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Friday Randomness : UK Edition
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B eing away from home makes my heart grow fonder. Of all things homey and American. I actually caught myself humming the Star Spangled Banner one morning (well, it started off as a whistle, but I changed it half-way through to a hum because I whistle as well as I cook) and that's when I realized how much I miss home. That's not to say I haven't been thinking about becoming British (I've been keeping a list as to why I should be), but there's just something about California that makes me feel all light-headed and teary-eyed. Maybe it's the smog.
Here's my list as to why I should become part-British and a few more Random Friday things off the top of my head...
*Why I could be British: I love bookstores...I love bread and butter...I speak with an accent...I like bon bons...I can hail a cab...I like gameshows...I know how to use an umbrella...I say "cheers!" more often than I should...and a good time usually revolves around fried food. Yes, this is my official list.
*I haven't watched reality television for two whole weeks. I'm sure this makes me smarter in some parts of the world.
*Look at these Jenni Desmond pillow cases...I die. I love them and need them, like, now. |
*Someone once told me I made him feel like he didn't have enough teeth. Umm, okay? How does one even respond to such a thing?!
*I bought a new pair of walking boots. Tah-dah! |
*Went to Subway and ordered a "wrap"...but I came to discover it's actually a sandwich wrapped in a tortilla. In case anyone is wondering, this is really called a BURRITO.
*I love socks.
Happy Friday! |
    
| As a child I dreamed of visiting England, a world of thatched roofs, tea with cream, and Peter Pan. Many years later, its morphed into a universe of aperture, shutter speed, and, well, tea with cream. Yesterday I had the honor of hosting a photography workshop in London and I am incredibly thankful to do what I love. For those of who have encouraged this endeavor, thank you. I'm a better person because of your support. |
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Top 5 Business Mistakes I've Made
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I t's definitely ridiculous, but it's my favorite question. What's your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it? I ask it all the time. Which makes me either consistent or unoriginal. I prefer the former, thankyouverymuch. But here's the crazy thing...I never asked myself that question. Part of why I ask this question is because I learn more from what you did wrong, than what you're doing right. Don't ask me why, that's just how I roll.
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So, if you're anything like me, I thought I'd put together a Top Five List of Things I've Done Wrong in My Business in case you can learn from my mistakes and not repeat them...
5. I didn't ask questions.
When I first started, I was afraid to let peers know I didn't know what I was doing. When I'd go to workshops and the instructor would say something I didn't understand, I just sat there and nodded my head. If I was second shooting and the lead photographer asked for something I didn't know how to do, I tried to make it work in spite of my unknowingness. This is tragic. I could've learned so much more, grown faster, and softened my learning curve had I just had the cajones to admit I didn't know. If I could do everything again, I'd ask every question I could...even if it made me feel stupid.
4. I waited too long to get a website.
I know this goes without saying--probably because I say it all the time--but I can't stress it enough. When I got a website, it legitimized my business and allowed me to further define my web presence. Clients took me seriously, coordinators/planners sent clients my way in light of a complete and focused online portfolio, and it became easier to warrant a new level of professionalism, which, in turn, allowed me to garnish a new type of client.
3. I let others dictate how I felt about my work.
Needless to say, this happens a lot in the industry. Sometimes business owners will talk so certainly about WHAT they have, WHERE they're going, WHO they're with, HOW many weddings they booked...and so forth. And though it might be unintentional, they made me feel less worthy to pursue my dream of becoming a photographer, and my work. They had that camera, so clearly they take better photos than me. They're off to that industry mixer with people who air kiss, so clearly they're cooler than I am and will get jobs as a byproduct of it. They just booked their 764th wedding for the year...and updated their Facebook status to let the world know.
I walked around in a constant state of I Suckiness, and it wasn't until I tuned out the noise that I was able to define who I was...just plain old Jasmine Star. Once this happened, I was able to embrace my current situation: While I may not have the best camera, or party with the cool kids, or book weddings like a boss...I'm moving forward. And moving is always better than sitting still.
