Stopping Business Advice

[shnon]

I just need some advice. I have decided to stop doing wedding and portrait photography. While I did it, it was something that I enjoyed but I didn't want to do it forever. My goal from the beginning was to work for a publication and do more fine art photography. Well, I got a job with a publishing company and I shoot for their magazine and newspaper. I love it and I've been doing my new job full time for about 4 months now. During that time I was still doing the wedding and portrait photography, but now I feel like it is time to stop and focus on my job and doing just the art that I enjoy. In the past few weeks I have referred every inquiry to another photographer that I trust. I plan on keeping my obligations that I have already booked, but am not booking anymore. Here's my question - Should I let my current clients know this? I have two clients left. They are both for weddings and I still have their bridal portraits and weddings to shoot. Both of them are in March. Should I just keep it to myself? I just don't want word to get back to them that would concern them that I might bail. What would you do, or if you have been in this position before, what have you done?

Thank you!

[Jim Bryant]

Be frank, just tell them that you've decided to take another direction in your career and give them the other photographer's contact info.

[Biomech]

I'd tell them but reassure them that you will still be doing their booking to the same level as usual including archiving the images etc etc.

[shnon]

Thank you for your advice. I really think it would be best to tell them. I'm not posting to my blog or facebook like I was before, and I'm anxious to either let the blog and facebook page die a happy death or start posting about what I'm doing at work, with my fine art photography and more personal stuff.

[mshockley]

Thank you for your advice. I really think it would be best to tell them. I'm not posting to my blog or facebook like I was before, and I'm anxious to either let the blog and facebook page die a happy death or start posting about what I'm doing at work, with my fine art photography and more personal stuff.

That's not a bad idea--give your FB Page a change of direction, post some different types of things and people will get the idea.

the nature of the game is you will attract what you show on social media sites right, so the average bride will come along and see fine art discussions and postings and move on.

It could actually be in your best interest keep your pages active to maintain contacts as you turn your career in a different direction.