EPISODE #17: HOW TO BE THE PERFECT SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER PART 2

Today's quote:

If you want opportunities working as a second photographer, you need to go find them.

If you’re going to reach out to vendors and forums, you need to do it the right way.

How you can get shooting opportunities at non-wedding events.

Some of the practical things you should and should not do as a second shooter.

Outline of this episode:

[00:40] Introduction to this episode about being a second photographer at weddings.

[00:57] Did you meet your January goals?

[40:10] Why I share the details of what’s going on in the rest of my life.

[04:55] What you can expect in this episode about being a second photographer.

[05:54] How you can find opportunities being a second shooter.

[07:10] How to make the most of the opportunities on forums.

[11:00] How to reach out to wedding vendors and resource sites.

[17:00] Other photography opportunities that can help you move toward second shooting gigs.

[22:10] The Dos and Don’ts of being a perfect second photographer.

[31:00] How a main shooter should think of working with a second shooter.

[37:15] Today’s “take action” steps.

[38:15] Today’s inspirational quote.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.bestweddingportfolio.com – get my free ebook on building your wedding photography portfolio!

• http://www.fredmiranda.com – how I found a handful of second shooting opportunities.

• http://www.digitalweddingforum.com – another forum where I found second shooting gigs.

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EPISODE #16: HOW TO BE THE PERFECT SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER PART 1

Today's quote:

Why I think it’s important to understand the role of a second photographer.

The benefits of working as a second photographer at weddings.

But there are some cons to working alongside an experienced wedding photographers.

Why my goal is to help upcoming wedding photographers become full-time on their own.

Outline of this episode:

[00:41] Introduction to this episode about being a second photographer for weddings.

[02:44] A “secret” project I’m working on that I’ll be sharing with you soon.

[03:25] What I mean by being a second photographer for weddings.

[08:10] Getting opportunities by being a second shooter at weddings.

[10:44] Why being a second photographer could be the only way to build a portfolio.

[13:05] The things you can learn by being a second shooter at weddings.

[18:30] Is second shooting only for photographers who are starting out?

[22:26] My story on second shooting.

[29:45] The power of being persistent to find second shooting work.

[30:30] My slow game from the beginning: make your business about helping others.

[35:40] The thing that pushed me over the edge to become a full-time wedding photographer.

[40:22] How you can take action on what you’ve heard.

[41:30] Today’s inspirational quote.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.bestweddingportfolio.com - get my free ebook on building your wedding photography portfolio!

• http://www.weddingphotographybusinessplan.com – receive a road map tailored to your business and lifestyle.

• http://www.fredmiranda.com - how I found a handful of second shooting opportunities.

• http://www.digitalweddingforum.com - another forum where I found second shooting gigs.

• http://www.craigslist.org - if all else fails, look on Craigslist!

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EPISODE #15: THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A QUALITY WEBSITE AND LOGO

Today's quote:

Do you understand the importance of a great website to represent you as a wedding photographer?

Quality matters when it comes to your photography website.

And don’t forget about the logo!

In the end, your website will represent the kind of wedding photographer you are.

Outline of this episode:

[00:39] Introduction to this episode about websites and logos.

[01:04] The current happenings in my life, at our new place and moving forward.

[02:20] A hypothetical situation: a couple searching for a wedding photographer.

[05:39] What happens when you don’t have a quality website?

[08:09] Why your website could make all the difference in your business.

[11:00] How do you get a couple to pay you to capture their special day when they don’t know you?

[18:19] The importance that everything is mobile-friendly.

[20:24] Why wedding photographers need to think down the road about their site.

[22:09] How your logo fits into your website and brand.

[27:56] My experience with figuring out websites and logos for my business.

[40:00] My fears and how I was able to forward.

[43:00] How you can make the best choice: the resources are out there.

[46:01] Steps you can take to get your website adjusted or improved.

[51:05] Today’s inspirational quote.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.weddingwire.com

• http://www.theknot.com

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EPISODE #14: WE FINALLY MOVED! STARTING A NEW CHAPTER IN MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS.

