For the first seven years of my photography business, it was just me. One camera, one car, and the good fortune of a calendar packed with jobs from San Francisco to Sacramento. I said yes to everything. A corporate conference in SF one day, a private dinner in Napa Valley the next, and a tech launch in San Jose the day after that. It was exciting at first, but the constant driving, late-night editing, and never-ending emails started to drain me. I loved the work, but I was quickly burning out and unfortunately some preventable mistakes were made most attributed to wearing too many hats.
That’s when I decided that building a roster of talented photographers, videographers and editors would be the only way I could grow as a solo photographer. At first, it was simply about having backup or second shooters for the larger events, but it quickly turned into something much more. I wasn’t just getting help. I was slowly creating a community of like-minded talent around my business.
Learning by Immersion
Working alongside other professionals has made me a better photographer. I get to see how other San Francisco Bay Area event photographers approach lighting, how they frame a moment, and how they manage the fast pace of a live event. I also enjoy being able to watch other photographers work, mostly as a gauge of how I conduct myself by comparison. Do I appear professional? Does my body language suggest that I am interested in the work? Am I standing directly in front of an event guest during key moments? Am I being too liberal with firing off a flash in a dark room? These are just some of the things that I’ve been able to reflect on collaborating with other photo professionals. Instead of staying stuck in my own habits, I’m constantly learning, adapting, and improving.
Focus Without Burnout
The best part about working and building a team of talent, is how much headspace this has freed up. I’m no longer taking every single shot for every single event, or managing every piece of admin for my business, while also driving hundreds of miles per week. That space means I can focus more intently on the projects that matter most and bring my full creative energy to each one. I can say yes to the kinds of events that challenge me in the best way, whether that’s a multi-day conference in downtown San Francisco or an elegant luxury off-site at winery event in Napa Valley.
Better for Me, Better for Clients
Building this team hasn’t just helped me grow. It has made the work better for my clients as well. They get the benefit of a full network of creative talent, each person bringing their own strengths, but all working toward the same goal: delivering exceptional coverage of their event.
In the end, scaling my business wasn’t only about handling more work. It was about surrounding myself with people who inspire me, lifting the quality of my photography, and keeping the passion alive for the long run.
Jack Simpson is a San Francisco corporate event and conference photographer and the founder of Jack Simpson Photography. Since 2016, he has documented corporate events for the world’s top brands, from multi-day conferences and summits to executive dinners and brand activations. His work has been published in World Street Photography vol 6, and he is a contributing member of Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
