Every time someone hears that I work ‘full time’ and have my photography business they seem surprised. I kind of chuckle because for many years I didn’t talk about the fact that I also work full time. I felt like clients and other photographers wouldn’t take me seriously. There was a time at the beginning of my business that I thought that leaving my 9-5 job would make me a better business person or be considered a professional photographer. After battling myself for months in a tug of war between my heart and my mind I realized that I could bring so much more into my photography business by keeping both.
As with any decision you make it was to work for you and your life. When I first started my business I had a corporate career established that I loved and didn’t want to give up, this decision is what works for me and my family. So if you are a creative business owner and you work a full time, it can have it’s benefits of doing both!
Having 2 careers has helped me grow my photography business:
1. It allows me to grow my business, slowly and try new things without the financial burden it could otherwise have.
2. It gives me the ability to really work with the best matched clients for my business. Allowing me to make a personal connection with them which in turn gives them a better experience. As a photographer I want to be sure that I am best matched to give the experience my couples deserve. Sometimes it’s not a good match for a variety of reasons. Knowing that ‘it’s ok’ helps me grow.
3. It lets me continue to keep my creativity alive and to continue to evolve as a photographer as I can take cautious risks.
I began my business at a different point in my life. As with any decision you make in your own life and in your own business you have to do what works for you. We all make decisions on what’s in front of us and what our options are at the time of the cross roads… Through the decision of pursuing both I’ve learned so much, managing my own expectations, focusing on what works and what doesn’t, discipline and balance in both my careers and my personal life.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything happens as it should. Whether you are a business owner that has one career or two, you can succeed at it. Make your decisions based on you and your support system and no matter what move forward, look ahead and remember that you have the power to make your dreams a reality!
Do you work full time and run a business? I’d love to hear from you and how it’s helping you be a better business owner!
