My awesome phone call today

Recieved a call from a woman who saw the maternity pics that I did for a couple I knew and called to book a maternity shoot!!!

I am going to get her on my own baby plan....

Now I just need to finalize one! There is a huge market for baby photos. Most moms go at least for the holidays, newborn and maternity, so right there is three sessions, plus photos!!!

I think I will offer a booked maternity will include newborn session fee (so buy one session, get the newborn free) and a free 5x7 with each session. Since my sessions proof between 15-20 for maternity and 15-30 for newborn, I feel that the newborn with the add ons like announcements, etc are really going to pay off. What mom wouldn't take the free newborn session if they are going to get the maternity done anyways?

I'll prob offer then first dibs on special holiday sessions and discount for sessions in the first year. That will get them coming back to me. I would hate to offer a "club" because that is very discount portrait. However, there are a lot of people who like that so maybe I can run the numbers.

Wow soooo excited:) Love word of mouth advertising.

Planning Vaentines Mini Sessions

Time to start thinking about Valentines Day minis incase you haven't already. I will be sending out my newsletter to friends/family/customers/referrals In the next week or so. Offering limited mini sessions. As a perk to past clients, I am offering them to existing customers first come first serve. Mini Sessions are great because they are usually in one spot, customer comes to you and you can pack a day or two and work your butt off for those two days.

I am offering packages only for Valentines Day. Since this is my first ever, I will keep it simple. I am doing a choice of three backgrounds (but only one choice per child)

Package one 

1 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
4 - Wallets

Package two

1 - 11x14
1 - 8x10
4 - 5x7
8 - Wallets
16 - Greeting Cards

Package Three

1- Photo Necklace
1 11x14
1 - 8x10
4 - 5x7
16 Wallets
20 Greeting Cards

I am still working out pricing details (way to wait for the last minute, Jen!) I am doing this two days (only) at the hall behind my house (so far) still working out details

It will be $100 for the two days (not bad considering these sessions are about 15-20 minutes long and I will book about 45 minutes apart. I could fit about 8-10 in per day. About 16- 20 total customers. If I can generate that many!!! Still marketing my butt off. I know I have 4 guaranteed without even advertising. Got to luv the fam and friends who wants to get in on these all!!!

I feel like this is a little commercialized. However, this is a great way to get an add on for customers who don't necessarily want a full session but want to enjoy a small mini. Keep our fingers crossed!!!

Will let you know how it works out!!!

Been hustling my butt off the past couple weeks. Lets see - my new car broke down (again can we say LEMON?) , lost a beloved family member to a health battle (very hard time for us) Xmas, new years, my aunt who lives with us is starting Chemo on Tuesday and I had a crazy bug (but had both my flu shots go figure!!!).

I wish everyone a happy new year and hope that this is the best year ever.

I am on a positive thinking kick - so only good thoughts. Been reading a book by Joel Osteen, a famous TV preacher that my mom swears is the greatest and believe me I am not using this as a forum to shove my religious beliefs to anyone cuz that is not me, but regardless of your beliefs it is a great way to think positively and to put your best self forward. It is very inspirational. and I can see a difference in myself lately. No more dwelling on the hard times just better times ahead! :)

Picture Share - My little man's first big snow

Hi, all. Probably wondering why so many posts. Well two reasons 1. I now have my computer back - wooohoo was going through withdrawl! and #2 I now have a 10 month old who SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!! I thought this day would never come:) So now I can do work until the wee hours of the morn knowing that the little man will stay snug in his crib till 8 or 9 a.m. Instead of up at 2 and 5 and then. It's amazing now how more motivated and refreshed I am with 5 CONSECUTIVE hours of sleep:) And he takes a 2 hour nap in the middle of the day! Mommy can get housework done and photography stuff too:)

