Designer Love - Sophie & Rory Designs

If blogging has taught me anything, it's that I am not a designer in any shape or form.  In the last couple of years, I have had the ridiculous idea that I could figure it out by myself and not hire a pro.  What's funny about this notion is that I should know better.  It's something I deal with all the time as a photographer.  I've spent years learning my craft and all the intricacies of my camera.  Why would I think that I could just pick up what a web designer has spent so much time learning?  Luckily, I finally smartened up and hired a web designer.

Meet Laura.  Yep, that's right.  We share a first name.  Laura is the owner of Sophie & Rory.  Didn't she do a beautiful job designing this blog?  I think so.  She did an amazing job of putting into reality, what I could only visualize in my brain.  You know what I love about this girl.  She's honest.  Her blog isn't just fluff and happiness and talking about how much she loves blogging.  She puts it out there, for all to see, that blogging can be tiresome at times.  Now, that's a girl after my own heart.  I love a person that is willing to show their vulnerability.  So, not only did she do a beautiful job, but she's somebody I can totally relate with.  I love working with people that I feel a bit of a connection to.

Now that my blog looks so beautiful, I have tons of posts to catch up on.  Are you ready?

Last but certainly not least, if you would like to follow my blog, you can do so by clicking here.

Website Re-Vamp

Sometimes I get so consumed in what I'm doing, that I lose track of time.  Yesterday was one of those days.  I wanted to just work a little on updating my website with photos, but then decided I wasn't loving the look of my site.  I mentioned a few weeks back that I switched web companies in this post.  Since that time, my website has gone through changes 3 times.  Initially, I just threw up one of SHOWIT's free templates.  Then, I modified that template a bit.  I need to mention that I am not a web designer.  I know nothing about HTML or CSS.  I know what I like and visually what I want, but would never know how to write code to make it happen.  That's what makes SHOWIT so amazing.  You don't need to!

It took me a little bit of time to get used to the interface, but once I did, I ended up spending all of yesterday completely re-building my website from scratch.  Never in wildest dreams, would I have imagined I could build a site…by myself…that looks like this.

It really is the little things in life.  Okay, so a website is actually a pretty big piece of a business, but not really of life.  I am so excited for this next level of my business.

Blessings,
Laura 

Good News and Bad News

I have good news and bad news.  Should I give the good news first?  Well…I have brand news shiny website!  Isn't it purdy?  I'll be working to perfect it over the next few weeks, but I'm super excited about it!

You can check it out here.

After a bad experience with a web designer, I decided to put on my big girl pants and get a Show It site.  They are incredible to work with.  Not being a super IT wiz I was nervous, but the software is really user friendly and easy to use.  Their tech team also provides AMAZING serving.  So amazing that I have some bad news.  I thought I would have 24-48 hours to back-up my old site and blog before my new site would be live.  I went over right away to back-up my old site, and it was gone.  Seriously, the Show It team had my new site completely set-up within 5 minutes of me signing up.  Really, how could I possibly complain about such prompt service?

So, for awhile at least, expect this blog to be busy as I work to repost a ton of posts from my old blog.  Don't mind me as I clean up house a little bit.  

Blessings,

Laura

Second Shooter Tips

A couple weeks ago, I posted some tips on finding second shooter wedding jobs, and today I'm going to talk about some second shooter etiquette.

I really am big on etiquette.  I actually have a few etiquette books on my bookshelf at home, and teaching my 4 year manners is something I’ve been working on since he’s been able to walk.  So, today I thought I’d share some wedding photography second shooter etiquette. 

1. Understand that you are representing the other photographer’s business.  The couple did not hire you to capture their wedding day the photographer did, whether the second shooter job is paid or not. 
2. If somebody asks you for a business card, never give them your card.  Always give them the hired photographer’s business card.  Again, you’ve been hired to work for the photographer.
3. Each photographer will work differently in how they want to handle the images that you’ve captured.  Some photographers will want to take your cards home that night and that’s okay. 
4. Always allow the main photographer to post images before you do.  I know it’s exciting, but DO NOT go post images online for anybody to see until the main photographer says it’s okay. 
5. Once you get the okay to post images, make sure you mention the principal photographer.  In my experience, I usually put something like, “by Laura Mae for Wedding Photographer Photography”.  Check with the principal photographer on what they want you to do.
6. Never ever ever tag people in the photos or friend them on any social networking site.  You do not get to become friends with the couple or wedding guests.  That privilege is given to the main photographer.
7. Be willing to do anything the principal photographer needs you to do.  Do they need you to carry a step stool for them so that they can get the photos they want to get?  Do it.  Do they need you to carry their bags?  Do it.  Do they need you to get a plate of food for them so they can do something?  Do it.
8. Don’t shoot over the main photographer’s shoulder.  They don’t need the same shots they are already getting.  Sure, it would be great to get that shot of the couple looking at the camera, but guess what?  You’re there to help the photographer.  Look for fresh angles and different view points. 
9. Be on time.  The photographer is already stressed enough.  Don’t add to that stress by being late.  If something happens that you can’t control, make sure you have the photographers cell number handy to call them.
10. If something is frustrating you, put on a smile and move on.  Don’t complain to anybody about anything.  A wedding is one of the happiest days of a couple’s life and it’s your job to help the main photographer add joy to that day.  Giving off a negative vibe is not good for business.

