Communication

Building your photography business? What isn't difficult about this process? I've had to answer these and other questions for myself recently. I have had a really difficult time in the last 11, yes I said eleven, years trying to get really established as a photographer. Dealing with personal circumstances such as divorces, moves, marriages, babies and more babies, failed business relationships and just a down-trodden spirit, has seriously hampered my ability to reach out and grab what I know to be my true passion. I am going to share with you my failed marketing efforts and what I believe discredited me in many aspects of this game. And where I recently decided to step up and take control.

Communication

I can't tell you how valuable good communication skills can be. We all use words to convey meaning in the hopes that the other person or people involved receive the meaning as we intended it. My communication failures have happened in moments of unpreparedness. Let's look at this scenario...

Joe's is hosting a dinner for his Business Organization Partnership on December 10. Jane Photography is asked to come in and offer individual and couples portrait packages. Jane Photography has agreed to deliver the portrait packages by December 17. Joe has talked to Jane Photography previously and inquired about canvas mounted prints. At the event Joe purchases a 16X20 print assisted by Jane's assistant. After the portrait is delivered 1 week later, Joe contacts Jane Photography unhappy with the product. He wanted a 16X20 canvas. Jane Photography's order form listed only print prices and not specialty product pricing. Joe assumed that his previous conversation with Jane should have sufficed when he placed his order and paid for it, and is now angry that he needs to pay the difference between the product he thought he ordered and the product he received.

Problem 1: Never assume anything!

This is applicable on both sides of the transaction. If you are the client and are unsure, ask! The photographer will gladly answer your questions. The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked.

Problem 2: Make sure that your assistant is familiar with your products

Everyone who helps you interact with clients, represents your business. If your help doesn't know your product or pricing or is unfamiliar with the services and products you offer, not only will miscommunication occur, but sales will be low. If your client doesn't know it exists, how can they order it?

Problem 3: Is your Marketing Information clear?

Make sure that every word written, on any of your business documents, is clear, concise and in layman's terms. Do not assume that everyone will understand it. Photography agreements are not for just weddings, you need one for each and every photo session you do. Including the ones done for charity. Clients need to understand what you are agreeing to as well as what they are agreeing to.

Problem 4: Set reasonable deadlines for yourself

I know you want your clients to be impressed with how quickly you can work and how dependable that makes you. But sometimes it can backfire. Overloading yourself will lead to premature burnout. I highly recommend, (unless you are related to Superman and have the ability to turn back time) you NOT over-promise and under-deliver. Give yourself a reasonable time-frame for producing galleries and another reasonable time to deliver ordered product. Not only will you be happier about your nose not on the grindstone, but your job looks as difficult as it is and your value goes up!

Communication, spoken and written, can save your sanity and your business. Clients will appreciate written policies and will respect you as a serious business if you have them.

See you next Monday for straight talk on Branding your business...

Happy Father's Day!!!

I woke up this morning knowing that today was Father's Day, but not really thinking about it. On days like today I get magically transported, through memories, back to my childhood. I have had some of the most amazing men in my life. All of them bringing something individual to our relationships. I was blessed to have not one but two Dads, and with them came my grandfathers, and when I got married, I inherited yet another Dad.

My Daddy taught me, though sometimes inadvertently, that hard work and perseverance was the only way to live. Make the most of each moment that you have applying your talents to create the best you can and to not sit idly by and never create anything, even if you never finish it.

My Dad taught me to love fiercely and spend the majority of your time hugging the ones you love and always have fun! Share your box of salt and build your meaningful relationships on love, respect and honesty, that family was the greatest gift God could give and to make sure that whatever choices you made you could live with the consequences.

My Papaw taught me that through hard work, diligence and living frugally you could one day achieve your dreams. Whatever you wanted or needed wouldn't be a struggle anymore.

My Poppa taught me that kindness, forgiveness and gentility was how you should treat one another. He also showed me the true love and devotion of a man to his wife. No one could love anyone more (except maybe my Dad's love for my Mom.) He practiced what he preached, and openly lived his life according to the word of God. He taught me the faithfulness of God's love and that we have each been afforded a plan from God if we just reach out and accept it. My Poppa will forever reside with his beloved wife (my Gram) in heaven and I am absolutely sure their love abounds even greater than it did here.

My father in law, Ken, taught me that I was special and exceptional and that he loved me. Though a very quiet man, he sought me out for things he believed I did best. He helped me realize that I had gifts and he praised those gifts. He spent his time lifting up the best in everyone around him. He wanted his children and grandchildren to realize their full potential by not sweating the small stuff, but by praising what they did well. He never had much to say, but the things he did say were always positive. He never let negativity pass through his lips. Ken also forever resides in Heaven with his Savior.

Today is not just a day to celebrate Father's, it is a day we should celebrate their intangible contributions to our lives and the people they helped create. Without the Father's I have been blessed to have relationships with, I would be a different person today.

Happy Father's Day to every Dad I have!!!

Giveaway Winner(s)....

Last night we made it to 100 likes on Facebook and, as promised, the 100th fan will receive a FREE photo session and a CD of Copyright released images.

And the 100th fan was Victoria Lynn Luciano!! Congratulations Victoria!!

Also, as promised, a random drawing will be held Friday morning and video of the drawing will be posted to Facebook and here on the blog. The winner selected during the random drawing will also receive a FREE photo session and a CD of copyright released images.

