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What do you do?

As a photographer, Lincoln Barbour believes visuals can tell a better story of a building than words.  So, he founded Lincoln Barbour Studio to offer architectural photography, video and renderings for AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) firms.  He hopes he can help architects capture the spirit of their work, communicate smoothly with their clients and even make their shelves heavy with awards.

Lincoln started his photography career in 2002 as photo assistant of an architectural photographer and now has his own studio shooting for many well-known magazines and brands in the AEC industry.  Over twenty years of experience have given Lincoln a singular focus: make the best photographs possible and be nice about it.  But his business is seasonable, how to make the best photos while the business is up and running?  Lincoln’s brother recommended him to SCORE.

What is your relationship with SCORE? SCORE client How SCORE helped.

SCORE counselor Steve Cooper, with the capability to answer questions regarding manufacturing and other industries, as well as how to do cash flows in order to determine the future projection of the business, was the perfect person to be Lincoln’s mentor. “Steven really helped me get clarity about the financial side of my business. I now understand how budgeting and forecasting are supposed to work.” Lincoln said, “I'm now able to set realistic sales targets and track whether or not I'm hitting them.”

What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a small business?

From 2020, Lincoln Barbour Studio, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, has expanded its business by adding services and video production. Compared to his regular scope of work, Lincoln wants to dig deep into understanding clients’ needs for visuals and accomplishing their business goals in a more creative way.  What an architecture photographer does is not just record the beauty of a building, but also discover and create the unique perspective of it.

When it comes to the future, Lincoln said, “The future is still to be determined, but if the last 25 years have shown me anything, it's not technology or gimmicks that keep a business going.  It's building great relationships by showing up and delivering on what you promise.”