Hello everyone! I am glad you enjoyed Thoughts on Starting a Photography Business, my first guest post last week. This week I’d like to talk about an issue every photographer faces at some point: self-confidence. Self-confidence is an issue that tends to leave a cloud over some photographers heads.

It’s difficult when you view other photography sites and compare yourselves to them.  My advice is: STOP RIGHT NOW! Sure it’s great to see other photographers’ styles and read about how they have clients on a waiting list, but what beginning photographers seem to forget is – you are comparing your work to someone who has been shooting for 8 or 9 years. There is going to be a huge difference in your work.  I had to delete so many websites from my reader because I just spent hours viewing other sites and wondering why my photos didn’t look like theirs.  What I really needed to be doing was getting out there and shooting!  One huge confidence booster for me was several months ago…

This family was dining in my bar {I’ve been a bartender for 20 yrs, remember?} and they had this most adorable little girl with the most amazing curly hair.  She was so polite and kindly asked for “a side of ketchup to dip her French fries”.  I kept staring at her debating on whether I should give her mom my business card.  Finally after the prodding of the other bar staff I did.  I saw the little girl playing with my card towards the end of the meal and thought Oh well. I tried; not thinking anything would ever come of that.

Three weeks later I received an email from her mom and found out she had checked out my website and loved my work and wanted to schedule a maternity session!  Fast-forward to December and I received a note from her saying  “I am so glad you came over to my table that night and dropped your card off . I want you to become my family photographer”. That right there was worth any compliment I’ve ever received!

It can be a long difficult path on this way to owning your own business but it is worth every bit of it.  I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There is nothing to replace the joy you have when looking through your view finder and capturing this:

Here’s a few things I’d like to add:

• Do research your local area for photographers. Check them out and see if any are willing to mentor you or answer any questions you have. You will learn so much from someone who understands this business.  If you cannot find a local one, find someone outside your area or attend a workshop. View it as a “weekend” away where you can experience the joy of being around others who love what you love.

• Read as much as you can.  You’ve heard it before – READ your camera manual. Get to know your camera inside and out and find websites on-line you can learn from. There are  tons out there – along with Mira’s blog here are a few that I follow -

Improve Photography, DPS, and Expert Photography.

• Learn to see the light – I never quite understood what everyone meant by that but slowly and surely I’ve learned to see the light. No, I haven’t mastered it yet but I am so much better at seeing it then say one year ago. You will learn to see it when you’re driving, when you’re out walking in a park, you will see how beautiful it is at dusk.  I’ve read tons on trying to master the light but it finally hit home with this book: Chasing the Light by Ibarionex Perello

• There is cost involved in starting your own photography business: websites, business cards, equipment, etc. However,  looking at the entire picture, it is still less expensive than start-up for other businesses.

• Speaking of equipment,  invest in good quality equipment.  I don’t believe it skimping here.  I know it can get expensive so save up for it.  I’d rather have to wait 9 more months to get a great  lens then to get a less expensive one sooner.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Everyone is afraid of looking stupid but ask anyway.  Chances are there are 3 other photographers who have the same questions.

• You will find out there are lots of ways to do things.  I’ve gone into sessions thinking I should only shoot it this way but I find out –  no – there are  other ways too.  It’s been a huge eye opener knowing that what works one way, will also work another way and some rules aren’t’ really rules at all.

Hopefully this article will keep you from making some of the mistakes that I’ve made. Photography is a profession where you are constantly learning so keep reading  and you will learn something new every day!

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Elizabeth Holder

I am an on-location natural light photographer serving the greater Tampa/St. Pete and central Florida area. My goal is to capture the "real" person on the other side of my lens. You can say my style is clean, timeless & real. I am a wife to a wonderful and very patient man who keeps me laughing everyday. Mama to 3 amazing grown children & 3 mischievous kitties. I live on Diet Coke, Starbucks & cupcakes. I love football, traveling, and going to the movies. If you really want to know all about me you can go to my blog and read about my adventures in this crazy life of mine.

Latest posts by Elizabeth Holder (see all)

• Tips To Help You Build Your Self-Confidence as a Photographer - February 11, 2012
• Thoughts on Starting a Photography Business - February 3, 2012