I'm just trying to get my own business started, but I'm still just in the pre-crawling stages... I'm working on getting together a business name, logo, collateral, etc. along with establishing some pricing and guidelines as well. I'm going to be marketing my business as a photography, digital art and design studio. I'm having a heck of a time thinking of names, and because of my multi-dimensional business, I don't really want to just use my name with something tacked onto it... aka "lori leming studios" or something. also, I'm getting married in the fall, and that makes it tough to establish a name thing as well. Any suggestions? I've already read the thread about changing your business name, and it seems that everyone on here has great input for decisions like these.

Also, I need to establish my guidelines for pricing, and have an idea about what I want to do, but also want to make sure I'm not over/under pricing myself since I'm only just starting out. And, how do I get solid clients at full price without much of a wedding portfolio?!

Yikes, now that I look at all of this, there's so much to do and make decisions about...


Thanks for any and all feedback anyone out there can give!

Lori, so excited for you! Have you thought about just focusing your business on one area - the one that you love the most - to cut down on stress levels and trying to make it all work together?

Nathan,
Yes, I have, and I totally agree with the motto "Do one thing and do it well" vs. spreading yourself out over many areas... but right now, I'm just trying to make a business out of what I do already anyway. I have to keep my day job, which makes it hard to concentrate on getting my business together and it keeps my stress level WAY up. I really want to start doing wedding photography and hopefully make it so that soon I can quit my normal job and focus just on this... I'm just having a hard time getting that going. I already have 2 weddings in the works, but haven't set up pricing and structure yet. I'm up against a tight deadline for the one, and I feel like I really "need" these two weddings to get my business going (after all, how do you book a bride without a "book of brides" for a portfolio)?! I don't want to cheapen what I do or what I'm going to offer them, but I feel like I can't logically charge as much as I'd like since I don't have any previous work to show them (aside from children's photography) and other boring studio work.

I'm really feeling the pressure to get something together, but am just so busy with my "real" job, my freelance work, and trying to get a business together... and to top it off, I'm trying to plan my own wedding for the fall!! What am I thinking?

Hey Lori...

I totally understand what you are going through. I just changed my business name...and I should have thought about doing it when I started...(having the name that I have now which is my maiden name...Tolentino) I switched back to my old name because I'm catering to a high end clientele...and well...with Marcantel...especially in this area...a few people already had that name that I didn't want to be associated with.

Anyhow...as far as having a portfolio....I don't know what everyone else has done but I did something pro bono in the beginning of my career...I was very selective...and gave some free stuff to a very very high society social butterfly. I knew that she knew a TON of people in this area and I didn't have to advertise for business . I gave her a 24x30 canvas print that had her guests asking...and I made sure that she never ran out of my business cards. Anyhow....I know comparing brides to children isn't really the ideal thing...but if you do good work...no matter what...your brides will see how awesome and talented you are and will want you to do their wedding while you're still in your "starting" price.

Pricing... what ever you do, don't place yourself in the middle. It's easy to market the most expensive services (as long as they're worth it), and the cheapest. However, when you are in the middle, you are competing with the other two and have twice as much competition.

Next thought... it's easier to lower your price than raise it. Your confidence and ability to walk away will make or break your higher price. I've gone so far as to suggest cheaper photographers (that sure messes with their minds).

Names... think carefully and choose the right one at the start. You don't want potential customers having to figure out who you will be next week. In addition, you don't want them thinking you are fly-by-night.

That's it... no more thinking this afternoon.

David

Lori,
I am a late bloomer. God brought Photography in my life in 1999. I did not know it then, but this is what I want to do with the rest of my life. I work as a Project Manager for GC. We build communication sites from Connecticut to Virginia. I do not particularly likemy job, but after making so many mistakes....well let me start over.
I have jumped around from so many jobs in my life. After 1 year of working at a companyI would usually move on. I did not know that I was searching for something. In living this way, I ended up loosing my home of 9 years and having to rent. (I, thank God, have a great wife that did not forsake me during all this.) I am basically starting ALL over again.
The Lord spoke to me and told me that I have to work at 1 place for 5 years. (I am on my second year!-4 more to go) I need to learn some lifes lessons (ones that I refused to learn as a youth or was to ignorant to know I was being taught)
So now as I started the journey with my Photography professionally, I have been getting the itch to do this full time. God, on the other hand has been reminding me, as a presidential slogan I heard, 4 more years!
I desire so badly to have a successful business and be able to give my family the things they need AND want! But on the other hand I feel assurance that if I stick to the plan I will be way better off.
I do not know why I am telling you all this, maybe because that anxiousness (I have never won a spelling bee) might cause you to make decisions that aren't best for you. I think if you focus on doing good work the rest will come to you. Be patient, work hard.

Sorry if I overstepped my boundaries.

To your success.
Rob