Back!
November 26th, 2009
My blog is not dead, just, I recently made an important choice that I needed time for reflection and adaptation: this, I quit my job (in this great period of crisis) and I I am running as an independent photographer full time!
Super cool? This may seem a dream come true, the fact remains that the photo market is an area blocked and deeply touched by the competition - including amateur pricing its broken.
And there are still all the financial and administrative is of a rather boring, which takes a two-time crazy.
I still remember my head getting out of my first visit to my accountant, who has quickly become disillusioned dimensions on the "easy" of self-employment: as a professional photographer, we go out much time to do everything except the picture: the monitoring proposals and invoices, accounts, mail, prospecting, meetings, short, you get the idea. The "network" (customers, suppliers, partners, etc..) Is also a very important element in this area and the building takes time.
So why have decided to leave a stable job to live only in the photo?
I would say that firstly it has become for me the only solution to achieve a healthy enough balance in my life over the past year, I cumulates the status of the employee and a self complementary, which is financially quite comfortable indeed but I spent my time working: the day job, and the rest of the time, so basically the holidays, evenings and weekends on the project files, whenever I could snatch a moment, leaving finally very little time to do other things and to step back and reflect.
Second reason, being able to live his passion, to be completely independent in their choices and solely responsible for successes or failures and not having to play the political game of life in a company.
My portfolio and my wedding site is now ready (at least one point of view and text structure) I must add, however, still a lot of images online and skim it off, but the outlines are drawn.
Digression about the portfolio and the wedding site, I was shocked to discover in the months two plagiarists not very discrete, one who has taken all my pictures and texts to the letter, by passing for his own work, another who copied my entire site by changing a few words.
After some email exchanges with the two copiers, they removed the sites in question.
I am very cautious and much less tolerant of such practices in future.
Regarding my blog, I'll take it back and update it with various articles and videos in preparation, explaining various jobs done recently.
Why continue? At first, I love sharing my work, it creates visits, exchanges, comments and I'm always interested in the feedback! In addition, it increases his "notoriety" and then links to my site on the web and potential proposals.
Well I realize after rereading this post seems a bit fatalistic and just "yes it is sad I'm gonna live what I love" and "yes there is a villain who copied me" ... The rest is coming and be cool!
November 26th, 2009 at 4:47
Very good luck to you!
The site is beautiful, has left shooter!
November 26th, 2009 at 4:47
Long life to your business! May your customers feel the same sensibility as me at the sight of your pictures.
November 26th, 2009 at 4:51
Anyway tonight I will post a post ... interesting
November 26th, 2009 at 4:51
What say? Simply a good job as usual
Very nice portfolio and website ...
And congratulations on your decision to make your passion your profession.
November 26th, 2009 at 4:52
Congratulations for the big leap! We do not doubt your success!
November 26th, 2009 at 5:00
no doubt you'll get by the top goal! but I cross my fingers for you and wish you good luck and still bcp success. and the very next revoyure, the fact (I go for holidays in brussels)
November 26th, 2009 at 5:11
Yes ... it takes over here! ...
I hate to see more!
November 26th, at 5:16 in 2009
super happy for you! and for me because I missed your articles!
good work!
November 26th, 2009 at 5:17
Good luck,
It seems nevertheless a good start.
A welcome return in any case.
November 26th, 2009 at 5:58
Hello
Indeed it is courageous to leave a job especially with the crisis that has enormous social damage recently.
But I think the fairy photographs looked happy on your cradle. With the talent that you have your own, it seems to me that you'll always be free from want.
November 26th, 2009 at 6:13
I discovered your work on the forum on pixels and your blog and I am a fan
Congratulations on your launch and I follow with great interest the articles to come.
November 26th, 2009 at 6:41
Great! Good continuation and I'm sure it should go see your talent
November 26th, 2009 at 6:48
Since I found your wedding site, I suspected this change and expect your post about it!
Good luck and good luck.
We hope you will come to power your blog, interesting
Ciao and I also look forward to see more
November 26th, 2009 at 6:58
Well, I must say that I do not care a bit for what is in your backlog, you still manage the administrative aspect!
