We were lucky to catch up with Benny V Richard recently and have shared our conversation below.
Benny V, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
I actually spent a year doing photoshoots for free before charging anyone!
I felt that I needed the practice and confidence before asking for something like that and I really didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
After that year, a client messaged me on Instagram about a family portrait shoot. This had happened a few times before but by this point, I finally felt comfortable charging. Being my first paying clients, I gave them a huge discount and only charged $40 bucks!
I remember holding the two twenty dollar bills in my hand and having disbelief that I had just made actual money from a skill I worked so hard to learn.
Later than night, I took my wife and son out for pizza with that money.
Benny V, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have always been a story teller. Whether it’s through writing stories on pen and paper, creating Dungeons and Dragons campaigns for my friends, screen writing, songwriting or even making a few comic books, I’ve always desired a way to spin a new tale through different mediums!
At the start of the pandemic, I purchased a camera and started taking online classes for cinematography. My plan was to start production for some of the screenwrites I had finished and seek a career as a filmmaker. While taking classes, I had gotten pretty familiar with my camera and learned that I also had a pretty good eye for photography. A few of my family and friends noticed as well and it gave me the idea to go into business as a photographer on the side while I was working on my filmmaking.
I spent some time doing photography before I ever charged anyone. I was experimenting and working with different creatives and, in that time, found a passion for it. One ting that stuck with me was the impact my work had on other people. They always seemed to light up when they see themselves through my eyes. Another thing was that I had found a new way to tell my stories.
The clients have been my new favorite stories. I get to meet some of the most interesting people and have the privilege to get to know them personally.
I never claim to be special because there are so many creative artists out there that amaze me and I’m just proud to be among them but I guess what makes me different is that I’m never going to just show up and taking technically good photos. I’m going to tell your story.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
When I first started, I didn’t make any money from my work.
I had a full time job as an armed security officer and often worked at dangerous posts and shady nightclubs. After a considerably hard night at work, I came home and reconsidered how I wanted to spend my time. I had a one year old son to think about and the security job was just too dangerous.
I decided to quit and give all my attention to my photography business.
We struggled for some time after that. My wife and I often looked to each other and recited our mantra, “This is part of the plan.” a reminder that we are building something and the struggles of being in the beginning process of that is expected… but it will get better.
Slowly but surely, the business grew. I felt more and more confident charging what I believed my work was worth but I still did a few jobs for free for the sake of networking and practice. It was at one of those free jobs that got the attention of a woman who worked at a company that would later hire me for a corporate event and become the highest paying job I had ever done.
When I finished that job and received my pay, I became emotional to the point of tears. But I acted fast! knowing exactly what I wanted to do with the money, I went to my computer and registered my LLC under the new name of my business Mithic Media and moved forward as a bona fide business.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
When I first started, social media and word of mouth were my life-lines!
When we work with a new client, we make it a personalized experience and make sure they feel comfortable and special. Our clients had nothing but great things to say and they often told their family and friends!
Our social media accounts were always up to date as well! Once we did a shoot, we edited a few right away and shared a sneak peek so our followers knew something new was coming and then once we were done with the edits, we always posted the same day (As long as we had consent from our clients)
But networking is just as important. What I often do is search for creatives, artists and models in my city who are grinding just as I am. When I see someone who is putting in the work that I want to support, I reach out to them and offer a free photoshoot. Those shoots often lead to work in the future when their careers took off, dependable collaborators and amazing friendships!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mithicmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mithic_media/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MithicMedia
- Other: Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/mithicmediallc?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4775f524-0806-4922-869e-c60d364a0c63
Image Credits
Image 1:
Dulce Richard
Image 2:
Lilli Demont
Image 3:
Dolores Washington
Image 4:
Charles Butler
Allison Butler
Image 5:
Alexis Martinez
Image 6:
Kylie Sivley
Image 7:
Kenny Gonzales
Image 8:
Leana Richard