Splurging : Convincing Clients That You’re Worth It by Katelyn James

Why do we go to Starbucks when we could get the same coffee for $3 cheaper at 7Eleven? Some would say it’s because it’s BETTER coffee while others would argue that the coffee is the same, you’re just paying for the brand and the experience. It’s true, I feel sophisticated, modern and important in Starbucks and when I’m standing in line at 7Eleven, I’m just trying to get out of there as fast a possible!! We pay MORE for things that we value, things we feel connected to and things that give us warm fuzzy feelings inside. I don’t even drink coffee but I bought a Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Starbucks on the way home from a shoot last week just because it’s fall and that’s what you’re supposed to do in the fall!! Starbuck’s marketing is working. When I pay $5 for a tiny frap, I don’t feel like …

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Giving Families a Slice of History: Make a Wish Foundation by Katie Botel

I didn’t get into photography for the art of it; nor did I get into photography for the passion of it (which isn’t to say I’m not passionate about my art).  I got into photography because after moving to Los Angeles to write for television, and doing that (and then not), I needed a job.  A steady one.  That I was in control of.  I chose photography, because I am passionate about family.  And about family history.  And about leaving a legacy.

I live and work in the entertainment capital of the world – where everyone is beautiful, where if the sun doesn’t shine every day of the year, it can be painted in, and where even the unglamorous seems glamorous.  I have delivered chicken soup to Aaron Spelling’s house as a gesture from his writing staff in hopes he would get better (and approve their scripts); I have dressed in black tie …

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5 Tips to Get Clarity: Specialize To Save Your Sanity by Erin Oveis Brant

A year ago, I battled a monster of my own making: burnout. I had just completed my eighth consecutive wedding weekend with five more ahead in the season. On my schedule for the week were two high school senior sessions, one newborn session, and a family session. This wasn’t an unusually busy week. It was part of my new normal; behind on work, overwhelmed and constantly exhausted.

On paper this looked like the success I aimed to achieve. I was working hard, making great money, my schedule booked to the max. I loved my clients and I was making them really happy. But my happiness was missing from the equation. Somewhere between “I love photography so much that I want to make a living doing it” and actually making it happen, I had taken a major wrong turn. If I couldn’t get back on track, I was ready to give it …

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How Photographers and Planners Can Work Together to Build a Dream Team by Angela Proffitt

col·lab·o·rate: (v) 1. to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor

It takes a team to create a stunning, memorable event, and collaboration is one of the hallmarks of great teamwork! We got the chance to ask Angela Young Proffit, the owner of Elegant Weddings by Angela and Events by AP in Nashville, TN, about some of her tips for collaboration to help make the wedding day as smooth as possible.

 

 

1.  What can photographers do to be most helpful to coordinators prior to AND during the wedding day? Communicate! Discuss order of preferable picture order. Discuss what is important to the bride and the vendors.

2. What makes you want to recommend a photographer to future clients? If my clients are happy; I am happy. Customer service is the most important thing!

3. What is the best thing you’ve ever learned from working with a photographer? Book themselves as the second shooter so they can …

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Inspired by an Old Master: The Importance of Lighting by R.J. Kern

Sometimes you should stop looking at photographs. Look to other artists for inspiration, especially the old masters. Touring the Rembrandt exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Art recently reminded me of the importance of three things:

His lighting style stands the test of time. No fad, here. Most people have heard of it. There’s something to be said about a technique that has stood the test of time by a few hundreds years. It’s good to know that wedding photography today won’t be shunned in 50 years. He shared as much as he created in painting schools. Like, he had ‘followers.’ His creative school shaped his vision. This blog shapes mine. I’m a proponent of the philosophy “Create. Share. Sustain.” He created portraits of people flattered in their best light. This benefits both painters and photographers. The human face responds best to specific types of light. Rembrandt’s trademark triangle of light on the cheek bone flatters the face, a reason it graces the covers of fashion magazines today. It’s worth noting that north-facing studios historically had cheaper rent, and also softer light!

I applied those three basic lessons into this wedding day portrait created at a Lindsey & Matt’s wedding in Chicago, as if Nigel Barker and Tim Gunn stood next to me, chanting ‘Make it work.’

I wanted to create an image that tells an honest story of Lindsay’s beauty and Matt’s adoration for her since their engagement session in Colorado.

I challenged myself to blend the dress, flowers, and landscape together with a painterly aesthetic ready to share with Vanity Fair and Annie Leibovitz. I love that medium format ‘look.’

Here’s a peek behind the scenes, with my one light setup of the bridal party:

 

About The Author A destination wedding photographer based in Minneapolis and Denver, RJ Kern loves to create as much as share. He’s been enjoying the process of bringing back medium format into the wedding market, but this time using pixels. Tech humor, duct tape, creativity… garnished with light… remains an important part of his photography style. RJ has been a Pictage user since 2006 and enjoyed speaking at PartnerCon in 2010.

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Love is Gender Neutral: Shooting a Same-Sex Wedding by Kristi Odom

I recently had the pleasure of shooting my first same-sex wedding. I had shot one other same-sex wedding, but as a second shooter, never for my own clients. I remember meeting with TJ and Marcus at a coffee shop, in which I nervously had crème brûlée and coffee at a quiet corner table while waiting for them to arrive. They came in with so much energy and laughter, some of my favorite types of clients…full of life.

I pulled out my wedding albums, all full of women marrying men. I remember thinking, “There is no way they are going to book me, there are no same-sex weddings in my portfolio.”

