Business Debacle #1

As if starting a legitimate business isn't difficult enough, I'm trying to find a happy medium regarding portrait and wedding prices. In our small town of Gaylord Michigan, when someone hears of a $2000 wedding, they drop their jaws, and question every aspect of the amount. To be honest, in my first year of wedding photography, I charged ridiculous amounts. By ridiculous, I mean the low end. My reasoning was that I didn't have the portfolio to present to ask for $2000 a wedding, so instead I sold myself short, and honestly ended up PAYING to do someones wedding. Every experience is a learning experience, and I never fail to walk out of a situation without learning important information about the industry. So, I raised my prices slightly, and went on my merry way.

I am beginning to resent people like me. I am grateful for the weddings I have done, and consider them to be WONDERFUL lessons about business, and what brides want...really the entire infrastructure. I've been cheated out of money, and ultimately not paid for a wedding. Why? Because to them, I was just a girl with a camera. Charging low prices from the beginning is no way to start a successful business. I truly did consider myself to be a 'professional' but just wanted to get a few weddings underneath my belt before I charged full price, which seems impossible to do at this point!

Weddings are a once in a lifetime event. There are no do-overs. There's no regret. You have to go to a wedding 100% committed and 100% on top of the game. Professionals charge professional prices. I feel like I am being unfair to raise my prices from what I originally modeled my business around, but I wasn't making money for a reason.

So I am not going to apologize for my actions, but instead remind people that they get paid for what they do. Would you show up for work if you didn't get paid to do so? I love every aspect of photography, and believe that I have earned my right in this industry to become successful doing so.

Just a mini rant. That I TOTALLY brought upon myself. *sigh*, I frustrate myself.

On a better note, today I discussed having an 'intern-assistant' with a local girl, Amanda. I am so excited to have someone who is as passionate about photography as I am on my team. Two heads is bound to be better than one....considering I got myself into this pricing issue all by myself...

We also began to clean out the studio area, and I feel like things are going to move much quicker than I had anticipated, which makes me SOOOOO HAPPY.

That's all for this evening,

STUDIO!

Yes, it's all finally happening. By this summer, I will have my own studio, which I am going to begin working on immediately, in downtown Gaylord. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by wonderful people who support, and believe in me enough to offer their assistance in getting my feet off the ground, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

As soon as I have a 'grand opening' date, I will be having AMAZING sales on portrait packages. More info on that later. I have been online revamping my website, and stalking amazing websites like www.decor8blog.com in search of inspiration for my office and studio area and can literally feel my eyeballs burning out of my face.

Blessed!

Would you just look at that beautiful work load! I feel so blessed to have been as busy as I have been these last few weeks...if only it could be valentines day every day:)

I just received my print-press albums, and could not be happier with the final product! Truly perfect for clients who don't want to spend the money on a higher quality album; these albums are excellent cost to quality! Perfect addition for any print order starting at only $60 for 5X7, 10 side book!

February Already!

This has been an incredibly busy week! I've shot over 8 boudoir sets, and had an absolutely excellent time doing so. Coming up quite quickly is my darling son's fourth birthday! Hard to believe he's almost 4! I am unsure whether to insert a happy face or sad face...so heres a straight face :I.
Is or isn't he the cutest thing you've ever laid your eyes upon?

Also, I just purchased my second set of Totally Rad Actions and I'm oh so in love. These look a bit more urban to me, which is perfect for some photo's that are more commercial, and fashion aimed. YAYYYY.

Boudoir.

So I had my first boudoir shoot the other day, and I must say that I LOVED it! There is nothing more satisfying than taking photo's that make women feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. I truly, truly, loved it! All of the girls walked away more than pleased with the way the photo's turned out, and I was surprised at how amazingly comfortable all the girls were, and how comfortable I was! Here are a few to give you an idea:I will be sure to post more after all of my editing is complete, but just had to show off a bit :)

valentines day.

VALENTINES DAY SPECCCCCCIAL.

Others albums are available upon request!

warning: no content.

