Whether you are a professional photographer or just starting out, many wonder how to fill their time when they are not shooting. Photography can absolutely be a full-time job if you are bringing in the work, and half of that time you won’t be behind a camera at all! There are several other tasks photographers need to be cognizant of as they take their photography skills to a professional level. Here are some of the top things photographers can do while they are not shooting:
Prep Work
It is absolutely vital to prep before each and every photo shoot you do. Prep work involves helping your clients prepare for their shoot, and ensuring you know exactly what kind of photographs they are looking for. Sit down with clients to discuss their inspiration and to get a feel for their personalities in order to properly prepare for the actual shoot. The actual prepping will involve picking out the lenses you want to use, doing some test shots on site, and coordinating props if needed.
Networking and Marketing
When you aren’t shooting or prepping for a shoot, network! It doesn’t matter if it is in person, or in an online space, you can use your free time to share your portfolio with others. This is your best shot at securing new clients for future shoots. Before networking, make sure you have an up-to-date portfolio, business cards, and any other marketing materials you would like to share with others. Use this time to promote your business to ensure you stay busy.
Organize
As photographers, we know all too well how cluttered life can get! Take a couple hours each week to organize – whatever that means for you. It may mean cleaning out a messy desk, finishing up paperwork and billing information, organizing and cleaning your lens kit, or even organizing files on your computer! Completing all of these small tasks will make day-to-day life so much easier.
Edit
Ah, editing! Editing is by far one of the most time consuming tasks that photographers undertake when they are not shooting. When prepping with clients, get a feel for edits they may want made (for example, a tattoo removed in a photograph, or teeth whitening). Be realistic with your clients about the editing process, and do not agree to do any editing you feel uncomfortable with (such as making the client look dramatically thinner). Editing is very timely, so having pre-established guidelines with clients will save everyone a lot of time.
These are just some of the tasks you can get started on when you are not shooting. At Learn Photography Canada, we are proud to help photographers new and experienced refine their skills. Register