Cameras, Computers and Spreadsheets OH MY!
Written by Mike Cheliak on May 29, 2009 – 8:56 am -In the years before digital cameras took over the photography industry, most of the work that was done was manual. Manual in the sense that most functions of the photographer and his/her business was done via pen, pencil, darkroom and lightroom.
Things have changed. To keep up in an organized manner these days you have one of two 
choices. Be really good with a computer to compliment your lens talent OR hire a team of people to do it for you. If you are a 10K a day photographer shooting for Fashion magazines and such, you obviously just show up, take the shots, view them and leave.
For most of us small business photographers, hiring a team of software jockeys is not an option. You have to know what you are doing both behind the lens as well as behind the screen of your computer or you won’t be able to compete.
The obvious place that you MUST have proficiency is with your photo editing software. Most professionals use Photoshop and it is here where you have to become not just competent but very good. Failure to do this will tie your hands very quickly and put you at the back of the line in the photo food chain.
I have spent thousands of hours doing, studying and learning Photoshop and the supporting cast of software (Bridge, Camera RAW, AI, In Design and Acrobat). I have spent a lot of money on Seminars and certification because it is a critical part of my work flow. It is so critical that it almost becomes as important as what you do behind the lens!
The other aspect of computer work is a rather broad range of knowledge that you need. I myself have spent almost two decades honing my skills in networking, office suites, web development, graphic design, bookkeeping (YUCK), programming, computer hardware, computer software and more. I am and was a GEEK before I ever considered becoming a full time professional photographer.
Staying current with software and being not just good but rather an EXPERT is something that you have to do. I have certification as a Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Network+, iNET, Certified Internet Webmaster/Master Administrator, A+ Hardware Technician, PHP/SQL programming specialist, Quickbooks Expert and a list of other useful abilities that include almost any graphics program on the market.
I boast about all of this for a reason. At points during my business year, I USE ALL OF THEM! Do I suggest you go and spend 30K and 8000 hours of schooling to get these? NO. What I do suggest is that you make sure you have the foundation of knowledge in as much as you can and nuture it, develop it, spend time learning and studying it and build your arsenal of talent as much as you can. Your success depends on it!
As an example, I use Microsoft Excel to manage my Database of photo shoots for the leagues, clubs and schools I service. I have a really great system that I use to track photo ID’s from year to year. The spreadsheets list the player’s name, team, school, dance studio or organization and the photo ID number. I also have other information such as the package they ordered, the delivery confirmation and other tracking functions. I have sheets going back to 2002! If I get a call (and I often do) from a frantic parent who lost a bunch of photos when they moved, I only have to search my data sheets and instantly I have a reference number, a photo and a very happy person on the phone!
The long and short of this blog post is this. You are a photographer. A photographer in today’s competitive business world has to be able to provide a sustainable and affordable service to his/her client consistently. If you are like most independent photographers, you likely can’t afford or would rather NOT spend money hiring a raft of people to do this work for you. You HAVE to build your skill set in order to compete so whatever you do, make sure you learn now, build your knowledge base and study your A** off to become an expert!
In Happiness and Health as always!
Mike C.
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