Polo turned five years old last week. We missed his birthday since we were out of town, but we made sure to spoil him {rotten} when we returned. Even as a puppy, our dog had the appearance of an old soul, so it's common to call him Gramps. This morning I photographed him and the following photo proves Polo is ready for the retirement home. I worry his modeling days are over.
Safe To Say
01.17.11
-
I
'm sitting in the office right now and the smells of lunch are wafting through the house. I couldn't decide where I wanted to eat, complained of not consuming enough leafy green vegetables, then ran upstairs to finish work for The Workshop. I think it's safe to say I've officially driven you crazy. You're grilling a soy chicken breast for my salad, and crisping bacon for your BLT sandwich. We couldn't be more different. Where I'll simply find more work to do and ignore the hunger pains, you'll move to action. Is it safe to say we make a good team?
Today while walking Polo you turned to me and said, You just need to think of a really great idea! Just like that. Like I have an overabundance of great ideas. And--I have to admit--it drove me crazy, the way you push me to think beyond myself. After a bit of silence, I came up with an idea. Not a great idea, but an idea. And it was a start. Is it safe to say we make a good team?
In the morning, I wake to your peaceful face, your eyelids flickering the last bit of blissful dreaming. By the afternoon, I've most likely drained your morning cup of long-suffering, yet you continue to stand by my side, pushing me to think beyond myself. Yes, I think it's safe to say we make a good team.
Little Faith
01.14.11
-
A
few days ago, I mentioned on the internet I worried about the rain affecting a photoshoot I had in store. Oh, and wouldn't you know, people from all ends of the wet lands across the world were all, You should see the rain I HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A NORMAL BASIS! I highly suspect these are the same people who tell their kids they walked to school through snow-covered Appalachian Mountains...barefoot...selling icicles...playing their frozen flute, but my heart does go out to them.
While I realize I don't deal with rain too often, I have photographed weddings in it and everything is fine. I, however, would like to point out that what was happening here in Maui wasn't rain. I suspect it was the wrath of Hawaiian water gods. Rain wasn't falling as much as it was being thrusted side to side like hoses. Roads were closed and entire highways flooded, Internet. It was legit, even for this SoCal girl.
I woke up yesterday morning and ran out to the veranda...it was raining, but the sun was breaking through the clouds. We arranged to shoot earlier than expected because of the delicate weather and the best news is that we missed most the rain. Sure, we did caught a couple times in showers, but Karen and Isaac took everything in stride. I guess you could say my clients are the type of people who'd insist on playing their frozen flutes regardless of what life threw their way.
Happy Friday!
Shooting Star : Packing for Destination Shoots
01.13.11
-
I
n light of the length of yesterday's blog post, I'm going to keep this entry short and sweet. Or, shall I say Fun Sized? Speaking of that term, someone once said I was Fun Sized and thought I'd offended being equated with miniature pieces of candy, but I've realized anything sugar related is totally acceptable. Heck, I might even respond to High Fructose Corn Syrup if you said it nicely. Seeing how I'm out of the office, I didn't think it was reason enough not to keep running with the Shooting Star videos, so this week I'm talking about how I pack for destination weddings, and destination shoots in general.
Please note...
*Shooting in a different location threw me off my game, so there's an overabundance of flubs. Yes, I'll blame the location.
*I referenced my Tenba backpack and our Shootsacs.
*I referenced my off-camera flash set up for receptions.
*We used a new song this week and I think it's saucy. This might also reveal how unsaucy I am in real life because the song may not at all be saucy, but I'm okay with it.
For future FAQ Questions, you can submit them on Facebook!
Happy Thursday!
FAQ : How to Create a Website Reflective of YOU
01.12.11
-
-
A
few months ago, I gave a presentation entitled the Power of Your Web Sight, and discussed the ability to see one's website and measure it's stickability, poignancy, and impactability. Yes, I made up that last word. Last week I blogged about Blogging Tips+Tricks, but this week I want to focus on the main piece of my online business representation, my website. Part of why websites are so impactful is because they capture the essence of a business, and--more specifically for small business owners--personality.
