I have been glued to my computer all weekend. Doing what? Watching an online wedding photography course hosted by creativeLIVE, featuring highly-sought after American wedding photographer Jasmine Star. Jasmine is renowned in the industry for being very giving of her time and business insights; highly unusual in a business that puts so much emphasis on secrets. As she put it, “I’m telling you all my secrets. I don’t believe in secrets. I am the secret.”
When I first tuned in, I was bored. Jasmine was shooting details and rattling off camera settings. Snorefest! But then the wedding started, and I was absorbed (you know you’re a wedding photographer when you sacrifice seven hours of your otherwise free Friday night to watching the wedding of total strangers on the internet…). Even more so on Saturday and Sunday, when the photography was done and the discussion of business began. I think Jasmine would be the first to admit that her business sense is better than her photography: she only started her business 4 years ago, and her rise has been nothing short of meteoric. For me, someone whose business is still very much in its infancy, and someone who has no mentor, to be listening to her talk and be able to think, okay, I’m doing that, I’m doing that, I can do that: it’s inspiring. She has this ability to get people excited about what they do; it has made me think about how far I’ve come in such a short time, and about the long road ahead.
So what have I done these past 15 months? Moved to a new city and launched a photography business with zero name recognition. Worked on my SEO, my blog, my website. Partnered with great vendors so that I could offer more and better products. Met my booking goal for the year, meaning I scored photoshoots with awesome clients, most of whom have returned to me two and even three times. I’m pleased to make that connection with them, and proud that every shoot is better than the last.
And where am I going? I’ll be working on branding, on name recognition, on the experience. Adding more products and improving presentation. My goal is to be running a boutique photography business that makes my clients feel important; beautiful; unique – with the images to match. My style is evolving, but what’s remained constant is how much I love photography. Capturing fun, candid, evocative images that make you feel something; turning moments into memories.
There is a lot of work to be done to get hibou photo to the place I think it can and should be. I’m looking forward to it, though, and I hope you come along for the ride.
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