Survival as a Creative During This Pandemic: What Else Can I Do to Help my Business and Grow?
Covid-19 has shaped a world we once knew so well into something completely foreign to us. Businesses have been shut down because of financial struggles due to lack of demand. The world is on pause, but our bills are not. Photoshoot slots that were once filled are now empty, from concerts, business events, weddings, graduations, and more. As a photographer who makes money through freelance work, it can be hard to survive and pay our necessary bills when so many gigs have been cancelled. You’re probably wondering how you could help your photography business in a world without face to face interaction. You’re a creative for a reason and know how to think outside the box. Here’s some ways you can get some extra income during these tough times!
1. Sell Your Prints
Setting up a print shop isn’t as hard as you’d expect it to be. This is a good way to make residual income, especially with the support of your friends and family. Even if your friends can’t afford to buy a print, have them share your shop onto your social media! It doesn’t cost money to retweet or share a post. Select your best photos and start printing and shipping! A good website to use would be darkroom.tech. I actually just started up my own print shop this past month!
2. Learn New Things
With so much free time on our hands now while we’re at home, it’s hard not to just sit on the coach and watch TV all day. Use this time wisely to learn something new. Youtube is your best friend. Watch videos on how to improve on certain things in your craft or learn about topics you’re not the strongest at.
3. Re-Editing Old Photos
Basically practice. You have a ton of RAW images sitting in your external hard drive. Maybe you can bring out your old photos from 2017 and re-edit in Lightroom and see how much you improved since then. Always be learning and always be improving! Try to make these edits better than your last.
4. Follow Up With Past Clients
Check in on your clients from the past and see how they’re doing. This will let them know you’re thinking of them. This will remind them that you shot X gig for them in the past and maybe they’ll reach out to you again for another gig or refer you to somebody they know who is looking for a photographer. Plus it’s always nice hearing from people and seeing how they’re doing!
5. Personal Projects
To me, this is the most important for a creative. Personal Projects are the heart of the art. These are what you want to create and why you started creating in the first place. Client work pays the bills, but it can be very overloading and boring at times. Shoot what you always wanted to shoot now that you have the time. Find the spark and love for creating that got you to where you are now. Maybe make a recap video of places you’ve visited around the world.
