It’s been a while since I posted anything under the FAQ column, so here we go. I think this is a perfect post given the current family situation at home. It’s a zoo here haha This post is mainly for business owners, rather than actual couples, simply because I get lots of questions on how I run my business.
Outsourcing — Why ? Why not ?! Outsourcing should not be looked at like a dirty word. It’s probably the smartest business decision I have made.
Oh, I can go on and on about this because I have so many examples I can draw from my previous work experiences in the corporate world and from my photography business. So, I’ll share my thoughts.
A few months ago, I tweeted this:
Shortly after my tweet, I received tons of emails, mostly from fellow photographers who wanted to know about my workflow and ‘lifestyle’. So, I shared with them…and now with you.
I also noticed I was mentioned in a conversation between two local photographers regarding my choice to outsource:
Retaining creative control ? Ok, let’s also talk about that too. But first, let’s talk about outsourcing the majority (not all) of my proofing/editing/retouching and my reasons for doing it.
I think one of the biggest mistakes of small business owners is not being able to relinquishing control of certain parts of their business — areas that they know they need help with, but can’t let go. I will admit, I was kind of like that 8 years ago…when I first launched JW. It was my baby. It was my vision. I had to have my hands in everything. You know the saying, “If you want to done right, do it yourself…” But I realized really early on that year that the only way for me to grow my business is to outsource parts of the business that I was not strong at and/or did not want to handle. At the top of my list was editing. And as soon as I was able to afford it, I did it. As I tell all the photographers/business owners that I mentor, outsourcing is the key to growth.
I’m from the school of thought that does not believe in fixing weaknesses. I play toward my strengths and outsource my weaknesses. As an entrepreneur, your success rests on your decisions to leverage your strengths and weaknesses. Outsourcing was a no-brainer to me and it just made sense given how busy I was with the business and LIFE, especially. I also outsource my accounting and lawyering (<–is that a word ?), by the way. Because I am neither…nor am I an editor.
Outsourcing most of my editing gave me my life back. It really did. On the business side of things, it allowed me to service my couples and give them an experience better than I could have imagined. Outside of business, it gave me the freedom to do what I want to do.
Over the last 4+ years, I’d say the main reason I outsource is because I am a full-time dad and dedicated family man. My family time is incredibly precious to me. My idea of parenting is not sitting in front of a computer editing while my children are colouring books next to me, or watching TV on the couch. Oh man, I did that a few times and I absolutely hated that feeling ! I am very hands on with the rearing of our children and the only way I can spend all this time with my family, travel to different parts of the world, and sustain a very profitable business is to outsource.
My situation at the moment is an example of a near perfect work/life equilibrium. Right now, I have a few jobs out with the editors from November events. I have some friends that are still working on weddings this spring/summer ! I think it’s crazy and they know that lol. So, what do I do while I wait for the editors ? Well, this is my typical day:
- Kids wake up between 6AM and 7AM
- I feed them, dress them, pack their lunches (if I’m lucky, Jeanette is still around to help)
- I change Jalen’s diaper
- I take the Ethan and Brandon to pre-school
- I come home, change Jalen’s diaper and put him down for his nap
- I pick up Ethan and Brandon and take Ethan to his JK school (on the other side of town)
- I bring Brandon home and give him a snack and then put him down for a nap along with Jalen
- I change Jalen’s diaper first
- I start prepping for dinner
- I clean up
- Brandon and Jalen wake up
- I change Jalen’s diaper
- I pick up Ethan from JK
- I do ‘homework’ with the kids
- I give them a snack to occupy them while I cook dinner
- Jeanette comes home
- I change Jalen’s diaper
Busy ? Just a tad. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. And there is no way I would be able to do all these things if I was strapped to my computer editing. And once the family is asleep, I do work (consultations, album designs, blogging, etc…)
Now lets talk really briefly about myself no longer retaining creative control, as this photographer has insinuated. There is absolutely no creative control relinquished when my editors turn my straight-out-of-camera files into premium print-ready proofs for my couples and families. As most would agree, the creative process/thinking starts with yourself…your eyes…your vision. It’s great that he wants to edit all his jobs, though. Frankly, I’d rather spend that editing time with my family and/or hanging out with my couples for drinks/dinners. To each their own.
My advice to other business owners: Play to your strengths, outsource your weaknesses. I’m not an professional editor. I’m a professional photographer. There are tons of people that can edit better than I. But there is nobody better than myself at being me.
Thank you to my editors, Photographers Edit, and my retouchers, Heidi and Therese
for allowing me to focus on things that really matter to me: my family and my amazing couples/families.
Ok, gotta go. Time to take the boys to school.
-Joee
5 comments