Lori Nordstrom

"What advice would I give new photographers just starting out? Photographers always ask me what I would do differently if I could start over.  Here are the top 5 things I wish I hadn't done: 

# 1.  FAIL TO PLAN It's said that when you fail to plan, you plan to fail!  So true. Make a plan and stick to it.
  
#2. BE TOO EAGER FOR A STUDIO SPACE So many photographers go through this whole idea of "I'll finally be 'for real' when I get a retail location!" Instead, really look at the value of what you have to offer right now!  Find your value and then learn to communicate it to your client. 

#3. HIRE EMPLOYEES WITH NO JOB DESCRIPTIONS This was a biggie for me.  When I opened up my first studio in 2000, I jumped in big.  I bought a large building and I also went digital that year.  It was a huge time of crash and burn for me.  I was up all night working and was just dying for help!!  So, I started hiring people, and basically the only thing that I said was, "Help!!".  I've always heard "Hire the personality and train the task", and I totally believe in that!  However, you have to KNOW what you NEED and have job descriptions put together before you can train someone. 

#4. GIVE AWAY THE FARM We've all been guilty of this.  Establish what you need your session average to be, based on what you need to profit for the month/year.  Set your prices so that you will reach those goals.  In the beginning, make your prices known and allow for a discounted period if you absolutely must while you "portfolio build", but don't give it away for nothing.  Don't hand all of your images over on a cd.  Don't de-value what you are giving them - which is memories and moments built not just in the images, but in the experience itself.
  
#5. THINK LIKE AN ARTIST INSTEAD OF A BUSINESS PERSON I know this sounds like blasphemy to many of you.  I think it's great to be an artist, and even for that to be your first love.  But when the time comes to run your business and run it profitably, you have to start thinking like a business person.  This is SO hard - for 99% of photographers out there! (you're not alone)  We love what we do so much that we just think it's all going to fall into place!  But being a business person, and each and everyone of you are a business owner, you've got to start thinking like a business owner. Putting systems in place, planning and scheduling, managing workflow and knowing your numbers are going to change your business and your life dramatically.  

When our faculty was asked for what advice they'd give new photographers, little did we know that Lori would take the time to put together a full seminar. Seriously, if you don't agree, go back and read her five points again. She's given every new photographer, and for that matter seasoned professionals, the five basics to building your business.

Hear more about what Lori would do if she was starting over, plus the top ten things that have made her studio one of the most profitable studios in the country!  Keep tabs on what she's doing by following her studio page. 

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Images copyright Lori Nordstrom. All rights reserved.