Today's quote:

Life can throw you call kinds of curveballs. How will you handle them?

Learning to be flexible is one of the greatest lessons.

Why the toughest part of my day is not the actual work.

What do you do when things go wrong?

Outline of this episode:

[00:44] Introduction to this episode about the changes going on in my business.

[01:10] And update on our situation: the move is over and I’m settling into a new space.

[04:32] Rebranding the company and the goals I have for it.

[06:22] The personal difficulties could cause you to lose hope, but hang in there.

[11:07] The toughest part of my day is not the actual work.

[15:53] Today’s inspirational quote.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.learnfromhenry.com - see my products and subscribe to my email list!

• [email protected] - shoot me an email!

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EPISODE #13: TREATING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS...LIKE A BUSINESS!

Today's quote:

Do you have goals for your business?

Do you have financial goals for your wedding photography business?

Is there a foundation of commitment underneath your business?

What is slowing you down or standing in the way of your business becoming successful?

Outline of this episode:

[00:24] My introduction to this episode.

[03:24] Always something to think about with your business.

[06:07] What did you get done this week? What are your next 3 goals?

[08:00] Why you need to be thinking about working on your business year round.

[09:33] What are your financial goals? Do you have any?

[12:16] How serious are you about your business?

[14:30] Are you committed to making your business work over the long haul?

[18:03] Considering the risks and the need to truly invest in your business.

[22:12] People will always be getting engaged and need a wedding photographer.

[22:41] What is slowing you down or standing in the way?

[24:08] Assess your own strengths and businesses.

[25:30] Today’s inspirational quote.

[26:00] The latest on the website development.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.weddingphotographybusinessplan.com - receive a road map tailored to your business and lifestyle.

• http://www.learnfromhenry.com - see my products and subscribe to my email list!

Subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes!

EPISODE #12: 2016 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR MY BUSINESS

Today's quote:

The success of your wedding photography business depends largely on your relationships with other professionals.

Hold your clients, your brides and grooms, accountable before the wedding day arrives.

Take creative risks!

Make smart investments in your wedding photography business.

Outline of this episode:

[00:30] Welcome and Happy New Year.

[01:39] Making resolutions for your business any time of year.

[05:27] Dealing with distractions and interruptions in my work.

[11:29] My top 10 resolutions for 2016.

[19:29] Item 6 on the list: stop being so nice!

[31:01] Why I anticipate doing these podcasts as long as possible into the future.

[32:30] Today’s inspirational quote.

[35:50] A bit about a setback I have encountered over the past month.

[37:45] What’s coming up in future episodes on Learn From Henry podcasts.

[39:05] I want to hear feedback from my listeners; here’s how to contact me.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.learnfromhenry.com - see my products and subscribe to my email list!

• [email protected] - shoot me an email!

Subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes!

EPISODE #11: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ROAD MAP QUESTIONNAIRE

Today's quote:

What do I mean by a “wedding photography road map"?

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll wind up someplace else.

A questionnaire is the first tool we’ll use to build this road map.

When it’s all said and done everyone will be able to use this resource.

Outline of this episode:

[00:24] Welcome and introduction.

[03:03] Current life lesson: there’s never a perfect time to do things.

[04:18] Why I created this podcast and why I’m asking you to help me build this wedding photography road map.

[27:19] How this road map is my way of helping you build your wedding photography business.

[30:00] The format of the questionnaire and how it will help us build a road map for our businesses.

[37:00] How I plan to give you specific feedback about your individual situation.

[42:22] Today's inspirational quote.

[45:00] How you can get in on this wedding photography questionnaire.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Wedding photography road map - receive a road map tailored to your business and lifestyle.

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EPISODE #10: HAVING AN EFFICIENT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FLOW AND PLATFORM PART 2

Today's quote:

What do I mean by “platform"?

So what’s the “flow” part of the equation?

Building your wedding photography business depends on effective platform and workflow integration.

Develop your platform-flow integration in light of your goals.

Outline of this episode:

[00:24] Welcome and updates on what’s going on in my life.

[02:37] Lessons learned from my life experiences lately.

