What I Wish I Knew My First Year in Business
(A letter to the version of me who was undercharging, overthinking, and still figuring it all out)
When I look back at my first year as a photographer, I see a girl with a camera, big dreams, and a serious case of “fake it till you make it.” She was up late Googling how to price photos, editing galleries on the couch while her kids watched cartoons, and wondering if she could really make this work.
I love that version of me. But I also wish I could go back, sit next to her with a glass of wine, and share a few things that would have saved her time, stress, and self-doubt.
If you’re in your first year—or feeling like you’re still trying to find your footing—this one’s for you.
1. Being “nice” won’t protect your boundaries
I thought if I was friendly, flexible, and available 24/7, people would like me more. And maybe they did. But I also got walked on. I let clients reschedule three times without a fee. I delivered galleries on holidays. I said yes to discounts, weekend edits, and stress I didn’t need.
Being kind is great. Being clear is better. You can be both. Boundaries aren't mean. They are professional. And they actually make people respect your time more, not less.
2. Charge based on value, not fear
Like so many new photographers, I set my first prices based on what I thought people would pay, not what my time and talent were worth. I was afraid to charge more. Afraid people would say no. Spoiler: some did. But the right clients didn’t.
If you’re constantly editing late at night, feeling burnt out or wondering why this business isn’t working, look at your pricing. You can’t run a sustainable business on rock bottom prices. You deserve to be paid for your skill and effort, and not worry about what the other photographers are charging.
3. Automate earlier than you think
For way too long, I handled everything manually. I sent the same emails over and over. I pieced together invoices, contracts, and session reminders in a way that looked “fine” on the outside but was chaotic behind the scenes.
I wish I’d known that automating isn’t impersonal. It’s smart. Systems don’t remove the human touch. They make room for it. Automating my inquiry responses, booking process, and prep emails freed me up to actually connect with clients and serve them better.
⭐Check out the Timesaving Tools That have literally changed my life here!
4. You don’t need to do everything at once
I wasted so much time comparing myself to photographers who had been in business for years. Their websites looked better. Their Instagram was polished. Their client experience seemed effortless.
What I didn’t see was the time it took to get there. I was trying to sprint in a marathon. It’s okay to grow slowly. You don’t have to launch five new things, rebrand, and create a passive income stream all in one month. Master the season you're in, then move on to the next thing.
5. You are not behind
Maybe the most important thing I wish I’d known? There’s no such thing as being behind. Every photographer has their own pace, their own style, their own path. Just because someone else is fully booked or hitting six figures doesn’t mean you’re failing. Stay in your lane. Learn. Adapt. Keep going.
Bonus: A Few Small Wins That Meant Everything
The first time a client cried happy tears seeing their gallery
The moment someone referred me without me asking
Learning how to shoot in golden hour without sun flairs and haze
Selling out my first mini session day and realizing I can really do this
It’s not always about the big milestones. Sometimes the quiet wins are what carry you through.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in your first year, or just feel like you’re still in survival mode, you’re not alone. Every successful photographer you follow had a messy first year. Every one of us has doubted ourselves. You’re not late. You’re not behind. You’re building something—one session, one mistake, one tiny win at a time.
Trust yourself. Take breaks. Charge your worth. And keep going.
You’ve got this.