Do you have a business card?

Do you have a business card?

The more steps I took, the more frequently the question was asked.

I occasionally do photography in my day job. Headshots, annual report images, and today the annual general meeting. Attended by over 300 people It was the first in-person event since the pandemic. Expectations were high from the organizers and the attendees. The lighting conditions were not optimal. I winced as I cranked my ISO higher, visualizing the noise. I weaved my way around tables and extended legs to get the shots, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible.

After the event, one of the attendees asked if I would take her photo. There was a lull so I agreed. We headed into the hallway where the lighting was better. Click. Lower your chin. Click. She gave me her business card to send the photo and left.

Can you take my photo, too?

Click. Lower your chin. Click. Business card handed over..

Pretty soon I was surrounded by attendees all wanting to have their photos taken. They started following me. The more steps I took, the more insistent the requests. What started as a one-off turned into a dozen. Soon I had a pile of business cards..

Finally, I grouped the rest of the requests and took a photo. Problem solved.

Do you have a business card?

The question continued to be asked. From people wanting the group photo.

Sure, I had mulled getting a business card. I had taken a business course, which included branding. I had the logo, the business plan, model release forms. The only thing I didn't have was the confidence. Start my own business? Could I do this? Should I do this?

Do you have a business card?

No, I answered. I could only pass along my info hastily written on a sheet of paper.

When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them I'm a photographer.

Do you have a business card? I will be happy to put it out on our desk.

This must be a sign. What am I waiting for?

I reserved the domain name .com and .ca. Choosing a business email to go with it. No more gmail ending emails. I started working on the website. Instead of parking the domain, I attached it to the website.

Don't I need more photography courses? Just one more, ok? I had just finished a photography certificate.

No, you're ready. The universe has spoken.

The last step, registering the business. I needed to cement this and make it real. I could have operated under my own name without registering. No, my name doesn't say what I do. I love focusing on the details. Art of Detail Photography it is.

Soon I was on the Ontario business website, registering as a sole-proprietorship. A PDF with official documents followed. Art of Detail Photography was a business now, A name I had never said out loud outside of a graphic design assignment, now had an official business number. For the next five years, it was all mine. For a few days I told no one, so I wouldn't jinx it. Terrible marketing plan.

I designed the business cards and placed an order. Opening the box, I reviewed the design I had chosen. The retro typeface, the swoosh crossing the t's and dotting the i. Perfect.

Go ahead, ask me if I have a business card.

Now the answer is yes.