EP 17: tackling the entrepreneurial stigma in photography
Photography is an industry where the artist's vision creates an emotional connection with the viewer. However, to be a long term successful photographer, especially in the wedding industry, you really need to cultivate certain business-oriented skills which is often difficult for artists who are forced to use the other half of their left/right brain. In todays episode with Alora Rachelle, a master in her photography craft and a business strategist, she revealed just how beneficial taking an entrepreneurial approach can be for photographers.
Alora describes herself as someone who has been shooting photos for 12 years and now mainly devotes her time to strategizing for other wedding business owners. What stands out in her journey is her fusion of both artistry and business. Alora talks about her career transition, shifting from her 12-year long journey as a wedding photographer to developing strategies for other budding photographers, emphasizing on the business side of their business- a side that is often not as glamours as shooting and posing but equally if not more, important.
Alora’s approach straddles the line between artist and entrepreneur. While she appreciates her art, she also recognizes that she needs to monetize her skills. She realized that regardless of how beautiful her photos were, they wouldn’t feed her or help her grow as a professional if she did not put a correct price on them.
Many photographers often undermine their work and end up selling themselves short. Underpinning this is an over powering mindset issue, with many photographers feeling guilty about charging substantially enough prices for their services because they see their work as art rather than a business offering. Alora strongly advocates for photographers to adopt an entrepreneurial approach along with their artistry.
Alora talks about the importance of confidence in selling your work and ensuring that clients see and understand the value provided. She says, “When you're coming more from, like, oh, have you looked at my packages? Oh, that’s the one you like? Okay. You want to take this out… instead of being like, hey, this is what the price is, this is what it starts at, but we can create something custom for you, based on your need – how can we help you?” Alora demonstrated that it is possible to sell your services without losing your artistic integrity.
We spoke about the saturation in the photograph market and how it feels sometimes that there is just too many photographers- partly in due to social media. However, Alora disagrees, stating that the market is only saturated if one doesn't stand out. In Alora’s perspective, every piece of marketing works differently for different people. She suggests photographers find a unique branding strategy and target audience instead of trying to be all things to all people.
Mastering the Skill of Sales
Positioning oneself in the market, understanding how to convert inquiries into sales, being confident in their services, and selling those at the right price are crucial skills for a photographer. Alora imparts a significant understanding of sales psychology, positioning, and pricing that she has acquired throughout her career. For her, these practices are not just beneficial for photographers but are lifetime skills one can apply in different facets of life.
Finally, Alora underlines the necessity of evolving and adapting in the photography industry. This industry in particular is always adapting, changing and growing. Whether you are a beginner or an established photographer, it's essential to keep pushing boundaries, updating skills, and above all, to keep shooting and working at standing out in a crowd.
