Do you have what it takes to become a success? They key to becoming a great photographer may surprise you.
While almost ten out of ten photography courses focus on the technical aspects of portrait photography – studio layout, light settings, camera gear – there is a distinct key element that makes or breaks the glass ceiling between a so-so photographer and a great one.
How you treat people in the photography world is literally, and hands-down, everything.
Character Matters
Your journey into becoming great begins, not with a camera in your hand, but in the restaurant when you are dealing with a waitress, when you are working the drive-through at a fast food restaurant, or even how you interact with coworkers.
What is your vision for your photography business? If your business involves engaging with people at all, the first order of business is, not surprisingly, interpersonal skills. How you interact with people is critical. If you aren’t sure, ask for feedback from a trusted resource. The cleaning lady, the waitress, the window cleaner can all tell you how successful you will become.
How many of these qualities can you answer affirmatively?
- Do you help the taxi driver with baggage?
- Do you thank others who help you keep your life in order?
- Are you enjoyable to be around?
- Do you look for the good in other people?
- Do you genuinely care about others?
Things will happen beyond your control during a photo shoot. The sun will blast out your subject. Clouds will bring rain. Babies will cry.
Do you blame the customer or the weather? Do you insist on following the contract when something happens beyond anyone’s control?
Take responsibility and always do the right thing when dealing with your customers. I can’t promise you that anything will always come back to you – because seriously, who knows? But, you should always do right by people.
What Do Your Customers Need?
The number one thing that you should be considering when setting up their business is what their customers are looking for? Is there a photography style or opportunity that is not being filled?
If you love drones, look for the customers who need drone photography such as realtors, developers or cities.
The last thing you should do is look at the most popular photographer in your area and copy everything they do. Unless there is more work than they can handle, you need to look to see where your strengths lie and where they can fit into an untapped niche.
We all have strengths and weaknesses. Embrace your strengths, but also embrace your weaknesses as well. Are you on the spectrum? Are you dyslexic? Your business can excel in new and different ways.
Look for Constructive Feedback
In lieu of having someone that you trust to tell you what is turning people off and what works, some organizations and businesses rely on Survey Monkey to ask for anonymous feedback from their clients.
The last thing you should do is take negative feedback personally. You must remember that only the people who care about you and your success will tell you what you need to know, even if it stings a little. But, while seeking constructive criticism, always be kind to yourself. When you feel like you’re failing at life or falling apart, call your mother.
You need that one person who always encourages you to keep doing what you love.
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