Today’s Topic Tuesday is from Brittni Schroeder, senior photographer and creator of the magazine Mozi.  Brittni shares her experience moving to a new city and starting over with her photographer business.  I know this affects lots of people out there… your husband gets a new job and you have to move or other circumstances cause you to leave the town you are in for a new, unfamiliar territory.  And you wonder, how can I start again?  Brittni has been through this and shares her tips below.

Starting Over by Brittni Schroeder 

Starting a business from scratch can be a curse and a blessing. The curse is not knowing anyone. You have to compete with photographers that have been in the area for years, and you have to create a reputation in your area. The blessing is starting over, doing it right, and avoiding all the mistakes you have made in the past. I lived in Michigan and had built my business to a great point when my husband got a job in El Paso, Texas, where we soon relocated. I was bound and determined to create a better, more successful business than I already had–and I did. I lived by the motto “fake it till you make it,” and that is exactly what I did. I gave myself a few months to settle in, and then I got to it. It took me eight months to build my business, and at that point, I was booked out three to four months with more work than I wanted.

Be Busy!

I set a goal for myself to shoot every week and post on Facebook and my blog – even if I wasn’t making any money, I was busy! Keep in mind, I wasn’t working for clients for free…I was shooting, but it was on my terms, and with the people I chose. In order to find beautiful people to photograph (beautiful people make for great marketing) I did a casting call on modelmayhem.com (a website designed for networking, casting, and

portfolio building for photographers, models, make-up artists, etc.). I set up several photo shoots and posted new work every week…The world saw a super busy photographer, and I had the opportunity to experiment with new techniques, hone my skills, and refine my style! During this time I had someone from Model Mayhem contact me to ask if I would be interested in taking some pictures for an e-magazine. Shooting at every opportunity I received, not only kept me busy, but also gave me the opportunity to network and meet people who knew people.

Research

When I moved to Texas I knew I wanted to specialize in senior photography, and I live in an area with several high schools. I had set my prices high and was not going to  compromise my rates to get work. I began researching and found the high schools where higher income families attended. I made a list of seven high schools and began targeting those. My plan was to find two senior reps from each of the seven high schools.

Networking

I became friends with everyone I came in contact with and told them about my business. I used Facebook as my main source of networking. I eventually found two senior reps for one of my main high schools. I became friends with my reps and friends with their friends, mostly through Facebook. I started asking all my “new friends” if they knew of any cute, stylish, outgoing, and social girls who went to my other target high schools. I soon found two representatives for each of my seven high schools.

Senior Rep Program

I created a senior rep program. I gave my senior reps an incentive for referring friends–free product. I also gave them incentives for getting their friends to “like” my Facebook page. I gave each of my reps my business card, which had their pictures on it to hand out to all of their friends.

Giving Back

I am a big believer in giving back and being involved in my community. If you want support, you have to give support. I take a lot of pride in getting to know my clients as well as their parents. By visiting and asking questions, I found many of my clients’ parents were involved in organizations within the community. I looked for opportunities to donate sessions for charity events such as Community Scholars, The Children’s Hospitals, and CASA to name a few.

Starting over can be a stressful, but exciting time. If you are determined and patient, your hard will pay off. You must have confidence in who you are and what you are selling. Starting over means you can be whomever you want to be so be something incredible.

Brittni is giving all Seniorologie readers 20% off the senior issue of Mozi Magazine!  The discount is available until May 1.  Enter code SENIORS to receive this discount.

About Brittni –

Brittni Schroeder is a senior and editorial photographer currently living in El Paso, Texas. She started her photography business, Brittni Schroeder Photography in 2008.  After one year of shooting families, infants, and children, she transitioned her business to focus almost exclusively on senior and editorial photography.  About a year ago Brittni along with Travis and Jean Smith decided to join forces on a project and Mozi Magazine was born.  When Brittni isn’t behind the camera or working on the magazine she  is a professional instagrammer and a self-proclaimed fashionista.  She spends her days telling the Kardashians what to wear, going to brunch with Opera and telling the Bachelorette she still isn’t interested.  In her spare time she is partying like a Rock Star with her hot hubby and 3 wild kids!

About Mozi Magazine – 

Mozi is our awesome new publication.  Why Mozi you ask?  We wanted a name that was as different and authentic as the overall movement in which we’d like to engage with our readers. A movement toward unique vision. Toward self discovery. Toward authenticity.  Mozi was a Chinese philosopher “whose teachings emphasized self-reflection and authenticity rather than obedience to ritual.” – Mozi.

Our magazine, along with our website and Facebook page, is full of inspiration, tutorials, marketing tips, free downloads, giveaways and much, much more.  Our goal is to help you evoke your own uniqueness. We hope to help you along that journey and provide a source of inspiration and education to help your vision emerge.

www.mozi-mag.com

www.facebook.com/MoziMag

www.brittnischroederphotography.com

www.facebook.com/brittnischroederphotography

Topic Tuesday – {Starting Over}

Reply...

heck, yes i do!

You, want in?

We're busy curating all the best resources, trends, and opportunities for creative women in business - just like you!

THE LATEST

THE LATEST

SIGN UP TO BE THE FIRST TO KNOW