Starting a Photography Business: Part 8 – Listen To The Voice!

I had an aha moment last week, it was a big one, it was a grateful one and it was almost, how could you have been so silly? Since having the idea of the business finding reliable suppliers has become one of the most important parts. The website was pretty much sorted as soon as I came across Smartdecat, job done; the printers were another question.

I wanted a printer and a framer in one rather than having to run between two places, and doing an internet search I came across a fantastic company, not too far away from me who just felt right from the moment I saw their site. Have you ever had that where you just instantly know, without even knowing too much about something?

I met the salesman and the owner at a trade show earlier this year and took to them both, professional, personable and friendly, yet when a fellow photographer told me they’d had small problems with this particular printers I ignored my gut instinct that was saying ‘these are good guys’ and went looking for a different company.

Printers seemed to be few and far between and finally finding one that was also cheaper than the rest I contacted them. The first meeting with the salesman should have told me all I needed to know but new to doing business on my own behalf I had so much going on in my mind I just didn’t read the signs, he arrived with just one frame moulding in two different colours rather than a bagful which was of course the most expensive. In my head a voice was saying ‘what about the other printers?’ I silenced it. When I had to constantly chase the salesman for information & samples I ignored the insistent voice.

When I went for a tour of the lab and I saw him continually looking at clocks I was irritated but I overlooked it as everyone else who worked there seemed nice. However when they delivered an order to me of a print and it was creased due to shoddy packaging I started to have serious concerns. I didn’t want my customers to be receiving damaged goods. And getting UK or world delivery prices from them was like trying to get blood from a stone. When it was suggested that my customers should wait until their product was packaged to find out how much shipping would be I politely and firmly explained that this was unworkable and suggested they must have a rough idea of costs, though apparently not.

I moaned about them and boy did I moan to all who would listen whilst knowing all along that the more I moaned the more trouble I would attract in. Stressed and with chronic toothache I decided enough was enough. I contacted the original printers and set up a meeting, as soon as I had taken positive action I started to feel calmer, and when I walked into their premises I again got that feeling again of knowing. I was offered an array of frame mouldings and I was like a child in a sweetshop. Postage rates were happily given and in fact even printed in their brochure. And I know without a shadow of a doubt if I ever have a problem when I pick up the phone they will be there to answer and resolve it efficiently.

In some ways I wished I’d listened to the voice in my head earlier, yet it’s been a good learning curve and thankfully I now know where that voice is and what it sounds like. It’s the one when I’m looking at my photos after a shoot that says loudly and firmly, ‘That’s the one!’ I listen to my intuition on virtually everything else yet here I let fear take over instead of listening to myself and making my own judgement. From now on I intend to listen to my inner voice all the time and follow it like today; when I’m out in my car and it says turn right and I end up in a location where I’m able to take some beautiful autumn colour shots for my collections.

Notes

• When your body or mind is trying to tell you something listen for a moment and see if you think it makes sense

• Other people’s experiences aren’t necessarily going to be yours, go check it out for yourself.

• You might be new to business yet that doesn’t mean it’s ok for people to make decisions for you.

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Ruth Bayley

Living in the beautiful rural county of Yorkshire it was perhaps natural for Ruth to have an affinity with the countryside and its wildlife. Creativity is Ruth’s driving force finding an outlet in television & radio she worked for many years as producer for BBC & ITV.

However a love of photography and for being surrounded by nature called her to go back to her photography training and bring pleasure and joy to people through her connection with our planet.

Staying in the moment when taking her images allows her to experience the natural magnificence unfolding before her eyes. It is this moment of mediation, of gratitude, that she evocatively conveys through her images.

www.healingwithphotography.co.uk