Being in the business of Photography

After working for others for 30 years, being your own boss seemed to be a good feeling. I have very often heard my colleagues say that they were also preparing to go into business when they retire, and I doubt many will actually do it.

What have I been experiencing during the past year in business?

1. I am transforming into a people's person now, I am talking to people in ways that I did not do all those years. Very careful not to hurt their feelings ( at least most of the time).

2. Time is not an issue now at all, I keep on working till late at night without expecting any reward or compensations what so ever. Hi! is this called "Passion"?

3. Every cent has to be earned, and every cent has to be saved, at least during the initial stages of being in business. So I have got used to doing every bit of chores, errands, research and execution there is, to see each day through.

4. I am loving what I do now, even though the rewards are practically non existent. Just imagine, I have yet to get paid for a full years work, and yet I can't wait to leave for my studio as early as 7 o'clock in the morning.

5. The compliments that I get from my customers warms my heart and help grow my hope for better things to come. After all I realized that I will have to outlast the gestation period, which I guess will be around two years.

6. Maintaining accounts, marketing and networking are new disciplines that I am working on, my experience in the banking environment is helping me in this aspect, to a certain extent.

Actually, there are neither holidays nor medical leave for me now, and the volume of business does not warrant hiring a helper.

My urgent initiative now, is to let the town know that me, and Lux Me Images are in business, and that we do fabulous portraits and wedding photography.

I guess, being in business for the first two years will be the most toughest part that will have to be endured, and after that I can expect to get paid for the effort spent.

I realize being in business is all to do with discipline, dedication, risk taking, and perseverance. The result will take care of itself, at least I hope so.