Jeff Lubin, one of the most respected photographers I know of today, and an astute and wisest businessman tells the story when asked…
“Should I quit the job I hate and start my photography studio full time, following my passions?…”
The answer:
…”don’t quit your job. It’s too hard to make it in photography anymore. There are too many new photographers out there. It would be a huge mistake. You have security with the government. Don’t throw it away. ”
Here’s the clincher….that was back in the early 80’s.
The person who was asking that question was Jeff himself, who was asking one of his mentors.
Jeff was in a mind-numbing guv job that promised security. But at what price?
More importantly, the answer sound exactly like what you hear nowadays.
Uncanny, ain’t it?
Times have changed, haven’t they?
Or, have they.
How many times do I hear the same complaint from the early 80’s that resonates in the halls of photography businesses nowadays?
One thing that doesn’t change is this: the fundamentals of good business. Yes, there are many, many photographers nowadays.
But seriously, for the astute marketer and business person, are they a real threat?
I think not.
Way back when I started my first studio, age 25, 1985, there were studios everywhere. I mean everywhere. And all were good, top notch photographers.
And then little old me. With more balls than brains. Just raw guts.
I say it to everyone who says to me it must be hard to be in business nowadays….
“You shoulda seen what it was like when I first got in the photography business.”
This is nothing. There are more opportunities for the legit, hard working, determined and ambitious photographers.
Give me those traits over any and all others any day of the week.
And I’ll show you someone who stands a fighting chance to build a business.
Not someone who thinks because they can create some stunning images and deserves to have torrents of sales and profits.
It takes three to five years of sheer, hard work, with no real guarantees of success that you’ll make it, to even have a chance to build a toe hold with your photography business.
If I knew back then what I know now, I would have saved a ton of grief, time and frustration.
Assuming I was ambitious. And I was.
Are you? I can help if you are, but I can’t give you ambition and desire.
Only you can bring that to the game.
Every month we dig deep into real legit marketing and business building strategies in our marketing mastermind meetings, lighting mastermind meetings and frontline interviews where I reveal secrets and insights from OTHER photographers.
It’s no harder nowadays than it was back then. It’s just different. And still demanding. Don’t fool yourself otherwise.
Oh, before I forget, I posted the replay presentation with Thomas Dodd for all members. GO dig that up HERE
It’s pure gold!
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
Well said and I agree 100%. I call Bull S#*t on anyone that says, “It’s too hard to make it in photography anymore.” Yeah, it’s hard, but it’s no harder than most any other industry is, and I’m on career number 3 or 4 now. A photography business has not near as much photography in it than what most folks envision.
I don’t think it’s harder than it used to be, it’s just different from what 90% of everyone wants it to be (and different from what it used to be). That’s pretty much true with any industry on the planet. People are digging ditches with water and vacuum trucks, the internet has replaced encyclopedias, I’m now shooting as much video as I am stills, etc.
Truth…….Thanks Randy. I’ve seen you struggle, work your butt off and show up time and time again since I first met you in 2008 ish…I often wondered how you did it, with the amount of work you put into it. R