This morning I had a scheduled email that released to about 2500 people on my combined email lists, you were likely one of those people. Inside I asked everyone, what would you like to learn from me and left my personal email inside for folks to direct message me and let me know. To say the response has been overwhelming is an understatement.
Overwhelmingly it is apparent that people want to know about THE BUSINESS of PHOTOGRAPHY. I have seen the word taxes this morning more times than I can count. It became clear very quickly that many people are thinking about becoming a professional photographer but are held back by something as silly has taxes. Sure, easy for me to say, silly, I've been doing that stuff since 2008 but to me, that stuff is so minor in what it actually takes to run a business.
Want to hear the truth? You have to make money before you worry about paying taxes. You have to bet on yourself enough to start the business before you need to worry about a separate bank account.
You have to create habits and gain the mindset of a CEO over yourself. This is where the work lies. This is the business.
Folks, it doesn't matter if you want to be a photographer, a baker, or a candlestick maker, a business, the real business of photography, is the relationships and connections you have with humans and most importantly the human that looks back at you in the mirror.
YEP. TRUTH.
Want a summary of where to start when building a business of any kind?
1. Buy a few self-development books - I would start with "Win The Day" by Mark Batterson
2. START. Start messy, scared, and full of doubt. Start.
3. Tell only someone you know is in your corner where you would like to see your business go. Your biggest wildest version of success. Say it out loud.
4. Invest in YOU. Invest in education and bettering your craft. You won't need to worry about write offs and accountants if you aren't willing to improve in your skill.
5. STOP comparing. The business is learning to get out of your own head and stop seeing who is better than you. Chances are, you're comparing your beginning to their middle.
6. Get a mentor that has done the do.
7. Do work FOR FREE - alot. Practice a lot. Learn the basics over and over and over again. Don't get ahead of yourself and don't waste money on things you're not ready for. You don't need three new lenses if you're still mastering shutter speed.
8. Then google LLC versus sole proprietorship and pay for a business license online.
When I put it like that, can you see how minor something like numbers are? This isn't to be rude but it's for you to see YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! You can 100% improve your skill because you love it. You 100% can figure out the taxes because that's such a small part of what you're business will be. Are you really going to let the fear of the IRS stop you from living you dreams? Gracious, let's get at it ya'll. Life is short.
Anything is figuroutable but you have to "unstuck" yourself. These technicalities will keep 80% of people stuck in fear. Never stepping out on their dreams. God have you ONE shot at this. ONE. Don't you dare let the fear of receipts keep you from moving forward.
If you want more tips, lives, behind the scenes, and trainings be sure to join my exclusive photography community:
https://www.kellicarrico.com/lwk-community
If you want real thorough information on where to start making money as a photographer, how to improve in the basics and expand into having real paying clients, the in's and outs of running a photography business, all the way down to editing, check out February's deal on my full course, "Sustainable and Profitable Photography." It's ALL in there. 8 full modules:
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