I have come to the decision that even if I have nothing of any value worth writing about, I will at least post one photo. I decided this because I want to post this adorable photo of my sister but have nothing of any substance worth writing about so.

black and white+ear muffs+snow+pearl necklace=WINTER.

another senior set.

Is it just me, or does winter look better in black and white?

Also, is it just me, or does she not remind you of Amanda Seyfriend? Beautiful.

do you realize...

2010 is a mere 18 days away. Yikes.

oh, Christmas tree.

ho, ho, ho.

clocks, shmocks.

Although this post has nothing to do with schmocks (mostly because they are nonexistent), it makes me laugh hysterically. Lyle (fiance) insists, even after I have absolutely proved him wrong, that smock (as in an apron you may wear to work) is pronounced shmock.

That's beside the point. My point is, that after since my house incident, I have had to buy everything brand new. Great, right? WRONG. The things I had in that house took all of the 4 years to gather. Having to buy things immediately takes away from the whole idea. The things we have now are great, yes, but they were impulse buys. Things that we needed, and had to buy immediately without getting to hunt, and find things that really suited our needs (cosmetically of course).

The one and only thing that I have had luck finding is clocks. I found our first clock, loved it, bought it. Very well, only days later I would find a clock that I liked better, and instinctively, bought that one as well. Needless to say, I now own about 5 clocks all of which I adore and could never part from. So, I have decided that when our house is finished I am going to make a wall of clocks. I realize how difficult this will be to maintain (batteries, corresponding times, yadda blah) but I love them all, and when I find one I love, I can't help but buy it.

I just wanted to share that, because I just bought another. I will post photo's soon of my collection thus far. That was pointless.

mini-rant?

As usual, I was stalking other photographers (both professional and aspiring) and came to two realizations.

1. Good editing goes a long way. This, I noticed, was more of an issue with aspiring photographers. Pictures that would have been excellent photos were turned into some sort of mess during the editing process. I say this in no disrespect, because everyone has their own taste, and I'm certain that someone looked at these photo's and said 'I love what he/she did with the coloring', but maybe it just isn't my cup of tea. My biggest thing is to find a style, and stick with it.

Some photographers lean towards the vintage, aged feel, which I love when done right, and stay there. The client then at least has an idea as to what the final product is going to feel like. When photographers are all over the drawing board with some grunge, and some clean, some vintage, and then of course, my least favorite 'mistake' made in editing: increased threshold. AHHH. Seriously, yikes. I took the honors of editing one of my photo's to oblivion.
Now, as 'cool' as some people might think it is, I (and I may stand alone in saying) think that photo's like this forget their main objective. As a photographer, our job is to help capture memories, and you're average customer is not going to me interested in hanging a photo with harsh lines, and bad coloring, above their mantle.

The reason for today's attack on innocent photographers just trying to express their personal creativity? A bad engagement photo in the local newspaper. Honestly, as much as I despise the editing in color, PLEASE imagine it on newsprint. Sigh.

I am now going to go on the defense in saying that this is not always a mistake. If the customer prefers a more 'edgy' photo, then so be it! My complaint isn't speaking for the population, it's just me, sitting here in front of my computer after a rough nights sleep and having to look at a poorly edited engagement photo in the newspaper. That's all!

If you are reading this saying, 'over half of my photo's look much like the one above', than my apologies to you.

My second note is much more upbeat.

2. Even looking at established photographers, I love seeing how their personal style grows. If you look at photo's from even a year ago, there is such an immense difference! And its strange because looking at the photo's from before don't appear to be 'bad' by any means, but as you follow that time line you see things improve and their eye come out more.

It makes me personally realize how much further I have to go. I'm more than happy with the work I am currently doing, and the finished product, but I can't wait to evolve and TRULY come into my own as a photographer. If I go back to photo's that I took and gave to clients 2 years ago, I can't help but to think, ' oh man, I should have done this or that'. I'm still happy with the outcome of course, but growing and seeing things differently now definitely makes a difference on the way I work.

Well, that was fun and offending, huh?

Happy Thanksgiving!!..yesterday..