This post will, hopefully, cover the Why and the How of creating a unique website, so let's chat a little more about it...
I recently relaunched my website, but my first website was launched in 2008. It was a huge year for my business and I attribute so much to creating a distinct online storefront for my business. Before May 2008, my blog was the main source of contact for future brides, but I felt like I had plateaued because my old website (a stoic HTML site) was completely disconnected from my brand. It was a poor representation to who I was professionally and impeded my growth. After launching the new website in 2008, I raised my prices and began to receive referrals from wedding coordinators. Sure, it could be coincidence, but I firmly believe that once I had a site that looked and felt a certain way, coordinators were confident sending clients to visit my site, since their recommendation was a reflection of their business, and taste. These types of referrals led to shooting weddings with a heavy focus on details and styling, which later helped move my work toward publication. When editors saw the website, I believe they developed a sense of who I was and the type of client I attracted. After the launch of my website, I knew, specifically, what brides I attracted and this helped me better cater to their needs and desires.
Why Is My Website So Important To Me? Basically, I created a website to help me achieve the following results:
*Helps Me Attract a Specific Type of Client. I want to shoot fun, emotional, detail-oriented brides, so I needed a way to showcase this sentiment online...and I found it impossible to do with a template website. I created something to help me be different online.
*Solicits Validity on the Web. As a reflection of my business, my website had to showcase my work as well as fuller presentations of my portfolio. Afterall, it's likely a bride will be showing her mama my site, so I want to make sure it reflects the utmost level of professionalism.
*Helps Buttress My Online Brand. My website should be the foundation of who I am as an entrepreneur and give an aesthetic description of my style, as well as a continuation of my brand.
*It's the Best Version of Me on the Web. I once heard "Your website is your handshake, and your blog is your voice." Well, friends, I want a very firm handshake, and a really soft voice.
How Can I Make a Website Work for Me? The answer depends on what you want. No, really, what do YOU want? The answer will help drive the direction of your website. I wanted a site that:
*Allowed Me to Connect with Clients. I want to connect as much as possible with prospective clients, so using a video opener, video transitions, a detailed bio section, a Life in the In Between section, allows people to, literally, see and hear me. Just a few minutes on my website and people will definitely know if they like (or don't like) me. That's precisely what I want.
*Positioned Me for Destination Weddings. If I can't meet, physically, with clients, then I want to make sure my website allows people to get a good sense of who I am on the web and book my services for out of state clients. Having a detailed and unique website accomplishes just this.
*Creates Conversations. Yes, I want people to like my website, but I also want my website to be a division of my clients as well.
How to Create a Website Reflective of YOU. *Work with a Designer or Customize a Style Group. Because I had so many ideas, I needed to work with someone to help hone my inspiration into a focused direction. I worked with Promise Tangeman for my website and she created a rough idea of what I wanted. From there, I took an active role in changing things (even the smallest details were fine-tuned) to ensure it reflected only me.
*Know What You Want. It's difficult to get a great site without a very clear idea of who you are and what you like. Make sure you're not depending on a graphic designer to fill in the gaps. Ideally, you want to see the big picture, as well as each component.
*Have a Critical Eye. View your website as a person who's randomly found your site...is there a disconnect between your work, your style, and your personality. If there is, change it. Ensure you're showing images that will move your brand forward, and aren't simply 'pretty pictures'...while nice, they don't speak to your soul of your photography and your brand.
*Feel It. Lastly, when you view your website, can you feel yourself pulsing through each page? If not, make active strides to ensure this changes. If you can't feel yourself on the web, how can you expect anyone else to?
Again, this was a lonnnng post, but I--clearly--feel passionately about this subject. With the growth of photographers in the industry, I think its important to share ideas to ensure we're collectively moving forward. Together. If you have ideas, feedback, or something to add, feel free to add it in the comment box!
