Nearly every mom has a side hustle of some sort. Stay-at-home moms do lash extensions, deliver groceries and sell their handmade creations. Then, of course, there’s photography.
Building a photography business isn’t for everyone but many moms love being able to serve their clients and help them make memories. It can be the perfect side hustle for busy moms who want to earn money while spending time with their families.
Unfortunately, too many moms are turned off from the idea of photography because of the common myths surrounding it. We’ll explain those myths and give you the confidence to jump into photography.
Myth #1: You Need All the Fancy Gadgets
When you look at the professional photos your friends post, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you could never break into photography simply because you don’t have all the fancy equipment other photographers do. You don’t have a studio. You don’t have every type of lens. And you don’t have an off-camera flash system or lighting options to set up.
The great news is that you don’t need all that to make money with photography. If you don’t already have them and can’t justify buying them, you’re not out of luck. Having a studio and high-end photography gear might make you feel like you’re worth more, but if you choose the boutique model, you’ll be able to serve your clients uniquely so that they won’t doubt your worth as a photographer.
Myth #2: You Need a Huge Portfolio and Custom Website
You’ve probably seen photography websites with galleries of thousands of images. These websites have dozens, if not hundreds, of pages. It’s masterful and overwhelming all at once.
Your website doesn’t have to be complex—in fact, less is more when it comes to your portfolio and website. Simply including a handful of examples of your best work is enough.
You want clients to see your photography style without being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of photos. You also want them to visualize your photos hanging in their home. It’s hard for them to do that when they get lost browsing the hundreds of photos in a gallery.
After that minimal portfolio, you only need a simple, professional logo and a basic website. As a boutique photographer, you’re not trying to be the photographer for everyone. And as a mom, you likely don’t have the time to invest in building a massive website, anyway.
Avoid the huge website; opt for a clean and simple look that complements vs competes with your photography style.
Myth #3: You Have to Offer Cheap Services to Get Repeat Clients
There’s no denying that photography is a competitive market—you probably have at least one mom friend who already does photography, too. This can easily make you worried about standing out from your competition. Too many photographers feel the same, so they find a solution by offering discounts or pricing their sessions lower than everyone else.
This is a terrible idea because it cheapens your entire business. In your clients’ minds, a session will never be worth more than the biggest discount you offer. However, your photos and services are worth far more than any discount.
Don’t forget that boutique photographers can charge more because they serve their clients uniquely. Choosing outfits and even shopping for them, suggesting display areas in the home and installing their artwork in their home are just a few of the many ways you can serve your clients well. Most of your clients will have never received this type of elite service before from a photographer. This model of photography keeps clients coming back, regardless of the price. You can charge more because you do more.
Myth #4: Becoming a Photographer Will Take Over Your Life
A big draw of photography is that it allows moms to work on their own time and be more present with their children. At least, that’s how many moms become photographers. However, the traditional photography model means they must make up for low and discounted prices by spending hours taking, editing and uploading photos to an online gallery. They lose valuable time they could have spent with their kids and it becomes a cycle of late nights, early mornings and missed family commitments.
The truth is that photography will only take over your life if you let it. The simplest way to prevent it is to take on fewer, better-qualified clients who value wall portraits. Because you have fewer clients, you can spend more time serving them well. This earns you more money, allowing you to spend more time with your family. It’s a cycle of fulfillment and satisfaction instead of the cycle of burnout and financial struggles associated with traditional photography models.
Myth #5: Doing Photography Will Take Away Your Meaningful Interactions with Other Adults
Every mom has been there. You’ve spent day after day repeating baby babbles to your six-month-old, cleaning up spilled Cheerios after your toddler, helping the older kids with homework and shuttling everyone to and from their activities. You collapse into bed every night, wishing for more time with your adult friends.
As a mom, it can be incredibly daunting to add one more thing in the form of a side job to your already heaping plate. Because photography is a one-person job, you might think you’ll be even more starved of adult interactions.
In fact, the opposite is true. Being a photographer means you get to expand your social circle every time you book a new client. It’s even better for boutique photographers because of the trust and friendship you build with each client. Every time you book someone new, you open the door for a new lifelong friend.
You can also forge new friendships by attending a school for photography or taking photography business classes. There, you’ll enhance your skills and build your confidence while mingling with other photographers in similar situations.
Photography as a Mom
Being a mom comes with so many challenges that finding a side hustle while still finding time for your family can feel impossible. If you do it right, though, photography can be an incredible job for busy moms and give them immense joy and satisfaction.
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Infographic
Many moms start photography businesses to help clients capture memories, but common myths can be discouraging. Explore this infographic to debunk those myths and boost your confidence in pursuing photography.