Many of these may seem like no brainers, but you’d be surprised.  I’ve heard lots of stories of photographers having horrible second shooter experiences.  Don’t add another bad story to the pile.  Being a second shooter is a privilege and benefits both of you.  In most circumstances, you get to build your portfolio with the images and you are gaining hands on experience, which is priceless.  Put yourself in the shoes of the main photographer…what kind of behavior would you expect out of a second shooter if it were your business?

Breaking in to Wedding Photography by being a Second Shooter

This weekend, I have the privilege of second shooting a wedding with another local photographer.  I’ll share some of those photos some other day on the blog.  Today, I thought I’d share some tips on second shooting for anybody that is interested in doing this. 

How do you find second shooter opportunities?  What if you don’t have any experience and have never been anything other than a guest at a wedding?  Will anybody be willing to give you a shot?  These were all questions I had less than 6 months ago when I decided I wanted to capture a couples’ love on their wedding day.  Getting experience in how the wedding day works as a photographer was something I felt was extremely important.  It’s scary having the responsibility of photographing the wedding day.  Being a second shooter gives you the ability to be a part of the photography on the wedding day without all the pressure. 

I found my first second shooter opportunity on OSP.  OSP (Open Source Photo) is a free forum for photographers and people can post second shooter opportunities that they have.  The great thing about OSP is that it’s a community of photographers that encourage each other, share information, and are willing to help another photographer out. 

One of the questions I wondered before joining this community was, “will other photographers even give you a shot when you’ll end up being their competition?”  Well, somebody did give me a shot and I am so grateful.  There’s a change happening in the photography community.  Photographers are more willing to share information than they were 10 years ago.  They are also beginning to realize that each client needs to find the right photographer for their day.  I might not be the right fit for a couple and that’s okay.  Each couple deserves to find their “perfect match” photographer. 

So, where else can you find second shooter opportunities?  I’ve actually found my last two on Craigslist.  You can also network with other photographers or call a photographer in your area and ask if you can take them for coffee to chat with them.

To those of you trying to break in to the wedding photography world but don’t know where to start; Good luck.  Being a second shooter is a great place to start and I hope you succeed.  Next week I’ll share some second shooter etiquette.

Grand Central Station Proposal

I love love.  It's a huge part of why I want to be a wedding photographer.  I am usually one of the guests that cries during the ceremony and father daughter dance and so on. 

Style Me Pretty is a site I refer to a TON for photography inspiration.  There are so many talented photographers that are featured throughout the day.  Today, they posted the cutest video of an engagement proposal that had me bawling like a baby.  Check it out and have some Kleenex handy.

My First Second Shooter Gig

Okay, I am getting super excited!!!  This weekend I am shooting my very first wedding as a second shooter for Emily B Photography.  Last night, Emily and I had a chance to chat via Skype and I think we're going to get along swimmingly. 

I'm in major girl scout mode right now trying to get prepared for the big day.  24-70mm f/2.8 lens rented?  Check.  Camera charged?  Check.  Protein Bars?  Check.  Emergency bridal / photographer kit?  Check.  Seriously, if people saw this kit they would laugh I think.  Friends laugh at my purse because I have everything.  This is worse. 

Emily is based out of Columbus.  The couple getting married this weekend is young and in love and I can't wait to meet them.  Check out some of Emily's work and look for images from the wedding to come soon.

Research Love

Okay, I have been on the Internet a ton this week, but none of it was to post anything new on this here blog.  I love the Internet.  I get a bit obsessive with it sometimes :)  This week I have found so many cool resources.  Right now I'm really excited to share about the [FRAMED] show on You Tube.  Check out this video on newborn photography.

I'm addicted to this show and it gets me so excited about photography.  Sometimes I think it's easy to lose momentum and motivation and I find that when I discover things like this, I get excited all over again.  Now I'm all Etsy looking at newborn photography props!  Hahaha. 

