How to Start a Creative Business: Practice, Community & Doing the Work
What does it really take to turn a creative skill into a business?
In this solo episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, photographer and creative entrepreneur Steve Jackson reflects on his journey from picking up a camera at a young age, putting it down, returning to photography years later, and eventually building Alien Eyez Photos Media.
Steve breaks down what he learned from spending his first years doing the work before charging for it—including assisting other photographers, working as a production assistant, helping with video and podcast productions, and gaining experience on a major movie set when Superman filmed in Cleveland.
The lesson isn't simply \"work for free.\"
It's about practice, positioning, relationships, community, mentorship, and developing enough experience to understand what your work is actually worth.
Steve also explains how bringing his camera to events became his version of practicing basketball: show up, practice, learn, repeat, and improve.
From learning lighting and flash recycle times to understanding client interactions, pricing, business boundaries, marketing, and the importance of investing in the right equipment, this episode explores the process behind turning a creative ability into a sustainable business.
He also shares a practical framework for beginners:
Practice < Community < Mentorship < Experience < Pricing < Consistency < Growth
Whether you're a photographer, videographer, podcaster, baker, artist, coach, designer, or another type of creative entrepreneur, the principle applies:
You have to practice before you can master it.
And you have to do the work before you can fully understand the value of the work.
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