsharketti2173]

I’ve been teaching my 12-year-old son about managing money, living below your means, staying out of debt, etc…I’m going to make him watch this video!

[@kennethjonesphotography]

Like you, I have been rather wealthy and, also like you, I’ve also been homeless. In fact, I’ve experienced this cycle twice in my life and do not wish nor intend to repeat it. Over the past decade I’ve been struggling between the stress of maintaining “appearances” and living the more simple and far more personally rewarding life I have frequently longed for. And, just very recently, I have finally made the decision and actually have taken the physical actions to live the more simplistic and far more personally rewarding life I have put aside all too often. I’ve never stated this aloud to anyone before, but this video of yours has compelled me to do so here. Thank you.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

It sounds like you have had an eventful time! And yes saying it outloud or writing it down really helps move forward with the new plan. Making this video certainly helped me find peace.

[@kennethjonesphotography]

@@TinHouseStudioUK Yes, it's been a rather cathartic experience; something I wish I'd done long ago. But, better late than never, I guess.

[@simonrhys]

Not off piest at all, it's what I'm here for! Cheers

[@mylifeswork101]

The 9 balconies cracked me up! Why would anyone need 9 balconies? You made me think about how clear is my life and artistic ethos. Thank you for sharing!

[@adventure9606]

Live below your means, hopefully parents are still teaching their kids this. Thanks for reminding everyone.

[@nickraypost]

Dude, this guy is absolute sage in countless ways... Great message and reminder on this video. What an awesome way to live and run the finances of life and business. Love this channel!!! I've been a huge Mr. Money Mustache fan for many years, but have been stuck in the bizarre middle-ground for over a decade... almost a self built millionaire, but its incredibly hard! Great reminder of all the B.S. that totally steals what we really want or need in life. The frivolous chasing of pointless "stuff" truly does drag so many people down. I desperately need to cut my choices in half. Thank you for the clear fact: life is very often completely a choice of what serves us or doesn't. While I save half, spend half, there is so much I should be doing better to find clarity and peace. Awesome vids - one of the best KZbin creators.

[@joostverpoort]

I started this way of life since two years and I'm so happy! I'm nearly 60 and realizing I should have done this much sooner. No more mortgage, loans, big cars and expensive stuff...... thanks Scott! (Beside some camera gear with vintage lenses)

[@mr.shutterz5348]

I was literally a few thumb movements away from skipping your video on this as I honestly thought it would be similar to others you’ve posted. However… I’m glad I now clicked. This right here is so very relatable, it’s also the point I’m at in my life at the age of 41. I’m a business owner as well as wildlife photographer. Materialistic things went out of the window quite a while ago and quite simplistic approaches to everything in front of me in life is what I love to have, I no longer have expensive items, aspire to earn millions and keep my wardrobe down to less clothes than your good self! It was the younger version of me that although I don’t regret, is simply not a sustainable way of living and eventually, I feel, creates a chasing culture with negative outcomes. Thanks for sharing, Scott, great video. 👍

[@DominereEvansMusic]

This is gold! It's the same journey I'm on with my photography and lifestyle. Thanks for sharing. 🥂

[@graceabovellc]

This is the realest video on KZbin I’ve encountered!

[@jamesmcevoy2000]

I love your outcome and how you think about your time. I have begun to start thinking this way and all I can do is agree with you. This video was very well spoken.

[@leocavallini]

You're such a cool and down to earth chap, Scott! Thanks for sharing personal details of your life to illustrate your point of view. I follow you for a long time and your content is always nice. Keep it up!

[@mikaelholz]

Scott, have you ever considered writing a book about your life experiences - ups and downs?

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

My writing skills are far too poor.

[@Greg.Mika.]

If only books were written by skilled people… 😅

[@davidpriddis]

Well said, I'm totally on the same wave length.

[@dermotmcelduff2997]

Def the life style I am aspiring too at the moment!

[@fredzh]

Great advice, and coincidentally, very similar to my uncle's lifestyle philosophy. My uncle was a very successful network television director, who lived an understated lifestyle that made him happy and comfortable with who he was, and could never be construed as pretentious. His guiding principle was, "It's not important what other people think of me. What's important is what I think of other people."

