A candid letter to the photographer who’s passionate about their craft… and overwhelmed by the business finances side of things.

Let’s rewind for a minute.

I can still remember sitting at my kitchen table, laptop open, heart pounding with excitement as I booked one of my very first photography clients. I was full of big dreams, big goals, and a whole lot of passion.

But also?

Clueless.

Clueless about how to actually manage the money I was making.
Clueless about taxes (What to save? When to pay them?)
Clueless about how to pay myself—or if I even should.
Clueless about what it actually meant to run a business beyond doing what I loved with my camera.

No one hands you a financial playbook when you start a photography business. You just jump in with your camera and your creativity, hoping you’ll figure the rest out eventually.

Spoiler: I didn’t. Not right away, at least.

What I Wish I Knew About Business Finances When I Was Just Starting Out

The Mistakes I Made

Let’s just say… I learned the hard way.

• I kept all my money—business and personal—in one checking account.
• I didn’t track income or expenses (unless you count sorting through a pile of receipts at tax time).
• I’d randomly transfer money to myself when things “looked good” in the account.
• I didn’t save a dime for taxes… and then got hit with a bill I couldn’t afford.
• I had no idea what I could write off or how to plan for slower seasons.

I thought because I was booking clients and doing what I loved, I was doing it right.

But the truth? I was building a business on a shaky foundation. One that left me anxious, disorganized, and constantly unsure whether I was actually making money—or just making enough to scrape by.

What I Wish I Knew Back Then

If I could sit down with that younger version of myself—the girl at the kitchen table just trying to follow her dreams—I’d tell her this:

Your business can only grow to the level of your financial systems.

I wish I had known how powerful it is to set up simple systems that support your creativity and your income. I wish I had known how much freedom comes from understanding your numbers. I wish I had known that paying yourself consistently isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessary part of being a sustainable business owner.

But I had to learn all of that the hard way.

Through trial and error.
Through missed payments and tax stress.
Through seasons where I made money… but had no idea where it went.

The Systems I Should’ve Had

Looking back, here are the exact things I wish I had in place from day one:

1. Separate bank accounts
   One for income, one for taxes, one for paying myself, one for expenses, and one for savings. I know—it sounds like a lot. But it’s actually the key to knowing exactly where your money is going, and feeling in control of it.
2. A simple monthly budget
   Not just for tracking expenses, but for planning ahead. Budgeting for things like a new camera, branding refresh, or slower months so I wasn’t scrambling when money felt tight.
3. A way to track income and expenses
   Nothing fancy. Just a spreadsheet and a habit of checking in weekly. It’s wild how much clarity you gain when you actually know your numbers.
4. A system for paying myself
   Not “when I feel like it” or “when there’s enough left over”… but consistently, confidently, and with a plan.
5. Tax prep built into the business
   I wish I had been setting aside money for taxes every time a client paid me. It’s not optional—it’s essential. And it doesn’t have to be stressful when you’re prepared.

What Changed

Once I finally got a handle on my business finances, everything shifted. I had more peace of mind. I stopped avoiding my bank account. I paid myself every single month. And I started seeing real growth—not just in income, but in confidence.

I didn’t find this through a finance podcast or a random Google search. I pieced it together over years of trial and error. But that’s exactly why I created something to help other photographers skip that messy middle.

I Needed a Business Finance Course Just for Photographers. So I Built One.

It’s called Business Finance Foundations—a business finance course made specifically for photographers and creative entrepreneurs.

This course is the shortcut I wish I had years ago when I was figuring it out the hard way.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Set up your business bank accounts (the right way)
• Organize your income and expenses so you’re not scrambling at tax time
• Create a simple monthly budget for your business (and stick to it!)
• Pay yourself consistently (and confidently)
• Start saving for taxes, new gear, rebranding, or slow seasons
• Understand where your money is going—and how to make it work for you

And no—it’s not a boring numbers course. It’s designed specifically for photographers and creatives who want clarity and ease when it comes to money.

Ready to Finally Feel Confident About Your Business Finances?

You don’t need to stay stuck in a cycle of guessing, stressing, or avoiding your bank account. You can build a sustainable, profitable creative business—and I’d love to show you how.

👉 Click here to check out Business Finance Foundations

You can get started today for just $97, and I promise—it’s one of the best investments you’ll ever make for your business and your peace of mind.

So if you’ve ever found yourself searching:

• “How to manage finances as a photographer”
• “Best bookkeeping tools for photographers”
• “How to pay yourself as a small business owner”
• “Business finance course for creatives”
• “How to organize money as a photographer”

…then this was made for you.

Friend, you were never meant to figure this all out alone.
Let me help you build the foundation you deserve.

You’ve got the talent. Now let’s get your finances to match.

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