How to make photography work in 2022

Multi-genre: Denise Maxwell

 lensi.co.uk, Instagram: @lensi_photography

I describe myself as a multi-genre photographer, but I would say my style in each genre is similar – clean, energetic and vibrant. Many people have tried to put me off delivering my business in this way but I have now been going for 11 years. Never was it so useful than over the past two years with Covid. I currently have a contract to shoot architecture for a local council; have just finished one for documentary work; for another, I take the prospectus images for a local university; and have a few music festival contracts, for example!

I know a lot more photographers doing well than those struggling. One colleague recently made her biggest sale in newborn photography, worth £2,300. But I have also seen businesses disappear. I think my success is a combination of hard work, social skills and delivering the goods. I also throw out lots of hooks, regardless of the outcome. I am always applying for opportunities, exhibitions, practising, networking, keeping busy on social media and living photography – people need to be constantly reminded about what you do. The main skills the photography business owner needs are adaptability, to understand the different hats you need to wear, and be able to grow into these roles or contract them out – editing, or social media marketing, for instance. You also need resilience as