How is it really done? Some questions answered.

 

 

 

This morning I received a text message from a friend who is trying to start her photography business.  her text was " Can you please share with me how to get my business going? How did you get yours started, you are doing so well?" Below is my answer to her and to all of you that want to know! Enjoy!

 

 

 

Links:
www.creativelive.com

DIY Chandelier

I had been browsing Pinterest like crazy for a good DIY chandelier.  I even goggled it and came up with nothing. Finally I gave in and spent $40 on an old vintage (bright gold) chandelier that I found in a cute little antique shop downtown St. Augustine after one of my sessions there.  I was excited cause it was something that I wouldn't have to do much work to.  Although, if you know me and DIY stuff I am all for it to save some money. I guess it just got to the point where I really needed one ASAP. So took it back to my studio and began to use it.  Just yesterday I spray painted it white because now that I have my new studio in Atlanta, GA white would be perfect.  So here I am months later after never finding that perfect DIY chandelier and I log onto FB this morning and BAM, right on my newsfeed is one of the photogs I follow posting her DIY chandelier that she found from Pinterest.  I was so excited because I could do this for the studio bathroom! YAY!!

Thank you J Morgan Images for sharing!!

http://jmorganintimates.com/boudoir-photography-confidence/diy-beaded-chandelier-tampa-boudoir-photographer

Shout out to Creative Live

Tomorrow is the second part of the Jasmine Star ReSTARt course.  Are you all so excited? I can't wait.

I wanted to take this time, to give a shout-out to Creative Live an awesome website that offers FREE, LIVE online courses, taught by world class experts in the industry.  I have learned so much from Creative Live over the past year and cannot thank them enough.  I am also very thankful I am able to take advantage of their courses, since many are during the day. However, those of you who do work a full-time job, they do have a re-broadcast in the evenings and sometimes on weekends.  If you miss the course completely you can purchase it and have access to it anytime you want.  I have purchased some courses from them as well. TOTALLY worth it.

For those of you who haven't gone over the the Creative Live website and explored, you need to NOW :) I can assure you, you will not be disappointed.


http://www.creativelive.com/calendar

DIY Burlap Banner

So once again...a big shout out to JO-ANN Fabrics www.joann.com

 

 

This Burlap was on sale 50% off, so I got it for $2.99 a yard. I got 2 yards of it.  I ended up only needing one yard to make the banner, so now I have extra.  I took a piece of a triangle banner that I had made for my son Chase's 2nd birthday and I used that as a template to make the triangles on the Burlap. I cut the burlap out, hot glued string across it and Voila!! It was very simple.  I made it for $6!! If you purchase one off of Etsy ( I do love Etsy) already made, you are looking at around $15 and that isn't including shipping.  This took me all of 10 minutes to make and guess what the best part of it is?! You can add your own font to it.  YUP!! Instead of using a sharpie to write "FAMILY" on it...I left it blank.  WHY? Because I can add any font I want on it by using my editing program, I can change the color and size of it whenever I want. I used this for a photo session this weekend and decided to add "Family" in yellow to coordinate with their outfit color themes--I did darken the yellow a bit because as you can see below it is a little light.  Before you check out the pictures below, I want to share one last secret with you. Since there are 6 triangles you are probably thinking "Well I can only use it with a 6 letter word." WRONG!  I plan on using this for my Valentine's Day sessions and using all 6 triangles by putting <3 LOVE <3 across it with hearts on either side.  Think of how many different words you can add to this banner! Any ideas?! I would love to hear them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tutu's

Oh I just love this article

My favorite is the blog one because I personally don't think it's useful to blog pics you have already put on FB and then will be on your website too!! Blog posts NEED to stay interesting for your clients!!!

http://improvephotography.com/1521/20-tips-for-starting-a-portrait-photography-business

Read this!! :)

Great tips for those of you starting out!!

http://www.kristendukephotography.com/starting-and-maintaining-a-photography-business/