Let me first tell you that this industry can be HARD. Hard work and very competitive. I have seen the competitive side and I have seen the sweet side. It comes down to personal beliefs, but just think of them as “coworkers”. 🙂 I personally don’t work in an office with many creatives. I just have my home office where Pixie keeps me company. Sure, she’s GREAT company but you need something more than just talking cat talk with your cat. 😉 Haha! It can be a very lonely atmosphere and even though you are social on Instagram/Facebook, it is important to keep connections in REAL LIFE. Today, I thought I would highlight some pointers why you should go out and meet new industry friends!
REASONS WHY YOU NEED INDUSTRY FRIENDS:
1) They understand you! Let me tell you that my friends/family don’t quite understand what I go through from day to day. Every day is a different scenario, whether you are brainstorming new ideas or just going through a certain situation. Your industry friends will understand not just from a creative side but from the business owner point of view. It is so reassuring that I have my trust in my friends where I can go to them and talk about ANYTHING and they get it!
2) SUPPORT! It is SOOOOOO important in the wedding industry to have support and encouragement. Being self employed is harddddd and lonely. We all can be brutal on ourselves and our work. Having a great support system is so positive and the perfect natural medicine to a great future!!!
3) Be social! Sure, your office space is great company and so are your clients and the social media life … but don’t forget that you also need to live outside of your computer! Get together with creatives, whether in your same field like photographers or other like minded friends, like wedding planners. Even if you aren’t friends with them yet doesn’t mean you cannot be friends. 🙂 Reach out to them and ask to get together for coffee! I personally love getting together with other creatives and chat about the awesome and challenging things about being a business owner. It’s okay to be vulnerable. 🙂
4) Create a Referral Group! Having a referral group is way more beneficial than you think it is! Over the years, I have had inquiries that have come in and unfortunately either unavailable or booked for their wedding day. Don’t let their experience with you stop there! Take the time to refer other photographers. Some may think of that as losing business … so wrong! You are actually gaining business because those girls you refer will bounce it right back to you when they are already booked! It’s a win-win experience for everyone. 🙂
5) Join a Community! I have joined a couple of communities around my area and absolutely LOVE them! It is important to join the right ones. I wanted to be a part of a Christian photography group, so I joined Pursuit 31 Gainesville group! I also believe in the “Shoot and Share” model for photography, so I joined the Northern Virginia Shoot and Share group! These communities have been so awesome because not only does it give you the chance of meeting other photographers, but new “coworkers”. We are all in this together, so why not share, bounce, brainstorm ideas together? Great things come out this!
6) Do it for the right reasons! Don’t just make friends just to make them for your benefit. Pour yourself into your friendships and love on them! Keep connections by sending little thoughtful messages, cards, creating dinner dates, etc. More importantly, be there for them!
I hope you find this helpful! Whether you are new or old in the industry, I encourage you to reach out to someone in your industry to get together for coffee! Not only is it great company, but it gives you a chance to expand your connections and create community. I’m off to Lexington for the day to visit some photographer friends at the gorgeous Big Spring Farm! Happy Wednesday!!!
Love these sweet friends, Rachel, Anna and Elle! <3
Katelyn James Coaching Reunion!
Virginia Pursuit 31 Group! Wohoo!
Shoot and Share Northern Virginia Crew!
Pursuit 31 Gainesville Crew!
Sweet sweet friends, Ali and Annamarie!
Katelyn James and I at P31 Conference + Creative @ Heart Virginia Crew! 🙂
Creative @ Heart Crew!
My awesome second shooter, Krysta! 🙂
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