Running a small photography business can seem like a never ending challenge – finding new clients, planning shoots, doing the shoot, editing images, posting to social media, organizing albums and prints, delivering the finished product, and repeat! Yet we constantly hear about the importance of personal projects. I have both long running personal projects and shorter ones. They are a great asset for me and my business. So, why make time to shoot personal projects?
Shooting images of Australian wildlife is a long running personal project of mine
What sort of personal projects am I talking about? When I am not shooting weddings I shoot images for my stock photography portfolio. When I’m not shooting a specific theme for my stock photo work I will shoot a personal project. An example would be Australian wildlife images. I am a wildlife fan, and believe in the work being done by conservation organisations. I enjoy shooting wildlife images, and it feels good to know that conservation organisations can access those images at a very affordable price through my stock photo portfolio. I shoot Australian wildlife images and take particular interest in shooting images of endangered species.
I have taken up Getty Images brief for my latest personal project, ‘re-picturing femininity’
I have recently started a new personal project which I am also going to use for my stock photo portfolio. As an exclusive contributor to iStockphoto, I get access to the Getty Images briefs written for photographers. One of those looks at the theme of ‘re-picturing femininity’. That is, showing girls and women in a new light. Not traditional roles, but the new women of today – leaders, working mothers, trades people, and more. It is exciting to think that the images I shoot can have a small impact on the images available in this category. I’ve completed shoots showing women as business leader, corporate regulator, pilot, and athlete, with many more to come.
Personal projects make a difference and are fun.
So, why make time to shoot personal projects?
1. It fuels the passion! Shooting for somebody else or trying to shoot what somebody else will like is ultimately hard work and draining. If you are in a cycle of weddings every weekend, or corporate head shots every day, try something different to fuel the passion. Re discover what you love to shoot and why you picked up the camera in the first place.
2. It makes a difference. A difference to what? The causes you believe in, and to you. Shooting wildlife images may not appeal to everyone but it provides needed images to conservation organisations. That is important to me – so it makes a difference to know that my images are helping wildlife.
3. It lets you experiment. It is not easy to keep learning new things on every shoot, and if we are shooting weddings each Saturday that’s not the place to practice or experiment. That’s the place to make sure the bride and groom have a great day, and that you create great images. Personal projects on the other hand give you opportunities to experiment, to try new things, and to push your boundaries. Shoot a close up with a 400mm lens – just because you can.
4. Personal projects attract like minded clients. Clients who share your interests will be attracted to your work. I have several wedding clients who first came across my work through my wildlife images. We instantly had something in common and an easy talking point. Shooting personal projects will attract like minded clients.
5. It’s fun! Yes, it’s fun to shoot personal projects! For that reason alone we should be able to find the time.
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