MY ACCOUNT
Checkout
Courses + Products
SHOP

Blog

When to Go FULL TIME with Your Photography Business

the question I get asked most as a full time photographer

filed in:

when to go full time in your business katelyn james

If I could give you a peek inside my Inbox, you will see that this is one of the most common questions I get asked all the time! : 

“Am I ready to go FULL TIME with my photography business?”

That question might scare you or stop you in your tracks because there is so much to consider and SO much at risk….but there is also SO much reward!! If you are in a season of making this decision, I have a very helpful Youtube video that shares my thoughts on whether it’s time to consider going full time! 

 

I am breaking down the thoughts, risks and motivations for going full time into 3 categories:

  • Financial

  • Time

  • Mental

Financially, it is time to start breaking down your finances to see how much it costs you to travel up to DC for that engagement session, how much you paid for your camera equipment, how much that meal cost you while on the road, etc. It’s time to be realistic about your side hustle money and not just say, “I love this, can I live off of it?” My biggest piece of advice would be…if you have a full time job and you are making side hustle money from this thing that you love, ask yourself if your side hustle can produce a back up fund of your living expenses for 6 months!

 

The next category is TIME! This category is fun and stressful! It is fun because you are not clocking in and out of a 9-5 job where it’s sucking the life out of you but you also have to have a lot of self discipline to run a full time business and not let it suck more of your time! The most successful people I have ever coached that are ready to go full time have been in a place where they are about to crack because they are so busy with their side hustle. There is so much opportunity in front of them that they are barely hanging on! That is a great place to be to make the leap to full time!

 

Our last category is the one I enjoy talking about the most. When I used to sit down and do one on one coaching with people who were ready to make the leap to full time, they would tell me how MISERABLE they were in their 9-5 job. It was costing them something GREAT to continue to live in the misery of getting up everyday going to a soul sucking job that they don’t love. Some people stay in the side hustle phase so long that they get so comfortable and so miserable in their full time job that they never pull the switch to go full time. There is a quote by Soren Kierkegaard that says, “People settle for a level of despair then can tolerate and call it happiness.” I have seen too many creatives sit in the comfort of the side hustle and misery of their 9-5 for too long that they just settle for what they don’t love and it costs them peace, love, joy. So, my encouragement to you is to recognize that sitting in the side hustle and not making the switch to full time IS costing you something!

 

So, where do you start? I would start with this question…“Why do you want to go full time as a photographer or small business owner? Is it for financial reasons, freedom of time, is it because you are truly miserable doing what you are doing!?” Asking yourself “why” will help you get clear about your priorities and which parts of this you are going to sacrifice to make your dreams happen. So, whether you are ready to go full time or you are thinking of going full time in the future, this video is for you…you can head on over to my Youtube channel to watch the full video!

 

 

P.s. – If you are feeling like you need to have more conversation about this and want to talk to other people who are in your similar season of life, we have a place where you can connect with them! KJ All Access is what I like to call the “home base” of my business where you can learn from me, have access to me and see me photograph behind the scenes while also connecting with other photographers in your similar season!

 


Have you seen some of our most popular youtube episodes?

We release brand new Youtube episodes each week ranging from business topics, personal episodes, gear reviews, technical training and behind the scenes education! If you’ve never explored this part of our photography education, dive in now! It’s free!! Enjoy!

If you want to save this for later, Pin It!!

when to go full time in your business katelyn james education

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

Free Posing Class

Free Posing Class The KJ Way

Your sessions should be working FOR you not against you!

READ MORE
Education

Welcome to your Lightroom Classic Starter Guide video!

Lightroom Classic Beginner Guide
READ MORE

Lightroom Classic Starter Guide Everything You Need to Get Started!

Youtube
5 Essentials to Turn Pro

5 Essentials Beginners Need to Go Pro and make your photography business a success!

I’m breaking down the MUST-HAVE ITEMS that every photographer needs to be successful at the start of their career! 

READ MORE
Youtube

Danny + Megan A Biltmore Estate Wedding

Oh where do I begin? This wasn’t just another wedding for me. This was a legacy KJ Wedding and I have been looking forward to it ever since my first email from Danny and Megan!

READ MORE
Weddings

I’m really excited about this YouTube video because I know that it resonates with ALL photographers who photograph PEOPLE!!

10 posing red flags
READ MORE

10 Red Flags in Posing And how to fix them!

Youtube
How to Serve a Client Who Isn't a Perfect Fit

Ep. 33 | How to Serve a Client Who Isn’t a Perfect Fit And make it a great experience

Have you ever walked into a client experience and realized “oh wow, this is not what I was expecting?” ….

READ MORE
The Katelyn James Podcast

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 93,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.