Here is a pic from our backyard and his first sledding expedition. yes it is a pink sled and yes he is a boy. My husband was busting my chops, however it did have a BLUE rope. LOL. One thing you forget to get until you have a foot of snow is to buy a Sled so this one was a borrowed one. I'll prob end up turning the pic to Black and White so no one makes fun of him later.... hehe He looks like the kid from the Christmas Story all bundled up! and he wouldn't give up the binky for the ride either:)

Awesome Deal on a Netbook

Last week I was at Shoprite in New Jersey (about 15 min from my house in PA) and they had a special on ACER Netbooks yes the grocery store sells electronics, too. Part of its charm! I had been looking for a Netbook for my husband so he would stop using my laptop:) This is the cheapest I have seen. I bought it last week and I see it is still in this weeks circular for $249.99 with your Shop Rite card. This is at least $80 cheaper than what I have seen anywhere else.

If anyone is in NJ, PA, DE, NY and you need a Netbook check it out. Ours is working great. I decided to give him his gift a little early. I have disabled the wireless on my laptop so we just use the netbook. I can always turn it back on when I need to upload picks. I spent $200 getting the viruses off this thing. Wish I would have just got a netbook and gave it to him a long time ago before he started downloading things on mine... oh well, we live, we learn.

I can carry this thing all around the house. It stays charged for about 4 hours which I love!

Computer Stuff and FREEBIE - PLEASE READ to save you some future time and hassle

Hi, all. Finally got my computer back!!! It was infested with Malware according to Office Depot. One thing that they told me is to Lay Off the toolbars. Apparently they say that it casues spyware. They also told me to never let a subscription to your Anti virus lapse (I didn't but there was two installed on my computer - double the protection?  Nope actually they counteracted each other and canceled some protection out). If you let it lapse there are viruses in your computer now, but the antivirus quarantines them but they sometimes stick around. If you let the AV lapse for even a day you are suseptible to Virus attack. Just thought I would pass this along!!!

Also make back up or RECOVERY disks. If I would have lost pictures I would have been devastated. I transfer all of my pictures personal and proofs to an external hard drive and back up with a CD as soon as I pull them off or make edits. It frees up space (If you shoot in RAW the files are HUGE) and also if your system would crash, you have back up.

Luckily, just lost a few non-essential programs.... CS3 and lightroom were saved.

FREEBIE ALERT!!!!

Today only Snapfish is offering a bunch of freebies for new customers. 50 free prints with an upload, Free photo stickers, Free Coasters, etc. If you sign up today, they will credit these. They will give you an expiration when you use them. To get them you must sign up today, you can use them all at a different time.

A "NEW" Customer means new email address/login:)

http://www.snapfish.com/ is the address

Today I felt like a rockstar (plus a great deal at the end:)

Now that I am a mom, I must say I have really been struggling with getting everything done. My whole life I have always stretched myself thin, but now with one more responsibility - that girl who once had it all together can some days can't break even with the to-do list and the done list.... Today was the exception - I proofed and ordered all 3 Xmas sessions and placed my model call order, I called and changed our car insurance, caught up on all my emails, did 4 (yes 4) loads of laundry, made an awesome healthy dinner, went to work from 6-10 for a meeting, ordered our Xmas cards (I know last minute tsk tsk) Caught up on Clickin Moms and Bstudio, Cleaned the house (believe me it needed it), Sent in my mail in rebates, Caught up on my google reader, made it to the gym to swim, took little man for his therapy session and I even ate breakfast and lunch which usually is a luxury for me!

These are little victories but now at 12:12 EST I am going up to bed. I feel like I handled a whole week in this one day!!! Mission Accomplished. 

PS Walgreens has cheap collages 99cents each for an 8x10. I am using it for grandparents as a filler gift. The coupon said 1 per offer, however, I ordered 5 of the same collage and it took it. I did pay on line with the pick up at store option in case the store gave me a hard time about the coupon..... I'll see the quality as I usually use Millers or WHCC, never ordered from Walgreens before.

