Photoplay: Budgeting Relationship in 2012

One of my business goals in 2012 is to invest more in clients and fellow vendors. As I build relationships in my work, I'm learning that relationship is a currency I can't afford to ignore, especially since I run my photography business with my husband.

I have been told that running a business with your spouse is a bad idea, but I have found that as partners, our individual strengths contribute to a better business. The more we work together, the more I appreciate how our relational closeness strengthens our working relationship.

As a photographer, designer, and writer, I am often tempted to do everything on my own, but I am becoming increasingly aware that working with others makes my work better. Relationships motivate my work and strengthen my professionalism. They connect me more deeply to my job, and open business doors that might otherwise have remained shut.

For example, fellow creatives offer inspiration, ideas, and encouragement. Engaging with industry peers lessens my sense of cutthroat competition and teaches me to cheer for others who are growing as I am.

I have learned that building trust with clients creates an atmosphere in which I can achieve an authentic result from our session. It also eases the tension in the down time between shoot and delivery.

January is that hopeful month in which we budget money and we budget time for the next twelve months. This January, I'm also budgeting relationship into my year. I have a lot to accomplish in 2012, and I can't afford to downplay the importance of the people God places in my life. From my clients to my children, the return on this investment will determine the success of anything I do.

PhotoPlay

The January PhotoPlay is about building relationships through photography.

• First, engage with a client, vendor, or another photographer in your area.
• Schedule a meeting in a coffee shop or other location, and bring your camera—even your iPhone camera will work.
• Brainstorm a photo idea together, and then shoot it, either there, or wherever you decide. Be creative, and be sure to utilize each other’s strengths.
• Create a collage of two to eight images.
• Upload your collage to the High Calling Focus Flickr Group by Wednesday, February 8, for a possible feature at The High Calling. Make sure to tag the image with “PhotoPlay 22.”  (Only tagged images are eligible for feature.)

Random Acts of Poetry

TweetSpeak Poetry's January theme is “resolutions,” and the form is wide open. If you want to take this PhotoPlay a step further, create a poem about how you intend to pursue relationships in 2012. Or just write a poem about “resolutions.”

Drop your poem link on the T. S. Poetry Press Facebook Wall by Wednesday, January 25, and your poem may get featured here, at Tweetspeak, or Every Day Poems.
 

Image by Stephan Ohlsen. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr. Post by Kelly Sauer. Kelly is contributing editor of photography at The High Calling.

• Tags:  
• business
• photography
• photoplay
• poetry
• random acts of poetry
• relationships

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