As creative business owners, we often fall into the trap of thinking we need to maintain control and do it all. But the truth is, the most successful photographers have figured out the amazing magic of outsourcing in your photography business. No one person can be expected to do it all, and do it all well. Outsourcing will save your time, your sanity, and ultimately might save your business.

Photographers wear so many different hats. We start a business because we love the art form, but find we spend more time bookkeeping, editing, posting on social media, designing a website and communicating with clients than actually doing photography. But the truth is, the thing you’re best at, the place you shine most, is the photography. Outsourcing in your photography business allows you to take the draining stuff of your plate and give it to someone better at it. The best part? It frees you up to do what you love!

If you need even more convincing, outsourcing can lead to higher profits as well for two main reasons: First, you have time to take more clients because you aren’t working on other stuff. Second, other people are better than you are at marketing, website design and all those things, so their work will attract more clients to your brand.

I hear you asking, so how do I do this?

The first step is to make a list of all the things you do in your photography business. Write down everything you can think of.

Then, circle all of the things you love doing and are great at. Those are ours. Keep them.

Next, underline all the jobs that drain you, or you really aren’t great at. Figure out which is the most difficult and most soul-sucking. That’s the first thing you’re going to outsource. Prioritize things that you continually put off but actually directly make you money.

For me, this was bookkeeping. It was the first thing I never wanted to touch again, so I handed it off. Next was blogging, then social media, followed by editing, and more recently, early communication and my calendar. I love photographing, connecting with clients, designing artwork, writing copy for my coaching business and website design, so those are mine. Slowly but surely, I’m outsourcing everything else.

Looking for a great photography blogger? I can’t recommend Rokee & Co highly enough. *This is an affiliate link, so I will get a little kick-back if you choose to use them.

Once you have your list of what you want to outsource, find the right people. Don’t be afraid to take your time finding the right person for your brand. Some great places to look are Google, Facebook business groups or photography groups. Feel free to ask for recommendations from other photographers, or consider your personal network and ask who you know who offers these services.

Outsourcing in your photography business will free up so much of your time and keep you from burning out on the tasks you don’t love, while making your business more profitable and more life-giving.

*Find more tips on running your business here.