This didn’t seem to be an issue at all for TJ and Marcus. They looked right past that; it was just about me and my work. So, I was beyond happy when they called to book me for their wedding! I started prepping a contract, but when I looked at my paperwork, everything referred to brides and grooms. After some time searching online, I found resources on how to make wedding photography contracts gender neutral.

Other questions came up:

Who do I focus on while they’re getting ready? (I admit I usually focus on brides during preparation.) How do I pose two men? …and so on.

I called one of my close friends who photographs a ton of same-sex weddings and one thing she warned me about is that it can be challenging to help same-sex couples feel comfortable being affectionate in public because they’ve faced discrimination. We had some popular tourist spots on the itinerary – the Capitol, the Supreme Court, etc. How comfortable would they be? Even though I was crazy excited, I was very nervous.

As the ceremony started, all those fears went away and I was filled with excitement. The whole wedding was a photographer’s dream. They were married at a museum for womens’ rights, so the hallways inside were filled with artwork and newspaper articles about womens’ path to equality. A battle that same-sex couples know very well.

I’ve witnessed over 200 couples get married. I can truly say that the connection between TJ and Marcus is one of the strongest I have ever seen. These two were meant to be together. I had one of those moments that I’m sure all photographers have had, in which I was glad I had a camera to hide my tears during the ceremony.

TJ learned and said his vows in German for Marcus (a complete and total surprise), and Marcus being a musician, composed his vows perfectly, “My love, I promised you once that ‘I shall believe. And you have shown me…”

Thank goodness for autofocus; thank goodness I can hide my eyes!

After the ceremony, we walked over to the Supreme Court and took photos on the front steps, above was a giant etching that read “Equal Justice Under Law.” When we moved on to the Capitol, it was clear that I didn’t have to worry about helping these two be affectionate. They were so happy and couldn’t stop laughing, smiling and touching each other. Joy was overflowing, and I was smiling and clicking away.

I left feeling very happy, thinking thank goodness I live in a place in which TJ and Marcus can get married. People who love each other this much have every right to be legally together. I cried more after the wedding, all happy tears, all overwhelmed by their connection. A happy day for love.

About Kristi Odom: Kristi Odom has a background in travel and nature photography that she brings into destination wedding photography. She has photographed weddings around the world including Ethiopia, Australia, Ireland, Thailand, amongst other locations. Her adventurous side tends to come out in her shoots; may it be shooting a wedding in a blizzard, on top of a castle in Ireland, or along the edge of cliffs.

Kristi’s work has been seen in Times Square, Rollingstone’s website, National Geographic’s website, Eco-Beautiful Weddings, United With Love, Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine, Kodak’s website, amongst others.

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Is it Really the Clients’ Fault, or is it Yours? by Peter Carlson

Have you ever had a client who was upset because their images didn’t look as good as they expected?

You’re not alone. I see comments like these frequently on forums and I have had this discussion numerous times with other photographers, including photographers on my staff. Sometimes clients are challenging and are looking for ways to get a deal. More often, however, it may be your fault.

You may have fallen short of expectations in one or more of four categories:

The Creative Side of Photography: “The couple didn’t have any chemistry” or “those kids were so difficult to work with” may be true statements, but they are not excuses for why you didn’t deliver great images. If you are being paid as a professional photographer, it is your job to deliver professional images. Learn to pose people to look their best. Prompt people to react, even if it involves them laughing at your expense! …

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How to Tailor Your Business to Newborn Photography by Stephanie Robin

Who doesn’t love sweet, cuddly newborn babies? It seems more and more popular to specialize in newborn photography, but how do you truly tailor your business to the newborn client? Read on for tips and tricks to do just that!

Show What You Love : My first tip is to show what you love. If you’re currently working with multiple markets but deep down want to specialize on one, begin by showing only work relevant to your specific target market (i.e. newborns). From your website to your business card and blog, your clients will hire you based on the content you show. If weddings and older kids just aren’t your thing, take them down and focus on your true passion instead. Building a strong brand in your chosen niche is the first step in attracting your target market and showing what you love is a big part of that. Build a Specialized Working …

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How to Stand Out In A Crowd of Child Photographers by Mandy Johnson

For a child photographer, it’s all about finding your way, finding your unique passion and running with it!

You can’t be everything to everyone. I chose to stand out in a number of ways, starting with offering a higher-end experience and a full-service studio in a beautifully historic, affluent part of town. At the studio, we pride ourselves on awesome customer service, catering to each client and their needs. From the first phone call, we are set up to ask prospective clients what they want from their session, and to identify their real needs. It’s high-touch throughout the entire process, from the initial inquiry to the moment when we deliver and install their finished pieces.

We also offer the best product line, and we do a lot of extras. I am always looking for fun little ways to make my clients smile! We host creative activities at our studio for kids and …

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How to Donate Your Photography Services to a Cause or Charity by Keren Lynn

Everyone has a story, and every photographer wants to tell stories. But it’s not that simple. Some stories are difficult, but they still deserve to be told. How do you photograph mental illness, autism, cancer?

With compassion, respect, kindness, dedication…and patience.

Both of my grandmothers had breast cancer, so it was natural for me to get involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and even more so after I spoke to breast cancer survivors about Boudoir Photography. After volunteering at the Susan G. Komen Gala, I was inspired to organize a fundraiser. Even though I had volunteered for other charities, I had never organized anything this extensive! Regardless, I decided to jump right in, to the deep end!

So how did we organize and host a successful fundraiser?

With lots of generosity! We were fortunate to have many great companies involved who wanted to collaborate to make a difference. We held the event …

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