When we start our photography businesses, we’re often driven by passion—whether it’s capturing beautiful moments, telling stories through images, or simply doing what we love. However, as business owners, we can easily find ourselves consumed by the daily grind, and that passion can start to fade. The key to preventing burnout and growing a sustainable business lies in a concept explored in The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber.

If there’s one book I would recommend to every business owner—especially photographers—it’s The E-Myth: Why Most Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It. This book provides a clear roadmap for building a business that serves you, rather than draining you.

In this blog post, we’ll explore one of its most important concepts: working on your business, not just in it.

Working In the Business vs. Working On the Business

Most photographers, especially in the early stages of their business, spend the majority of their time working in the business. This means handling day-to-day tasks like shooting weddings, editing photos, delivering galleries, and managing client communications. While these tasks are essential for keeping the business running, they can become all-consuming, leaving little time to focus on growth.

In The E-Myth, Gerber introduces the idea that to create a truly successful business, owners must also work on the business. This means stepping back from the daily grind and focusing on long-term strategies that will help your business grow, scale, and, ultimately, serve you better.

And when your business serves you? *Chefs Kiss*

You get to experience what we all want…to thrive!

What Does Working On Your Business Look Like?

Working on your business involves taking a high-level view of your operations, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing systems that make things run more efficiently.

Here are a few examples of what working on your business might look like for a photographer:

• Creating Guides and Freebies: Developing resources like client guides or email freebies to enhance conversions and improve the client experience.
  
• Building a Budget: Setting financial goals for the year and creating a budget that helps you manage cash flow and grow profitably.
  
• Automating Marketing: Setting up automated marketing funnels that consistently bring in new leads without requiring constant manual effort.
  
• Writing Evergreen Blog Content: Creating SEO-optimized blog posts that drive organic traffic to your website over time.

By focusing on these types of activities, you can reduce the amount of time you spend on daily tasks and set your business up to run more efficiently, allowing you to focus on growth and future success.

The Story of the Baker: A Classic E-Myth Example

One of the most famous examples from The E-Myth is the story of a baker who loves making cakes.

Their passion for baking eventually leads them to open a bakery, but over time, they become trapped in the never-ending cycle of baking, managing the business, and trying to keep things running smoothly. Despite hiring staff, they never let go of their role as the head baker because they believe no one can bake cakes as perfectly as they can.

Eventually, the baker becomes burned out and resentful of the business they once loved. Instead of the bakery serving them, it consumes their time, energy, and creativity.

This story is all too common among small business owners, including photographers.

We often fall into the trap of doing everything ourselves because we fear that no one else can deliver the same quality of work. But the truth is, if we continue down this path endlessly without working on our business, we risk losing our passion and burning out.

It’s not talked about enough – but many photography business owners might put on a brave face around their peers, but in reality, it’s tough out there being sole business owners or small partnerships as might be the case for some like my wife and I who run our wedding photo business together!

How Do You Avoid the Trap?

The solution, according to Gerber, is to start documenting your processes and creating systems that allow your business to run without your constant involvement.

For example, if you’re a photographer, you can create detailed workflows for tasks like editing, client communication, and album design, and then delegate these tasks to others or automate them.

This allows you to focus on the bigger picture—growing your business, improving your client experience, and making strategic decisions that will help you reach your goals.

If you need help in this area, check out our Systems and Processes Course for Photographers!

The Hotel Story: The Power of Systems

Another powerful example from The E-Myth is the story of a hotel that provides a seamless, personalized experience for its guests. Every detail is carefully thought out, from remembering guests’ preferences for coffee to ensuring their rooms are perfectly prepared upon arrival.

How does the hotel achieve such consistent excellence?

By implementing detailed checklists and operational manuals that staff members follow for every guest.

These systems ensure that every guest receives the same high level of service, while the hotel staff can focus on delivering a personalized experience.

This story highlights the importance of systems and processes in any business. By creating a systemized approach to running your photography business, you can deliver a consistently high-quality experience to your clients while freeing up your time to focus on growth.

How to Apply the Lessons from The E-Myth to Your Photography Business

So, how can you apply the lessons from The E-Myth to your photography business?

Here are a few actionable steps to get started:

1. Document Your Processes: Start by documenting the steps involved in each aspect of your business—from client inquiries to editing and delivery. This will allow you to delegate or automate tasks more effectively.
   
2. Create Systems for Consistency: Implement systems that ensure your business runs smoothly, even when you’re not involved in every detail. This might include automated email sequences, client onboarding processes, or standardized editing workflows.
   
3. Delegate or Outsource: As your business grows, consider outsourcing tasks that don’t require your direct involvement. This could include hiring an assistant for client management, outsourcing editing, or using virtual assistants for administrative tasks.
   
4. Focus on Growth: Once you’ve freed up some time by working on your business, use that time to focus on long-term strategies for growth. This might include refining your marketing efforts, building partnerships, or expanding your services.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Working On Your Business

The E-Myth teaches us that a successful business doesn’t just happen by accident—it requires intentional planning, systems, and the willingness to step back from the day-to-day grind. By working on your business, you can create a photography business that not only serves your clients but also serves you, giving you the freedom and flexibility you’ve always wanted.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber. It’s a game-changing book that can help you take your business to the next level and rediscover the passion that led you to become a photographer in the first place.