To check out all of the previous posts in this series click HERE <--------

I might have the venture out and say that the starting a business part of starting a photography business is hands down the hardest thing for most people to do. It is much simpler to take pictures of people and have them pay you some money than it is to determine your business model, write up contracts, get legal with the state, pay taxes and get insurance. These things are even more difficult to do if you are in your beginning stages and barely earning anything from your shoots.

I would even venture to say that there are a LOT of individuals out there claiming to be running as a business when they are not and this can be extremely detrimental to not only themselves, but to the client as well.

I knew early on that if I wanted to take this photography stuff seriously, I needed to treat it seriously. Even though it can be a little daunting and a lot of information you come across can be confusing, I made myself into a legal business very quickly and feel much more comfortable than I am sure I would if I hadn't taken those steps.

I began by registering my business with the city that I live in. I had to get an EIN number, register as a sole proprietor and open a business banking account. I got a business licence and signed up with the state to pay business taxes.

Soon after that I researched insurance companies and took out a policy to cover all my gear and liability insurance as well. Let me tell you the peace of mind that comes with that. Photography gear is NOT cheap and worrying about something breaking or getting stolen is just not worth it. Insurance coverage is essential for every photographer.

In addition to the legal aspects of starting a business, there is the business part of starting a business.

What is your business model?
What is your mission statement?
Why are you in business?
What do you want to accomplish?
What services do you want to provide?
What products do you want to provide?
What are you going to charge for all of this?
What are your long term goals? How are you going to achieve them?
How are you going to market yourself?
How are you going to deal with disputes/problems?
How much time are you willing to invest?

If you want to have a growing, sustainable business, you HAVE to ask yourself these questions. You simply can not wing it and hope for the best. That is a recipe for failure. I can guarantee that the majority (if not all) of the successful, sustainable photographers out there have thought through these questions and know where they are going. They have goals they are working towards. They increase their skills and experience. They do not become stagnant.

While I know I have a long way to go to growing this business of mine into something that is a well functioning, stable business I feel as if I am off to a very good start. I have goals and aspirations that I am constantly working towards. I am challenging myself not only to become a better photographer but a better business woman.

I am jazzed to see what the future holds.

If you missed the first few posts in this series click HERE.

Lighting. Where do I even start? Lighting is so integral to photography that this post could probably be about 100 pages long. Everything in photography revolves around light. Where is it coming from? What color is it? How is it being seen by the camera? How is it hitting your subject? What effect is it having on your photo or your vision for a photo? Natural lighting. Off camera lighting. Ring lights, ice lights, strobes, alien bees (yes you read that right)....and it goes on and on.

Lighting is an aspect of photography of which I have barely scratched the surface. It is something that I will continue to learn about as long as I have a camera in my hand.

Since I am mostly a natural light photographer, I have a better grasp at natural light than studio or off camera lighting. I am definitely interested in learning more about off camera lighting and how to mix the two (natural and off camera) to come up with even more creative and artistic looks.

One of the first things I discovered in my early days of photography is that more sun is not necessarily a good thing. Bright, direct sun causes a lot of very harsh and unflattering shadows and, if you are photographing a person, a lot of squinty eyes.

Solution: Diffusion.

Diffusion is a great help when it comes to natural light. Its kind of the same concept as sheer window shades. They still allow the light in, but it is much less harsh and is more spread out and thus a more natural and pleasing type of light.

I have learned the basics about lots of different types of lighting over the past year. Backlighting, rim light, harsh light, open shade, dappled lighting, butterfly lighting and Rembrandt lighting are a just a few and the list goes on and on.

I've learned how a reflector can help me immensely however I hardly use it because I either am shooting without an assistant, or my subjects (kiddos) are too quick! This is one of my goals for the next year...use a reflector regularly! I feel like the quality of my photos will increase greatly by implementing this technique.

I also have an expodisc to help with white balance. I know how to use it but often don't mostly because I find that I shoot to fast. I need to slow down and take my time.

Easier said than done.

I know about exposure compensation and bracketing and while I have a flash, triggers, umbrella stand etc...I am still very novice when it comes to off camera lighting. I am drawn to it however and know for certain it will be something I learn more and more about as the years progress.

I think I speak for a lot of photographers when I say that lighting is what keeps you coming back. Nailing a beautifully lit photograph is almost addicting. You just want more and more. I know I have a long way to go when it comes to the lighting aspect of photography and I am so excited for the journey!

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