EPISODE #67: WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING WITH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST

Summary:

This week’s wedding photography podcast is all about what’s happening in my world and keeping you up to date with all the ways you can currently connect, learn or have your questions answered with me! If your New Year’s resolution was to take your business to the next level, then this is a brief introduction to how I can help you do just that through my wedding photography education tools.

We’ll chat about my weekly wedding photography business videos which will help you with all the behind-the-scenes stuff, as well as my “Success in Wedding Photography” program and how you can become a member of it. I’ll also give you some info about the daily podcast ASK WPP where you can get all your wedding photography questions answered, as well as my first online workshop “Book Your Next Wedding” which is taking place in early March. I’ll let you know who this is geared towards (and who it isn’t) and how you can get an early bird price on it.

The Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference and expo is about to take place in Las Vegas too. I’m going to be there from the 4th-9th of February, so if you are too, then let’s meet up! If you’ve been a long-time follower of the Wedding Photography Podcast or you’re a newcomer, this podcast is all about how we can connect and grow our businesses together!

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EPISODE #66: NEVER JUDGE A COUPLE BY THEIR BUDGET FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Summary:

After a few instances of prospective couples approaching me with low wedding photography budgets (below what I charge), I wanted to address the importance of not judging them on this or disregarding their inquiry. In many cases, people don’t know the going rate for wedding photography and just come up with a rough figure, and some will be willing to increase their budget if they feel they are getting superior quality or service.

In this podcast, I’ll chat about what to do if you get inquiries from couples with wedding photography budgets that are lower than your starting rate. We’ll discuss why it’s really important that you respond and show the same level of urgency and service. If a prospective couple's budget is below your starting point, ask them if there's any way they can increase it; otherwise, graciously recommend wedding photographers you know that will do a great job for that price.

Remember to always leave the door open for them to contact you in the future. You just never know - I’ve had a few cases of couples coming back and deciding to increase their budget because they were impressed with either my work or my level of customer service (or perhaps both!).

We’ll also address the importance of not wasting their time or yours, so be up front about your rates and send them your packages and pricing info early on in the communication. Ask them to fill out a questionnaire including the budget they have in mind, then you have a ballpark figure to work with in tailoring a package to suit their needs. Yes, you may miss out on more clients by sticking to higher rates (and when you’re first starting out the work experience may be more valuable than the monetary benefits), but if you respect the time and energy you’ve put into getting where you are, your couples will too.

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EPISODE #65: RECAP OF LAST MONTH'S WEDDING IN INDIA PART 2

Summary:

Following on from my recap of Last Month’s Wedding in India Part 1 which looked at the logistics and planning of an Indian destination wedding, in this episode, we’ll get into the nitty gritty of actually photographing the entire event.

I’ll explain what took place on each of the four-day celebrations, including the bridal shower and Mehndi ceremony at the bride’s parents house, followed by a lively Sangeet at a museum-like venue, and the Hindu ceremony and reception at a party plot in Ahmedabad.

This episode includes some of my insights and lessons learned from photographing an Indian destination wedding. I’ll explain the challenges of working alongside local videography and photography teams, and some of the time constraints we were under.

I’ll also talk about some of the real joys and privileges of photographing a destination wedding in India, particularly the people I got to meet along the way. From the bride and groom’s immediate family to their welcoming friends, I was made to feel like I was one of the guests throughout this amazing week.

If you’re planning on capturing cultural weddings or a destination wedding in the near future, then this is a good opportunity to get a heads-up about what to expect and plan accordingly.

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EPISODE #64: RECAP OF LAST MONTH'S WEDDING IN INDIA PART 1

Summary:

In the middle of 2016, I was lucky enough to be contacted by Indian couple Labdhi and Manoj about capturing their Southern California e-session. After getting to know them, we started chatting about their upcoming destination wedding in India (Ahmedabad, Gujarat) and before I knew it I was flying across the world to capture their special day.

But it wasn’t quite as straightforward as that, and in this first episode of a two-part podcast, I talk about the logistics and challenges of capturing a destination wedding in India. From securing visas and flight itineraries, to planning exactly what equipment to take, I share my insights and advice from this recent trip.

I’ll chat about the cultural differences of photographing an Indian destination wedding, including the different rituals and events that take place over multiple days, as well as the challenges of finding ATMs and good WIFI! I’ll also give you an insight into what it’s like to shoot alongside 14 (!!!) other photographers and videographers!