[@wandilenkutha8654]

Thanks for the video, it really helped open my mind because I’m only 23 and I would always think about the amount of stuff I want to buy and it caused a lot of frustration and societal pressure. But now I realised that it’s okay to just be able to live somewhat of a frugal life and still be happy.🙏🙌

[@nickraypost]

No one will know the difference, but you'll live a 200-400% better life easily. Morally, financially, and in a meaningful/purposeful way. Most of it is junk you'll throw away and you won't even remember in a year or two. Keep it up!

[@dougpittman9446]

Richness is not money, good on you for the video and for being fine human :)

[@Topsyrm]

Living within your means, not the most popular concept these days. Glad someone else does it and has the balls to put it out there. Nice one.

[@benharris3949]

You say “off-piste” but I think it’s exactly on brand for this channel. A great video and well presented: a genuine “here’s how I”, not a “you need to” Thank you.

[@corbinpearce7686]

I wish I had access to projects that could set me up for the year. I know part of it is just how far along you are in your career, and another other part is probably focusing down the commercial route rather than shoots for individuals, but the concept of a 30k profit shoot just blows my mind for where I’m at right now.

[@corbinpearce7686]

@@tierangreen Oh I'm in no rush. I'm just out of college in my first year of doing photography. I'm still digging around trying to decide the work I enjoy the most. I know it's going to be a journey to take the step up in the future - but I do intend to pretty ruthlessly lock in a niche and excel once I've done some more exploring. It's just interesting seeing what the magnitude of the work that exists at those higher levels.

[@user-ik9gw4wh4c]

Couldn’t agree with you more. I never had debt due to my upbringing but I did use to live hand to mouth (job to job) I now have less material things am far happier and enjoy live more.

[@patrickphotos]

Thanks for sharing this video. The other day I walked past a high street shop that was owned by a company offering photography and video services. Parked outside was a company luxury car. I then wondered how the expensive car helped the business. This video has put what I saw into perspective. The car is a lifestyle choice rather than a business choice. I don't know for sure but they probably think that a perception of success leads to greater success.

[@RexEllacott]

In Asia status is everything. We spent a million bucks on a facility in Singapore, in 1997 and within 6 months of opening turned over in excess of 3/4 million. The Asia perception is completely different than that of the west. Almost a build it and they will come, mentality.

[@patrickphotos]

You are right. It also explains why some photographers choose expensive equipment which they don’t need. Thinking that having that top end kit means that you will get the top end jobs.

[@Skipsul]

Thanks for this. I'm on the horns of a dilemma myself about "what next?" in life, and you've provided much clarity about how to think about the problem.

[@jp-69-ns]

Every new photographer should watch this. Superb advice. Overhead killed the business, simple as that.

[@alanroderick7153]

Yep, step away from the treadmill (unless that really, really is the lifestyle you want). Good to prompt people to think about it, thanks

[@kavindelejr]

That was simply stunning! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@johnkenny9832]

Loved the usual honesty in this video! Simplicity in any aspect of life must be a good thing. I reckon there must be a book in your future somewhere based on the creative approach, work ethic, philosophy and technical skills.

[@UrbanAvoider]

Thoroughly enjoyed every word of this transparent approach to doing what makes you happy! I'm sick to death of being around constant judgement based on my earnings, belongings and social score.

[@arkstudios1]

Yep same lifestyle...changed 10 years ago will not go back.

[@mariuszsienko]

I'm shocked to find someone that thinks about money exactly the way I do. I already started thinking there's something wrong with me ;)

[@RexEllacott]

Brilliant stuff there Scott. I can identify with that 100% as I had a production company once (I've had a few) and it wasn't until I was flying to Noumea to do a series of Club Med commercials, that I realized I was working for everyone else. My 10 staff members, building, overheads and insurances. It was costing me in excess of 40k a month before I even paid myself. One becomes a megalomaniac without even realizing it. 28 years later I prefer to live the life I do now. Like you, I live very simply, do all things myself and learn a lot more. Besides, I'm an old fart now, so what would I know, for all those trendy agency folk, lol....

[@davecarrera]

A truly inspiring video. Thank you for sharing.

[@marcinmrzyglocki]

That was a "clickbaity" title, as I have expected talk about business not life, but a nice surprise that was! I agree partially, the most shocking part for me was counting jobs in "months of living". 12, 30, 120??? How is that level even possible, I would say, baffled.

[@jeremydeihl]

You are speaking to my soul in this one. Sounds like we had a fairly similar go in life and ended up with similar mindsets in the end.

