Longevity
WORK-LIFE BALANCE BY C H R I S T I N E T R E M O U L E T
We all dream of the longevity of the photographs that we create; the images that future generations will look at to remember the people they loved, the memories of their lifetime. Have you ever considered the LIFE COACH longevity of your business and the steps you need to take to preserve it? In terms of business longevity, work-life balance is often discussed, but when you are the business owner, what does that even mean? Where does your work end and your life begin? The line is completely blurred. At the start of my photography career, I told a friend that achieving this balance was my goal, and she asked me if I had ever spent time on a balance board at the gym. Have you tried one? As you stand on it, you are constantly adjusting and it is physically exhausting. It drains you. It never stops; you are never still. It was at that moment that I realized that the work-life balance that I envisioned is a myth. Your work and your life are not two separate things, and trying to separate them leads to more stress and frustration as you are constantly working to keep that balance board level. It is important that you take care of yourself, along with your business, to achieve the career longevity that you desire in photography. To do that, you need to create a structure that will allow you to achieve happiness across all aspects of your life. That way, your work can support your life, and your life can support your work.
G OA L S
S E T GOA L S
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R ANGE F IN D ER
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Success means very different things to different people. Everyone is in various stages of their careers. For some, success means a supplemental income to their own or their partner’s full-time income. Others might define success as a multi-photographer studio with a high volume of clientele. Does that make one photographer more “successful” than the other photographer? No. For your own happiness, your success should be framed by what your goals are, first and foremost.
CHRISTINE TREMOULET is a Houston-based photographer who launched her professional career in 2007. Her work has spanned weddings, boudoir and brand photography. She is also a speaker and educator, focusing on marketing and selling online so that you can build a business you love that supports the life you want to live. She is the host of the Reframe Success podcast. WPPI: This will be her sixth year speaking at WPPI. “Your Journey to Tell Your Stories, Book More Clients and Make More Money,” takes place Feb. 27, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Define your goals. I recommend working from the top down:
you are setting and achieving your personal business goals.
What do you want to earn in a year? Once you know that, what do you need to hit monthly to get there? How much income do you need to bring in? How many clients do you need per month?
You also need to consider your future plans. Are you hoping to have employees someday? Do you want to own a brick-and-mortar studio? Are you willing to keep up on marketing trends, forecasting and sales?
Can you break those numbers down per week? There is no mythical income number that you need to hit to be deemed a successful photographer, as long as
Success means happiness. If you’re making six figures a year yet you’re miserable and stressed and haven’t had a vacation in three years, you will burn out.
WI N TER 2 0 2 0 | S H O W G U I D E
2/4/20 1:08 PM
