I’m not sure how many of you out there read this… but for those of you that do, i thought i would take a few minutes and recap my year in business. I saw a few other business people do this and i thought it was a great idea… You, my followers and clients, deserve to know the “method to my madness”, why i do what i do and change what i change. So as i close out this year, i want to go through some things that worked for me this year and some things that didn’t. Every person is different and their way doing things is different. I may do things differently than other photographers and they may frown on me for doing it. BUT THAT IS OK! Our uniqueness is our strength and is your advantage as a client and customer. I also felt this would be a great time to highlight some things that will be changing for my business in 2014 and why.

So… Here we go….

Worked: Joining the Shoot & Share Community. There are basically two business models professional photographers can follow (this is a HUGE generalization); The Product Based Style and the Shoot and Share Style. When i decided to get serious in this business i had a big decision to make. The product based method charges a minimal standard sitting fee, takes the pictures, then charges another set of fees for either the digital rights (CD or Flash Drive) or prints. The Shoot & Share Method charges one sum up front and gives the client the printing rights as a part of the deal. Now as a i said, this is a huge generalization and there hundreds if not thousands of variations of this. Inadvertently, i had been a part of the Shoot & Share method since the inception of my business. Luckily, the Shoot & Share industry blew up around me. Some visionary photographers saw the way the industry was changing and embraced it instead of fight it. It opened the door for people/photographers like me to have a real shot at my dreams and still have my family. I am thankful for that group of photographers and all the others who rallied in support of them.

Worked: Networking. This year i took a major leap out of my comfort zone and reached out to other photographers. That is much easier said than done. This business is cut throat (you have heard me say it before) and putting yourself and your work out there is scary. It’s scary because it is personal. I was lucky enough to mentor with an amazing woman and photographer early in the year. She pushed me to let others in. Slowly i reached out. Cautiously i reached out. Sure i found some duds (and they broke my heart) but i also found some amazing friends that i am so thankful for!

Worked: Blogging. This was a NIGHTMARE at the beginning of the year. I was having gather images from each session, re-size them then insert them into my blog and facebook… it was crazy time consuming…. and boring… LOL… not to mention if i wanted to have them laid out on a cool collage board… forget it. Insert here one of the BIG positives of the networking; learning new ways of doing things and software. I was able to settle into a flow of blogging that worked perfectly for me. Blogging is personal. How often you do it and the style you choose should fit you and the style you want your brand to have. I was able to greatly streamline the process. I am excited to do it now! I just have to work on my story telling abilities ;).

Worked: Continuing Education. I had to make some hard decisions this year. I have 3 kids, a husband, rent, everyday bills – my income is pretty much completely spoken for before it’s earned. After a long discussion with husband in February we came to the conclusion that we would have to take a financial “hit” in order for me to take my business to the next level. The second part of this is Computer Software. The entirety of my business requires the using and understanding of about 8 programs and the handful of online accounts that work together to keep my website and blog running. There is HUGE learning curve. Books, classes, on-line forums, youtube…. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! LOL… You have all heard the saying “You have to spend money to make money”. Gulp. How true it is. I had to invest in my education. It is a necessity in this business (like many others). It was the best decision we could have made. The information i gained, the connections i made, the confidence it has given me – It has all been invaluable.

Worked: Alternative Image Delivery a.k.a. Flashdrives. I LOVE PASS. It is quick, efficient, and elegant. Most clients LOVE it as much as i do, however, my business is based in rural VA. Internet is not an option for everyone here LOL… I needed a back-up image delivery system… Before PASS i was using DVD’s. They served their purpose but i felt so out of date. Flash Drives were the solution! I found an online company that allowed me to personalize and away i went! It is EXPENSIVE but well worth it!

