Today’s Post by Joe Farace
“Let’s kick the tires and light the fires, big daddy!” ― Capt. Jimmy Wilder, from the film Independence Day
For my readers outside the USA: The Fourth of July is typically a day when people fire up the grill and celebrate the adoption of the United States’ Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when we declared independence from Great Britain. Fun fact: The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4 but wasn’t actually signed until August 2 when fifty-six delegates signed the document, although not all of them were present on that particular August day.
Being Independent
I also like to think of Independence Day as a time to celebrate the wonderful independence that comes from being your own boss. I hope that on this Independence Day you take the time to do just that or, at least, think about the possibilities!
One of the single most important factors that causes people to start their own business is a powerful motivation to become truly independent. I know that was true in my own case; I was fed up with coping with what I felt were too many bad corporate decisions that just made my job and life more difficult. If you constantly find yourself saying, “if only I were in charge,” you know what I mean and maybe it’s time for you to take Bill Waterson’s advice to ‘Let’s go adventuring.’”
When you open that new photography studio, even if it’s in the spare bedroom of your condo as it was for Mary and I, there is a strong feeling of being in charge, of being the boss. Mary and I had only $75 in savings when we started our business but it didn’t stop our optimism, our hope for a future when we would be calling the shots.
Reality Check: If you’ve read some of my other posts about the business of photography on thiss blog then you know the reality of owning your own studio is that true and full independence can be difficult to implement given the kind of interference from faceless, unaccountable government officials who will bury you with paperwork and the occasional overly demanding clients who make you long for the time when you actually had time for a coffee break. But… when it all comes down to it, you wouldn’t trade the photographic lifestyle for anything else.
Being independent gives you freedom to call the shots unencumbered by what the boss, the boss’s boss, maybe the boss’s wife, the corporate culture and the kind of ever-present “Not Invented Here” attitude you’ll encounter in your “regular” job. Here’s a tip: As your own boss you are free to shape your operation in any way you like, but some new pros, become timid and end up copying the competition. Don’t do that! You don’t know anything about their operational costs or even if they’re being financed through a trust fund or a wealthy spouse. Be your own person. Make decisions based on your financial situation and be picky; don’t accept every assignment that comes along. This latter point is something I know all about from (sad) personal experience.
Happy Independence Day.
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