Amy Koughan - Time Management Tips For Freelancers

One of the biggest challenges that Amy Koughan faced when she embarked on her career as a freelance photographer was managing her time so she could provide her service, market her business and deal with the administrative tasks that come along with the work. Freelancers who fail to do this will find themselves missing deadlines and allowing work to accumulate, so consider these pointers if this is an area where you need to improve.

Keep A Schedule

Your memory may be great but it is not immune to slipping. Keep this in mind as you start to take on more work, as it can be very easy to forget about small tasks that are important to your clients. Keep a written schedule that defines all of the tasks you need to complete in your working day and stick to it as closely as possible.

Eliminate Distractions

There are so many distractions that can pull your focus away from your work. Many freelancers make heavy use of computers, whether it is to do their work, find new clients or communicate with existing ones. Those fifteen minutes that you spend browsing Facebook takes away from time you should be dedicating to your work, so exercise some willpower and eliminate distractions.

Understand Your Limits

New freelancers can often feel uncomfortable saying “no” to clients, which results in them taking on more work than they are capable of doing. Amy Koughan understands her limitations and will be clear and polite with clients when she is unable to take on more work. Endeavor to do the same if your schedule is full.
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Amy Koughan - Tips For New Runners

When she is not busy with her work as a freelance photographer, Amy Koughan likes to run so she can clear her mind and work on her physical fitness. She is an experienced long-distance runner who has tackled a number of marathons. Those who are new to the sport may aspire to similar heights, but it is crucial they consider the following pointers to get off to good starts.

Buy Good Shoes
Your running shoes will be your best friends when you are pounding the pavement so you need to invest in a pair that are comfortable and can withstand the rigors of repeated running. Do your research beforehand and consider having the size of your feet measured in-store so you can be sure you have a pair that fits you well.

Work On Distance First
Your first priority should be to establish the sort of distances you can run without putting your body in too much discomfort. Once you know what you can achieve in terms of distance, you can then start working on improving your times. Be patient and don’t worry too much about your pace at first. You will find you get quicker as your muscles develop and your cardio improves.

Set Goals
Amy Koughan has achieved so much as a runner because she puts goals in place to strive towards. Maintain a training log and use it to create goals that define where you think you should be in the future. Make sure they are challenging and realistic, as stretching too far can lead to your motivation dipping.

Amy Koughan - Tips For Budding Photographers

Amy Koughan has enjoyed a passion for photography since she was a young girl and has dedicated her life to developing her skills. She delights in working with amateurs and new professionals alike to help them to do the same. “Anybody can become a good photographer,” she says. “All it takes is a passion for the art and the dedication needed to develop your technical abilities.” Of course, everybody has to start somewhere, so these tips are intended for those who are picking up their cameras for the first time and wish to develop their skills.

                                   

Choose Equipment Wisely

A lot of new photographers make the mistake of buying the most expensive equipment on the market under the assumption that it will serve their needs. In truth, most novices should budget themselves and consider the sort of photos they wish to take before investing in any equipment. Spending too much at this early juncture could result in you resenting the purchase if you struggle to develop your skills, plus you may find that a lot of the features your expensive camera has are lost on you until you get better.

Extra Memory Cards

Most photographers start out with digital cameras as they are cheap, efficient and convenient. The memory card that comes with your camera will be able to hold a lot of photos, but you will soon start to find that this space ebbs away, especially when the camera is on its highest settings. This may result in a situation where you find the perfect picture, only to discover that your card is full. To avoid this, always make sure that you have a back-up or two spare so you can keep snapping away.

Experiment Often

Much of the joy of photography comes through experimentation. While there are a lot of useful techniques that you can learn to improve your skills, many of which can be found online, you shouldn’t feel constrained in any way when pursuing the hobby. Experiment with different lighting and angles. You never know, you may end up finding a technique that you really like, allowing you to come up with photos that are unique to you.

Be Patient

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” says Amy Koughan “and neither were my photography skills.” The point she is making is that it often takes a lot of practice and patience to develop your skills as a photographer. In can be easy to look at your early efforts and allow them to dissuade you from pursuing the hobby altogether. This would be a waste of the talent that you have. Instead, treat every photo that you take as a learning experience and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others.

Amy Koughan - Improving Swimming Photography

Amy Koughan, a professional freelance photographer and competitive swimmer, enjoys the inherent challenges found in taking shots of an athletic event that exists in two main mediums: in water and out. Professionally shooting swimming events presents difficulties in sight lines, perspective, and motion, aside from the underwater trials.

