Master Your Mindset - Tips For Your Photography Business 

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  Today is going all kinds of wrong — you spilled your $5 cappuccino, missed a call from a client you are playing phone tag with... How do you deal?

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  • A.
    I grab a seat down on a nearby bench and take 3 deep belly breaths — a bit of spilled coffee ain't going to ruin my day!
  • B.
    I try to repress my frustration but still feel totally frazzled. Why does telling myself to get a grip backfire?
  • C.
    I can’t stop reprimanding myself... Ugh, why can’t I get anything right? Sometimes I feel totally incapable!
• 2.
  From 1-10, how well do you typically get along with others?

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  • A.
    1-4 — I’m not much of a people person. It’s easier for me to keep to myself. When I do socialize, it often ends in anxiety and frustration.
  • B.
    5-7 — I love chatting up a storm with friends and family. Sometimes I let my emotions get the best of me, but usually I'm easy to communicate with.
  • C.
    8 — 10 I speak my mind without coming off too domineering. I’m comfortable expressing myself + am an awesome listener. I get along with just about everyone!
• 3.
  What question do you ask yourself the most?

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  • A.
    What’s wrong with me — I feel exhausted... And I've barely accomplished anything today.  I can't get any clients,
  • B.
    What can I do to find peace + presence?
  • C.
    Did my clients take what I said the wrong way? I hope he or she wasn't offended...
• 4.
  Your client tells you they don't like their images because their outfit makes them look fat. How do you deal?

  • A.
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    I nod my head and keep a straight face. I offer to edit the images for free. Inside, I’m lighting her house on fire…
  • B.
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    I have to bite back my tears. I feel terrible that I’ve let her down — I can’t make anyone happy. Not even myself. I then offer a free reshoot even though it was the outfit choice she hates.
  • C.
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    I thank her for her feedback. I understand her perspective and I can offer additional retouching for a fee or she can come for a reshoot (full price). I’m not about to let it affect my positive self-image.
• 5.
  Which of the following best describes your current reality most days?

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  • A.
    I’m happiest in the morning, but as the day goes on I begin to feel drained. I’m not great at saying ‘no'.
  • B.
    Usually, I’m in a pretty good mood. I try not to take on more than I can manage as I have experienced burnout before.
  • C.
    I’m calm and collected. I have a great sense of what I need and am confident enough to outsource when the time comes.
• 6.
  Let’s talk boundaries — do you use 'em?

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  • A.
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    They’re definitely necessary. Sometimes it’s hard to turn a shoot down, but I’m not going to be happy the results if I’m exhausted…
  • B.
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    I love a boundary. If a shoot type drains me, it’s not happening. If it is on a day off, it's not happening. They book my schedule vs the other way around.
  • C.
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    I don’t feel confident saying no… If I don’t make people happy in the moment, they won’t want anything to do with me and they will never book with me.
• 7.
  You can tell what someone is feeling without him/her saying a word.

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  • A.
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    True
  • B.
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    False

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  Your Mindset is… in need of some love :)

  Friend, you may have trouble believing this, but you’ve got a lot going for you! Your clients love your work. Yet, no matter their tireless praise, you don’t 100% trust your own magic... you should trust their feedback. Boundaries are a bit of a sore spot, too. You’re scared to say ‘no’ even when it’s in your best interest. Luckily, there’s a clear path forward!“You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn't worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise L. HayReady to shift your mindset? Try these 5 strategies...1. Make positivity a daily practice! A little bit of optimism goes a long way, friend. Whether it’s gratitude journaling or meditating, reading a daily joke, find an activity that lifts you up and do it on the regular.2. Shift your focus! Focusing too much on the competition getting the clients?Remember photographers can post old work too! Unfollow or hide any person that doesn't make you feel good when you look at their feed. Focusing on your area being too rural, too poor, too any excuse so you can't raise your prices? Don't spend other people's money (or not spend LOL). People of all incomes value photography. Just remember they don't go to work for free neither should you! You can always offer payment plans or just do wrapped newborn sessions. Look around at neighboring towns. Do you offer in home sessions or can they come to you? Clients that value your work will travel to you. You have to value yourself first and more about that in tip 3! 3. All about the numbers!Before you skip this section just remember there are enough clients for all of us. in 2020 there were 3,613,647 babies born in the US alone! If you figure out how many newborn shoots you need to do in a year, it seems more achievable! Knowing how much time you spend on each shoot and how much running your business costs you will really help you increase your prices. The key is to separate you from your business. Your business charges $1,500 for a newborn shoot. It has a lot of costs, overhead etc. Figure out YOUR take home pay per hour and you will immediately be confident in raising your prices. 4. Celebrate those wins, no matter how small they are! Booked your first or 100th client? Celebrate it - even if it is just a little happy dance at your desk. Got a really nice compliment on your work? Print lovely emails or comments out. Make a praise wall by your desk. Screenshot lovely messages from clients. 5. Choose a growth mindset. Instead of seeing a bad shoot as a dead-end, view it as an opportunity to learn. Your mind is forever expanding. Just because you didn’t do so well at a task doesn’t mean you can’t — with a bit of practice — win big! We all start somewhere! A marathon begins with one step! ✨
• 2.
  Your Mindset is on the right track! 

