This photo was not taken recently! In fact it was taken a year ago today while on assignment in Hawaii at the top of the Halekala volcano. Stay positive, mindful and patient trusting that hopefully we will all be back out soon exploring the great outdoors and capturing nature at it’s finest.
This is a challenging time for all photographers. Many of us have had the majority of work ripped from under our feet for the foreseeable future in just a matter of weeks. It’s difficult to know where to turn or what’s the next best step to take. However, there are many positive things we can do during this challenging time. Below our a few ideas for photographers to help us all get through this together:
Update your website
Photographers don’t usually have much spare time. We are usually busy running around on shoots, editing and marketing ourselves to existing and potential clients. Now with some more free time, this may be the perfect opportunity to refresh your online portfolio as well as ensuring your SEO and back links etc are all in top notch condition. Perhaps, you may even want to totally redesign your website. Go through your photo library and look for some of your favorite shots that you’ve taken over the last few years. Curate them carefully and think about the type of portfolio you want to present to future clients. This means when shelter in place orders are lifted you’ll be in the perfect position to approach potential clients head on.
Brush up on your skills or learn something new
Take advantage of the many photography providers who are generously providing free online classes.
Here’s a link which is a great place to start with thousands of free and varied online courses from top universities.
Why not also read a good photo book. Alternatively, why not learn something totally new? Perhaps pick up a new language, learn how to code or take a business class? The opportunities really are endless to upskill. Now is the perfect time.
Refresh your marketing
Make sure you have a good client marketing list in place, if you don’t already. If you need to redesign your pricing sheet, why not do it now! There’s also no harm in taking the time to reach out to clients during this time just to check in and say hey. You can also start putting together content for future marketing emails. Even if they aren’t going out now, this will save you a lot of time down the road.
Don’t let your gear gather dust
Clean all your lenses/cameras and make sure you get rid of all those pesky sensor spots and dust scratches. Also, try to keep on shooting even if it’s just around the house. It’s good to keep your brain wired to using the camera and thinking about composition and framing. I also think it’s essential to always be working on personal projects. Commissioning editors love to see personal work and this will help you not only hone your style but also get more work in the long run.
Connect and help with your community
It feels good to give back. If you’re able to offer to help neighbors in need do so. We all need to be kind to one another right now while obviously practicing social distancing and listening to the respective guidelines in place wherever you happen to live. You can also think of ways to use your photography and other skills to help your local and wider community as a whole. Not only should this give you immense self-satisfaction but doing good deeds often is cyclical; people remember your kindness and generosity later down the road. Trust me. I’ve done so much charity work for no other reason other than wanting to help and it’s often led to work opportunities opening up later down the road without me ever intentionally pushing.
Most importantly ensure you take time to be kind to yourself and reflect on all that you have to be grateful for, despite these challenging times. Checking in and adopting such a mindful approach can be a great way to help manage. We will all get through this together!