Episode 118: COVID19 Survival Tips for Photographers

Sooo this week is pretty nuts, eh?? We don’t even really know where to begin! We do know that COVID19 is a topic on everyone’s mind, and we don’t want to add to the panic or give anyone anxiety, but the truth of the matter is it’s affecting small businesses on a level we’ve never seen before, and we know you’re likely being affected. Wedding & portrait photographers alike are dealing with cancellations, reschedules, and a decline in inquiries. We wanted to reach out to you & provide some help and encouragement. Here are some survival tips for photographers dealing with COVID19.

1. Call your credit card/mortgage/cable companies. Most people don’t know that a lot of these companies are willing to work with their clients in situations like this. Julie was able to postpone her car payment until May! There’s no harm in asking if you can defer payments, lower interest rate, or pause your subscriptions until you’re more financially stable. Now’s the time to do it, while you’re still ahead of the curve.
2. Try to make some supplemental income. Maybe you’ve always wanted to create and sell presets, templates, or a webinar. You have time on your hands right now, so take advantage of it & just do it! You want to create as many revenue sources as possible, especially during this time of uncertainty. We have no clue when business will resume as normal, so bite the bullet & do this ASAP.
3. Update your website & blog. Take the time that you’d normally be shooting, and dedicate it to updating your website & blog. Stay relevant, so Google & your clients don’t forget you. If you’ve ever considered re-branding, now might be the perfect time! (We highly recommend Launch Your Daydream!)
4. Let’s talk taxes. If you can afford your CPA, use this downtime to do your taxes & get them filed. If you can’t, don’t forget you can always file for a 6 month extension. There’s a small fee, but it’s worth it if taxes are adding to your anxiety. Also, if you have a payment plan with the IRS, consider calling them & lowering your payments for a few months to help make up for lost income.
5. Continue your education. It’s important to never stop learning in this field, especially with the way style, technique, and technology changes. Use this time to take those courses you bought & never completed, or sign up for an online webinar that appeals to you.
6. Stick to your guns… and your contract. Let’s face it, this is a sucky situation for everybody. It’s much easier to be the “nice guy” and return retainers for cancelled sessions/weddings, but this is our livelihood. We need to look out for ourselves, our families, and our businesses. Obviously some special arrangements can be made (we suggest allowing clients to apply their retainer to a new date within the next 2 years, pending availability), but make sure you’re not screwing yourself over in the process.

For more tips AND advice on how to prepare for future emergencies, please tune in to our podcast!