If you are interested the code to enter at checkout it is   COLLAGE99

So here are some pics of my little man.....Using My xmas tree, The IKEA blanket I talked about in a previous post, and a faux antique sled from Hobby Lobby (I think I paid $9 for it after my 50% off coupon). It was a tight fit, but he made it in:) I'm saving it for next year for Xmas Mini sessions.

These are great props - the sled and the blanket. It was easy to travel with and set up at others houses and I think that the end result is tooo cute for babies/small toddlers:)

I will work on a tutorial on this for an example of lighting set ups. This was natural light with a dialed down flash with a diffuser. Easy set up:)

A different Perspective

This is our last contest winner Jolene. Check out her website www.krookedsmilesphotography.com . Since I love to meet new people as I said before and I love learning from others, I thought I would have a mini Q&A with Jolene......

How long have you been a professional Photographer? I am just starting out but I have offically been working at my business for the last year and I am on my way to the TOP!!



How did you get into this field?
I am sure you hear this quit often but I will say it again because it is true... I have always had a camera in my hand, ALWAYS! Everywhere I went a camera tagged along! About five years ago when my brother passed away is when I really started looking at and cherishing the memories we had created together and I thought I would love to help others have their memories! Then when my son was born two years ago...I became obessed! So here I am!

What is in your camera bag?
Currently a Panasonic DMC-FZ50 w/DMW-LW55, DMW-LT55, DMW-LC55


In the process of upgrading to a Canon 5D w/50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8

What is your specialty(kids, maternity, family, etc?)... How did you find your "voice" in photography?
Children and Family all the way! Since my "Family" is the most important part of my life it gives me great joy to help other families capture memories that will last a lifetime!

What is your greatest struggle with your business? What steps have you taken in this tough economy?
 I have not been able to focus 100% on my photography business, I work a full time job also! It is extremely hard but it is a passion and a dream of mine and I went for it!!

Do you have any memorable marketing strategies or any marketing tips for the readers?
Word of Mouth!!! I can not stress that enough! Every customer has been from a friend of a friend! I strive to make all my customers happy so they will send more customers my way! Not to mention I have become good friends with the owners of my sons daycare and they Market for me! Free Marketing! Gotta Love it!


Tell us a little about yourself?
I have the most wonderful and supportive husband ever he is the one who pushed me to pursue my dreams! I am a mother to "Gods Greatest Gift" Caleb Austin, he may be a Sour-Patch kid but I wouldn't trade him for the world! He is my inspiration...My life:Family+Photography=Happiness



Do you have any advice for the novice photographer or someone who wants to break into the field?
Do what makes you happy not what others are doing! Never let your friends walk all over you! Join groups and forums and get advice from other photographers Professional and JSO it can only make you "Stronger"

 
Thanks Jolene for letting us get a glimpse of your photography journey:)
 
I love how you mention FREE advertising and Word of Mouth. As I am taking my journey, I am putting my efforts into ways to promote my business for free:) Once I am raking in the big bucks (lol) then I may throw a chunk back on a new studio or a huge marketing budget. Right now I am just chugging along without one. Word of Mouth is a powerful marketing tool:)

On a more serious non photography related note...

Someone once told me you wear your stress on your back and your face. I never really thought that was true until I found myself hospitalized for a week for picking up my 7 month old son. As I sat in the office of the back surgeon a week later, I found this to be true as he explained to me that I had the oldest spine he had seen on a thirty year old. For so many years i have been running on empty - taking care of two sick family members, raising a family, taking care of a household, running a division of an international company. Somewhere along the way I stopped doing things for myself. As I looked at myself and the extra 50 pounds I now carry, the wrinkles on my face that should not be there,and the grey hairs peeking out from my auburn head, I realized that I not only felt older than my 30 yrs but looked it too. For the next 6 weeks as watched as my mom and my husband care for my little one, I had my epiphany. I had invested so much time into everyone elses care I forgot to care for myself. I needed to put myself first in order to be the best caregiver possible. It sounds selfish but how could I go on like this playing in bed watching my little guy grow up from afar not being able to hold him or lift him up when he falls down.


