Speed bumps.  They are everywhere.  In life, in business and especially in photography.  They slow you down but they don’t have to break you.  They won’t break me.  And I hope they won’t break you.

We all face these speed bumps in our businesses.  We reach highs and lows, good and bad.  Not everything is perfect for ANYONE, even if it appears to be.  Sometimes our businesses are running smoothly, we are heading in the right direction and then something slows us down.

I was slowed down this week.  Not stopped, not deterred.  Just slowed down.

The senior market is ever changing, a constant challenge and trying to keep up can sometimes be hard.  But it is worth it, as this is the market I love.  It’s what I want to photograph, it’s in my blood.

The Senior market in my area isn’t huge.  I want to change that.  I am working everyday to grow as a senior photographer.  I have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best and I have learned my own lessons along the way.  There are things that work for some and things that don’t work for others.  Figuring it out for yourself and your business is the key.

This week I hit a speed bump, well two to be exact.  I am raw with it and thought by sharing it, you too could learn.  Or maybe this has happened to you and just knowing we are all in this together is a great step in a supportive photography community.

The first one has to do with the fact that I had several shoots scheduled and then two cancelled.  I was bummed.  They cancelled because of price.  Pricing is one of the hardest things to figure out and mine has changed over time.  I know that by changing my prices there will be those that don’t want to pay it.  There will be those that are cheaper than me.  But there are many that are more expensive than me.  What makes one person spend $2000 for cd of images and another person that doesn’t want to spend $500?

Figuring out the answer to this question is always a quest.  Maybe I’m not marketing to the right clients.  Maybe the senior market isn’t there yet.  Maybe some don’t value professional photography.  Maybe it is all of the above.

The second speed bump has to do with protecting your business no matter what.  What I mean by this is that you should always be professional, stick to your policies and procedures and don’t bend them for friends.  I was in a situation where a client purchased a cd for a reduced rate due to friendship, favors, etc and then took the photos and re-edited them.  To the client’s defense, I have never said this couldn’t be done.  But as a photographer, we all think this is understood.  I thought that this was a given and never thought the images would be altered.  That was me being naive.  But clients don’t think like photographers and it is our job to educate them on policies so they understand.  I include a print release (notice I did not say copyright release) with all cds that explains that the images are to be printed for personal use.  What I haven’t included, but learned this week to add, is that there needs to be a statement explaining that the copyright to the images stays with the photographer and that any additional editing or changing to the images should be made solely by the photographer.  I also realized this week that all sessions no matter what kind or who they are for should have a contract.  I haven’t been great about remembering this but I realize it is a must.  It helps you be clear about what you will provide and it allows for no miscommunication.

You guys may already know these things. And truth be told, I know them too.  But I didn’t stick to my policies or procedures and I let things slide.  So always, be a business person.  There is no reason that being professional should equal not being nice.  Be concise and clear in your communication.  Be upfront and honest.  Don’t wish you had spoken up after the fact.  This situation was a speed bump but it only slowed me down and allowed me to reevaluate my business.  I learned a lesson and my business is better for it.

So what am I going to do when other speed bumps appear, as I know they will?  What can you do if this happens to you?  Keep going.  Keep pushing.  Keep growing.  Educate your clients and your future clients.  Explain why professional senior portrait photography is important.  It is a way to document a very important part in a senior’s life.  It is something parents and seniors alike can cherish forever.

You can also reach out to others, to me.  Sharing what really happens, the good and the bad will help us all grow.  Everything in photography is not roses.  No one’s business is perfect.  I know mine is not.  I know I am constantly learning, changing and growing.  I know somedays I get lots of calls and book lots of sessions.  There are other days that I am pushing to get the phone to ring.  But I know that speed bumps are a fact.  They happen to the best of them.  They happen to the big names and those just starting out.  And they happen to everyone in between.  Slow down, take it as it comes and keep on driving.

Below are some photos of my insert that I include with cds.  The before and after.