Seen your work this choice may be excellent! Bonne continuation.
For us in any case it is with pleasure that we learn that you'll take your blog in hand ...
November 26th, 2009 at 9:12
Hats off!
Article lucid and you have the guts to admit that this is not necessarily always rosy.
But like everyone says you ... I do not care for you
November 26th, 2009 at 9:13
good luck in this new work world I know you will very soon get apart
November 26th, 2009 at 9:28
Cool! Glad you connect to your blog
Good luck to you because of the courage and talent you do not miss!
November 26th, 2009 at 11:07
it's nice to find good reads
Good luck. Com The site is very good. It makes you want to spin you the taf.
November 26th, 2009 11:51 Has
Great! It's a risky path but full of joy and surprises in my opinion.
We may ask you what you did before?
November 26th, 2009 at 11:57
Welcome to this new adventure
. Not sacred, but your pictures stand out enough competition so that one does not worry too much about you. Finally it will not stop to wish you good luck anyway, just in case 
November 27th, 2009 at 1:00
Courage! Contractor being myself, I know the difficulties, but hang on! its worth it! especially do not give up the blog as the "network" is very important!
November 27th, 2009 at 2:42
Welcome back mate!
Wait to see what you're going to lay us in 2010
November 27th, 2009 at 7:49
Glad you're back!!
And especially good luck in this new adventure!!
'm super proud to have seen you start with your first SLR at Manpower photographing cars in the Bois de la Cambre!! lol
November 27th, 2009 at 9:01
Finalys you are back Benjamin.
Wish you all the best
Mano
November 27th, 2009 at 9:34
Well, I expected to learn by the newspapers that had lost your trace in a report in Uzbekistan or something like that since time. Nay And that's good news. I do not think anyone doubted that you will cross that bridge one day when the other!
To reassure you, I just read your future in a mixture of photosites (sorry, my home is Canon!) Processor and dust ... and I see a Nikon 3Ds? And also a very high ranking in the "Hall of Fame" of the WPA!
Short but good!
Good road and do not be too hard with your boss!
November 27th, 2009 at 10:12
Congratulations Ben! A great adventure begins
And glad you "reminders" the blog!
November 27th, 2009 at 10:47
I knew he should not I throw this feed in a coma.
what a nice surprise this morning.
only say: good luck, congratulations, good luck.
not hesitate to come see us faithful "Rss-ers" of your blog, we too have grown.
amicably
November 27th, 2009 at 11:36
Since I am you, I was wondering when you were going to make THE decision.
From the moment I left the school, I hear stuff like that is a crisis, the sector is mouth is difficult ... And in all the areas I frequent.
And at the same time, I always saw guys who were doing very well, and do not complain.
I remain convinced that when you want you can, it's just a matter of sacrifice and compromise.
For someone like you, I do not make me too worried.
Good luck
November 27th, 2009 at 12:42
Benjamin Bravo! So much for that decision to the quality of your work. I found you on HFR and I am from your remarkable evolution.
Good luck for your future adventures!
Nicolas
November 27th, 2009 at 3:00
bravo to you for this new step!
!
mxxrde yours
Nov. 27th, 2009 at 10:00
Good luck then
Although follow you to another site I know that you work not bad.
I try to do my job well, and is anything but easy, I confirm with pleasure!
November 27th, 2009 at 10:52
Several years I am your business through your website. First time I post something. But I could not fail to congratulate you for your passage pro!
Whether you'll succeed: talent, energy, communication and down to earth ... I do not doubt for a moment about your future.
Encore bravo.
Jerome
November 28th, 2009 at 12:16
European Commission that told you ... euuhh
November 28th, 2009 at 7:58
Congratulations and good luck. Continue to mail in the progress of your little adventure, it's always interesting.
November 28th, 2009 at 1:28
Hello,
Well I wish you good luck. I still follow you because I love your site and your talent.
Provided us a max of detail I do not think the only one like it.
Sincerely, Christopher Nancy Lorraine
November 28th, 2009 at 2:55
Ouuuh, what good news! I thought you were already running as a pro for a while, all that now, with time you'll spend, your talent will literally explode like the last series in Bali.
