Starting a photography business? Here's what they don't tell you...

[@Joymichelle]

What do you wish someone told YOU when you were starting out?

[@stellali8517]

I wish someone told me that I need to spend so many hours in LR and PS, and how to use the lights.

[@marknewsome987]

If I may ask, what photography company did you start working for? What was your role there, and what valuable skills did you learn? I am definitely subscribing to your channel and will follow you on FB. Thank you! 😀

[@adventuresofjandk]

Great information. Working on my portfolio currently. Got me LLC and gear. Now I just need to find time to a actually do it.

[@Joymichelle]

🎉🎉 so exciting!! What kind of photography do you offer?

[@AlexOliveira-zi2vi]

Goodluck!

[@aimeecooper6564]

Crazy you just posted this today. I’ve always done photography as a hobby and took portrait photos on birthdays for friends and family. I just did that recently and realized I can really start doing it professionally. I’m thinking I’m interested in low light scenic photography (selling the prints on my website) and group portraits (family photos). The portrait and wedding market is pretty saturated here but I might get there! Thank you so much for your video, I’ll be building my portfolio and will come back to this comment when I launch my website. Taking notes for the future!

[@Joymichelle]

So glad you found it! I love that you’re interested in the family portrait market because I think documenting family legacy in photos is SO IMPORTANT! I have a few resources you’d love for your business back end at www.hobbytoprotoolkit.com whenever you’re ready to to pro!!

[@priscillae.4990]

Thank you !!!Joy.

[@Joymichelle]

You’re welcome!

[@willypaul70]

Joy, great video and really excellent advice on copy. In life, no matter what the circumstance, words matter! You brought the issue home and went beyond what a photographer might think is important to their business. Thanks for the reminder and the advice. You have a new subscriber!

[@Joymichelle]

You are so welcome! So glad you found this helpful

[@wewilliams22]

These were such great ideas! I never thought to create a saved folder of copy that compelled me in order to inform my own voice. Thank you!!

[@Joymichelle]

So glad this was helpful!! You’re welcome

[@ReadingintheRedwoods]

This is great advice!

[@Joymichelle]

Thanks!! Glad you found it helpful

[@sophiajuarezphoto]

Very helpful. Thank you Joy!

[@Joymichelle]

You are so welcome!

[@joelene4041]

Finally some actual tangible advice!!! So many in the industry just give the run around

[@Joymichelle]

Girlllll tell me about it

[@ClaudiaGoodwin]

I would love a video on your organization / filing when you get a new client and organize all your different clients!

[@ClaudiaGoodwin]

Do you keep everything in Honeybook (contracts and invoices) or print them and file them too? Do you have different calendars for all different sessions? I just think I can be a lot more organized!

[@Joymichelle]

That’s such a good idea. I used to print everything out and have file folders because I used to be very analog and how I tracked everything but now I rely completely on my digital CRM. and then I sync that to my personal I calendar so that my husband and I both can see that and then we have all of our personal appointments on there as well, but coded under a different color.

[@Lpackard92]

What do you mean by writing copy?

[@Joymichelle]

Good question! When I say copy - I mean the words and messaging around your business. The words on your website, social media posts etc :)

[@olympicstudios4131]

not going to lie, I have no idea what you meant by writting 'copy'. Someone please help

[@Joymichelle]

Sorry, I mean the words you use! In the business world it’s called copy! 🫣 I def should have rephrased that!

[@paigeinprogress]

So what is the difference between Focal and HoneyBook?

[@Joymichelle]

Focal is a website provider, gallery provider, & booking software all rolled into one! HB is strictly CRM!

[@paigeinprogress]

@@Joymichelle I currently use honeybook as well as squarespace and shoot proof. Could I switch focal and just use the single platform?

[@Joymichelle]

Does your current system work for you?

[@paigeinprogress]

​@Joymichelle yes and no. I really like the features of Focal and would really like the all in one aspect of it not having to do both. Because for ne currently it's pretty pricey. But I love how I can fully customize my website on squarespace

[@kellytheresaalves6322]

Hello Michelle! I am starting my own photography business and I just came across your video. I find it very helpful, thank you for sharing. Subscribed 👌

[@nau123]

which website/blogs are you starting with? i want to start too but i don’t know which website is the best

[@Joymichelle]

Woohoo!!! So excited to have you here!!

[@FilipLjungberg]

Great information. thanks for this 😊

[@Joymichelle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@WebbPhotography]

Great video!