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EPISODE #63: 2017 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR MY BUSINESS AND LIFE

Summary:

A few weeks ago I sat down with my wife and wrote down my New Year’s resolutions for not only my business, but also life in general, and it’s these nine goals that I want to share with you in this podcast. If you’re running your own business, then it’s so important to hold yourself accountable and have a clear structure of what you want to achieve to ensure you don’t just end up stuck in the same place year after year.

From setting financial goals as to how much I want to save, to having a clear plan of exactly how I aim to achieve that, I like to set quantitative goals that I can monitor throughout the year. I’ll share with you my goal setting and tracking tips, as well as the apps I use which help me keep track on a daily basis.

But it’s not just business resolutions, but also personal goals and lifestyle changes that I want to address in 2017 to create that all-important balance. For me. it’s things like spending more quality time with my wife and getting away backpacking at least a couple of times a year, as well as maintaining a healthier diet.

It’s easy when you’re starting out to put a lot of emphasis on your business (often at the expense of your personal relationships and health) and the new year is an ideal time to shift that balance in your favor. So let this podcast inspire you to start putting together your own set of 2017 New Year’s resolutions, and be sure to let me know what they are!

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EPISODE #62: DID I MEET MY 2016 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION GOALS FOR MY BUSINESS? 

Summary:

As we ring in the New Year 2017, it’s the perfect time to look back at your wedding photography business goals for 2016 and set new resolutions. When you are your own boss, it’s important that you are constantly motivating yourself. A new year is as good a time as any to evaluate what worked during the past twelve months (and what didn’t) and reassess what you want to achieve in the coming year.

In this podcast, I take a look back at the wedding photography business goals I set in 2016 and ask myself whether I achieved what I set out to. From connecting better with other wedding vendors and venues, to being financially savvy when it comes to investing my hard earned money, this is a moment to reflect on these past resolutions and redefine where I want my business to be heading.

I’ll talk about some of the resolutions I need to work more on (like not always giving people the benefit of the doubt) and address some of the creative goals I set, like taking more calculated risks during my wedding shoots to creating more compelling portraits. Some of my wedding photography business goals were also of a more personal nature, like trying to establish stricter working hours so that my business doesn’t impose on my relationship at home or the leisure time I have available.

While I achieved some of these New Year resolutions, I feel that others can be honed further in the coming year. By looking back on the wedding photography business goals I set at the start of 2016, I hope it will inspire you to do the same, and establish a fresh set of resolutions to achieve in 2017.  

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EPISODE #60: WHAT I’M MOST PROUD OF AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Summary:

So much of our time as wedding photographers is spent trying to book new clients and grow our businesses, constantly looking for ways to make our small enterprise dreams a reality. No doubt you’ve had stressful times throughout the year, whether it be dealing with finances or juggling your personal and professional life. But with the holiday season in full swing, it’s time to step back and reflect on your accomplishments and the wedding photography achievements you’re most proud of.

This podcast is my personal reflection and what I’m proud to have achieved thus far in my business, and hope it inspires you to do that same. I’ll look back at just how far I’ve come from taking my very first steps as a wedding photographer in 2007 and some of the challenges I’ve overcome along the way.

There are tangible moments that we can gauge our success, such as getting X number of online reviews or photographing a new and unique style of wedding, as well as momentous occasions, such as leaving your other job to go full time as a wedding photographer.

More than anything, I’m proud of the people I’ve had the privilege to meet and connect with along the way – from those who listen to my podcasts and support me (you!), to the couples who trust me to capture their special day. But perhaps my biggest wedding photography achievement to date is meeting my incredible wife, who I just couldn’t do this without out!

While it’s important to be ambitious and look towards the future, it’s also vital that we reflect and give ourselves credit for what we’ve accomplished and acknowledge the people who helped us get to where we are today. For every single one of us, what we are proud of may be completely different, but taking the time to recognize our achievements and be thankful for where we are is a great way to round out the year and start the next with new goals in sight!

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EPISODE #60: IF YOU DON’T TAKE WHAT YOU DO SERIOUSLY, YOUR PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS DEFINITELY WON’T.

Summary:

It may sound obvious, but taking your wedding photography business seriously and handling all aspects in a professional manner are key to its success. It’s not just about taking great images but being aware of how your actions impact on your clients and seeing things clearly from their perspective.

From your clients’ very first impression, whether that be through a beautifully presented website, email contact or phone call, right through to the nitty-gritty details of having a business license and insurance, there are so many aspects you need to consider.

