27 — Business vs. Art vs. Artisan
Three Casual Distinctions
A business is concerned with pleasing the client
An artist is concerned with expressing the human condition
An artisan is concerned with perfection
As photographers in business, we are all three
One might run their business with one piece of the pie chart in larger percentage
One might like it that way (good!) or may not
Doubt and conflict can arise as these areas collide, overlap, challenge & inform one another
The ideal is to have them work in harmony
To have a stellar client experience, express your vision & and do so with excellence
Some techniques to achieve harmony:
On business: only take on a volume you can adequately nurture; I have heard many-a-tale of photographers who produce great photographs but the client experience left the subjects feeling devalued (ghosting, delayed delivery)
On artist vision: only post work you are in true love with; in so doing, you will not get client inquiries whose vision misaligns with yours
On artisanal perfection: only create products which allow artisan needs to be met; for example, shoots exclusively in good light
It took me 5 minutes to write this, and 10 years to learn