© Armando Bellmas

I attended an AIGA event last night which featured a panel discussion of Charlotte design studio owners. What stuck with me the most was that each studio admitted to a delicate balance between the business side and the creative side. One cannot exist without the other in a successful creative business.

I spend a lot of time running my business (accounting, marketing, etc.). It’s become a big part of what I do and I’m fascinated by it. Yeah, most days I’d rather be out making photographs instead of making phone calls and balancing the books, but therein lies the balance.

I get a great feeling when I know exactly how much (or little) money is in the bank, that all my receipts are accounted for, that checks have been written for the perpetual pile of invoices and bills, and that my own invoices have gone out to the land of “net 30 days” (or 45, 60, or however many days some vendors make you wait before they cut you a check).

I get an even better feeling after I’ve spent the morning making calls and sending emails to photo editors and art directors, setting up portfolio showings and inviting everyone to look at the images on my website.

If I want to make photographs and make a good living doing so those tasks have to be done or I don’t work. Plain and simple. The good part is that I like to do that stuff. Not always, of course, but it’s the yang to my photography ying. Balance.

When I first started taking photographs professionally I admit that I didn’t really plan too well for the business part. I made mistakes and learned from them. I’m still learning and hope I never stop. Comes with the territory.

One creative last night put it impeccably well. He said, “I’m earning an MBA every day I go in to work.” Amen, brother.