What is the overall client experience you are presenting and how does this create trust from their point of view and, most importantly, how professional is the way you handle each and every encounter?

Episode 60 looks at five things I’m doing right now to create the most professional experience for my clients and a successful wedding photography business.

We’ll look at how to present an aesthetically pleasing website to draw potential clients in, and all the necessary behind-the-scenes aspects that will ensure your legal and financial security. Do you have backup gear if something fails on the day, and what is your response time when it comes to addressing clients’ emails and calls?

Running a successful wedding photography business is not just going out to shoot the event, but constantly honing and improving your skills through regular practice and education. Camera technology and photographic capabilities are constantly improving, and staying on top of your game is crucial to remain competitive.

Not taking your business seriously and spending the time to address each of these areas could mean losing clients and your reputation, something that we all know takes time to establish and build as a wedding photographer.

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EPISODE #59: PROS AND CONS OF DOING DESTINATION WEDDINGS

The allure of a destination wedding is not always enough.

My personal experience with destination weddings.

The pros of shooting destination weddings.

The cons of photographing destination weddings.

Top tips for destination weddings.

Conclusion:

Coming up on future episodes:

Outline of this episode:

[0:27] Announcement.

[0:38] Introduction to episode.

[6:02] Premise and overview of the topic.

[8:10] My own personal destination wedding experience.

[12:44] Pro number 1, building your reputation.

[14:21] Pro number 2, building your portfolio.

[16:06] Pro number 3, improving your skills.

[19:06] Pro number 4, gaining cultural experiences.

[21:14] Pro number 5, differentiating from the competition.

[23:48] Con number 1, you will not make as much money.

[27:23] Con number 2, big time commitment.

[29:40] Con number 3, putting yourself at risk.

[32:03] Con number 4. high responsibility.

[34:36] Con number 5, it is not a vacation.

[37:51] Top tips for destination weddings.

[50:28] Coming up on future episodes.  

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.weddingphotographypodcast.com/free - free video training series.

• http://www.successinweddingphotography.com - Success in Wedding Photography waiting list.

• http://www.weddingphotographypodcast.com/episode29 - Link to episode #29, destination wedding in India.

• http://aevitasweddings.com - my wedding photography business website.

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EPISODE #58: TOP 10 MYTHS OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PART 2

As you journey into wedding photography, know that you are not alone in the challenges you face.

Myth number 6: being a wedding photographer is a high pay job for simply one day of work.

Myth number 7: Photoshop can "magically" fix our imperfections.

Myth number 8: each photo op will be really quick, and only take a specific amount of time. 

Myth number 9: when you buy an expensive camera, inquiries will roll in.

Myth number 10: the idea that you can capture each photo on a "shot list".

Conclusion:

Coming up on future episodes:

Outline of this episode:

[0:26] Announcement.[0:38] Introduction to the episode. [4:12] Updates and catch-up. [7:19] Premise and overview of

[0:38] Introduction to the episode.[4:12] Updates and catch-up. [7:19] Premise and overview of

[4:12] Updates and catch-up.[7:19] Premise and overview of

[7:19] Premise and overview of topic.

[9:28] Myth #6: high pay for one day of work.[15:53] Myth #7: it can be magically fixed in Photoshop. [24:42] Myth #8: photo sessions won't take a lot of time. [31:21] Myth #9: high investment equals high booking rates. [38:41] Myth #10: each photo on the shot list will be captured. [45:52] Episode wrap up. [46:46] Conclusion. [48:32] Coming up on future episodes.  

[15:53] Myth #7: it can be magically fixed in Photoshop.[24:42] Myth #8: photo sessions won't take a lot of time.

[24:42] Myth #8: photo sessions won't take a lot of time.

[31:21] Myth #9: high investment equals high booking rates.[38:41] Myth #10: each photo on the shot list will be captured.

[38:41] Myth #10: each photo on the shot list will be captured.

[45:52] Episode wrap up.[46:46] Conclusion.

[46:46] Conclusion.

[48:32] Coming up on future episodes.  

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.weddingphotographypodcast.com/free — free wedding photography video training series.

• http://www.weddingphotographypodcast.com/jumpstart — link to coaching program updates.

• http://www.yourweddingpodcast.com — link to my other podcast.

• https://www.instagram.com/weddingphotographypodcast/ — WPP Instagram page.

• https://www.weddingphotographypodcast.com/webinar — link to webinar registration.

• http://aevitasweddings.com — my wedding photography business website.

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