I hope you all stuffed yourself into oblivion and enjoyed the company of loved ones. I have soooo much to be grateful for this year, I honestly would not know where to begin. But I will attempt.

1. My beautiful son, 2. supportive and loving family, 3. (as much as I may complain) my job, 4. my working vehicle, 5. the snow (it wouldn't feel like Thanksgiving without it), 5. my health. 6. my new home (which is coming along beautifully), 7....everything. I am honestly grateful for all things, good and bad, that I have experience in my lifetime (all 22 years)...speaking of, yours truly has a birthday coming up. The big two-three.

Wedding plans are coming along fabulously. We are currently planning a June wedding (exact date soon to come), at Whispering Pines Resort. The way I see it: Sparklers and margarita's, campfire and s'mores. Mmmm, can't wait. I found my dress on Monday. I want soooooooo badly to show everyone, but my Mother isn't allowing me to have any photo's of the dress. She is convinced I will show Lyle. Truth be told, I went online trying to find it, and had I found it, I would have shown him.

I cannot keep secrets, gifts, or money in my pocket for too long. Bottom line. Things burn. All things that you are supposed to keep to yourself, I want to give to EVERYONE right NOW. It's my nature.

Unnessicary ramblings? I must be tired. :)

the fifth season.

Northern Michigan gives you multiple reasons to complain. 1] Summers don't feel nearly as warm as they should and 2] Winters feel far colder than nature intended. This year however, we sit in mid-November with no snow and 50 degree weather. This time of year we are usually up to our necks in snow (literally, our necks). Perhaps Al Gore is onto something...

Not that I am complaining. This newly developed 5th season is giving me a chance to do portraits in this usually sllllow business season. Today I had the pleasure of photographing a family who's wedding I am doing this May. Sneaky Peeky? You talked me into it...

ah-ha.

for real. that's all.

Ok, no. Soon I will have a facebook calendar (photo-esque) for every month. You will be able to reserve the date by tagging yourself. Brilliant, I know.

flya'

My hours at work were recently cut. Therefore, I will now have more time to focus on photography. The issue? It hhhhhas to be done. When I enjoy doing something, it gets done. When there is something depending on it...I tend to procrastinate. So, I have spent the day working on flyers, or postcards or what have you--and THIS is all I managed to do. Well, I don't work until Thursday, so...I'll have plenty of time...right?

always apologizing...

I know, I know. One excuse after another as to why I haven't posted, but HONESTLY!

I am now engaged (YAYYY), my house is ready for drywall (YAYYYY), and I started a new job.

my darling family.

And now wedding details. Given that I am a total blog stalker anyhow, I have now accumulated a large file devoted to wedding inspiration. Favorite blogs you ask? greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com, and marthastewartweddings.com of course!

I love everything about this board! Whimsy, and backyard-ish. ugh. Loooove the clothes pin's for the escort cards.
Lace dresses make me swoon.

All things wedding aside, I haven't much to talk about so, that's that.

second attempt

there we go.

great news.

I am beginning to feel as though things are coming together (knock on wood) for the first time in a long time. As of Monday, I begin a new job (as a pharmacy technician) at Walgreen's right here in Gaylord (fyi, the last year plus I have been driving an hour one way to work a nine hour day to Boyne City...boo). Not only will I save my dear Volkswagen's soul, but I am also going down to part time leaving me PLENTY of time for my baby, and photography. I could not be more exited.

Another update: we are now building our house. Lyle and I are building a brand new home on our lot in town. *sigh*.

This weekend was super busy! Wedding rehearsal Friday, wedding on Saturday, and the Tubbs family on Sunday. The best kind of busy ever. When I find the time (next week!) I will post more photo's, but as usual, here's your little 'tease'.

Ok, the tab isn't working. Lets try another post...

totally rad...actions.

Today, I downloaded Totally Rad Actions and COULD NOT be more satisfied. Good change I just cut my editing time in half. YAYY. Here's a preview..
I always have the best of intentions, but my blogging seems to fall short so I'll leave you with these stunning little numbers:
BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO DAMN CUTE.