In this podcast episode I explain how to start an associate photography team. Building an Associate Team for Your Photography Business: A Conversation with Dolly Delong over at The Systems and Workflow Magic Podcast.
I had the immense pleasure of being featured on The Systems and Workflow Magic Podcast hosted by Dolly Delong. I talked all about my unique system for hiring associate photographers.
Building an Associate Team is a great way to scale your business without sacrificing more of your weekends. If you are thinking about starting as associate team and have more questions, check out my free FAQ guide.
Discovering the Need for an Associate Team
My journey to building an associate team began somewhat unexpectedly in 2020. The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to rethink my business model.
With multiple brides rescheduling their weddings, Amanda had to find a solution. I approached a friend to shoot under my brand, marking the beginning of our associate team journey.
The Importance of a Mission Statement
One of the foundational steps I emphasize is creating a clear mission statement for your brand. For Amanda Rai Photography, the mission is simple yet impactful: to love and serve couples and their families while spreading joy.
This mission serves as a guiding principle for us and our team, ensuring they are aligned in their goals and values.
Building the Foundation
When it comes to building an associate team, I recommend taking baby steps and being patient. I suggest starting with a mission statement and recommends the book *E Myth* by Michael E. Gerber for insights on franchising your brand, even if you never intend to.
Recruiting the Right Team Members
Recruiting the right team members is crucial for the success of an associate team. Our hiring process focuses less on photography experience and more on character.
I look for individuals who are loving, servant-hearted, and joyful, as these qualities are essential for handling the stress and emotions of wedding days.
I also stress the importance of networking and seeking verbal confirmations from trusted contacts when hiring. This transfer of trust can be invaluable in building a reliable and competent team.
The Interview Process
Our interview process is thorough and insightful. It involves multiple stages, including Zoom interviews and face-to-face meetings with both my husband and I.
This couples interview allows us to gauge the candidate’s character and interpersonal skills, providing valuable insights into their suitability for the role.
The Training Process
Our training process is thorough and comprehensive. It starts with basic camera training, moves on to mock shoots, and eventually leads to shadowing at weddings.
The training is a combination of in-person and Zoom sessions, followed by constructive feedback through video reviews.
Legal and Contractual Considerations
When it comes to legalities, we emphasized the importance of two main contracts: a subcontractor contract and potentially a non-compete agreement.
These contracts define the rights to the images, the behavior expected under our brand, and the commitment to stay with me for at least a year.
Cultivating Team Culture
Our team has built a positive and supportive team culture. They celebrate wins together, share positive feedback, and offer constructive criticism in a gentle manner.
We use Loom videos to provide feedback, ensuring that my tone and intentions are clear.
The Importance of Patience
A recurring theme throughout our conversation was the importance of patience. Building a successful associate team takes time, trust, and patience.
What’s Next?
We hinted at the possibility of a course in the future, where I’ll dive deeper into building and managing an associate team. So, stay tuned for that!
Final Thoughts
Building an associate team for your photography business is a significant step towards achieving a healthier work-life balance and expanding your business. I hope this helped clarify how to start an associate photography team.
As our journey demonstrates, it requires patience, a clear mission statement, and a focus on character over experience.
By following our advice and taking a deliberate approach to hiring and training, photographers can successfully build and grow their associate teams.
Thank you for joining us in this insightful discussion with Dolly. If you’re a photographer or a creative business owner considering building an associate team, we hope our experiences and tips have inspired and guided you on your journey.
Stay tuned for more valuable insights and conversations in our upcoming blog posts!
- Website – amandarai.com
- IG – @itsamandarai
- Grab our FREE Guide on how to get started with an Associate Team here
The books mentioned
- “E-Myth”
- “EntreLeadership” by Dave Ramsey
More Resources:
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