Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Linda Nickell, founder of lindanickell.com LLC., located in Austin, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
lindanickell.com was initially set up to share my photos with friends and family that weren't on social media. It was a perfect way for them to access my travel photos and the occasional blog. Today, it hosts photographers from all over the United States (and a few international guests) every Wednesday during "Happiness Hour," a free weekly photography webinar.
My guests have included:
- The Chief White House Photographer to a President.
- National Geographic contributors.
- Emmy-winning photographers.
- A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer.
- Amateur photographers, I've met in my local community.
Photographers at every level are invited to join us to "Connect. Inspire. Create." — the goal of every session. In addition, my website's gallery includes my favorite images that are available for licensing.
Tell us about yourself
I've enjoyed photography for many years, and about six years ago, I was invited to join a friend on a photography trip into the Smoky Mountains. All nine photographers were accomplished artists and photographers who took me under their wing and showed me what I could do with my camera if I put in some practice. I left that four-day weekend inspired and motivated to learn more about photography and determined to prove I was worthy enough to be invited to the next photography meetup. These days, I'm fortunate to have publishers and editors invite me to participate in their projects. Being creative can be hard work, but it also motivates and challenges me to think outside of my comfort zone.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a photographer, I really wanted to have my work published. The first time it happened, it felt like I had won the (photographer's) lottery. But being asked to submit my work regularly means that I have earned the respect and trust of a publisher, which is a win for a small business like mine.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
As a business owner, the hardest thing to do is being okay with saying "no" to a client that is offering you money. I learned early on that saying "no" to an assignment I really wasn't excited about was exactly what I needed to do. If it doesn't excite me, it won't be any better with a looming deadline.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My favorite tip for amateur photographers wanting to become full-time professional photographers is to tell yourself to get out of your own way. Stop waiting for the perfect moment to start your photography business. The perfect moment was yesterday. Put yourself and your work out there and let things fall into place. You can always tweak or change directions if you need to.
Secondly, surround yourself with good people. People that aren't going to be afraid to tell you what you need to hear and that aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and dig in to help you when you need it.
And my last tip would be to push past your goals. What started out as an idea from my kitchen table during the first four days of a pandemic became a YouTube channel. A photo that I didn't think much of two seconds after I took it became an image that an international conservation organization published to encourage other photographers to think about "How Your Photography Can Save the World" — if you love it, do it for yourself, first. The clients will find you.
I'm sneaking one more in because it really is the one thing that has made a huge difference in not only my photography business but my everyday existence. You need to connect and build relationships with other like-minded people. Stop looking at them as competition and reach out to them as collaborators. Collaboration doubles your reach, and there really is enough work to go around.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://lindanickell.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coznlinda/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-n-656143194/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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