Starting a photography career while raising a family can be a challenging task for stay-at-home moms, as they often prioritize their family above all else. However, if photography is a passion you cannot let go to rot, juggling a business and raising a family can be workable.
Grit and determination are enough to start you off. You must be willing to change your routine and incorporate research and test shots into building your photography career. This may involve waking up earlier than your kids to jump-start your day, editing RAW photos, answering emails, and preparing for school. Your usual tasks are now added with business engagement, pleasure, and pain. While the kids are at school, your usual siesta, me-time, or house cleaning will be replaced with shoots, client meetings, and art directing, among other tasks. If you are ready to add some effort to turn your passion and hobby into a business, here are some tips on how you can start your photography career.
How to Start a Photography Career as a Stay-at-Home Mom
Hone your photography skills
Certainly, you wouldn’t pursue your photography career without any complementary skills. However, to turn your hobby into an income, you must showcase mastery in your craft, as clients will keep coming back, since moms are in charge of the house 24/7. Start by reading articles, tutorials, and photography manuals, and apply the concepts during a test shoot. You should know your camera by heart to create shots that are creative and out of the box. Following the social media accounts of top-notch photographers can help you get ideas and determine which photography niche you want to pursue. Exposing yourself to their portfolios and exhibits can help you identify composition and shooting techniques you would like to try, and stray away from those you know won’t work for you.
Master the art of making time
Building a business and raising children is no joke. If you have thoughts to pursue and start your photography skills while raising your kids, but are doubtful if you are capable of handling both at the same time, think again because you can and you will.
The art of making time does not entail huge steps. In fact, baby steps will help you get there. Consider family-friendly adjustments first. Try to find a good spot in the house with good lighting. You can shoot your kids and husband while you are bonding. This way, you can apply the things you learned during your research and exhibit visits to your own family. You can also consider limiting your clients to your circle of friends during weekends. This way, you can bring your kids during the shoot and not be afraid that no one will be watching over them while you’re taking photos.
Invest in reliable photography gear
As you proceed in your business venture, your photography career will most probably expand and reach clients you never thought you would handle. Upgrading and investing in durable gears that deliver optimal photo quality is a must.
You can decide on what photography equipment to invest in by asking yourself two things: “ What do you most likely shoot?” and “What quality of photos do you wish to have?”. As a photographer, you should be aware that quality should never be compromised. One way to ensure quality is by using the right equipment for each shoot. When shooting landscapes, it is preferable to use a wide-angle lens. For portraits, you can choose between the versatile zoom lens or the fixed prime lens. These defining details can help you set direction or even boost your budding photography career.
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Involve your family at work
A stay-at-home mom pursuing her hobby does not mean neglecting one role over the other. This only signifies that a simple stay-at-home parent has a life worth living, even with a family. Include your family and let them contribute even in the littlest things. On free days, you can ask for help from your husband and your kids as apprentices. They can assist in looking after equipment, holding reflectors in low places, and having fun. They can befriend clients, especially when they bring kids to the shoot. You can always pursue the things you want without sacrificing anything.
Work with children more
As a mom, your strength is in dealing with kids. Why not incorporate one of your strengths into your photography career?
Profit from your strength to make you a flexible photographer. While others may belittle your patience and versatility, handling multiple children at a time is indeed challenging. Besides, where can you find a photographer who can take portraits, candid shots, landscape photos, and document children’s events at school or around the neighborhood all at once?
Create a portfolio and/or a website
Building a creative and coherent photography portfolio may be a bit challenging. Some curate their favorite shots, but it doesn’t stop there. Portfolios are usually mistaken for a collection of a photographer’s best shots. While it can be true, a portfolio represents the photographer. Thus, it must represent a unified style or theme and a specified medium. Create a portfolio that shows your strength, style, and photography niche.
A portfolio gives you a shot to represent yourself through photos. Always consider your audience. You may want to target a specific segment of your audience or clients. While your photos will be the centerpiece, your portfolio’s style and design will supplement your craft even more.
Use Social Media to Gain Clients
After you have made family-friendly adjustments, such as inviting friends or friends of friends for a photo shoot, your photography career needs to take off and grow big. Sure, e-mailing friends and giving discounts may add clients, but what is stopping you from being booked by strangers who enjoy your work?
Promoting your photography business on Facebook can be a game-changer. Facebook is a site where almost everybody is -your friends at work, from school, from Church, common friends of friends, college and high school batchmates, etc. What is holding you back from exposing your business to a channel of potential clients? You can conveniently post an image with a relevant ad copy and tag your friends. Tagging your friends ensures a wider audience reach, as your friends’ friends can also view your post.
Referrals are your best friends
Your best friends know you best. They will also bet their name and reputation for you. These characteristics make them a viable asset for a more credible reputation and more clients. Starting out in your photography career means you need to develop effective marketing strategies. Usually, people being referred will ask a few questions before making their decision. Utilize referrals as much as you can; you want to encourage clients, right?