8 Pieces of Business Advice to Live By

There are many pieces of advice that I could offer to people looking to live their best lives.

From mundane things like brushing your teeth and making your beds to more lofty aspirations like chasing your dreams, but that’s not what this blog post is about. I always want to hear from experts on how they found success or how they cope with everyday hassles. So I’ve rounded up 8 pieces of business advice that every food photographer should live by.

8 Pieces of Business Advice to Live By

Stay hungry, stay foolish.

If we’re satisfied with what we have, then we’ll stop growing. We should constantly be pushing ourselves and expanding our own limits so that we evolve as artists. Give yourself permission to experiment and learn from mistakes with your personal passion projects.

Collaborate with other creatives

Collaborating with other creatives can be an excellent way to build your career and sharpen your skills. Collaborating with artists who are slightly different from you helps you both grow. Every time I’ve worked with a food stylist or chef, it’s helped me find new ideas that were previously out of reach. 

Feed your creativity

Creativity is something that all photographers need to keep things fresh and exciting. Spend time doing things that are entirely unrelated to photography. For example, I love to cruise around Austin and listen to music. I absorb the sights, reflect on why I love this city so much, and explore neighborhoods. I’ve found inspiration in the cutest park or driving by a restaurant I haven’t been to before.

Take great photos

Not every photo will be this spectacular work of art. What I mean by taking great photographs is to put thought into how you take them, where they’re taken, and what they show. Hone and develop your style so that when people look at your pictures, they know that it’s you without any words at all. 

Reflect on your priorities

Carve out enough time each day to reflect on your priorities. Every day you should take a few minutes to reflect on your goals as an artist and business owner. I bought the Powersheets Goal Planner by Cultivate What Matters to keep my priorities straight. 

Expand what you know

Expanding what you know about photography lets you interact with people who think differently than you do. It challenges us to see what we’re not paying attention to, what we assumed was unimportant. Once you see something you’ve never seen before, you suddenly start thinking about problems differently – which just might be where some of the best innovations come from.

Show grace, give grace

Don’t be afraid to take risks or even pursue seemingly impossible dreams. The most successful people often live by their own set of rules, and so should you. If you fail, you have two choices: try again or move on to something else. Either way, be kind to yourself. Accept the fact that you won’t get it perfectly the first time or even the second time.

The assertive bird gets the worm.

This is not just advice for food photographers, but for everyone. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself when reaching out to leads. Don’t be scared to be direct with your ask. 

Well, I hope this post helps my fellow food photographers with their careers. If you want more advice or tips, follow me on Instagram.

If you’re looking for a food photographer for your next project, schedule a call here. I’m based in Austin, Texas, but I’m willing to travel wherever food is made!