![Top 5 things I use for my equine photography business]()
- Database and management software
I use Lightblue for storing clients’ details and organising photo shoots. This is where I create leads, booked clients, shoots, workflows, invoicing, ordering and any follow ups.
I have tried many different databases and CRM’s in the past and although Lightblue isn’t the prettiest, it’s the most efficient and very easy to use. It does what it says on the tin.
- 70-200mm lens.
This may surprise some people but I use 1 lens for 99% of my equine portrait shoots. This is my trusted 70-200mm. It is such a wonderful lens and gives me the ability to be far enough away from my client that I’m not in their face but close enough that I don’t need to shout the directions.
- Landline phone with headset
I spend hours on the telephone. It was actually a slight fear for me, picking up the phone. When I have worked for other people the phone was never daunting, I would be the first to pick it up. I’m a people-pleaser, so the phone has always been a way of connecting with people.
When it came to picking up the phone for my own business, this was a little harder. However, I now have an old fashioned office phone with an answer machine and a blue tooth head set. The headset has been the game changer. It means I can walk around if I need to stretch the mind (and legs) on a creative call or I can type notes as I go.
- Podcasts
My love for podcasts is true and here to stay. I spend SO much time in my car that without podcasts I would lose about 15hrs a week in listening time. I get to grow and discover new business practices, mindset challenges and general inspiration from influencers.
I currently have a list of 25 Podcast shows and this list will keep growing. This list includes The Archers and Desert Island Discs – It’s good to chill out sometimes!
- Connections
It will be of no surprise that I believe in the phrase “it’s not what you know but who you know”. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, as with photography, you have to know something, but when you are running your own business the best steps I have taken have been because of a connection I made.
For example:
When I moved to Bath, I introduced myself to the owner of the flat underneath us. He happened to be an architectural photographer and we spoke most days. One day he mentioned that he had been asked to photograph a rider and it wasn’t his bag and did I want the gig? It paid £350 for 2hrs work. Sure I said (of course) that rider was Harry Meade and I went on to a personal project with Harry for 3.5yrs!
![Top 5 things I use for my equine photography business]()
My life, you could say, somewhat changed following the addition of my two beautiful bundles of joy. I am no longer 100% focused on me and my business working; no longer working 60 hr weeks. So you won’t be surprised to read that my working day is frankly no more than a quick sprint. Hear goes the week in the Life of Emily (I think I am going to surprise myself…)
Monday
8.00 Drop Kids at School
9.00 Meeting with Stuart and Hannah – Strategy brainstorm
12.00 Working lunch catch up on Emails
1.00pm Go through presentation for tonight’s webinar
3.00pm Pick up Kids
4.00pm Mummy time with kids, dinner, bath bed routine
7.00pm Back in the studio for Training Webinar
9.00pm Finished Webinar
Tuesday
8.00 Drop Kids at School
9.00 Creative morning- produce new art piece
12.00 Working lunch catch up on Emails
1.00pm Business progression – marketing, reaching out to potential connections
3.00pm Pick up Kids
4.00pm Mummy time with kids, dinner, bath bed routine
7.30pm Choir
9.30pm Home
Wednesday
8.00 Drop Barny at School – Hettie staying home with me today
9.00 Tidy house
11.45 Personal Training Session
1.00pm Baking/Art/making a big mess/play with Hettie
3.00pm Pick up Barny
4.00pm Mummy time with kids, dinner, bath bed routine
6.00pm Mastermind Skype call
8.30pm Read and relax
Thursday
8.00 Drop Kids at School
9.30 Training Client arrives at Studio
4.00pm Finish Training day – Mummy time with kids, dinner, bath bed routine
7.00pm Creative Evening in studio
9.30pm Home to read and relax
Friday
8.00 Drop Kids at School
9.00 Catch up with work; a bit of everything- marketing, promoting, creation…
3.00pm Pick up Kids
4.00pm Back to school for Parents Meeting
6.00pm Give blood
7.00pm Back home with curry in hand
8.00pm Relax and enjoy some time with hubby.
Saturday and Sundays are almost always family days together, many years ago I decided I would not work weekends and it’s been the best thing ever- it didn’t affect my business- no one even noticed. So there you have it- a week in the life of a creative mum!
![Top 5 things I use for my equine photography business]()
I recently volunteered to model for the Training Barn on an equine photo shoot. They had a group of 6 friendly photographers who were keen to hone their photography skills, using my pony and I as their subject!
It was an exciting morning. I was up at the crack of dawn- apparently this time of day hosts the best light! It was the morning after the first lot of rain we’d had in weeks- my grey pony had made the most of this and was completely black- An emergency bath was in order!
By 8am we were ready to go. Emily and Hannah led the shoot and posed my pony and I in various beautiful locations; in the woods and out on the heath in the middle of the New Forest.
My pony, however, not used to the modelling world, was a little impatient and was more interested in scoffing or going back to his field mates than looking smart and posing for photos!! He was a real fidget, but Emily and Hannah were really helpful and professional and made sure we kept moving so that my pony didn’t get bored too quickly!
In the end, it was a really fun morning. Even with my fidgety pony, the girls managed to capture some really amazing shots. I even got a USB of the final images- I couldn’t be happier with the results!
