New York Wedding Photographer and Videographer

How I Built a 6-Figure Photography Business in a Small Town — And Stayed Booked for 18 Years

How Did I Stay in Business as a Full-Time Professional Photographer in a Small Market for 18 Years?

Most people are surprised when they hear that I’ve been working full-time as a professional photographer in a small town for nearly two decades. Not part-time. Not as a side hustle. Full-time. Full-pressure. And yes—full joy too. (mostly).

But staying in business that long, especially in a market where everyone knows everyone and budgets are tight, didn’t happen by accident. I’ve been through economic downturns, algorithm shifts, cheap competition, and a hundred other industry curveballs. Yet here I am—still shooting, still booked, still loving it.

How?

Here are five big reasons I believe I made it:

1. I Treated It Like a Business from Day One
A lot of photographers fall in love with the art, but forget the business. I didn’t. I learned to track expenses, write contracts, set profit goals, and charge accordingly. Passion took me far, but professionalism took me farther.

2. I Built Relationships, Not Just a Client List
In a small market, your reputation is your currency. I made it a priority to serve people well—every single time. Perhaps it comes naturally to me. BUT, i have clients coming in for senior portraits that I photographed when they were 2. And it makes me so happy.

3. I Learned to Pivot Before I Had To
When the market changed, I didn’t wait to get pushed out. I added new services, dropped low-margin offerings, updated my brand, and kept educating myself. I stayed relevant because I stayed curious.

4. I Said No—A Lot
Early on, I said yes to everything. But that burned me out. Over time, I learned that success also means saying no to the wrong clients, projects, and pricing. That freed me up to serve the right ones better—and they paid for it.

5. I Built Systems, Not Just a Portfolio
Pretty photos won’t save you if your business is chaos. I developed client workflows, pricing guides, automated responses, and backup plans. That let me run a business—not just play catch-up between shoots.

Want to Learn From Me?
If you're a new photographer trying to go full-time—or you’ve been at it for a while and you’re feeling stuck—I’d love to help. I've lived the reality of building a career in a small market, and I know what it takes to stay booked, sane, and profitable.

If you're serious about turning your photography into a sustainable business, let's talk. I’m now offering 1:1 consultations for photographers who want to make this work—long-term.

📸 DM me or visit North Glow Photogarphy website to schedule a session.

Let’s make your dream career real—and lasting. It seems easy to start. All you need is a camera and an instagram page, BUT…..Is it?

Chelse Thompson