18 Comments
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Daniela Furtado's avatar

Hell yes to every single one of these points!

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Manuela Thames's avatar

This is super helpful. Thanks for sharing! I think the whole AI development sucks, but you are right that embracing it in some way is better than resisting it.

Thanks for sharing this!!

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

No problem Manuela. I don't think we should unless it's necessary. Outside of work I'm happy to live an AI free life.

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George Appletree's avatar

Who contracts you and why?

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Clients, to photograph them,their services or products. It's pretty simple.

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George Appletree's avatar

What’s not so simple is there are millions of photographers. Is that a market for specific products, for specific photographers?

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Yes, that's true! The market is saturated. I don't really know, I just hustle in my own circles, network and rely on lots of referrals.

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Dan Jandl's avatar

Great list, Xavi... I need to notch up on a few of these.

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Nice to read so. Dan!

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Dan Jandl's avatar

Oh, and the work on your website is really great. I know I looked before, but it seems like there is more now? Congrats!

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Thanks Dan, yes Instarted shifting things around a bit, adding blog posts for SEO and a few more personal projects. Still not where I want to be but getting there

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Chad Ziemendorf's avatar

Thanks for sharing this. Each and every point hit home for me. I’ve been freelancing for 15 years and can trace any of my dry spells back to one or more of these truths. Two that can’t be overstated enough: resilience and adaptability - staying courageous and consistently adapting are imperative. We will never “arrive.”

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Thanks Chad, glad they resonate and you're right when saying we'll never arrive, what matters is the journey and what shoes we wear to walk it.

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Steven Thomas's avatar

Great list Xavi. They are universal to any self employed person and I especially think the multiple revenue streams point is crucial to making sure that you can continue to freelance.

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Thanks Steven, yes, they can apply to multiple ways of working and disciplines. That's a strong point you mention, glad you can relate!

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Andrew Eberlin's avatar

Some very good tips there, Xavi. I hope your talks go well.

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Xavi Buendia's avatar

Many thanks Andrew!

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Lin Gregory's avatar

It's interesting Xavi that much of your advice is transferrable across many freelance / self-employed professions. I'm coming to the end of my self employed career in a polar opposite field but I can see how these tips can still apply.

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