Photographer Xavier Buendia

In this episode, Xavier Buendia shares his journey from Mexico City to Brighton, and more importantly from the world of hospitality as a sommelier to a career as a successful freelance photographer.Xavi discusses the importance of people skills, marketing consistency, self-confidence, and believing in yourself. He highlights both the financial benefits and creative downsides of having routine retainer clients; his pivot when COVID and Brexit hit the food industry he’d relied upon. And his recent experiments with hiring a very human PR and using AI – both to help his business in different ways.00:00 Introduction to Xavi Buendia02:04 Xavi's Freelance Journey Begins03:16 Moving to England04:04 Discovering Photography04:38 First Photography Gigs06:57 Building a Photography Business07:24 Using Social Media for Business08:19 Learning Business Skills09:08 Expanding the Business12:11 The Role of Customer Service17:01 Challenges of Freelancing18:11 Managing Work and Life19:28 Embracing Food Photography20:20 Lockdown and New Opportunities21:13 Impact of Brexit on the Food Industry23:18 Networking and Diversification28:14 Managing Retainers and Routine Challenges37:01 Working with a PR39:18 Advice for Freelancers and Relocation Insights  EPISODE SPONSORED BY (AND RECORDED USING) RIVERSIDE Record high quality video & audio with Riverside. See how recording, live streaming and repurposing your content with Riverside can help your freelancer business. It’s free to get started, but use code BEINGFREELANCE to save 15% on a paid plan. Head to: http://www.beingfreelance.com/riversideJOIN THE COMMUNITYYou're not alone being freelance. Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).beingfreelance.com/community NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!The Being Freelance course is made for you!Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership. FREELANCER MERCHGet Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shopLike VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelanceYouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFollandBeing Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.