Ever just want to...

[ChristopherCoy]

...give up?

Things aren't progressing fast enough (for me at least) and its getting really *mentally* exhausting trying to juggle the full time job, with trying to build a successful studio. And I've completely lost my drive over the last few weeks.

On top of that, it seems that everywhere I look lately, photographers are talking about how their business is growing, and they've doubled or tripled their yearly gross. It all add's up to a feeling of defeat.

I dont want to give up, but it's SO hard to find the inspiration and motivation to keep on.

[Sonny]

nope

[HeatherLou]

Chris, EVERYONE goes through this. I can tell you several stories about friends of ours. One photog, I remember was in tears one night, about 4 years ago. Now that photog is one of the most sought after in the DFW area! I went through it about 2 years ago too. Just don't loose hope! It has taken me nearly 5 years to get where I THINK I have enough clients to make it full time. Your work is pet work is smokin! It just takes TIME to build a client base, and to let word of mouth work for you!

[Arcusmedia]

Christopher dont Except Defeat! Your pet work is amazing! Plus is you quit who can I send my clients to when they need a picture of fido?

[Tom]

On top of that, it seems that everywhere I look lately, photographers are talking about how their business is growing, and they've doubled or tripled their yearly gross.

A lot of photographers lie a lot. Just because they are saying that doesn't make it true.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

A lot of photographers lie a lot. Just because they are saying that doesn't make it true.

Shhhhhh.....don't give away the secret!

[HeatherLou]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

A lot of photographers lie a lot. Just because they are saying that doesn't make it true.

I don't know that it is a lie, per se. Maybe they only made 100$ their first year. Wouldn't be hard to double that

But seriously.

Chris, your work is great! But put on your big girl panties, nothing happens overnight. You just have to give yourself TIME!

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Heatherlou

Chris, your work is great! But put on your big girl panties, nothing happens overnight. You just have to give yourself TIME!

Only if they are pink and come with ruffles. I'm bringing back the ruffles.

[timbertoes]

better than giving up, go treat yourself to a D700 or a D3 ... ;)

[brad]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Only if they are pink and come with ruffles. I'm bringing back the ruffles.

I'm sure you can pull off the ruffles, my friend, but I don't really want to see it.

You're gonna get a lot of people blowing smoke up your hindquarters with a post like this.. and that's ok. You have made major strides in your abilities over the last year... and you continue to improve.

Starting a business is hard. Extremely hard. Doing it while holding a full time job elsewhere is even harder. Some days are better than others. Some days, you look at a pile of bills and a pile of paperwork and think "why am I doing this?"

Then some days, you get an email from a client that makes it all worthwhile.

As artists, we all feel like we're in a slump or rut from time to time. Images we would have been thrilled to produce a few months ago now seem full of flaws. Watch what others are doing and let it inspire you. Take time to do a personal art project to reinvigorate you.

As business people, we sometimes feel like we're working for "The Man" more than we ever did as someone else's employee. Maybe we are. Bills and governmental paperwork is a huge burden. They are the price of freedom. Freedom to make your own business choices. Freedom to work or not work today. Freedom to change rapidly if you see a business opportunity.

First and foremost, pick a day of the week - any day - and declare it your "day off." That doesn't mean you have to take it. But this is the day of the week you don't schedule anything and you don't HAVE to do anything. You still can work that day, but if you don't feel like it - you can take it off and not feel guilty. You'll be amazed at what a day like that will do for your mood.

Second - network with your fellow photographers as much as possible. After Dark next month will be a great place to do it. I love the FWPPA guild for that... and a certain banned member and I have been talking about starting the monthly lunches again. We need time to visit with our friends and colleagues. It keeps us sane.

Third - keep educating yourself. Conferences, Education Events, Photo magazines, Photovision... all of them - and watch everything. You never know what nugget of wisdom you're going to pick up from a wedding shooter that you might apply to your pets work (ok, that sounded bad). Always strive to be better. A little "I'm never satisfied" is good for the soul. When you are satisfied, you will stagnate.

Chin up. If it was easy, everyone would do it. I know it sometimes seem like everyone is doing it, but not everyone is being successful .. and few are being as successful as they say they are.

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

A lot of photographers lie a lot. Just because they are saying that doesn't make it true.

seriously! Every client I know has scaled back their spending on photos over the last year or two. I personally took a hit over the last couple years, with 2007 and 2008 being my best to date. The economy sucks right now, so it would be hard for so many photogs to triple their income, unless they started at $1.50 last year. If they brought in $50K to $150k last year, which is the average for pro photogs, that would mean they are now making $150k to nearly half a million dollars!!!!!

They most likely brought in some tiny number last year and are now bringing in a less-tiny number this year. It's tough on all of us right now. You can give in, if you want, but I wouldn't.

[HeatherLou]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

Only if they are pink and come with ruffles. I'm bringing back the ruffles.

Haha, awesome......can I borrow them? Trade ya my pink tutu!

[BeccaJ]

I'm sure everyone gets that way at some point...I don't have much else to add except...

I want to buy a dog... JUST so you can photograph it. If I'm having a bad day, I can just pop on over to your blog, and it'll immediately put a smile on my face!

[J Eddington]

Chris, it is hard! Some days are harder than others but...each day I make a choice... to move forward... another step... and I get rewarded.

I am like you in that it never moves as fast as I want. I wanted my business in TX to be where my business in OH was. But it took me 9 years to build up that business.

[princer7]

You are lucky to be in the position you are... making the transition to your own studio. I am on the other side of the fence looking in - one day, I would like to turn my photography into a profession.

Chin up, take a deep breath, and enjoy all that you have accomplished.