Taking successful professional photographs of competitive swimming events allows the photographer to take unique pictures of athletes in unusual surroundings. Although all athletic photographers need to prepare before an event, swimming requires the photographer to commit to extra preparation. The photographer needs to know the environment she will be shooting in before the event begins: is it an outdoor pool? Indoor pool? Where will photographers be able to take pictures? Are there any restrictions placed on photographers and where they can shoot? Additionally, equipment must be chosen in advance, from using scuba-gear to get crucial underwater shots to exposing a camera to a high-humidity indoor arena so it defogs in time.

 

Professional photographers like Amy Koughan, who specialize in athletic event photos, know the importance of getting to the meet location as early as possible to scout the area out, determine important vantage points, and to acclimate to the weather conditions. It is also crucial for the photographer to seek out the photo marshal for the event and get clear answers to questions about photo assignments or special requests. The photographer then needs to find an efficient workspace that is not hampered by advertisements, officials, or spectators, but that still grants her quick access to key locations for shooting excellent photographs of competitive swimmers.

Source: http://www.imaginginfo.com/print/Studio-Photography/How-to-Shoot-World-Class-Swimming-Events/3$3271
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Amy Koughan - Entrepreneurship and the Photography Business

Many successful freelance photographers, such as Amy Koughan, became profitable in their careers by planning and managing their small businesses efficiently and effectively. There are some essential points that all photographers who are planning on running their own business need to contemplate before getting started.

When starting a small business, the freelance photographer should familiarize herself with all legal recourses necessary, such as state, federal, and local tax filings. Small business should be set up as such, and the photographer would be wise to learn about limited liability partnerships and incorporation to determine which process is best for her situation. The photographer then needs to get the word outabout her business and offerings; this can be done through social media and through meeting and networking with other small business owners and local venues.

There are also challenges that must be overcome in regards to customer contracts and relationships. Many professional photographers struggle to deal with the legal aspects of contracts that many clients may not fully understand upon signing. Extra efforts may be needed to help walk clients through the contract step by step, which can be time consuming and frustrating. Finding the right computer and automated programs for small business can often help alleviate these issues.

Amy Koughan and other freelance photographers who have grown their own small business have found great satisfaction in what they accomplish on a daily basis. Their creativity and final works of art allow them to take pride in their skills and talents, and what they have offered to the community at large.

Source: http://femaleentrepreneurassociation.com/2014/04/building-a-photography-business-2/
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Amy Koughan - What to Know Before Becoming a Freelance Photographer

Successful freelance photographers, like Amy Koughan, quickly learned what was required to become a professional photographer, and adapted their skill set to achieve that goal. Although the idea of being a freelance artist, beholden to no one, is an attractive concept, the reality is that it requires dedication, hard work, confidence, and little luck to make it a profitable career.

 The number of individuals who have become freelance artists was estimated in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Labor as around 10.3 million. That amount increased over the last decade, with more than four million freelancers in 2013, according to a group from Economic Modeling Specialists. Many freelancers have risen above these numbers by employing smart approaches to their business. Finding a specialty rather than trying to be or do too much in photography is more likely to bring in business, and thereby create success. It’s also important for photographers to be aware of the competition in their market and also the demand that market clamors for. 

Amy Koughan and other profitable and prominent freelance photographers know that talent is only one aspect of success; many talented photographers never see commercial success because they do not develop the necessary business acumen to promote and sell their work. Marketing one’s work is vital, as is stating costs clearly and upfront, and getting all contracts in writing and signed. This means that photographers need to learn how to bid and price jobs so that they don’t price themselves out of the market, but do make a profit for their talents and skills.

Source: http://blog.photoshelter.com/2013/07/11-things-photographers-wish-they-knew-before-going-freelance/

Amy Koughan - Photography with Confidence

Experienced freelance photographers like Amy Koughan have developed a key skill in their careers that has led to beautiful photographs: confidence in their art. Koughan and other photographers state confidence as an often overlooked or overwhelming concept that may elude those new to the craft, but which is essential to creating style and success.

Amy Koughan

 The old adage “practice makes perfect” is as true in photography as in any other skilled ability. The photographer who wants more confidence in his or her work needs to get out there and shoot pictures regularly, whether it’s on weekends, in between jobs, or on a lunch break. It also benefits the photographer to not only take pictures whenever possible, but to do so in many different conditions. This allows photographers to become familiar with what works or does not work in a variety of situations and with multiple kinds of light sources.

Amy Koughan, like many veteran freelance photographers, has advanced her career through forming a clear confidence in her work. Often, this confidence can be gained through public accountability, such as through the creation of a website or blog featuring the photographer’s work. Another method of creating confidence is through education. Successful photographers often achieved that status by learning from other photographers.

There are many books and websites that provide tips and suggestions, and many photographers can now take online classes through sites like Skillshare.com to learn new concepts and approaches to their art. Regardless of the steps the photographer takes, having confidence in one’s work is necessary for future success.

Source: http://digital-photography-school.com/7-steps-to-becoming-a-confident-photographer-a-beginners-guide/