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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Do I make The jump... so close
Nadine Redd, Photographer
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Kansas City | KS | USA | Posted: 2:14 PM on 10.27.05 |
->> I know no-one can make this decision for me, but I am so close to just jumping in and trying my luck with photography fulltime.
I received a promotion at work and now work 11-12 hours a day, leaving no time for photography. My sales for sport posters has been crazy when I can shoot. One high school here in Kansas City can't buy enough of the posters. If I make them, they will buy them.
But when does one get the "guts" to just do it? That is what I must decide soon. I am not getting any younger. |
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Tim Gasperak, Photographer
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San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 2:31 PM on 10.27.05 |
| ->> My philosophy has always been, "if you don't do it, you won't do it". I don't think you can foresee how your life will change unless you live that life and make a go at it. It won't be without its difficulties and challenges, but, then, nothing in life is. Give it a whirl, you might be surprised. |
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Alan Look, Photographer
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Bloomington | IL | United States | Posted: 3:09 PM on 10.27.05 |
| ->> 12 hour days is a promotion? |
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William Jurasz, Photographer, Assistant
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Cedar Park | TX | USA | Posted: 3:11 PM on 10.27.05 |
| ->> Tough call Nadine. One thing to consider is if you try photography full-time for a year or two, if it fails how difficult will it be to get back into your old career (either at that company or another)? In other words, what is the down-side to failure? |
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Clark Brooks, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 3:44 PM on 10.27.05 |
->> Nadine:
Before you make the jump, because it takes more than just guts to become a self-employeed photographer, some things to ask yourself . . .
1. Do you have a business plan? Do you have an accounting system set up? Do you have promotional plan that run six months or longer to market your services? Have you figured what your cost of living is and the amount of money you will need in a given period (month, quarter, year) you will need maintain it or one you are comfortable living within?
2. Do you have the financial wherewithall to six to eight months with absolutely no to little income from photography? Do you have access to funding in case your cash flow is slower than you expected?
3. You mentioned that you are doing well selling posters to the high school market. What will you do for income during the summer vacation period when school is out and there are no prep events in progress? Do the sale of your posters and other photo work currently cover your equipment, insurance (business and health), rent, travel expenses, and other related bills you would incur? If not, now may not be the time.
I'm not saying you shouldn't make the jump, but you need to have a plan, not for failure, but for success and sometimes that includes not making enough money in the early stages of your business to make ends meet.
Not knowing more about your situation, I would suggest you tough out the the 11-12 hour days in your current job until next August. This gives you an opportunity to plan ahead, research and advertise in your market area, save every penny you can for working capital when you make the jump, learn any additional business or photo skills you might need, and in general get all your ducks in a row so the transition from employee to self-employment goes smoother.
The other reason I suggest next August/end of July as your start point is that will be the start of the next high school sports season. But if your shotgun loaded and the ducks are lined up now financially, then now is the time to make the jump. That will give you two season until summer hits.
Good luck with whatever decision you make and keep us posted. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Tucson | AZ | USA | Posted: 4:57 PM on 10.27.05 |
->> I couldn't agree more with Clark's post. I realize a lot of people here would encourage you to "go for it," where your hard work and determination takes you to the highest level of success, not to mention the envy of all your friends and associates. It happens more in the movies than in real life.
One thing you indicated is you could sell as many posters to this high school as possible. Okay, that sounds great. Say the school has a change in leadership and the administration gets a burr under his/her saddle about your access and sales of photos of students, minors for profit. Then what?
A fair number of people on this site have lodged complaints about dealing with high schools and access if not associated with a legitimate news organization. Then you've got schools who decide to use the service of a company who will handle all extra curricular activities including sports. It could lock you out completely. Have you considered all of the "what ifs?"
I know sometimes you have to say, "what the f---, go for it." A good attorney always knows the answers to the questions he/she poses in court before the questions are asked and you need to do the same. |
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Nadine Redd, Photographer
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Kansas City | KS | USA | Posted: 5:05 PM on 10.27.05 |
->> Thanks to everyone. I have considered most of the post but have not on some others. I am the point of weighing all of this. Tough decision, but one I will think about a few more weeks before acting. OK it may take more than a few weeks :)
Thanks again. |
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DJ Werner, Photographer
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Coastal | NC | USA | Posted: 6:09 PM on 10.27.05 |
->> sleep on it --for more than a few weeks...
lots of good advice above
can you cut back where you work now to part time? or part time somewhere else?
is it the 12 hour days? or the type of work?
working 12 hour days as a newspaper photographer is the norm- crazy shifts and all....weekends, holidays...
so is running a biz...
I agree with clark- he gave you very sound advice...
start planning now- save up a nest egg
"one gets the guts" :
For Me:
you'll know it's time when you get the fire in the belly- that burning feeling to act...
if you have to ask-- is it time ?... it's not...
when it's time - I act- I don't ponder or sleep on the decision any longer...
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please change your mindset:
you don't "try your luck with photography full time"
for a successful photography business:
you plan
get a good solid "business plan" together along with a good solid "marketing plan"
take your time - don't rush into this
DJ |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 7:09 PM on 10.27.05 |
->> A business without a plan is like a ship without a rudder.
Nadine, contact your local chapter of SCORE. These are volunteers who have usually been successful in business and are now retired.
Ask SCORE for people who have used them and been successful. Ask the successful businessperson that used SCORE which mentor worked with them and what were the most important things they learned.
Go talk to a banker. Ask what they look at when they start to build a relationship with a client. Most people avoid bankers. They shouldn't. Just keep in mind bankers are in business to make a profit and not to fund start up businesses. Tell them you're thinking about making a career switch and ask them what they look for in building a relationship. Make it clear you're not interested in borrowing money to get started but want access to their financial knowledge. Things like budgeting, forecasting, cash flow analysis.
Go to the local Junior College and enroll in some Marketing Courses. Audit them - you don't need the credits.
You'll learn a lot - and you may pick up some new accounts along the way.
The business enviroment is brutal, Nadine. One can succeed. But you have to have creativity, and good business skills to be successful. Don't be afraid...too much. Just go learn the skills it takes.
Good luck.
Michael |
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Nadine Redd, Photographer
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Kansas City | KS | USA | Posted: 8:16 PM on 10.27.05 |
->> Awesome advice. I have contacted the local SCORE Chapter here in KC and will take everyone's post into deep consideration and yes it will take more than a few weeks. I want to do it right now but know deep inside I must educate myself and prepare for success as best I can.
I have never been more serious about anything in my life.
Someday I know I will be successful in this business. I will not accept anything less. It is not a matter of wondering if I can do it, but rather when the time is right to do it from a financial and educational standpoint.
I have spent a lot of time researching and learning what I can and expanding myself beyond just the photography field but still staying right next to it (websites, graphic skills etc) thus make making a living not one dimensional feature.
Thanks to everyone. |
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