Author Topic: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions (Read 4036 times)

Goofy · « **on:** March 22, 2014, 19:26 »

Due to my deteriorating lower back (discs and bone spurs) I have dropped part of my business- no longer can I take portraits of people outside my house. Carrying the big sDLR and all the lighting equipment is physically impossible for me. Thus I am limited to studio work with my camera mounted on a tripod. Oh, well it can be worse I guess $:-\$

farbled · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2014, 21:05 »

Quote from: Goofy on March 22, 2014, 19:26

Due to my deteriorating lower back (discs and bone spurs) I have dropped part of my business- no longer can I take portraits of people outside my house. Carrying the big sDLR and all the lighting equipment is physically impossible for me. Thus I am limited to studio work with my camera mounted on a tripod. Oh, well it can be worse I guess $:-\$

You need some students and semi-pros looking for experience!

I shlepped gear for years for pros before I got out on my own. Sorry to hear about your issues, I can relate, had to give up pretty much all paid shooting outside my home. Hope you find creative ways to make up the difference. Best of luck!

lisafx · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2014, 22:47 »

Very sorry to hear that Goofy. I also have had quite a few health issues recently, some of which include back and knee problems. I couldn't shoot if it wasn't for my husband carrying the gear and setting up the lighting.

I agree with farbled. You may be able to find a student or even just a teen who needs a few extra bucks to carry your gear. Even better, find a teen who wants some portraits taken and trade them for some assistance. Even the models might be willing to help.

In the meantime, I am sure you can do a lot of good work in your home studio.

Best of luck to you, from one sufferer to another.

lisafx · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2014, 22:49 »

Oh, and if you haven't found a good chiropractor, I highly recommend getting one. Regular chiropractic adjustments and massage have helped me A LOT!

Anyka · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2014, 01:47 »

Five years ago I also thought I had to stop doing shoots with people, animals and outdoor subjects because of hip artrosis (at 50!) and very painful wrists/shoulders. My physiotherapist said that moving less would make things worse, and she was right. So I changed my eating habits drastically : 0% sugar

, less meat and much more fruit and veggies, plus daily turmuric, glucosamine and mild exercise (20 minutes/day on my home trainer bike). Today I can do every photo session that I want, as long as I don't have to walk great distances ... and I haven't seen my physiotherapist in 2 years

I am not saying these things will solve your problems, but as nothing of the above is unhealthy, and there is no prescription medicine involved, anyone with joints/muscles/back problems could give it a try. Only, you have to be very patient - you'll only see improvement after 4 to 6 months, and it's not a temporary thing, it's for life ...

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2014, 11:10 »

Quote from: lisafx on March 22, 2014, 22:49

Oh, and if you haven't found a good chiropractor, I highly recommend getting one. Regular chiropractic adjustments and massage have helped me A LOT!

Yes Chiros are great and you will find that some of the little problems you have will go away after a visit.

DF_Studios · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2014, 12:17 »

Sorry to hear - Maybe time to discover something new - like tabletop or food?

farbled · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2014, 14:12 »

Quote from: DF_Studios on March 23, 2014, 12:17

Sorry to hear - Maybe time to discover something new - like tabletop or food?

Shooting food is fun! (and fattening, I eat everything I shoot)

ShadySue · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2014, 14:14 »

Quote from: DF_Studios on March 23, 2014, 12:17

Sorry to hear - Maybe time to discover something new - like tabletop or food?

Hope Goofy has a high table and plenty of room.
I find tabletop the very worst on my back, as I have neither.

Goofy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2014, 21:24 »

Thank you all so much- All great advice. I did cut my sugar out of my diet and I have more energy! I consider this just an new chapter in my life- Actually the majority of my sales are from still life images thus will continue to shoot more and save my back at the same time. Funny how 20% of images are producing 80% of my revenue? If only I could figure out how to shoot more of those 20%

grsphoto · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2014, 22:24 »

Quote from: Goofy on March 23, 2014, 21:24

<snip> Funny how 20% of images are producing 80% of my revenue? If only I could figure out how to shoot more of those 20%

The 20- 80 rule is something that they teach in business schools...and you are right about trying to increase the 20%

Goofy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2014, 09:18 »

The sad part is that I don't even realize when I shot a 20% (Gem)! Thus telling me that I am so far from being a pro

grsphoto · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2014, 11:42 »

I don't think we ever know which will be the 20%er.... It depends so much on the search engine placement and maybe some luck?

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Author Topic: When to let parts of the business go due to health conditions (Read 4036 times)

Goofy

farbled

lisafx

lisafx

Anyka

ruxpriencdiam

DF_Studios

farbled

ShadySue

Goofy

grsphoto

Goofy

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