Photographer - Liz Benjamin
Liz runs her own business - www.little-silver.net. Little Silver has two elements - beautiful photography and handmade baby gifts.
The Interview
Name - Liz Benjamin
Location - Herts
Family - Married with one little girl, Kitty aged 3 and 2 teenage step children, Hanna and Sam
What inspired you to set up Little Silver?
I've always loved Photography and always worked within that field. After having my little girl I took so many pictures of her and a good few of her friends that I decided to go into baby and child photography as a business. I also use my photography to make cards and expanded this to personalised name pictures.
What is your background (previous career area?)
I was a commercial photographer and pro-lab printer. I've always worked in photography in some way.
Did you have specialist training in photography? - if so what/where was your training?
Only an O and A level...really my training was on the job. I was lucky enough to write for a job at a place where the owner who did the photography was wanting to concentrate on design so I got use of a studio and equipment and just learnt as I went along. This was possibly the best training I could have. Luckily as I was doing product shots I had the freedom to make a fair few mistakes and learn from every one. Then I married the owner!!
How many hours a week was your training? How did training fit round your children?
As I learnt as I went along, I can't really say how many hours it was and it was before I had my little girl so childcare wasn't an issue.
How did you go about setting your business up? (from a business perspective - initial funding etc) Did you have any professional help?
We funded it ourselves although most of the money went into the Baby Gift side of the business, for the photography I already had the necessary equipment. My husband has run a business so I just ask him if I need any help with that side of things.
Did you carry out any research you carried out to know your business would work?
No, not really. I was probably a bit eager and just waded right in.
Where do you carry out your work now?
I usually work on location at clients houses although I do have a small home studio. I do all my printing at home and I hand make all the baby gifts at home too. It's great, makes it very easy to be flexable although it can mean a few late nights.
Do you need lots of specialist equipment?
Yes, I have several cameras and lenses and also as I work traditionally I have a home darkroom. I've also recently invested in a digital camera to use alongside my traditional film cameras as I'm returning to wedding photography.
How many hours do you work a week?
It varies. If I'm on a shoot it's a couple of hours then it could be the same again in the darkroom. I've started slowly and hope to build up when Kitty goes to nursery.
How does the job fit round your family life?
I'm very lucky that my husband also works from home so childcare isn't a problem when I have a shoot. Printing and admin etc is usually done in the evening when my little one has gone to bed.
How do you find customers - do you advertise?
I advertise in national magazines for my baby gifts and locally for photography. This includes Baby Fairs, NCT Sales, flyers in local cafes etc. I also have a website: www.little-silver.net Word of mouth is very important too.
What is the earning potential?
Again it varies. An average portrait shoot is worth on average £200 and a wedding can be a lot more.
Is the job/running the business rewarding?
Absolutely, whether it's a photograph or a baby gift it's lovely to think that these are things that will be really treasured and hopefully kept forever. Personally I also get a huge thrill from taking a good photograph.
Do you think it is a job that fits in well with being a Mum?
Yes I do, it gives you an empathy with your clients if you are doing child portraits. Obviously it helps to have a partner at home because childcare is necessary during a shoot (I did try having my daughter around when I was shooting my friends little girl but she insisted on being in the picture too)
Any advice for a Mum or Dad wanting to start training or running their own business?
If it's something you really want to do then go for it. It is hard work to get established so you need to be fairly determined and prepared to put the time and money in but if it's something you love to do then it's worth it.
Useful Links