3 Essential Tips to Prioritise Your Photography Business When Working Solo

Ever wondered how to manage your time more efficiently? Have you ever got to the point where you forget what day of the week it is, let alone putting a camera together for your next shoot? Before I get in to the three tips which will help you manage those busier times better, I thought I’d give you an update. This last two months have been a mad one, but in a good way. I’ve worked with some amazing clients, including my biggest shoot to date with NoPinz (of which I will include photos from the shoot throughout this blog post). However, at times since the start of May I’ve struggled to realise the difference between my ass and my elbow. For a bit of context, whilst my business is still growing, I work two days a week part time in a warehouse and sometimes this last 8 weeks I’ve worked four days a week when I haven’t had client work. So, I’ve not helped myself, but I also need to earn that bread. So, over the last year I’ve come up with coping mechanisms which throughout this last 2 months, they have really helped me get through this busy period and I thought I’d share them with you. So here it goes…

Oh, lastly, I’ve made a video all about this too, so if you prefer a visual reference you can watch it HERE!

Now on with the blog…

So, as a self-employed photographer, managing your workload effectively is crucial to the success of your business. With so many tasks to handle, it's essential to prioritize your work to stay organized, maintain productivity, and achieve your goals. In this blog post, we'll explore three valuable tips that will help you prioritise your photography, or videography business when working solo.

Define Clear Goals and Establish Priorities:

Setting clear goals is the first step towards prioritising your photography work. Take the time to define your long-term objectives and break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. Once you have your tasks identified, prioritise them based on their importance and urgency. This allows you to focus your energy on the most critical aspects of your business and ensures that they receive the attention they deserve.

For example, if you have a client shoot coming up, make it a high-priority task to ensure you allocate the necessary time for preparation and planning, then after the shoot by allocating time to edit the work to a high standard. By establishing priorities, you can prevent important work from being neglected and maintain a consistent workflow.

I’ve also made a video on how to create goals as a creative which you can watch, which even I find myself watching back.

Create a Schedule and Stick to It:

When you're working solo, it's easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of tasks and lose track of time. That's why it's crucial to establish a structured schedule for your photography work. Create a weekly or daily schedule that includes specific time slots for different activities, such as client shoots, editing, administrative tasks, and marketing.

By adhering to a schedule, you give yourself a clear roadmap for each day, allowing you to manage your time effectively. Be disciplined with your schedule and treat it as a commitment. Avoid distractions and set boundaries to ensure uninterrupted work periods. Remember, a well-managed schedule will help you maximize your productivity and accomplish your goals efficiently.

Automate and Streamline Processes:

This tip is something I have been getting my head around a lot lately and still needs refining, but if I am thinking about this more, I am sure you can do with this tip too. Basically, working solo doesn't mean you have to handle every task manually. Take advantage of technology and tools to automate and streamline your photography business processes. Look for software or apps that can simplify repetitive tasks and save you time. For instance, photo editing software with batch processing capabilities can significantly speed up your editing workflow.

Consider using scheduling apps to automate social media posts, and create email templates for common inquiries to streamline your communication. Be careful though, especially with email automation, as sometimes this can look a bit unprofessional. For me, every client gets a personal response, but if you are really slammed then go ahead and automate your emails. Additionally, outsourcing certain tasks that you may not enjoy or that require specialised expertise can free up your time for more important work. For example, hiring a virtual assistant for administrative tasks or collaborating with freelancers for web design or marketing campaigns can help you focus on what you do best—photography. If you can afford outsourcing this can be a great way to save time and effort, however this normally comes at a price and something those new in business might not be able to do, but this is totally fine, I do not outsource any of my work yet.

In conclusion prioritising your photography, or videography business when working solo is crucial for maintaining productivity and achieving success. By defining clear goals, establishing priorities, creating a schedule, and leveraging technology to automate and streamline tasks, you can effectively manage your workload and maximise your efficiency as a self-employed photographer. Remember, regular evaluation and adjustment are key to staying on track and adapting to changing circumstances. With these three tips, you'll be well on your way to optimising your photography business and reaching new heights in your career.