Today I'm chatting with one of my wedding pro members - Sam Gavins. Sam has been a wedding photographer for the last ten years, and today we dive deep into her story. We discuss Sam's journey from nursing to photography, her initial struggles with the business aspect of the industry, and how the Wedding Pro Members Club helped her overcome these challenges. Sam also shares her experiences in getting on recommended supplier lists and building relationships with wedding event coordinators. Listen to hear more about Sam and the lessons learnt from 10 years as a wedding photographer.

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Time stamps:

The start of the business side (00:00:21) Discussion about the challenges and hurdles of the business side of being a wedding photographer.

Getting into photography and early experiences (00:01:48) Sam's love for photography from a young age, her experience with photography in school, and receiving her first proper camera.

Transition from nurse to photographer (00:03:44) Sam's decision to pursue photography as a business after having children and encouragement from others, overcoming imposter syndrome.

The struggle of affording equipment (00:09:41) Sam discusses the challenge of not having enough money to buy her own camera equipment and having to borrow lenses from a friend's film business.

The importance of investing in education and community (00:10:56) Becca and Sam discuss the significance of continuously learning and stretching oneself in the wedding photography industry.

Building relationships with venues to get on recommended supply lists (00:13:38) Sam shares her strategy of offering help and building relationships with venues to get on their recommended supply lists.

The Future of Sam's Business (00:19:43) Sam discusses her plans and aspirations for the future of her photography business, including a desire to go to Las Vegas and continue doing what she loves.

The Challenges of Next Year (00:20:39) Becca encourages listeners not to lose hope for the upcoming year, despite the challenges many are facing. She advises against dropping prices and emphasizes the potential for big budget weddings in the future.

The Importance of Support and Asking for Help (00:21:26) Sam highlights the value of joining a business group for support and knowledge, as well as the importance of asking for help and not being afraid of rejection. Becca reinforces the idea of asking for opportunities and collaborating with others in the industry.

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