When I was made redundant from a role in international marketing
in 2007 I knew immediately what I wanted to do: set up my own business taking
photographs and writing copy for small businesses, hence the name Picture It
Big. Within a few weeks I was heading off in a completely different direction,
photographing children at nurseries, after being given an opportunity at my own
children's day nursery. Like many new starters I went wherever the business
was, hungry to earn money, gain experience and build a portfolio.
A couple of years later I started running photography courses
following lots of requests from photography clients. I discovered a new
passion: sharing my knowledge with others. It was so rewarding and really
enjoyable, although hard to gain enough exposure to fill the course places. I
eventually hit on the idea of running workshops from home, thus eliminating the
worry of booking and often cancelling venues.
In the meantime I had been reflecting on the photography services
I was offering and realised that I needed to focus more on the more profitable
areas and on the types of photography I really enjoyed. After all,
what's the point of working for yourself, if you are doing stuff that doesn't
make you want to leap out of bed in the morning?
As I end my sixth full year in business and look forward to 2015
(a big year in my mind as I turn 50!), I've got a clear business strategy and a
wonderful new studio where it will all happen! Portrait and commercial
photography will be my main photography focus, both in the studio and on
location. I also have a full programme of courses taking place in the studio
and interest and take up has so far been phenomenal. The business is being
re-branded Jane Burkinshaw Natural Light Photography, to better reflect what I
now do, with Love Your Lens as a sub-brand for the photography workshops.
When I look back on the last 6 years, I could kick myself for not
having got to this point via a shorter route. If I'm honest I've made tons of
mistakes, wasted money on the wrong types of promotion, not always been as
focused and dedicated as I could have been. It was very difficult adjusting to
a new life of working from home and not having to adhere to a 9 to 5. But if
I'm a bit kinder to myself, I know I've learned an enormous amount, about
photography and running a business. I've been around to take the kids to after
school activities or even just into town to buy Christmas jumpers! I've managed
to fit in being a parent governor and a trustee of a charity Gift Of A Wedding.
Most importantly, as my husband reminds me, I am no longer the stressed out,
slightly depressed person I was back in 2007, when office politics and an
unbearable workload dominated my every waking thought.
Via local networking groups I've discovered a whole new community
of fellow business owners, who are supportive, knowledgable and generous with
their time and advice. Many people have become good friends, along with quite a
few of my clients.
As I sit here typing this, I'm grateful that I'm able to be at
home to care for a poorly daughter; I'm excited that the electrics are being
finished in the studio and I'm looking forward to a Christmas lunch tomorrow,
with a lovely crowd of ladies who all run their own businesses and have their
own stories of successes and failures, challenges and triumphs.
I think I'd better finish now as I've just read that last
sentence! Needless to say I'm really looking forward to 2015 with a new focus
and brand spanking new studio (big reveal coming soon)! I need to make the final word a big THANK YOU
and shout out to Nic, my husband, who is known as Poor Nic to everyone, for
having the misfortune to be married to me. He has been a massive support to me
in every way and I would not have got to
this point without him.
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