Speaking of props, I found a good site!  Prop Insanity is a great resource and I could probably spend way too many hours digging through this site.  So, back to more resource :)

Building a blog that reflects me

I’ve really been slacking on writing blog posts for the last 2 weeks!  I have good reason though.  The majority of my available time has been spent in trying to “build my brand”.  This concept is completely new to me and one that makes me really focus on myself.  Focusing on myself is not exactly an easy task; I’m usually focusing on my husband or my son or our dog, and don’t really have time to think about what drives me or what I’m drawn to.  It’s exhausting!  Hahaha

Spending the time to figure out what drives me is a vital process though, as photography is a people driven business.  There are so many phenomenal photographers out there, and with that means that the biggest way for us to stand out as photographers is to stand out as individuals.  It’s tough trying to choose a photographer out of the many many choices and I know it overwhelms me.  Plus, I want people to feel comfortable with me; like they know me.  You don’t invite total strangers to your wedding.  Why would you choose a photographer that you didn’t feel you knew even a little bit.  Our instincts tell us to protect our lil children.  There is no way I’m going to invite a total stranger into my home to take intimate family photos of my newborn.  I’m going to go with somebody that feels a little like a friend. 

So, this week I spent a lot of time trying to bring pieces of myself into this blog.  An exercise that I think is really helpful involves magazines.  Me Ra Koh asked us to do part of this prior to her Confidence Workshop.  Tear out 20 magazine pages from various magazines that draw your attention.  These pages cannot be people.  Lay all of the pages out on the floor.  Stand on a chair facing them upside down (for instance, a house would have the roof facing the chair) and try to find common themes.  For me, I am drawn to cool colors; purple, grey, robin’s egg blue among the most common.  I tend to like repeating patterns, like quatrefoil or zigzag lines for example.  Interior decorating is an interest for me and many of the magazine clippings I chose were from home décor magazines.  Those clippings tended to show that I like clean lines and classic pieces.  It was definitely a good exercise for me to do because classic pieces translate to fashion for me as well.  I don’t get too much into fads in general; furniture, clothing, etc.

How to translate this into a blog or website is a whole different animal.  Sure, I know what I like, but how do I incorporate that into a logo.  So, there are going to be changes on here and I’ll try to keep a log of those changes right here.  I’m giving myself a make over so to speak from the inside out and hope that people like it.

Jasmine's Workshop Day 2

Day 2 of Jasmine Star’s How to Build Your Wedding Photography Business Workshop was full of really good information.  She is a great resource for learning how to use free marketing, as she hasn’t invested any money into marketing her business.  Today’s world is all about social media and using it to your advantage and I walked away with a lot of good ideas.

One thing I think I will put into practice now is really re-vamping my blog to be more of a reflection of who I am as a person.  She’s big on building your “brand” around yourself and what you have to offer as a person, and I must say that I haven’t thought too much about branding yet.  I have been focusing on trying to build my portfolio, but I guess I should be thinking about all these things. 

For anybody out there that missed the workshop that might be reading this, I do recommend purchasing the download.  It really is full of tons of useful information. 

Today is Jasmine Star's Creative Live Workshop!

Yesterday was just a lost cause.  Alexander got some vaccinations yesterday and had a reaction to them.  My poor baby is so sick right now.  So, there was no post yesterday because I needed to be a mommy only and I make no apologies for that. 

On to other news, today is the Creative Live workshop with Jasmine Star!  I'm excited to watch and listen to her wisdom in building a photography business.  Should be awesome!!!  Check out the outline for the workshop here.

Creative Live Workshop

Starting a photography business is daunting, but I’m learning so much and want to document all of the resources I find along the way.  What works and what doesn’t.  I’ve decided that I’m going to use Thursday as a day for posting about all the resources I find and once I get into them, how helpful or not so helpful they are. 

Learning is something I love.  Growing up, I was always a good student and enjoyed going to school.  What child likes going to school?  Anyway, I still enjoy learning and want to learn as much about photography as I can.  Creative Live is a fantastic site that provides FREE workshops and seminars online, as long as you are watching the workshop or seminar live.  Once the event is over, you do have the option of paying for the content, but seriously, just for watching the event live, I don’t have to pay anything!  How cool is that?  Right now, I’m signed up for two different workshops.  One, I blogged about here, and the other is a lighting workshop presented by Bambi Cantrell tomorrow.  I can’t wait to learn more about this subject since it’s something that is currently a hurdle I’m trying to overcome.