Is your photography business successful? Do you even know how to answer that question?

In reality, there isn’t one or even a set of metrics you can use to define success. Success in your business means different things to different people. We all have different goals. 

Let’s think about this for a moment. What are some ways to define success as a brand photographer? By the end, my hope is that you’ll start to realize what success looks like to you — the person who matters in this exciting journey. 

Defining Success as a Brand Photographer

What do you think that success as a brand photographer looks like? Depending on where you are in your journey (or your life priorities) the answers can be quite varied. For example, success to you might be:

• Earning a comfortable living
• Earning 6 figures a year (or more)
• Being your own boss
• Working a flexible schedule
• Working x-number of hours per week or less
• Traveling to exotic places
• Working with well-known brands

Furthermore, even if you reach your goal, are you really successful? 

Let me explain. Let’s say success to you is earning 6 figures a year. But what if you are working from 7 am to 6 pm non-stop? Or staying up at all hours of the night to work after your kids go to sleep? 

You might be earning 6 figures a year but the quality of life you wanted isn’t there. 

Setting Your Own Goals

To find success as a brand photographer, you have to let go of other people’s definitions of “success.” Write down the metrics that mean success to you. 

For me, it was working fewer hours while doing something that I love. And I’ve found my success. I get to spend time with my family and make a comfortable living. 

To do that, I realized I had to work with 5 clients who paid $$$ vs 20 clients who paid $. So, that’s what became my goal. 

You have to decide what your goals are — what success means to you. Then, you can work backward from there. What needs to happen for you to meet those goals? How can you put plans into motion that will drive that success? 

A Little Help from Your Friends

I’m going to share a secret with you. It’s possible to be successful on your own but it’s so much easier to excel with the right support. 

Beginning photographers and small business owners in general often face a lot of resistance. People seem to think it won’t be long before you’ll be back looking for a “real” job. Or they get jealous of you and make hurtful comments downplaying your efforts as your business starts to take off. 

What other people think of you and your business doesn’t matter. It’s their problem, not yours. 

I’d love to offer you the right kind of support. My Brand Photographer’s Blueprint course gives you all the tools and resources you need to build a successful business — whatever that looks like for you!