  Friend, you’re a joy to be around! Folks find your positive outlook refreshing as iced tea. They rely on you to turn their B- days into straight A’s. But here’s the catch: do you trust and love yourself as much as everyone trusts and loves you?“Be faithful to that which exists within yourself.” — André GideReady to enhance your mindset? Try these 4 strategies...1. Make yourself a priority in your life! This isn't about self-care (although that might be a little needed here too) but this is taking time to make your needs a priority. Look where you are pleasing others in your business but not yourself. Are you giving away additional images or editing? Are you booking a client on a day that you wanted to spend time with your family? 2. All about the numbers!Before you skip this section just remember there are enough clients for all of us. in 2020 there were 3,613,647 babies born in the US alone! If you figure out how many newborn shoots you need to do in a year, it seems more achievable! Knowing how much time you spend on each shoot and how much running your business costs you will really help you increase your prices. The key is to separate you from your business. Your business charges $1,500 for a newborn shoot not you. Your business has a lot of costs, overhead etc. Figure out YOUR take-home pay per hour and you will immediately be confident in raising your prices. 3. Celebrate YOUR wins, no matter how small they are! Booked your first or 100th client? Celebrate it - even if it is just a little happy dance at your desk. Got a really nice compliment on your work? Print lovely emails or comments out. Make a praise wall by your desk. Screenshot lovely messages from clients. 4. Use your positivity to your advantage! Your clients love you, so ask them for referrals and reviews! Start nurturing your email list and getting those repeat clients.
• 3.
  Your Mindset Rocks!

  Congratulations friend, you know that taking care of yourself is a big part of taking care of everyone in your life! You express your opinions without ever coming off as pushy or threatening.Boundaries are a big ‘yes’ for you. You don’t overcommit because you know you can’t shine your brightest when worried about what others might think.Here are a few tips to ensure your positive mindset is helping your business. 1. Make yourself a priority in your life! This isn't about self-care (although that might be a little needed here too) but this is taking time to make your needs a priority. Look where you are pleasing others in your business but not yourself. Are you giving away additional images or editing? Are you booking a client on a day that you wanted to spend time with your family? 2. All about the numbers!Before you skip this section just remember there are enough clients for all of us. in 2020 there were 3,613,647 babies born in the US alone! If you figure out how many newborn shoots you need to do in a year, it seems more achievable! Knowing how much time you spend on each shoot and how much running your business costs you will really help you increase your prices. The key is to separate you from your business. Your business charges $1,500 for a newborn shoot not you. Your business has a lot of costs, overhead etc. Figure out YOUR take-home pay per hour and you will immediately be confident in raising your prices. 3. Celebrate YOUR wins, no matter how small they are! Booked your first or 100th client? Celebrate it - even if it is just a little happy dance at your desk. Got a really nice compliment on your work? Print lovely emails or comments out. Make a praise wall by your desk. Screenshot lovely messages from clients. 4. Use your positivity to your advantage! Your clients love you, so ask them for referrals and reviews! Start nurturing your email list and getting those repeat clients.