Hey there! :)
I receive emails and phone calls on a regular basis from people asking questions about this or that… so I decided to add this section on to my blog for other photographers in the business.
I don’t have perfect advice to give… but I certainly don’t mind sharing things I have learned through this process.
(I am still working on this section and will be adding more soon. Hope this helps in the meantime.)
PS: I am also considering doing a mini-workshop some point in the future. I will keep you posted on that as well.
FAQ’s
What equipment do you use?
2 Canon 5D Mark II
2 Canon 5D’s
2 Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 50mm f/1.2
Canon 85mm f/1.8
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 28mm f/1.4
Canon 35mm f/1.4
Canon 100mm f/2.0
Canon 135mm f/2.0
Canon 70-200mm IS f/2.8
Canon EF 24-105mm IS
Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Canon 580 EX II Speedlites and a Quantum Turbo SC Battery Pack for flash
Flash Wave Radio Slaves
Canon Video Lights
where do you buy your equipment?
We buy all of our gear from B&H photo and Adorama. These guys have great prices and awesome customer service.
I have enough money to buy one lens which one would you recommend?
Good Question. I prefer to shoot only with prime lenses with the exception of my 70-200mm which I use for ceremonies. I would definitely recommend you invest in a good lens. I know they can get expensive, but it makes a huge difference. I think a 50 mm is a great way to start. That’s what you will usually find on my camera for everyday shots.
do you use apple or pc?
We are Apple all of the way in the office.
who designed your websites?
bludomain designed our site.
what’s been the biggest challenge in your business?
Balancing a business, mommy, and wife.
Tidbits (Other random things I have learned…)
- BE YOURSELF. Photography is an art and very much your interpretation of an event, a person, family, etc… So when you are establishing your style and look.. make sure it is you. Don’t just try and copy what everyone else is doing.
- DON’T COMPARE. Photographers are notorious for looking at other photographer’s blogs. In fact, that’s probably how you landed on mine. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily… but it can become bad when you start to compare yourself to others. Listen, everyone, and I mean everyone, started off somewhere.
- READ GOOD BOOKS. Some books that really have impacted my business… The Bible (God), How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie), Professional Photographer Magazine, Perfect Guide to Wedding Photography Pricing that ever was and ever will be (Stacey Reeves), Davina Fear’s Kits, Get it Together (Mille Holloman).
-GO TO WORKSHOPS. They really do help so much. Love Affair was probably one of the most impacting for me. But there are so many great ones out there! It is also great to meet other people in the business and network with each other.
-SHOOT IN MANUAL. It took me awhile to get the image I was seeing in my head to come out on my camera. Now… I can’t imagine shooting any other way than manual. You have control. My goal each shot is to nail the exposure, focus, framing, everything… so I have very little post work. Most of what you see on my blog is pretty much what it looks like in my camera.
-GET TO KNOW YOUR CLIENTS- Get to know the people you are photographing. TALK with them throughout the session. Getting your picture taken is kind of nerve-wracking! It will help them feel more at ease to be themselves in front of your lens.
-LEARN TO SAY NO. This is still hard for me, but you really have learn to say no. You are going to get this bride who’s on the tightest budget ever asking to do your wedding for a discounted rate (I was that bride…so I know it is hard)… but, have a plan of what you can and can’t do when it comes to discounts.
-DON’T GO IN TO DEBT. Don’t start your business buying a buttload of stuff (stuff you probably won’t need). I remember I went to my first photography conference trade show and immediately felt pressure to get what I saw displayed everywhere. Now that I look back, I realize I didn’t need most of the things. It is better to wait, save up, and buy as you go. Buying things in cash have been HUGE for me. I have my husband to thank really… because this is how he runs our personal family finances. Also, read Dave Ramsey’s book “Total Money Makeover.” AWESOME.
-BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VENDORS. One, it is so nice to know other people in your shoes. Two, you can learn so much from each other. I am member of a local group called Sofly. This group has already helped me learn so many things. It is so nice to hang out, be honest, and just talk shop with each other.
-PREPARE TO BE FRUSTRATED. Being a photographer is actually a really, really hard job. You can get one email or phone call and it can send your day in to bummer mode. At least this is true for me. Just realize that people are people. Don’t take things personal… just try and make people as happy as you can (without overstepping your boundaries… this is still your business) and move on!
-MORE WORK, LESS FUN. Realize that really like 75 percent of having a photography business is the BUSINESS part. Accounting, Shipping, Organizing, Backing Up, Emails, Phone Calls, Marketing, Web Updating, etc,etc,etc! Be organized. Pay your taxes, have insurance, and do what you need to do become a business people can trust.
-COVER YOUR BOOTY. Make sure you always carry extra cards, batteries and a back up camera. And when you get home… dump those pics on your computer asap and back them up asap. Millie Holloman’s new kit (Get it Together) has some awesome plans for organization and backing up. Really try and have a plan. My house got hit by lightning last fall… and if I didn’t have my shoots backed up… I would have been in serious trouble. I back up my shoots on two different external drives and I also have an internet back up.
-TRY AND FIND BALANCE. Learn to schedule yourself in some down time. You need days and weeks to just recharge… or to organize. Also take time to shoot for fun. It keeps you creative.