I am so happy to have reached my mark of 100 likes and am so happy to have you all there to support me!! Thank you!!

XOXO

Angel

Work in progress!!!

I have the mini-session event scheduled for Saturday, and on Sunday I will be announcing more promotional offers!! I am very excited to share my ideas with you and provide you with an outstanding service and product!

Just a couple of reminders for you:

Canvas Gallery Wraps and Gallery Wrap Wall Groupings are on sale through June 30, 2011, so if you want to take advantage of this special 30% discount, try to make it out to the June 11th mini-session or schedule your session soon.

Special Pricing offer. If I have taken portraits of you, your family or even a loved one prior to "The Name Change" then there is special pricing for you located on the Facebook page under the Discussions tab. This offer will be good until June 30th 2011, so take advantage of it while you can.

I hope to have the new promotions up within the next couple of days, so stay tuned for updates!

Have a blessed day!

Mr. Cayden's Session

I had the extreme pleasure of taking portraits for this handsome little man today! Lucky for me, his grandpa had some really industrial looking stuff hanging around the garage "man area" and it provided the absolute best backdrops! We moved around from grandpa's stuff to grandma's porch and moved right on along to big brothers bike! All in all I believe it was a successful session and am going to share my favorites with you!! Remember to call and reserve your portrait mini session for June 11!!

Mini-Session Event

I am very excited!! Here are the details for the mini-session event! The location features a small wooden house, concrete bridges, bubbling brook, wooden bridges and park benches on a beautiful landscape. It is an excellent location for family, individual or Daddy and me portraits!

June 11, 2011

4pm to 8pm (Last session available at 7:30pm)

Boone Park is located on a strip of land that runs north and south between Park Street and St. Johns Avenue. Herschel Street runs between the two streets and splits the park in the middle.

This mini session event will take place off of Herschel Street at Boone Park. The actual street address of the park is:

3700 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205

You can use Google maps to pull up the location and locate Herschel. You may also visit this website (http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation-and-Community-Services/Recreation-and-Community-Programming/Parks/Boone-Park.aspx ) which has a map attached to the page.

Mini sessions will be $75 and will include a collection of 1-8X10, 2-5X7's and 8 wallets of one pose along with a copyrighted CD of images to share through Facebook or other social media outlet.

Mini Session retainer for appointment must be paid prior to session to reserve your appointment time. There are only 7 appointment times available. Please call 904-534-2239 to reserve your session time.

**Mini-Session event not eligible for 50% off exclusive Facebook offer.

Bummer...

Well my photo session got rescheduled. :( Mom found out that Dad was getting off work early so as to not ruin the surprise we had to reschedule. So no sneak peaks for tomorrow. I know you were all looking forward to it! ;)

However, stay posted since details for mini photo sessions for Saturday June 11th are coming up!

Still so much to do...

I believe that no amount of preparation will ever help you to be 100% ready to launch or change your business! For every one thing I completed, I realized that there were two more that need to be done. I can only console myself with the fact that I am but one person, with one business and I have enough information up and available to suffice until I get the other 1000 pieces of information loaded to their proper destinations! I am smiling still and that counts for something... right?

Today I have a evening session with Cayden. Mom is planning something really sweet for Dad and Cayden is missing some photos. So while I have worked on business related stuff today, I have also worked on school stuff and getting ready for this evenings session. I am really excited about it and hope that I can make this vision of mine come to life!

I am in the process of getting Rep Cards and business cards printed, as well as making pricing downloadable from the blog. I am still trying to get slideshow galleries added to the blog and it is proving to be a real nightmare. I keep telling myself I have the skills to get it done.

I have 3 available dates left for Father's Day sessions and I am hoping they will book quickly since all orders need to be in by June 11th in order to have delivery by Father's Day. This will be the last opportunity for rush delivery and shipping from AbbyLeigh Michaels Photography, so I do hope there are some that will want to take advantage of it!

Well, off to get some more work done! Will post session sneak peaks tomorrow!

I Made It!

I never thought this day would get here! I have spent the last few weeks working diligently and successfully towards launching AbbyLeigh Michaels Photography. I suppose this is point at which I should give you, my readers, some background information on myself and the creation of AbbyLeigh Michaels Photography.

In 1999 while shopping garage sales, I bought an old camera for $10. It had several lenses and was in excellent condition. It ignited a spark and I began photographing everything I could! Just as most photographers do, I made my then 5 year old daughter Ashleigh my number one subject. I traded in my $10 camera for a Canon SLR, (still a film camera) checked out many books on photography and taught myself how to use my camera.

Fast Forward to almost 12 years later and here we are! After trying on many business names, struggling with my identity as a photographer and I have found the details that will solidly plant my identity as a photographer!

AbbyLeigh Michaels Photography was created by myself and a very dear friend. I have been replaying the conversation in my head for weeks! Each time I type my logo, I remember the origin of the concept and Mary putting it all together! I decided that I wanted to name my business for the 4 greatest gifts that God ever blessed me with! My husband Michael, my daughters Ashleigh and Abby, and my son Michael. I told Mary that I needed a name that combined all of my kids names and, voila, her brilliant mind processed my request and AbbyLeigh Michaels Photography was born!

I hope to hear from you all often as I perfect the blog and Facebook page. I am excited to share everything I have created and had help in creating over the last few weeks! Thank you all for allowing me to share my talent, excitement and the future of AbbyLeigh Michaels Photography with you!