016. What’s the “why” behind your photography business?

I want to talk about your “why” behind choosing photography–specifically boudoir photography. 

• Is it to give women an opportunity to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin—no matter where they are in the seasons of life?
•  Is it because you get to connect with clients in a transformative way? 
•  Is it to help your clients deliver a gift for their significant others, and helping them to see what everyone else sees?

There are no wrong answers here, so be honest with yourself. On top of this why … Why are you a business owner? What made you choose this life? 

You could go a much easier route, like just creating art when you want to, on your own terms, with a lot less stress. You could keep your 9-5, and just have this photography thing as a hobby that you’re just really good at. 

What actually made you choose the life of an entrepreneur?  Take some time and think about it… Because the “why” behind choosing this life is important. 

I’m here to tell you, sometimes the life of a business owner and photographer is a roller coaster.

Sometimes it’s stressful beyond belief.  Often, I wonder why I put myself through it.  Life would be easier without some of this stress.

That’s exactly why I want to tell you my why behind choosing photography.

I’ve talked about it before, but I used to be a dental hygienist.  Really, I didn’t hate my job.

I mean, sure, now that I’ve been out of the field for 6 years, it kinda grosses me out.  Honestly, though, I liked what I did.  I was really good at it, too. 

I liked meeting new people, building relationships with my patients, and continuing to nurture those relationships every six months or so. 

What I didn’t like was making a lot of money for someone else. 

I hated waking up early, clocking in and out every day, and having a cap on the amount of money I could make, regardless of how hard I worked.

I hated being told when to be at work, when to take lunch, and when I could leave.  Why was I working so hard to make someone else rich? Why couldn’t I work that hard to give myself a good life instead?

I knew about two years into my hygiene career that this was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I’m not cut out for the go to work, get your paycheck, come home lifestyle. I need way more freedom in my life. I want to be the one in control of my schedule, my hours, my paycheck.

When I picked up a camera for the first time, I immediately knew that that little Canon t3i I held in my hands was what I’d been missing my entire life. Not only did that little camera get me out of the dental office, it opened up so many opportunities for me.

I went from working 40 or more hours every week and barely scraping by, to working less than 30 every month and 4x’ing my yearly income.

Honestly, I credit my success to the fact that I dove head first into the business side and fell in love with it. 

As much as I love the creative side of photography, it doesn’t come super easy to me. I have to work at it, I have to think a lot harder to be creative. 

I do know my work is solid, but I’ll never be an award winning photographer. 

On the other hand, I will be a successful one because I love marketing and the business side. I throw my whole heart and soul into that side of my business.

I had a conversation with one of my coaching clients about that recently. 

You don’t have to be an award winning photographer or even the best photographer in your area to have a successful business.   All you have to do is KNOW how to run a business and be willing to put yourself out there.

My two goals for my boudoir photography business.

When I quit my job as a dental hygienist, I had two goals:

1. Match my dental hygiene income as a boudoir photographer.
2. Completely transform my way of life. 

Now, while I still shoot boudoir photography—and love every minute of my 30-hour work months—I get to add to my sense of purpose by helping other photographers set and achieve the goals that line up with their ideal lives & careers. I get to help others create a successful business and marketing strategy as my career!

I want you to remember:

• Your Business Bucket List matters.
• Your why matters. 
• And… your life matters.

Now, it’s time to make sure your business is set up to help you LIVE it.  I believe there’s a genuine reason why photography – and specifically boudoir photography -is part of your story.

But… running your own business is not a small undertaking—you’ve got to know your why before you really see success.  It’s what DRIVES you when things get hard.

Now this “why” can be different for everyone, but the way to build a six-figure business, well this is just a formula… 

Which is why you need to check out the TLC Boudoir Photographers Mastermind.

The TLC Boudoir Photographers Mastermind is an exclusive, year-long program guiding boudoir photographers through my step-by-step proven & repeatable system to scale their boudoir photography business so it doesn’t rely on ads, model calls, or flash sales … and finally keep their calendar fully booked AND making those high sales.

It’s the only program out there that helps you build your photography business… your way, with your why in mind. 

Join now so you can start living your why.