Screen Shot 2014-11-21 at 11.37.05 AMLater today we’ve got a free webinar with photo pro Lori Nordstrom. She is a Certified Professional Photographer, an accredited Master Photographer and Photographic Craftsman, and is a member of Professional Photographers of America. You can see her photography here.
Don’t miss our next Google Hangout. The event is Monday, November 24, 2014. Its absolutely free to attend thanks to Adobe, SongFreedom and Drobo. It starts at 4PM Eastern/1PM Pacific.

NOTE: We will be giving away a copy of the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan to one viewer during the event. You must be watching live.

What advice would I give new photographers just starting out?

Photographers always ask me what I would do differently if I could start over. Here are the top 5 things I wish I hadn’t done:

FAIL # 1. A FAILURE TO PLAN

It’s said that when you fail to plan, you plan to fail! So true. Make a plan and stick to it.

FAIL #2. BE TOO EAGER FOR A STUDIO SPACE

So many photographers go through this whole idea of “I’ll finally be ‘for real’ when I get a retail location!” Instead, really look at the value of what you have to offer right now! Find your value and then learn to communicate it to your client.

FAIL #3. HIRE EMPLOYEES WITH NO JOB DESCRIPTIONS

This was a biggie for me. When I opened up my first studio in 2000, I jumped in big. I bought a large building and I also went digital that year. It was a huge time of crash and burn for me. I was up all night working and was just dying for help!! So, I started hiring people, and basically the only thing that I said was, “Help!!”. I’ve always heard “Hire the personality and train the task”, and I totally believe in that! However, you have to KNOW what you NEED and have job descriptions put together before you can train someone.

FAIL #4. GIVE AWAY THE FARM

We’ve all been guilty of this. Establish what you need your session average to be, based on what you need to profit for the month/year. Set your prices so that you will reach those goals. In the beginning, make your prices known and allow for a discounted period if you absolutely must while you “portfolio build”, but don’t give it away for nothing. Don’t hand all of your images over on a cd. Don’t de-value what you are giving them – which is memories and moments built not just in the images, but in the experience itself.

FAIL #5. THINK LIKE AN ARTIST INSTEAD OF A BUSINESS PERSON

I know this sounds like blasphemy to many of you. I think it’s great to be an artist, and even for that to be your first love. But when the time comes to run your business and run it profitably, you have to start thinking like a business person. This is SO hard – for 99% of photographers out there! (you’re not alone) We love what we do so much that we just think it’s all going to fall into place! But being a business person, and each and everyone of you are a business owner, you’ve got to start thinking like a business owner. Putting systems in place, planning and scheduling, managing workflow and knowing your numbers are going to change your business and your life dramatically.

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Join us for our newest Google+ Hangout for photographers Mind Your Own Business. This event is produced in partnership with Skip Cohen University, Drobo, SongFreedom and Adobe. Sign up here.

This months topic is Advice to New Photographers Starting Out and Seasoned Artists Headed in New Directions. Were joined by Lori Nordstrom.

You can register for free here SIGN UP.

To learn more about how Google Hangouts work, click here http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/.

Joining the hangout will let you ask questions and chat with attendees. The video will also stream below in this post.

You could be our next guest!

Do you have an idea for a topic or want to hear from your favorite photographer or influencer in our industry? Let us know! If you are recommending someone, be sure to include their name, contact information and state if you would like to be a guest host.

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November 24, 2014

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