Have you heard of the Great Resignation? I don’t mean the short-term spike in resignations we saw in 2021 due to the pandemic. Rather, I mean the general trend of people voluntarily leaving their jobs that’s been going on for over a decade. 

More and more, people are wanting more flexibility and freedom in their jobs. For many people, this means going into business for themselves. 

I found myself in that place in 2015. Before I knew it, I took the plunge and left behind a 15-year corporate finance career, a master’s degree, and my series 7 stock broker’s license. 

What did I do instead? I said hello to full-time photography and became my own boss.

Call me crazy but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. If you’re feeling like you’re in a similar place, perhaps my story will inspire you. 

I Wanted More Time, Flexibility, and Impact

What pushed me to make such a big decision?

I had this nagging feeling that there was more I was supposed to be doing with my life. I had an amazing job and career as a financial analyst. Yet I couldn’t shake the daily desire to live a life of purpose and have more time and flexibility with my family.

But I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to quit my job with no backup plan. I spent 18 months building my photography business first. Once I felt confident in my new business, I finally made the leap and went full-time as a photographer in 2015.

I knew God didn’t put me on this earth to be comfortable. There was something deep down inside that told me I was supposed to be walking down this path, but at the time I wasn’t sure what that was.

Looking back, I can see what a positive impact my career change has made on me and my family. But I know how scary it can be and I know how nerve-wracking it is when you don’t know what the future holds. 

And that’s why I love helping other people make the change. It is a lot less scary when you get advice from somebody who has already been through it. 

Why Commercial Brand Photography Is Great for Those Leaving the Corporate World

Diving into a creative career after working in the corporate world can be downright scary. After all, the stereotype of the starving artist exists for a reason. And there are loads of struggling photographers out there whose underwhelming stories can make you feel uncertain.

But I know that anybody can succeed in their dream. It’s just a matter of knowing how to do it. 

In photography, that means choosing an in-demand genre where you can build a book of recurring clients. You don’t want to be scurrying and stressed about filling your book each month.

So I say commercial brand photography is great for anyone leaving the corporate world. And here are three reasons why this is true.

1. You Have the Business Know-How. Use it!

One of the big struggles that many creatives face is not knowing how to run a business. 

In my opinion, this is a huge part of the starving artist stereotype. People who start out chasing their dreams don’t understand the business side of things — and that part is almost more important than being a good artist.

But coming from the corporate world, you’re different. You already understand at least parts of the business world. 

Plus, you are uniquely equipped to step into a new role as a commercial photographer. You already know how to talk to business owners and more than likely you have some type of specialty that will help them. 

For instance, I use my financial analysis background to help track the return on investment (ROI) for my client’s photos. This helps them see the value of the work I do for them, which in turn more firmly anchors their resolve to keep sending me projects.

As ex-corporate folks, we can add so much more value to our services than just photography alone. That’s a huge benefit!

2. Stability

One of the great fears of leaving a corporate job is leaving behind the security of your paycheck. 

If you look into wedding or family photography, you learn about the uncertainty. They always have to have money in reserve because their monthly income can vary depending on how many shoots they can book each month. Wedding photography can be particularly nerve-wracking because so much of your business is riding on a few one-time clients.

I totally get it. That was scary to me too. 

That’s why I love working as a brand photographer and recommend it to others. Businesses always need fresh content for social media, advertising, their website, and other purposes. 

Once you land a client who loves your work, they keep coming back. And more than just once or twice a year for updated family photos. 

Our brand photographers blueprint course teaches you our Recurring Clients Method so you can focus on photography, not selling. It teaches you how to serve your clients well and naturally end up with a full book of work every month.

Learn more about the course here.

3. Work During Normal Business Hours

Most wedding and portrait photographers enjoy a flexible schedule. But unfortunately, they end up working most of the time during off-business hours when their clients are free to schedule sessions. 

But isn’t flexibility a big part of why you’re leaving your corporate job? Chances are you’d rather spend your nights and weekends with your friends and family — not at work. 

Working in brand and commercial photography allows for an even more flexible schedule than most other types of photography. Plus, most of your sessions will still end up happening during regular business hours because business clients want to see you when they’re working.

But the best part is that you get to choose! You can schedule sessions during business hours if you prefer. Or if you’re working a side hustle to build up enough income to leave your corporate job, you can photograph things on nights and weekends. 

Specializing in product photography gives you the ability to work any time of day. And you can adjust your schedule as your business grows and changes. 

The bottom line is that you aren’t stuck working according to someone else’s schedule. 

Bring on the Business Blueprint

Even with your corporate background, you’ll still have to learn a lot to run your own photography business. This can be even more frustrating if you’re trying to learn all this while you’re still working a full-time job. 

The whole point of pursuing your dream was to have more time with your family, not less!

So don’t spend months or years trying to figure it all out on your own. Join the Brand Photographer’s Blueprint Group Coaching Program.

This unique program gives you access to the training and ongoing support you need to make your business a success. You gain a competitive advantage by learning what you need to market your business, connect with your ideal audience, how to sell, and how to create an exceptional client experience.

The group coaching program basically gives you all the tools you need to set up your business to scale. You get all the resources you need at once and there are audit checkpoints along the way to make sure you’re set up for success. 

The only thing you have to do is learn put in the work and implement the strategies. 

And, of course, the program contains training that shows you exactly how to do all that. 

Joining the Brand Photographers Blueprint Group Coaching Program a unique opportunity that will put you on the fast track to living the life you desire. It helps you make a smooth transition from working in the corporate world to being your own boss and crushing it as a creative. 

There will be no starving artist period for you. You already have the skills you need, it’s just a matter of knowing how to apply them. 

Let Focus Creative Help

Even if the group coaching program isn’t a good fit for you, we here at Focus Creative can help. We also offer a masterclass that walks you through everything you need to know to build your 6-figure brand photography business on your own. 

You’ll learn the recurring clients’ method as well as how to approach and land new business clients. You’ll learn about the software and marketing strategies that will help you grow your business — without dumping hours of your valuable time into them. 

With the keys in hand to stop starting over from scratch every month, you can build a secure income doing what you love while working the hours you want to work. And isn’t that what you are looking for?
Learn more about the training here!