If you’ve been able to turn your love of photography into your dream job, kudos! It’s a rewarding career to be sure, but like any job in which you are your own boss, there are many things that might go wrong and spell disaster for your business.
To help you avoid that fate, have a look at our three simple tips that will help you protect your investment and keep your business going for years and years to come.
Protect Your Gear
It goes without saying that you need to take measures to protect your camera, lenses, and other photography equipment. Yet, many photographers don’t take the right precautions to ensure they’ll have the gear they need for years to come. Something as simple as being in a hurry and grabbing your camera rather than transporting it in a padded camera bag could result in damage to your camera, lens, or both. Not taking the time to properly label and store your memory cards could lead to cards from different gigs getting mixed together, or worse, getting misplaced. There’s also the all-too-common occurrence of letting friends and colleagues borrow gear, only to have the gear damaged or misplaced. In short, your gear is your livelihood, and it should be treated with the utmost importance.
Protect Your Studio
Things like locking doors and getting insurance policies to cover your workspace are no brainers. But beyond that, have you ever thought about having the property inspected? What if there is an electrical problem you were unaware of when you rented or purchased the space? What if the furnace is ready to go out and winter is just around the corner? What if the previous tenant or owner did some DIY plumbing work and the pipes right above your desk are set to fail at any moment? Though this all sounds like self-employment is a catastrophe waiting to happen, it serves as a reminder that even things unseen behind the walls of the workspace can wreak havoc on your bottom line. Regardless of where you work, consider having the space looked at by a professional so you have an opportunity to prevent catastrophes from happening.
Get Covered
Of course, no matter how well you plan, no matter what lengths you go to in order to protect your gear and your workspace, bad things can and do happen. That’s where having the right insurance comes in.
National Photographer’s Insurance offers many different plans to fit the needs of self-employed photographers. Get a photographic off-premises policy to ensure that you’re covered should a piece of gear get damaged while you’re out for a photo shoot. Get a business personal property policy so you have peace of mind that if you’re the victim of theft that you can get replacement gear quickly. Get a business income and extra expense policy too, that way if you have to close your studio due to fire, flooding, or some other malady, you have the funds you need set up a temporary location while your workspace is fixed.
Not only does National Photographer’s Insurance have the policies you need to cover all aspects of your business, but they also have a long reputation of knowing the precise needs of the self-employed photographer. With that industry knowledge, they can tailor your insurance policies to your specific business. What’s more, National Photographer’s Insurance is licensed in all 50 states, so no matter where you work, you have access to top-notch coverage.
When it comes to ensuring your long-term success as a photographer, there are many factors involved including your level of talent, your business know-how, and your ability to attract clients. But your success can be determined just as easily by the steps you take to protect your investment, like getting the proper insurance coverage for your business. Don’t leave your future to chance! See what National Photographer’s Insurance can do for you by visiting their website.