 Kimberly J. Whipps |
Busy Times & Down Times Can any of you other photographers with clients tell me if you have busy and down times during the year? I just really started in May and I am very busy right now and I am just wondering if it is because of the holidays. What is your experience?
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Sandy Landon |
Kimberly, I do not know from my own personal experience, but after talking to a friend that has been doing this for a while, she said there are definite good and down times. She also is busy right now because of the holidays and the beautiful fall colors!! Seems everyone wants their pictures done now. She is also extremely busy in the spring and summer with weddings. Her down time is January and February but I think that applies to a lot of businesses. Hope this helps.
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Tammy L. Odell |
Hey Kimberly, Interesting question!!! I have pretty much been busy enough since spring of this year. I recall from last year I was really busy in the fall and after Christmas it was really slow. It picked back up in the spring and I figured the summer would be slow, but to my surprise it wasn't as slow as I expected. I do notice one week I'll have 3 or 4 shoots and the next there is none!! It comes in spurts I guess. I would like a steady 2 shoots a week. I like the extra income, but hate to be glued to my computer when my family needs me. I have 4 shoots next week and I told my husband I'll try and get caught up on the house work because next week will be crazy!! I couldn't image having a full or even partime job AND a family and do this!!! But I am blessed to do what I do and still get to stay home.
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Michelle Ross |
I have asked myself this same question . . and I was guessing that January-March would probably be slower times .. . and then about April(Easter) things would pick up again . . I can appreciate your thoughts on the 2 shoots a week Tammy .. I try to only schedule two if possible. . but right now everyone is wanting in for Christmas and I'm running out of time. .. I could schedule more shoots of course but not without sacrificing not only my family time but also my client service. .. I like to only work on one shoot at a time and if I start doing too many in a week then I will be putting off this job to finish this one, etc. In fact I'm kind of hoping for a slower January/February so I can maybe get some things done with the brainstorming I have been doing about moving my studio to my house and start building areas to do my outdoor work in so I'm not constantly have to drive all over to do them . . . I'm hoping to really gear up for Seniors next year and concentrate primarily on them during the summer and early fall months and then gear back up for the family and holiday stuff through November. . I don't want to do weddings so don't have to deal with that kind of scheduling . . .
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anonymous |
Yep, mine comes in spurts too, which is a little hard to manage. I also work 3 days a week in Sydney (1.5 hours away from where I live) and I study at tafe 4 hours on Tuesday nights 6-10pm. So my spare time is few and far between. Thurs and Frids are for me to run errands, do shopping, swimming lessons, cleaning and if I can squeeze it in, actually spending quality time with my son. It is going to be even harder next year. I will be going to tafe 6-10pm two nights a week (for 3 years) and my husband wants another baby! I just can't see how I am going to fit the extra tafe in let alone another child, also I was so sick with my first pregnancy I was bedridden on a drip for 14 weeks! And I can't leave my "day job" in the city as we need that steady income to help support our life/morgage. I just don't know what to do. I would have to get two kids ready and myself up and out of the house by 6.50am every morning to daycare (which will cost over $15K....and no help from the government) and me on a train by 7.20am....husband leaves before me, so can't even help. Sorry for venting........ Where is that wine..........
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Kimberly J. Whipps |
Thank you all for your input and thoughts.
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