It's generally easy to find work in Los Angeles by identifying the customer's needs and providing a solution. However, finding great work can be challenging. I have a strong connection with my current clients and value the creative freedom in those relationships. Unfortunately, not all past client relationships have been ideal. Last year, I worked on over 200 jobs, with most of them being wonderful. There were only a handful of difficult clients, all of whom happened to be individuals who had their hair and makeup done, which I found interesting.

When I'm not leading creatively, I keep my opinions to a minimum and only speak up when spoken to. It's important to avoid hindering the team's growth by voicing personal opinions. Giving feedback is a skill, and it's crucial to ensure that your resume backs up your opinion. Essentially, it's important not to waste someone's time with selfish opinions.

Recently, I finished a job just outside Los Angeles where one team member refused to be on camera unless the employer paid her a SAG wage. It was quite a wild conversation to witness. This experience made me consider leaving LA.

I enjoy working with enthusiastic teams to create content, but negative team members can make it tough. I always spend time getting to know a client before committing to working with them long-term. Unlike most videographers who prefer working from job to job, I prefer working with the same people because the work always gets better. When you film with the same clients, the work evolves into a better representation of the company. I put a lot of effort into each client, so cutting ties with a client is more personal for me. My advice for creatives is to ensure that you are appreciated and not reliant on one client. It's also important not to get too personal unless the relationship is at least a few years old. If clients are too wordy about the inner workings of their business, it's a major red flag. It's important to keep it professional and avoid getting involved in drama.

Late payments can be a major issue. If payments are late or haven't been sent without notice, it might be a good idea to consider other options. It's important to feel respected for your work. Personally, I find it difficult to maintain the same level of trust and connection with a client after such an experience, and it's likely that I'll sever the relationship. It depends on the specific client and how unprofessional I believe their behavior is.

This may come across as harsh, but it's important to consider the impact on your business. When payments are not made, it can have serious consequences for your livelihood. We all need to eat and pay those high gas prices. As a small business owner, even if a payment is a day late, it affects your business. The stress alone affects your other clients. Not paying for services is unprofessional, and not paying without a warning is impossible for me to understand. It's behavior like this that makes it hard to continue a business relationship with that client. In the end, go with your gut. If it feels off, it probably is. If you're good at what you do, you won't have any problems finding work, especially here in LA.