[07:09] Summary of part 1 of this topic and a story from my past.

[10:10] What I mean by the words “platform” and “flow” and things that impact their effectiveness.

[14:45] Examples of the platform for wedding photographers.

[15:49] How the available platform affects your flow and personal energy.

[17:00] A variety of platforms are part of the wedding photography job.

[24:20] How your personality and perspectives fit into your platform and flow.

[26:01] Real life situations I experienced when I was first starting out.

[28:25] The importance of keeping your goals in mind in regard to the “why” behind them.

[31:30] Asking the “How, Why, and What” in regard to your goals.

[38:50] Why a sense of urgency has helped me in my business.

[41:53] Today’s inspirational quote.

[45:10] How you can connect with me.

[47:00] My upcoming “Wedding Roadmap” questionnaire.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• The Age of the Platform: How Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google Have Redefined Business - book by Phil Simon discussing platforms on the macro level. 

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EPISODE #9: HAVING AN EFFICIENT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FLOW AND PLATFORM PART 1

Today's quote:

What does it mean to have efficient “work flow”?

There are several strategies you can use to maximize your efficiency and productivity.

Schedule your time wisely, even when the nature of your work doesn’t force you to.

The benefits of creating and sustaining an efficient work flow extend beyond your business, benefiting your personal and family life too!

Outline of this episode:

[00:28] Introduction to today’s episode on efficient work flow.

[02:36] Personal update: My wife and I are in the middle of a move, just back from a trip to Thailand, and juggling numerous other things.

[05:59] What’s ahead for the Learn From Henry podcasts in 2016: more weekly episodes and some new tools.

[07:12] What does an efficient work flow mean? What sorts of things interrupt that flow? Possible solutions to such interruptions.

[15:16] Real-life interruptions or interferences to your work flow, and how to avoid or minimize them.

[19:15] How to self-impose flow on aspects of your work that don’t have set deadlines. Creating schedules and turning off distractions.

[24:03] How to manage/create flow on the wedding day. Advanced preparation and delegating chores ahead of time.

[25:20] Strategies for staying on top of marketing, networking, and booking more weddings.

[30:10] Three main benefits to creating an efficient work flow.

[36:22] Tips to realizing efficient work flow:articulate very specific goals; create a comprehensive schedule to your week ahead; group similar tasks together (i.e. errands, computer-based tasks, etc.); create realistic goals and commitments.

[47:00] Today's inspirational quote.

[51:19] Go to my website or email me, and stay tuned for a new tool to be unveiled in an upcoming podcast.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• http://www.learnfromhenry.com - see my products and subscribe to my email list!

• [email protected] - shoot me an email!

Subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes!

EPISODE #8: TOP 10 MISTAKES I MADE AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER PART 2

Today's quote:

You’re starting a small business, but do you know HOW to run a business?

You won’t get many clients if they don’t know how to find you.

Do you have a mentor or coach to help you learn the ropes?

You need to be “you” in the way you run your business and shoot your weddings.

Outline of this episode:

[00:24] Welcome to the podcast, here’s an update on what’s going on in my life and on this show!

[04:00] The stress in my life and the things I’m dealing with…and how to keep perspective in business.

[09:41] A quick summary of the previous 5 mistakes I shared on the last episode.

[11:00] Mistake #6: I didn’t take any business courses or learn much about it.

[14:30] Mistake #7: I should have spent more time figuring out the marketing.

[19:32] Mistake #8: I wish I’d built a more effective group of associates to help me.

[27:09] Mistake #9: I didn’t find a coach or mentor to learn from.

[29:22] Mistake #10: I didn’t take “being me” seriously enough.

[37:01] Today’s inspirational quote.

[42:00] How you can connect with me.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• “Top 10 Ways To Build Your Wedding Photography Portfolio When Starting Out” - My FREE ebook.

• http://www.yelp.com - start collecting those reviews today.

• http://www.theknot.com - where I advertised when I started out.

• http://www.weddingwire.com - I still advertise with them, the reviews definitely help a ton!

• http://www.projectwedding.com - another great resource site for couples.

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