If I allow myself a few tips:
- Do not worry for those who break the price, the quality is not guaranteed and customers would soon bite the fingers. Do not make the mistake of lowering your prices, keep prices just reassures customers ... I guess you already have a good idea of price competition pro. remains in the range of 10% -15% Discount Max.
- Flee the ones you talk about low prices for "a long-term collaboration" three years later, they still try t'entuber.
- Conversely, pampers clients and good honest people, the elevator always comes back.
- All self cheat, except those who do not like me and the possibility that ultimately are conned by the State. So no scruples, but remains discreet and reasonable.
- Do not spend that 40% of what you earn after expenses, the rest of the side dishes you'll do it pump in taxes, sometimes three years later. Or moving to another country.
- Continue to share on your blog
- Collaborate with your creative people of other backgrounds, sometimes bring you ca 2 times longer than remain confined to one area.
That, in fact you probably already know all this ...
Good luck, you'll go far!
November 28th, 2009 at 10:10
Even fighting on the same boat. Totally agree with "Pixel" At the same time.
Currently still in complementary and social comfort with my first job, it is a fact that leaving a job on a vocation can not be compared if courage. Bravo to you. I will try to follow your example.
Qd disadvantages of the back office, the organization will be your best asset. But on this, I am sure there will be no problem for you.
"That the Force Be With You"
Or like Mc Gyver said: 'No problem Dalton. I understand.
Je.
November 29th, 2009 at 12:07
I understand you, I too have changed beyond all sides career and I do not regret much that it seems to work more at first but then found his rhythm. It's so wonderful to live his passion, he must take the risk. I wish you good luck, but I do not care for you, your work is amazing. Good luck.
November 29th, 2009 at 1:03
Hi Ben
But I have to repay the investment of my studies sniff. If I had known.
Finally back from your trip
It is obvious that you will succeed in this new life pro. I would be in your place
In 2010 I will send you a file on a charity project that I want to put on feet. I think that you might like.
Glad to see that the two copiers kidnapped "their" site.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:29
benb hello,
Bravo young man for this new adventure ... for which I wish you success ...
otherwise with the plagieurs, no quarter, must saque in the heap and does not hesitate to overcharge (cf. WHD and others on chassimages)
the best go with you in your projects.
jean-luc
November 29th, 2009 at 11:12
I would add that even being fully invested, although should be 48 hours in a day to handle everything. Pracequ'un freelance photographer or wants to operate as such, is primarily a buisnesman ...
Managing a showcase site that actually is: the seller, to date, attracting traffic, which brings in potential orders, see the same beautiful order ...
In addition to the production side, the photographer must be a good communicator, personal one believes me or you do not believe me, even in doing good work, clients will sometimes turn back for reasons that can sometimes be totally other than the qualitative aspect of images, simple feeling, or otherwise, or without really knowing why, should not be in this business ... introvert
Personally I do not think that is an amateur competitor, because it is still necessary that the level has to do it, offering what and how is it is like a fine wine, it does not compare not cheap wine ...
Parcontre (from my own experience) I am always startled to see how some, if not to say 75% of firms contacted are reluctant to accepeter prices for original photos, at prices relatively low, considering the time production and extensive use rights ... It is not enough, is all for nothing !!!!!! This sink-source that there's one sacred research behind, but not for her, as if it fell from heaven, so in addition to being a good producer, the photographer must know how to argue, be an excellent commercial / communicator taking into account toues expenses (phone, connection, displacement), and that side (communication) could not be learned not in a photography school is the same in melleurs photographers, sometimes doing less is better and more beautiful of gab ...
Bcp businesses react compared to production which directly affect them, and block systhématiquement price associated with it, as if they forgot that a photographer must also live and pay charges as they are ... And on the latter I do not often cruel experience, but ultimately we love and I assure you the reasons are often boats ...
Personally I do not even devote more time to put a website up (timing), now I produce little, and prefers the appearance comunciation in the amount of other projects taking up new strategies, and believe me this is difficult, in fact at present is virtually compelled, I've specialized in an area where before I was playing on several painting and even then I run out of time, investisment loursd are short, it must bcp give person ...
