In order to succeed as a small business person you have to wear many hats. The owner, Manager, Supervisor, Accountant, Marketing, Sales, Photography, Designer, esc... The list can go on forever. Dane Sanders said "How many different hats can we wear as business owners?"

If you think someone else can do a job more efficiently, then sell that hat! This will allow you to spend more time in the hat that makes you money!

I've always been a believer in buying the latest and greatest equipment. Why? Because our customers can see the difference, and they make comments on the key part(s) of the image which were made possible by the upgraded equipment. If we can do this at every shoot, then we know we're doing the right thing. We can't just buy equipment because it's new, or because we saw some pictures on the internet.

You have to know how to utilize the features and functionality of the equipment in order to get the return on your investment. If you can't utilize all the new and differentiating features of this equipment then it's a waste of money. End result - Know your equipment!

At Huffaker Photography, I feel that we do an AMAZING job of utilizing the newest technologies to help set us apart. Christie and I have different levels, and areas, of knowledge. Fortunately they all come together very well. Photography is an art, Business is business. You can't let either one get in the way, and if you do, one will suffer. This is when you know it's time to stop wearing the crippling hat, and sell it!

Because photographers are wearing so many hats, you have to know when to take one off, and put another one on. Are you buying a new camera because the creative side of you wants to, or because it's a smart business investment? Will you track your return on this investment by running reports on your images. In Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, you can easily see what images were shot with what camera, or lens. This can show you what your clients are buying the most of. There is a large amount of information in Lightroom that can help you earn more money when you're behind the lens. When it's time to put on the Sales hat, show more of what your clients are buying, not what the photographer likes the most...

It's a different mind set, but I think if you challenge yourself to know what hat you're wearing and when to wear each hat, you will come out ahead.

--Clint