[@Joymichelle]

Glad you liked it!

[@sigmundklaus]

what the hell is 'copy'? I know several meanings of the word but neither makes any sense in the context of sentences in this video :D

[@sofimei_jmj4567]

"Copy" is essentially text and information, and the style of the way its being written or shared. Usually it has to do with businesses having a particular 'voice' in their advertising and posts, on their website. Some businesses have a funny or snarky tone, others are very serious. A 'copywriter' would be someone hired by a company to create more text/posts/webpages with a writing style that matches previous texts from that business. In this video, she is essentially highlighting how the tone of how you write and post for your business is important and you should find a style of 'copy' (a style of writing voice' that fits you and your work, while also appealing to your target audience.

[@sigmundklaus]

Thank you, you kind fellow youtube dweller :)

[@Loki_Dokie]

Copywriting. It essentially sells your service by creating a scene and mood in the reader's mind which in turn gets you to sign up for a newsletter, then you're bombarded with an email campaign. It's designed to form a relationship and tell the client who and what your business is. I was going to be a copywriter before falling back in love with photography. If you want to learn the gritty part, check the Adweek Copywriting Handbook

[@widepies]

Right, I was wondering the same thing. Wth is copy???

[@MrAgentElsewhere]

Great content! Thank you so much!

[@Joymichelle]

Thanks for tuning in!! 🙌

[@ednunes4000]

Most people see photography as a cell phone picture. Give most people a high end dslr or mirrorless camera, and they are clueless. Photography is a business of wants for John Q Public and not a business of needs. That is why you see more car dealerships than boat dealerships. Photography has gotten alot easier vs the film days. So perfecting your craft is much easier. So with everyone owning a camera (cell phone) and most people could go through life not needing a photographer, the customer base is very small compared to large number of photographers in major areas.

[@georgedavall9449]

Ya know, it was really hard to focus on your video, when You are so distractingly Beautiful! 😊 Great Video with some sage advice, and communicated well. It is not hard to see why You are so Successful. I like to comment on videos like this, that are informative and helpful to others. There is a lot of tools and resources out there, but it can actually be confusing and daunting to someone that is starting out. Where was all this when I began Photographing many many ‘Moons’ ago? 🧐🙄 Thank You for putting out good content. Stay safe and well. Happy Shooting.

[@BryanKremkau]

is wedding collection three in lewes? haha

[@Joymichelle]

Yes!! Do you shoot there?!?

[@BryanKremkau]

@@Joymichelleha, recognized those docks and boats. yeah i live in the area so always in lewes. starting up my photo business, besides concert photography that i've done for over 25 years. switching gears to portraits, etc.

[@DriftLibrary]

The difference between an amateur and a professional is composition.

[@Joymichelle]

Interesting!

[@HURPSYYEMRAY1]

Tnk U

[@Joymichelle]

You got it

[@chelseasorsa5730]

Do you mean Phrasing?

[@focusonbusinesspodcast]

What about do new photographers realize the toll this profession takes on our body? I sure didn’t! If I did I would have factored in some hazard pay! I’ve had carpal tunnel, ulnar nerve issues, mommy thumb, neck issues all from my camera! I have early arthritis in my hands and have been putting off thumb surgery for years!! Because well paid time off doesn’t exist for us. Physical therapy, massage therapy, braces, doctors appointments, surgeries, loss of income all add up. BUT the pain all the time and the loss of using of my hands when I am older just is not what I knew about going into this business. So factor that in when you need to raise your prices! :P

[@Joymichelle]

Such a great point! I couldn’t agree with you more. The physical toll is HUGE. And the thing is, if you don’t have your health and ability to move, it becomes hard to work at all!

[@focusonbusinesspodcast]

@@Joymichelle Absolutely!!! Early arthritis and been putting off thumb surgeries :( I have had carpal tunnel, ulnar nerve issues as well as mommy thumb.... all from photography!! Need to add in PT, Doctor copay, pain meds, braces, paid time off!

[@KatrinaHutchens]

Could you use your blog AS your website and portfolio? Or should your website be seperate to your blog?

[@Joymichelle]

You can , but it won’t function as a sales page the same way you would probably want your website pages to! And you still need a contact page etc! But yes, a blog can make up the majority of your website and portfolio needs if you like

[@alexlford]

Copy??

[@Joymichelle]

The words :)

[@oosteveo315]

I see something I like... LOL