The only advice I can give, do not run as full-time freelance photographer, head down, and especially not avoid some structures that appear attractive, in Belgium it does absolutely nothing for the independent unlike France which by exepmple launches Statutes self contractor to achieve interesting ceilings, Belgium is the archaism, prehistory, the Neolithic of entreprenaria ...
Glad to see you resume your blog Ben
Oli
November 30th, 2009 at 6:53
Wow Thank you for your many returns!
I answer a few questions:
Twan: No hardware upgrade for the D3 and D700 give me what I need!
GLENSCOLAN: You're absolutely right! ps: very nice your blog
Pixels: It is entirely in agreement on all points
Masden: Libra
Jerome: In fact if I work but
sylvieaa: This is clearly a certain utopia to live his passion!
M2/OLi: Thanks for the great feedback!
100% agree with you, for me this job is far from being limited to making good images, the aspect of "carpet seller is very important, I quite agree with the rest of your comments are very fair
November 30th, 2009 at 9:49
For your billing simple, direct and practical freelance friends and good humor book
I offer this.
http://invoicemachine.com/home
I am very happy.
beats
Je.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:06
Jerome: It smells like something very clean, I feel I'll do some tests
December 1st, 2009 at 10:35
Bravo! It's something I always dream to make too.
You have made photography courses / manip on phase one / photoshop etc. ...
Good source of income!
December 1st, 2009 at 10:44
Or the videos over and Dave as Joey The Hobby!
Perhaps there was a market for the Francophone community as well (I do not following up!).
December 1st, 2009 at 2:43
You've finally made the leap
!
Your talent is undeniable, hook you with the paperwork!
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:38
Jerome> It seems quite unfortunately impossible to detail the "tax" may just put 2. So when is précomtpe to AGESSA (for France), no practice to give details of that prepayment.
But it's interesting when sold abroad.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:19
Very happy to see you!
Good luck following your career but I do not worry, the talent does not expect the number of years.
Dear customers, get out your checkbooks!
December 11th, 2009 at 11:01
Glad to see this site again alive.
This is great news to see that you have taken this step.
Although sometimes will be complicated, you'll know for whom and for what you are working and that, that's priceless.
I remain convinced that this time of crisis that customers are looking for motivated people to be effective on that their money is well spent. They can not take the risk of crashing.
You did well. Good luck!
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:04
congratulations for this courageous and innitiative delighted to receive news and again follow your work.
very good continuation has you
December 28th, 2009 at 10:24
Good luck to you ... but I have no doubt about the success of your project!
In my case, you is THE photographer, never seen anything like it, an undeniable "style" Brolet I enjoy more than anything.
Thank you for the pleasure felt whenever viewing your compositions.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:09
Bravo
Good luck. Your return on the canvas is fun. your blog is a treat.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:29
Superb!
I just discovered your site, and I do not stop to quell all your items: beautiful photos, super interesting comments attached, it does not fall within traditional forums of debates pro cons of this thing, and it is a source of inspiration for me amateur photographer who wants one of her four bridge the gap as you bravely do.
Bravo for your pictures, so, your courage and your site has a long life.
cordially
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:00
Hello Benjamin
I try to follow your blog regularly, and I can only congratulate you on that thou cast into the water.
is something I would do for a long time, but I have neither your talent or your courage (not to mention the financial aspect of such a conversion).
In any case, I wanted to applaud your approach, I wish success in your new career, it is so rare these days of being able to live his passion.
With your talent and your reputation gained through this blog, I hope with all my heart that you will meet the success that you deserve.
And about copiers, just tell yourself that only the best are copied somewhere is a small victory. But I can not advise you to be much less fair play next time, because now it is your professional work. And all work deserves payment.
Anyway ... I wish you every success.
April 6th, 2010 at 9:04
I love what you do. I wish I could do the same.
Patrick
May 28th, 2010 at 2:05
Hello, I just discovered your work and I am absolutely a fan!
Your decision to make your job is excellent, and I wish you much success in this art. Congratulations!