Worked: Finding MY Style. This was no simple task. I think a goal of every artist, not just photographer, is for people to look at their work and know immediately who created it. I love all sorts of styles in photography and for a long time i mixed in several editing styles into sessions i delivered. I guess that is ok but it wasn’t ideal for me trying to grow a business. Clients should feel like they know what they are getting when they book me. I took the time to really figure out how i wanted my images to look. I am still tweaking it, but i am 99.9% sure i have at least figured out how i WANT them to look. Clients can now expect a certain style from me… no more guessing, no more hodge podge of edit types… The same style.every. time.

Worked & Didn’t Work: Infants. Oh Baby! lol. Infant photography requires several things: props, patience, special equipment, an assistant (helpful not required), and time. Other than weddings this is the longest session time i offer. 3 hours – and sometimes that is on the short side. After doing several infant sessions i came to a conclusion. I was not cut out for it. That was REALLY hard to admit. I struggled for over a year with this decision. I felt obligated to clients to offer it but the outcome always felt like a gamble to me. I hated that feeling. Sure i could invest thousands of dollars in education, training, and equipment to get better, but my heart isn’t it. That’s not fair to potential clients who love their new baby more than life. They deserve the best. So that brings me to an announcement. The first time i have said it from any of my business outlets…. I am no longer offering Infant Photography (the way it was). What do i mean by that? No more props, poses, and backgrounds. I will still offer Infant Photography as long as it is Lifestyle based, i.e. in mothers arms, lying in their crib, on mom and dad’s bed, swaddled, natural light…. If you want the studio feel with poses and such i can refer you to some amazing semi-local professionals. I appreciate your understanding on this matter and as always, questions are welcome!

Didn’t Work: Office Workflow. Hours and billing and contracts, OH MY!!! This is the part about self employment that is hard. The not so fun but absolutely necessary part. I have 1 year old at home… two boys who get out of school at 3:45… I know it can be done but at this point it is eluding me…I do things as i can… I make lists and check things off as i can. Not the best system. I haven’t felt as professional as i have wanted to because i haven’t been doing the things professionals do. I haven’t made the time to learn or get into a routine. I definitely plan on changing things around in 2014. What does this mean for you? Contracts and Invoices emailed BEFORE our time together! It’s all about the paper trail 🙂

Didn’t Work: Cancellations. This is a touchy subject, but one that has to be addressed. My session times are by appointment only. I don’t have studio time and i don’t get paid a salary. When i make an appointment and it is cancelled last minute it costs me time and money. Not only the money i was supposed to get from canceling party, but from prospective clients who may have booked for that day instead. It is frustrating. I have to make plans for sitters for my kids and bills to pay every month…. I understand i am part to blame for this. The above workflow problems state why… i haven’t treated myself as a professional so i can’t expect others to. So in 2014 i will be instating new cancellation policies. Stated in the contracts that you will receive before our sessions will be the process to following if rescheduling needs to happen…. and the fee that will ensue if you cancel all together. Boo. A necessary evil i am afraid.

Didn’t Work: Bridal Welcome Packets. They were sad. That’s all you need to know. New and improved Bridal Welcome Packets coming in 2014!!!

Didn’t Work: Updating my Website. This was a nightmare. i am so disappointed in myself. I know that my web presence needs to be huge, especially for referrals. Along with some exciting new things in 2014, i can happily say this will change, too 🙂

So that about sums it up. To end 2013 I am going out on limb and will share some goals i have for my business is 2014. Believe with me! Your positiveness and encouragement do more than you could ever know!!

• Photograph 15 Weddings (only 2 left to reach this goal).
• Plan and Photograph a stylized wedding shoot.
• More classes and education.
• Learn Off Camera Flash (OCF)
• Teach a Class on Understanding Your Camera
• Be Featured on a Known Blog
• Re-brand

2013 was an amazing year and i can’t thank you all enough for your support and encouragement. I pray that i will continue to grow and learn so that i can serve my current and future clients better than ever! If you have questions or tips or things you would like to see from me please let me know! Happy New Year from my family to yours and here is to a prosperous and fulfilling New Year!!!

XOXOXOX…. Ash