This transcript was generated from the episode audio and may contain minor errors.
[Music]
The Michigan accountant, Moonlights, has engagement photographer. This story features Elaine from Wayne County, Michigan. She's an accountant for her day job and works as an engagement photographer for her side hustle. Welcome friends. Welcome to Side Hustle School.
It's your host, Chris Guillebeau. Coming to you with episode 3,320. This episode is part of our weekly feature. We call your first $1,000. How did somebody in fact make their first $1,000?
How did they go from having an idea to taking the practical logistical steps required to make that $1,000? And then often much more than that, but we're focused on that first point of the journey because I know a lot of side hustlers out there are trying to get started either with their first or second or third or fourth or whatever the number is, whatever idea number you're working on. Sometimes the first steps are the hardest steps. And so through a model of case studies, we look at how it's possible to do all sorts of different things and create extra income without quitting your job. Again, that's our single-minded focus for more than 3,000 consecutive daily episodes.
So as for Elaine in Michigan, she's an accountant. She does this photography thing on the side. What about her first $1,000? How'd she make it happen? What did it feel like?
What did she learn? Let's hear it from Elaine. I'll come back at the end with a quick wrap up. [Music]
So I'm an accountant by day, but on the weekends, I moonlight as an engagement photographer in Michigan. It all started when my sister asked me to take some pics at her wedding.
I was nervous, but I had a blast. And it turns out I was pretty good at it too. People were raving about my photos and I even got a few requests for family pics. That's when I realized, hey, maybe I can turn this into a side hustle. My first paid gig came from a friend of a friend who was getting married.
I was nervous and excited all at the same time. I remember thinking to myself, this is it. This is my big chance to show what I can do. I showed up on the day of the engagement shoot, ready to work my magic, and it all went smoothly. But the realizing on the cake was when the bride-to-be told me that she had talked to several other photographers before me and that I was the only one who had made her feel comfortable and relaxed.
I charged $300 per session, which includes a two-hour photo shoot and all the edited digital images. My clients can also purchase additional prints and albums if they'd like. Finding clients for a new business can be a challenge, especially in the beginning. I started by reaching out to friends and family and offering them a discount on my services. Next, I created a website to showcase my portfolio and make it easy for potential customers to contact me.
I also invested in some online advertising, targeting couples in Michigan who were planning their weddings. This helped me reach a wider audience and bring in new business. I also joined a few local wedding photography groups on social media, which allowed me to network with other photographers and connect with potential clients. Finally, I made sure to get listed on wedding photography directories, such as The Knot and WeddingWire to make it easy for brides and grooms to find me. All of these efforts combined helped me to grow my business and build a steady stream of customers.
I've since raised my prices to $500 per session, and I'm always looking for new and innovative ways to reach potential clients and provide the best possible service. So if you're thinking about starting a side hustle as a photographer, go for it. You never know where it might take you. Just be sure to put in the work to get your name out there, network with other photographers, and always aim to provide the best possible service to your clients. Trust me, it'll be worth it, or at least it has been for me.
[Music]
Awesome, Elaine, thanks so much for telling us about your first $1,000. Listeners, I hope you found it interesting, encouraging, maybe motivational, even if you're not interested in photography or weddings or Elaine's particular story, there is a story just waiting for you to write. I guess you gotta write the story or create the story, whatever it is you need to do. There are some steps you need to take to make your side hustle a reality, and I hope that you will do that. Remember, inspiration is good, but inspiration with action is better.
That's what we say at the end of our story episodes, but I thought I'd throw it in here too, because I don't know, just felt like somebody out there needs to hear it. All right, new episodes coming out every single day. Tomorrow, we're gonna talk about trade shows. We're gonna talk about English as a second language. That's the day after tomorrow.
We've got a story coming up about dentists. We've got something about publicity, spreadsheets, dog stockings. That's right, stocking stuffers for dogs. I've got all kinds of stuff in the mix. I'm so excited to bring it to you, always completely free.
Thanks for tuning in. My name is Chris Guillebeau. This is "Side Hustle School." [Music]
From the "Onward Project."
