If I were to ask you to describe your career as a photographer in 5 years, what would it look like?
Success shows up differently for everyone, and your goals will be different from those of any other photographer reading this. But do you know specifically what success looks like for you? Do you have the drive to achieve it? Do you know the path to get there? Are you currently taking action to move yourself along that path?
We often feel that we’ve become a victim to our circumstances, blaming outside forces for results that we’re ultimately in control of. Are you being reactive or proactive? Are you actively working towards success, or are you waiting for permission to reach it?
My biggest observation from WPPI 2015
I’m on the plane flying home from WPPI 2015 in Las Vegas, and I am left feeling inspired, excited, energized and optimistic about the future. We announced Sprout Studio just over a week ago, and the response has been overwhelming. Every photographer we spoke with at WPPI is dying in anticipation for Sprout Studio, the first all-in-one business success software. The collective response has been that Sprout Studio will change the industry.
One of our Founding Members is Susan Stripling, a wedding photographer and educator from New York and Philadelphia. Here’s what Susan had to say when we showed her a prototype of Sprout Studio.
More about Sprout in a bit, though …
[highlightcenter]What has become clear to me, especially over this past week, is that photographers have everything they need to be successful right at their fingertips. Yourself included.[/highlightcenter]
Everything that will create the tipping point for you and set you into a completely new trajectory for success is right in front of your eyes.
I’m afraid though. I’m afraid you aren’t listening. I’m afraid you’re too busy telling yourself stories that are blinding you from seeing what’s really right in front of you. I’m afraid you’re too occupied looking for the “next thing” that you aren’t even aware of the what’s right in front of you.
I am afraid that you might be waiting for permission to take action.
… But you shouldn’t be.
[highlightcenter]Take control. Open your eyes. Everything you need is right there. Quiet your mind for a moment and you’ll realize that when you silence the self-doubt, the questions, the insecurities and the lies, that the answers you’re searching for are right there.[/highlightcenter]
The answers you’ve been searching for …
This article thus far is a bit philosophical, and you know I like in-depth, mechanic, process-based education. So let’s bring it back down to earth. What are you struggling with? Here are a few of the solutions that are right in front of your yes.
- Do you struggle with pricing for your photography? Here’s an article for pricing your prints, here’s one on how to price your wedding albums and here’s one on how to price your digital files.
- Do you need a better communication strategy for the “Do you offer digital files” question? Here’s an article about how to discuss print versus digital.
- Do you spend too much time editing your photos and less time marketing your business? Use ShootDotEdit.
- Want to turn your clients into advocates? Surprise them with a StickyAlbum.
- Do you need to design albums quicker? Get Fundy Album Builder.
- Do you want to learn how to light better? Get Digital Photo Mentor’s Lighting Course.
- Do you need help designing your marketing material? Use Design Aglow.
I could literally go on an on and on, but instead of typing it all above on this post, go ahead and click the “Learn” button at the top of this page and find the article that solves the problems you’re having in your business; I’ll bet it’s there. Or click the “Listen” button at the top of this page and listen to interviews on topics that you’re interested in.
There is so much great education available to you as a photographer, in fact, I believe now is one of the most exciting times to be in the photography industry. In our little corner of the web here on SproutingPhotographer.com, we do everything in our power to write the best actionable how-to business education for you, and to curate and conduct interviews finest educators in our industry for you on our podcast.
Yet so often, I hear photographers ask “How can I price myself?” right after a pricing workshop. I hear photographers post in Facebook groups asking “How can I sell wedding albums?”, when the post above it is a link to an article on that very topic. Or a photographer says “How do I reach my target market?” as they stand in the hallway at WPPI outside a marketing class.
Are you really listening? Are you really open to new ideas? Are you really taking action? Or are you too busy waiting for permission? Perhaps you’re scared of success, and so you keep yourself focused on consuming education instead of acting on it.
Your permission to be successful
Let me give you permission. Permission to listen. Permission to act. Permission to make changes. Permission to quiet the noise in your head and actually see what’s right in front of you. Let me give you permission to stop searching. To stop comparing. To stop doubting.
You have everything you need. You have the motivation. The knowledge is here and everywhere. It’s right in front of you. Now, it’s your turn to step up to the plate and start taking action! Start do’ing!
(Note: That’s the end of my actual article, but this ties nicely in with our recent announcement, and with what I started to talk about earlier re: WPPI and Sprout Studio.)
Sprout Studio is your path to success
Earlier, I mentioned that we announced Sprout Studio to the world just over a week ago. We spent our entire time at WPPI talking with photographers, demo’ing Sprout Studio and meeting our Founding Members. It is clear that Sprout Studio will undoubtedly be a game changer.
Here’s a couple quick behind-the-scenes photos that Rob took of me demo’ing Sprout Studio to Vanessa Joy and her husband Rob Adams, as well as to Luke Edmonson, all who are Founding Members for Sprout Studio.
Sprout Studio is the ultimate tool for photographers. It enables you to take action and it implements everything we’ve been teaching. It will revolutionize your customer experience, simplify your workflow and help you organize your business. It’s the marriage of Studio Management Software, Online Galleries, Album Proofing and more, all in one platform.
In case the “kick in the pants” at the end of my article above wasn’t enough and you’re still asking yourself “How can I be successful?”, let me remind you that it’s right in front of you! Sprout Studio is your path to success and will enable you to run the photography business you’ve always wanted.
If you want to get in line with all the other photographers who are on the edge of their seat, waiting for Sprout Studio to be available, then come on in and join our Reservation List.
Don’t be caught on the outside. Stop struggling. Stop searching. Stop waiting for permission.
It’s right here. This is your invitation. See you on the inside.
