1. The best marketing is free.
Your work will speak for itself and happy clients will tell their friends and generate more happy clients.  So Keep up with your facebook/blog.  I virtually did no advertising.  The small things I did decide to invest in for advertising did not yield any results.  All my clients came from word of mouth, referrals and people seeing their friends images on facebook.
(Here is a helpful blog post on how to get the most out of facebooks timeline) 

2. Community matters.
Find a community of photographers that you can be a part of.  I am lucky enough to have some amazing photographer friends. I am more lucky that they are the kind of friends who are willing to tell me the truth about my work.  When I first started, I was pretty comfortable with composition, finding great locations, and getting connection with my subjects.  However, I didn’t know what proper exposure looked like and I couldn’t see skin tones or color cast at all.  I had friends who were willing to tell me these things and point me in the right direction until my eyes were trained to see it on my own. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and are willing to push you to be the best you can. If you have to join an online community to find those people then go for it!
(Here is a helpful forum for child photographers)

3. Education is absolutely worth your time.
 Don’t just book shoots and hope for the best, show up prepared. There really is so much free information available online that we no longer have an excuse to not get educated.  If you find yourself saying you don’t have time to learn then you need to look at where you are investing your time.  Maybe pause the photo shoots and re-invest that time into learning until you have the basics down.
(My favorite resource for great information)

4. Be yourself.
Do not chase after every style you see, less is more. There are so many trends in photography that come and go and discovering your own style can take some time.  It’s ok to play and experiment but if something really isn’t you don’t just do it because you feel the need to prove that you can. It is unwise to try and be the classic, vintage, stylized, editorial, simple, grunge, clean photographer.  Find what is you and be that. 

5. Ask questions.
I have asked many photographers many questions and I have to say generally speaking the best photographers out there are the most gracious with their knowledge. They love the craft, they are passionate about what they do, and they are not threatened by you or your questions.  In the rare occasion that someone is rude to you, understand that is more about them than you. 

6. It is ok to do what works for you, don’t apologize for it.
When I came into the business I received a lot of feedback and saw many conversations regarding photographers giving digital files.   I allowed myself to feel intimidated and even shamed by some photographers who were against giving digital files. I felt like it was my dirty little secret and if the “real” photographers knew I was doing it I would be kicked out of the club.  I have come to understand this debate a lot more as time has gone by and I am more aware of the time, energy, and investment I am putting into each image I give a client. I have also come to understand that my personality and business goals really do align with being a service driven not product driven photographer.  I want my time and energy to go towards creating a great experience and taking beautiful images.  I don’t want my time to go towards ordering and selling products to my clients.  Neither way is wrong, and I don’t have to apologize for who I am.  Always respect the other photographers in your community, listen to them, validate them, educate yourself and then graciously and confidently do what works for you.

7. Business’s charge people, it’s ok…that is the point.
To this day I struggle with this.  When you first start a business it seems most clients know you in some way.  If they aren’t best friends with your cousin, their brother went to school with you or their Dad worked with your Dad.  I am always feeling like I should give everyone a discount.  Then I ask myself if this person were fixing my car or watching my kids are they the kind of friend that I would expect to do it for free or discounted?  The answer is usually no.  It’s ok to charge, you are a business, your time and talent is valuable.  Take the time to invest in yourself and your skills.  Then give yourself permission to believe you are worth it!

8. Use your powers for awesome.
Find local non for profit or service organizations that can use your help and donate some time to them. It’s a great way to build your creativity muscles, give back to the community and build the kind of reputation you want.

9. Gear does matter.
While the saying “It is the Photographer not the camera” is true, gear does matters. Learn to use the gear you have to it’s fullest potential, all the while be saving your pennies to upgrade. When you have a really important shoot don’t be afraid to rent gear if you can’t afford what you need. I rented a ton from Lens Pro to Go my first year and I wouldn’t have been able to build my portfolio without them.
Here is a link to the helpful folks at Lens Pro to go. 

10. Don’t burn out.
 It’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s like when you have a baby and everyone is telling you that you won’t sleep for months, but you don’t get it until you experience it.  That’s what stating a business is like.  You can read up on how it’s more than taking and editing pictures all you want, but until you are in it you don’t get it.  So be sure to say no to the things that drain you, it’s alright to say no.  You have to. Take a day off every week and don’t feel guilty about the images waiting to be edited.  Spend time relaxing with a book or a favorite movie and give yourself permission to enjoy life it will make you a better photographer and more fun for your clients to be around too.

Please add in the comments if you have several of your own lessons you would put in your top ten.  I would love to hear them!