2. I didn't make long-term equipment purchases.
I'll never forget it. JD and I stood at the sales counter and we debated the pros and cons of each flash. I wanted to buy the Canon 430EX, but JD insisted I buy the 550EX. Through gritted teeth I reminded him we didn't have money for it, but he understood the value of spending a little more for a distinct performance difference. I didn't listen to him and bought the 430. A few months later, I went back and bought the 550EX because the 430EX just wasn't cutting it for me.
Moral of the story: You get what you pay for. And JD is always right.
1. I didn't take more risks.
When I think back to when I first started, I can't help but feel sorry for that girl. The girl who didn't trust herself enough to take bigger risks. Who didn't dream big enough. Who limited herself by her own experience and other people's estimations of what was possible.
If I could go back and tell the Jasmine Star of 2007 something, I'd whisper in her ear: Believe in what you know you can do. Trust your gut. Ignore the naysayers. Dream big, but hope for more. However, knowing myself back then, I would ignore the whisper...so then I'd grab me by the shoulders, give me a good shake, then holler straight in my face, SPRINT TOWARD WHAT YOU WANT AND DON'T EVER LOOK BACK. Ever. |
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The Bowl + The Pocketwatch
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I don't know what happened in the course of human history, but women have successfully coerced men into completing the banalest of tasks, many of which they'd never be caught dead doing. Ever. Like the one time back in college I dragged JD to Color Me Mine and insisted he paint a ceramic bowl with me. There he sat at a high stool surrounded by a group of screaming 8-year-olds and paintbrushes...and painted a bowl. And right then? I knew I was gonna marry him.
Yesterday I dragged JD on another Wife Trip...ANTIQUING. Yes, I just verbed a noun. That's what you call a rule breaker. Awwww, yeah. Anyway, as we walked Portobello Road, we stopped at every store and I shopped for the perfect knick knack, which JD called old things...really expensive old things. |
As luck would have it, Mr. Crotchety found himself a...wait for it...pocket watch. And he wore it. All day. He periodically took it out and told me the time as if he was competing with Big Ben...or the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.
I'm now going to start being judicious with my Wife Trip invitations...I can always hide a bowl, but watches are a little more, umm, visible. |
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FAQ : Destination Wedding Photographer
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A s with most things in life, there isn't a one-size-fits-all way to do things. Throughout the years, we've photographed destination weddings and we've found what works for us...and our clients. Now, this isn't to say we're doing it the best, but it's working. And I'm happy. I'm often asked how a photographer should price destination weddings, so here's how I approach this aspect of my photography business.
I have a Collection Menu (a set of prices of my wedding photography services) for local, Southern California weddings. For weddings outside of Southern California, I charge a travel fee. This travel fee varies upon destination, but it's--basically--broken up by region (West Coast, Southern States, East Coast, South America, Europe, Canada) and travel length (i.e. how long I'll be on a plane). So, why the travel fee? The travel fee is a way to compensate for the time I spend away from the studio...and home. A destination wedding isn't a one-day affair the way a local wedding is...it could be two days of travel, the wedding, then two more days of travel home. Because I'm out of the office, I need to ensure the costs (meals, incidentals, etc) I incur while on the road are completely covered, as well as my time away.
In addition to the Collection, clients are responsible for paying the travel fee, roundtrip airfare for two (myself and JD), a rental car (including gas and taxes), and hotel accommodations, preferably at the hotel where the bride is preparing for her wedding (it makes the wedding day so much smoother).
Now, I know there are photographers who don't charge travel fees (or even lower their prices for destination weddings) and that's totally okay, but I've realized life on the road is difficult...I'm able to remain fully in love with my photography passion when I know my bases are covered. Thankfully, I have the most amazing clients who feel the same way. |
I hope this helps and adds a bit of clarity on how pricing and photographing destination weddings work for me...and because beaches make me happy, I'll end this post with a picture from Cori+Eli's Costa Rica wedding...
Happy Monday! |
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