When we are at the beginning of our photographer career, we try to spend as little as possible on everything that doesn’t seem necessary. By “necessary” of course, we mean our photography gear, camera body, lenses, bag, tripod, laptop. We don’t necessarily think that renting an office is part of those basics expenses. Well, after reading this post, you might think about it twice!

The dilemma

I was more than a little scared to sign my first lease contract a few months ago. I was barely out of school and I had no regular income. Still, I considered getting an office outside the home for a couple of reasons. I knew I would procrastinate doing my work BIG TIME if I stayed in my condo. I also knew I would probably lose my sanity if I stayed, day-in and day-out within the same four walls. A friend of mine (a graphic designer) told me she’d found a really cool office downtown and she’d be happy to share it with me. The place was really affordable and I loved it as soon as I entered the door. The choice was mine: to stay at home and save the little money I had or rent an office with my friend and go for the next step–“the freelancer lifestyle”.

Taking a leap of faith

The latter became my final choice and I co-signed the lease with my friend. I was excited and scared at the same time. I chose an office instead of a studio because 95% of my shoots are in the gyms and 75% of my time is spent behind a computer. The goal was to have a place where I would be happy to spend many hours per week. Fast forward to this day, I can say it’s been one of the best investment and a major game-changer in my career. Here’s why:

I am sure there is a study regarding light and creativity. I seriously doubt I’d be effective at all in a dark basement: I love our big windows. They face straight south. They keep me up and energized all day. (By the way, this is my partner’s desk. It’s always cleaner than mine.)

1- Separate your personal from your professional life

This is the main and top reason. Have you ever find yourself doing post-production in-between two laundry batches? Do you ever try to write clients’ emails while trying to keeping an eye on the kids? Do you feel like your spouse thinks you are actually available all day because you are working from home? I don’t mean to start fights but… I know you know what I mean! When I started working at my office, I used to work again back home because I was used to doing that. Then, as the weeks went by I got into my new routine.

The “ON/OFF” switch

A shift occurred naturally. Like if a switch in my brain has been created. When I get ready to leave home, my “WORK” switch turns on. I prep my meals, pack my bag, put on some mascara and even dress in something else other than my pink bathrobe. My mind is getting ready to make the most out of my day simply because I am going somewhere else. I mean… it would be kind of strange to pay a couple of hundred bucks for an office, get there and just play World of Warcraft all day wouldn’t it? Actually, nothing prevents me from doing that… But it would feel kinda stupid to do it. Then when I come home at night, my switch resets back to “RELAX.” I have this cool feeling of fulfillment. I can allow myself to enjoy something else without guilt because I know I did all the tasks I wanted to accomplish that day.

My friend brought this great coffee maker. I never drank coffee in my life (I’m turning 33). I learned two things since moving in the office. 1: I didn’t know what good coffee was. 2: It is great to have coffee as part of your daily routine. I come in and make a little espresso. I don’t drink coffee at any other occasion. It’s like my little reward for being at work. I know it sounds silly and it actually works for me! ;)

2- Look and feel more professional

Having my office has been a stepping stone for me professionally and psychologically. My skills and my situation haven’t changed. The simple fact of having a physical space for my business where the only purpose is to be a photographer made me feel even more like one. I didn’t have the choice to do anything other than to dedicate time to my career because I was investing my money in it. It made me more serious about the tasks to be done. Plus, I now had a place to meet clients, collaborators, and friends that looked more interesting than my kitchen.

3- Break from isolation

As I began searching for a place, I first looked for coworking spaces. My goal wasn’t only to get out of the house, it was also to feel less isolated. I know you know what I’m talking about. As a freelancer, we rely pretty much on ourselves. I couldn’t imagine myself waking up in the morning, eating breakfast, going to my computer (which is actually in the place where I do eat my breakfast), work, eat lunch then dinner and do it all again. That was a plan for disaster. Since I have the office, I brainstorm with my partner. We share thoughts, give opinions and set goals. We ask for collaborators to come over and have some good coffee. I am inspired. I can also be as isolated as I wish but that’s by choice: not by default.

This is our “green” spot. Here in Quebec city, we have the chance to have green grass and trees six months per year (and I am being generous). So we decided to take things over control and get ourselves a little piece of summer all year long.

4- Be more efficient

I’ll be honest, I am not the kind of highly enthusiastic housekeeping person (ask my fiancé… wait, no don’t). To me, working at home is like the perfect place to be distracted all of the time. Stuff, wherever I lay eyes on, has me always thinking about anything but work. On the other hand, I do feel (a little) bad to leave everything in disarray when I am leaving for the office in the morning. The office is clean (My home is too. There is a difference between dirty and cluttered!) It helps me concentrate. I don’t see the bills piled up on the counter nor do I think about the dishes in the sink that I should’ve done last night. All I think about is working, behind at my desk behind my 27-inch monitor. And that’s perfect for me.

 

This is Alfred. It doesn’t really help me taking pictures or writing or editing but it is my favorite plant at the office. I got it as I was finishing school. I feel like it grows at the same rate as my business does. And the great thing about it is that it doesn’t need much care. (Because let’s get real, if he did, he might already be dead.)

On the flipside

I’ve shared this personal experience from my own point of view, but I am aware that some of you do enjoy working from home. If you find yourself in this category or are still unsure whether you should make the move or not, I recommend you this great article by my Photofocus fellow author Nicole S. Young. Her brain works probably on the other end of the spectrum than mine does. I gotta say I am kind of jealous to realize she can be effective working in her pajamas. I guess that’s the beauty of our wonderful job! ;)

Pour la version en français de cet article, cliquez ici.