My solution was to join the club down the street from us. They have a swim pool, a hot tub, sauna a gym, and a a track. Most importantly 2 hrs of free childcare per day. I have no excuses now not to go. I haven't felt this good in years

I guess the moral of this story is we all have our responsibilities and people that we care for. We have our own businesses or jobs and a bout a million people who try to steal our time. please do something selfish for yourself whether it is that gym membership or a dinner with friends, or even something as simple as a half hour a day to read your favorite book and de-stress.

I wanted to pass this on, because someone shared the news that stress and not taking care of yourself will get you nothing good. It can lead to heart attack, stroke, injuries and how can you care and love your family if you aren't here anymore? This came from a woman who I had physical therapy with. She was in her early 30's and recovering from a stroke and her dr asked her to pass the news along to the people she would meet. That person who asked me to pass it on saved my life.

My Journey (the Cliff Notes version)

So as they say "the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step". I guess that is true. My journey to being a photographer started with my first camera. It was neon green and held 110 film and took pictures that left much to be desired, but that was it, I was hooked.

Years went by and the memories on film stacked up in my photo box. In high school I took photography and then again in college. I dreamed of being a world class photographer travelling abroad to take pictures of my celebrity clientelle. Meanwhile, here in the real world, I graduated with a business degree and landed a lucrative job. Creative it was not, so in order not to let my spirit die, I stayed with my photography, showing it at art shows and craft fairs. Whenever I travelled for business, I took my camera with. I captured so many beautiful images from places that before I could only dream of.

Just as soon as my photography clientelle picked up, life happened. A big move away from the city I loved, a wedding, health problems, a grandmother with dimentia that now wanders our house, infertility followed by a miscarriage and then finally a baby, death, a new job where I worked twice as hard for half as much, a new house, a new car, a lay off. Years of hard times left me exhausted with no time left for my first love.

Then I had my son. I decided at that point, I would do what I love. I started with doing a couple free sessions for friends and then started charging for prints. Within a month, I had 3 sessions, 2 weddings for the upcoming year, and a few maternity sessions. I haven't looked back since. I am by no means a seasoned pro. I am just someone who loves what I am doing and wants others to share in my happiness.

I hope that you all love this blog as it is a labor of love for me.

Here are some things to look forward to:

GRAND OPENING CONTEST!!!

This is huge. For 4 weeks we will be giving away two prizes a week. What are they? Stay tuned! Grand Opening week will start December 1!!! They will pop up random times of the week so be sure to subscribe to the feeds so that you will be the first to know!

MARKETING MONDAYS

Ideas to get your creative juices flowing and promote your business and build your client base

TUESDAYS Tutorials

Everything from Writing a press release to post processing in Photoshop

FREEBIE FRIDAY

I will scout out freebies and share them with you.....

So here it is......

my very first post on my new photography blog. I'm very excited for this adventure I am about to pursue. I guess mainly because it is giving me a chance to "pay it forward" and share information, freebies, lessons that I have picked up on this 2 year journey of starting my photography business. This blog will track contests, workshops, freebies, and business information in general. Oh, and a mom tip or recipe here or there (did I mention I love to cook). I have taught myself photoshop, built an arsenal of textures, brushes, etc., have learned to build my own custom blog, custom logo, how to make storyboards, greeting cards, and even won a contest to go to LAUNCH - an amazing workshop on Natural Light Photography. All with my trusty computer and internet. In fact, I have learned that you can start a photography business or just become an awesome photograper with little out of your pocket (if you have a great camera and a computer).

Everyday I learn something new and I hope to share it with you. There have been so many generous people out there and they have got me here today, so sit down grab a tasty beverage of your choice (mine is Diet Dr Pepper) and enjoy the ride!

My next post will be Part 1 of my journey...stay tuned!