Taking that huge leap and going pro!

A

AliB

Suspended / Banned
Messages
7,762
Edit My Images
No
For a while now I have been utterly frustrated at my lack of togging time. Working 50-60 hours a week all over the UK. Waking during the night thinking about work and what have I done/not done, what do I need to do..........I've had the bully boss from hell and had to endure all sorts of abuse and stress.

Until now.

I'm free.

So I have set myself a three month target. I'm inspired by our very own WeddingHack who has made such a success out of his wedding business. I've been training all year, shadowing and shooting as a second and going on some very expensive training courses. I have my first booking on my own in two weeks and if that goes well, another for June. OK, it's not much but I've not even got business cards printed yet!

I'm half way through a business plan that I can now devote time to, I have a graphic artist lined up to design my business cards and show cards. They should be printed in Jan. I have good contacts for some architectural photography that I also want to develop. I have two hairdressers who want me to shoot for their advertising.

I might take a week or so to visit Scotland in the camper so look out EG, I might be coming your way!

I've got three months set aside to devote to this and I'll be approaching it like a job of work, because that's what it is now.

A very scared and excited Ali.
 
Best of luck Ali. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Enjoy being your own boss and a bit of time away from the corporate treadmill

Paul
 
Working 50-60 hours. Waking during the night thinking about work and what have I done/not done, what do I need to do

That's not going to change, other than increase in number :lol:

But it IS more fun

Good luck - you know how to access help when you need it

:clap:

DD
 
That's not going to change, other than increase in number agreed, you will now find out what fulltime is really all about :lol::lol:

Seriously its a great life. I started my working life on a newspaper aged 17. Two weeks later I popped back into school to tell them I was leaving and have worked the life ever since - 30 years ago, I use the word life purposely lol

Its certainly changed over the years. I wish you all the best and if you ever need any help let me know

stew
 
AliB said:
For a while now I have been utterly frustrated at my lack of togging time. Working 50-60 hours a week all over the UK. Waking during the night thinking about work and what have I done/not done, what do I need to do..........I've had the bully boss from hell and had to endure all sorts of abuse and stress.

Until now.

I'm free.

So I have set myself a three month target. I'm inspired by our very own WeddingHack who has made such a success out of his wedding business. I've been training all year, shadowing and shooting as a second and going on some very expensive training courses. I have my first booking on my own in two weeks and if that goes well, another for June. OK, it's not much but I've not even got business cards printed yet!

I'm half way through a business plan that I can now devote time to, I have a graphic artist lined up to design my business cards and show cards. They should be printed in Jan. I have good contacts for some architectural photography that I also want to develop. I have two hairdressers who want me to shoot for their advertising.

I might take a week or so to visit Scotland in the camper so look out EG, I might be coming your way!

I've got three months set aside to devote to this and I'll be approaching it like a job of work, because that's what it is now.

A very scared and excited Ali.
Click to expand...



I wish you all the best, and please keep us informed of progress...you should be proud as hell !

Gary.
 
Good luck Ali, wish you all the best.
 
Good luck Ali. Im not as brave as you and only do my work on the side for now.
I really hope it works out for you :)

Mike
 
Thanks a million guys, it really means a lot to know I have you lot in my corner! :)

I've learned so much here in the last year that I would never have been able to contemplate doing this without that knowledge, I have read and read and read some more. I've gone off and practiced and failed and practiced some more, got it right and practiced again.

It's not a case of being brave either guys, it's a case of having been prudent enough to have built a cushion so that when the inevitable happened I have some resources behind me to give it a go.

I may well still end up in someone else's employ in a few months but in the meantime...............I'm getting my finger out!!! :)

Thanks you lovely lot :)
 
Good for you Ali, the first step really is the biggest. Dont be shy to take the odd days/weeks work with an agency shelf stacking to keep your dream alive if needs be. The hardest lesson I learned was frustration at the world, I felt now I was in business it should obviously come to my door......needless to say the world doesn't work like that, so don't be a stubborn ol' fox as I was. Step at a time, and a day at a time and the work will come because you'll be seeking it. Give 'em hell!:thumbs:
 
Good luck Ali, I'm sure it'll all work out just how you want it to :thumbs:
 
AliB said:
it's a case of having been prudent enough to have built a cushion so that when the inevitable happened I have some resources behind me to give it a go.
Click to expand...

Thats what stops a lot of people.. Also when we get older and have a family we take less risks when it comes to income.. Nice to see someone giving it a go and I hope all goes well.. I also hope you like paperwork :)

I went part time self employed this year.. with the cushion of tax credits off the goverment.. Business is so good I should be full time next tax year .. And I dont do weddings!

All the best with it :)
 
And I should say a huge thanks to you for the business plan Kipax! :thumbs:

It made me realise going through it that I did actually have some of the business skills I will have to rely on.

Great to see you doing so well :)
 
Well done on making the decision. The best of luck with your career as a professional photographer. May it be a long and successful one.
 
I'll be giving you all a blow by blow account! lol.

As I said, i may well end up in the employ of someone else in the future but I have a three month window in which to see if I can make this fly.

Anyone got any spare wings? :)
 
Good luck to you Ali. I started my business almost 16 years ago at the age of 31.
Did 5yrs of 80hrs a week without a day off. Then down to about 60hrs. Now only 4 days a week.:D
Now reaping the benefits. Go for it and embrace it. Just make sure you have fun. When the day comes that its no longer fun, its time to get out. As in any employment.
Good luck to you.;)


Kev.
 
wish you all the best of british luck

sounds like your a tryer....:thumbs:
 
ditchdigger said:
wish you all the best of british luck

sounds like your a tryer....:thumbs:
Click to expand...


I come from a working class Scottish family. None of us were ever afraid of hard work that's for sure! I think the word determined would be somewhat of an understatement. Think terrier............:thinking:
 
The very best of luck to you Ali B, You clearly have tremendous support & encouragement here and hopefully, self belief. The only advice I ever give to anyone is....
Expunge from your thoughts and from your vocabulary the phrase "I can't...
The moment that phrase enters your head, you have convinced yourself you can't do the thing you wanted.
It's not easy, harder in the current eco' climate, but do-able.....
 
A big :thumbs: for having the balls to try something like this in these "times"
You seem to have your head screwed on the right way with planning and more planning
Good luck
 
Very best of luck, and don't forget you help create your own.

And don't forget to tell the taxman!
 
Oh don't worry photon, I have my own accountant.

I'm setting up my own invoicing system until I can justify a copy of SAGE.

I'll be a sole trader but I'll keep things straight all right. I wonder if I can get away with selling myself all my gear and having it as a company asset? lol. I'll have a word with my accountant and let him sort it out. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top