Sometimes I think people have the wrong impression of what it’s like to work in baby photography. It’s nothing but adorable babies, sweet outfits and working with families that are over the moon about their latest 
additions–right?
Working as a Toronto newborn photographer for the last six years, I’ve seen my fair share of adorable babies and had the opportunity to work with many wonderful families, that’s for sure. But, the truth is, running my business and working in this industry has required me to invest more time and energy than I’ve given to any other job or project in my life. The business behind baby photography is a lot less glamorous than the pictures I take, but the behind the scenes work I do every day and every week is just as important to the survival of my business as are the beautiful images in my portfolio.
Last week, I talked a bit about what I think differentiates a professional photographer from someone who takes pictures in their spar
e time and who may own an expensive camera. Everywhere you look, it seems, there’s another Toronto newborn photographer advertising their services. It’s because of this that I hope to shed a little light on the business side of newborn photography, so that we might foster a better understanding of what a professional photographer has to do to continue taking pictures of all those beautiful little babies.
A Toronto Newborn Photographer Who Only Works ‘in’ their Business, Won’t be in Business for Long
Like I said, there really isn’t a day that goes by when I’m not working on something that will ensure I continue to have new baby photography clients. I think any professional artist would concur that survival depends on you being highly dedicated to the never-ending job that is the business behind your craft.
For artists, like myself, hustling-up new business by marketing on and off the web and networking with other photographers and people from various groups and community organization
s may not be a strong-suit, but it’s something that’s got to be done well and regularly.
In addition to all the interacting via social media, working on new promotions, improving my website, and building new ties in the community to market myself as a baby photography brand, I spend many hours editing photos, packaging portraits for baby photography clients, running to the post office to mail these portrait packages, learning new software and shopping for the equipment, props and supplies that my business requires.
Of course, there’s also the even less glamorous tasks, like managing the financial side of things through bookkeeping and receipt organizing, as well as cleaning my studio.
Continuous Learning is Required to Produce Quality Baby Photography
Just like healthcare practitioners and teachers who take courses to improve the knowledge and skills that their jobs require, any Toronto newborn photographer who’s committed to staying in business takes every opportunity to add value for their clients through further training. In fact, I also diversify my business by providing workshops and training to other 
photographers who are looking to further develop their skills.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love being a Toronto newborn photographer. If I didn’t, I would have thrown in the towel a long time ago for a job that didn’t require me to invest so much of myself. But this is my passion. I love baby photography and the fact that I’m able to provide families with portraits that artistically capture all the precious little details of their new sons and/or daughters.
I may not enjoy doing all the marketing and bookkeeping as much as I do peering through the lens of my camera, photographing babies and their families, but I know that this is part and parcel of being a professional photographer, and to continue doing what I love, I’m willing to do the leg work.