[@RemiManWithVan]

Very cool, very straight forward and sound simple enough 💪

[@HVRIS]

I have a somewhat similar model and it is very simple yet effective to have peace of mind

[@stevpwright]

Goals.

[@IliasKoureas]

Really appreciate your knowledge!

[@reniesboutique]

I am working very hard to be able to live like you do… ❤

[@Pixelpeeps-69]

Very valuable points to a happy life

[@StudioBuilder]

It's interesting. I actually think about jobs in the same way, how many months of rent they'll cover.

[@EdwardKilner]

Good advice. You should have a comfortable retirement when that time comes.

[@samcooper5539]

This is very topical for me. I've taken the last month or so to find how I want to live my life. I learned that there is more to my life than photography (I have been working A LOT). I am working to find my balance. I have started to wonder if the success I want in photography is compatible with the rest of the life I want to live. I'm considering that maybe a day job with benefits and vacation time (while making art purely for fun) is more balanced for me. But I am young (late 20s) so I'm trying to be patient and finding out, I'm willing to trial and error for a few more years.

[@GeorgeSzendreiPhotography]

Your life sounds interesting. You should start a blog or write a book. Cheers.

[@pannieman]

I have never done anything Pro, always been Amateure. Like what I do. been kicked out of a motorsport venue, because I wasn't acredditted, after a year! What are we looking for! started in 1982, motivated by a friend.

[@Popa_Bogdan_Light_Drawing]

Thank you! Nice video :)

[@JMTosch]

I'm a bit jealous. Our health insurance (US) is almost double your salary. We pay about $1,500 per month, and have to pay up to $6,000 per year out of pocket maximum. Don't get me started on food costs. We cook almost every meal every day, and our food costs for a family of 3 (healthy veg, rice, some inexpensive meats) is about $700 and we try to be careful about waste.

[@TinHouseStudioUK]

That sounds really stressful. The NHS is one of the best things about the UK that we all take for granted.

[@sanfranciscorealestateph-cd5nl]

time is money. We cant take all our toys with us, so might as well just do what you enjoy with the least amount of stress possible

[@TwangThang57]

Ditto!

[@michael862]

Very inspireing Being rich or poor has little to do with how Much money you make But it has everything to do with how Much you spend. If you dont understand that income has to be higher Than spending. Then you Will be poor no matter how Much money you make.

[@markrichardhall9089]

The root of unhappiness resides in comparison to others. It also lies in giving credit to opinions that dont deserve it. Be humble, keep it simple, find love then cherish and respect it. All else is just white noise and bullshit.

[@nickname1812]

Good advice, exactly as the WEF is taking us…

[@eldanno5970]

Mate you could start a channel just about life advice, so many would be a lot happier if they listened to what you have to say.

[@Greg.Mika.]

Miss that funky sound intro though…

[@roberteli5235]

I'm trying to wrap my head around living off $12K a year. You say that it pays the bills and allows you to go on vacation. I just don't see how that's remotely possible on that salary alone. Are you using other funds that the business brings in to facilitate that?

[@razraz2333]

Well I agreed 95% of photographers can’t make more then £1200 a year Photography is one of low pay job even if you work own business still not easy to reach £25000 Unfortunately photography is kind of joke now because every one they have a smart phone claim as photographer!

[@matanaviv3311]

So much nonsense in one comment

[@razraz2333]

@@matanaviv3311 if you are photographer show then your income and with proof But if you are not photographer please listen to professional photographers what they are saying about their crying and pain otherwise please stop bullshit ! Thanks 🙏

[@BigBanana55]

@@razraz2333 I guess you missed the bit where Scott earns 6 figures annually.

[@jamesg7734]

The richest people I’ve known in my life are rarely the ones with the fancy watches and designer clothes. Those that do are usually the ones trying to belong to a lifestyle they can’t afford. I used to be in sales. Many people looking flashy and well off, but usually paying on credit. Richest customer I met - scruffy suit, no fancy watch or jewellery. You would ignore him if he passed you. Paid on an Amex Black.

[@nickraypost]

I noticed this too in the TV business interviewing hundreds of very wealthy names. Often, their children are taught never to flash/show it. But those attempting to reach that level sure do pull out their wallets and high interest loans. Never pays off to be distasteful!

[@kchuaw4500]

i envy you