10 Things a Photographer Should Not Do

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

Do not…

Spend too much time thinking about your gear. Equipment is important, but it is not the core of photography. In fact, I think it is good for every photographer to learn how to work well under the challenge of cheaper equipment. Remember, ultimately only photographing makes you a better photographer.
Leave your camera at home. To drive this incentive home for me I have committed to “a Photo a Day” and am working towards getting a Kelly Moore purse so I literally always have my camera on my person.
Forget to fuel your creativity. It is good to have a repertoire of “go to” ideas when you are stumped but you will only improve as you let your creativity continue to flow and the best way to do that is to be seeking for new ideas at every shoot. If you need help I suggest trying new lenses, new locations, or do some online research for new poses and great artwork to get your juices flowing. Remember, you want to separate yourself from your competition.
Ignore the value of your copyright. If your copyrights are not valuable, why are people working so hard to get them?
Take every assignment. The best photographers find their niche and build on that. At the beginning I found it valuable to take a little bit of everything. In my opinion, how else are you going to find our what you like and what you’re really good at? But as soon as you find that niche hone in on it.
Ignore the math. Are your expenses higher than your income? You can only do so much work so be sure you are charging enough per session.
Ignore blogging. Blogging is the most “Google friendly” way to get your material out there. I’ve found frequency to be the key. CLICK HERE for more info on how to blog for your business.
Ignore social media. Social media are the best ways to share your work with the world, especially if you get a network of friends supporting your work enthusiastically.
Think you can fix everything by editing. The bottom line of a great photographer is getting the lighting and the settings right first and only using editing programs like Lightroom and Photoshop to spruce it up.
Stop learning. Always be researching your field and looking for new ways to advance your work. Look at art, look at other photographer’s work, and look into all areas of your business and continually seek improvement. You will never know everything.

Why so much for wedding photography?

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

I am tired of clients declining my services in favor of hiring a family friend or a company that doesn’t care about them or their needs for $750. I am tired of feeling like I have to defend my prices to myself and others. I am tired of feeling the weight of the financial burden of being a self-employed photographer.

The fact is, the joy of being a self-employed photographer is that I mostly get to work from my in-home studio and I’m doing what I love, but the woes are many. I work until a job is done and when a job is done there is always one in line right behind it (this means 9-5 begins to look ideal as I often spend 10+ hours a day and a lot of weekends working). While I work clients are calling upon me to finish faster despite the fact I’m still well within my deadline. And with all of this I am scraping by to pay the bills because December – March is the SLOW SEASON. This means $50 – $200 portrait sessions are attempting to pull the weight of all our bills (roughly 10 – 40 of these would satisfy that need), but there are business expenses to be looked after as well.

So, now I seek to educate my readers in hopes of more considerate client to photographer dealings. I hope I don’t sound angry or mean because I am not, I am just disheartened.

Before I divulge, thank you so much to my brides and other clients who love and appreciate who I am and what I do. I am ever so grateful to you and the joy your support and encouragement brings me and my family!

Why so much for wedding photography?

This first section of data was taken from a blog by Nikki Wagner because my statistics are in a significantly lower price bracket but I still have these expenses and needs and yet I still get complaints.

“Dear Bride,

I am a wedding photographer in the Erie, PA area. Wedding season only last about 4 months here, so I photograph an average of 20 weddings per year for an average of $2,500/wedding (which totals about $50,000/year).

That being said, I am a small business owner, so I pay all of my taxes, totaling about $15,000/year, which leaves me with a gross income of around $35,000
Of that $35,000 I pay $600/month in rent for my small house and garage which I converted into my studio (which is where I would be editing your wedding images).$35,000 – $7,200 = $27,800
Then I have my car, which I would use to get me to and from your wedding, which I pay $400/month for the lease, plus $200/month in car insurance. $27,800 – $7,200 = $20,600
To get to your (and my other brides) wedding consultation, second wedding pre-consultation, the wedding itself, and to and from the printers I spend $840/year in gas money. $20,600 – $840 = $19,760
I also have $500/year insurance in case you sue me, or if any of your drunk guests would happen to break any of my equipment. $19,760 – $500 = $19,260
You also probably found me through my website, which I pay $30/month for hosting, and another $30/month so that you can view your photos online and share the images with your friends and family. $19,260 – $720 = $18,540
Or perhaps you found me through my advertisements in the newspaper or local bridal magazines, or a bridal show that you attended that I paid to have a booth at. $18,540 – $1,000 = $17,540
I also pay $250/month for my own health insurance in case I were to get hurt at your wedding. $17,540 – $3,000 = $14,540
I pay $200/wedding for a second shooter for your wedding, so that you can have more images and different angles, as to make sure you get the best images possible at your wedding. $14,540 – $4,000 = $10,540
I also need to have a new pair of shoes ($100) every season because my shoes get worn out and dirty from season to season. $10,540 – $100 = $10,440
I need high speed internet so I can upload all of your images online, my home phone for my business and my cell phone so I can communicate with you. $10,440 – $2,500 = $7,940
Oh yes, and I also pay a lawyer to make sure my contracts are iron clad and an accountant to make sure that I am paying all of the taxes I need. $7,940 – $500 = $7,440
Sometimes I attend workshops and seminars to teach me how to better my business, and make my client happier (that would be you), as well as keep up on the trends and learn new techniques so that I can make sure you have the best quality images available.

That would technically leave me with about $7,000/year to feed myself, buy groceries, pay for my heat and electricity, clothe myself, etc. But, usually I end up reinvesting whatever I have left on upgrades and new equipment.”

-stats from Nikki Wagner

Now for stats by me…

For your wedding I bring my high quality professional equipment to ensure your wedding images are the best I can make them.

I have two Canon 5D Mark II cameras (I keep both strapped on me all day to ensure if one fails I have a back up) = $4,000
I also have high quality lenses to capture your low light special moments:
Canon 85mm f/1.2L lens = $1,200
Canon 50mm f/1.2L lens = $1,440
Canon 35mm f/1.4L lens = $1,330
I have lighting equipment to give you great family pictures:
Light stand, light box, external battery packs: $1,000
I have brilliant flashes to capture all the moments at your reception
Canon 580EX II = $650
I also have multiple battery backups and memory cards and a bag to carry everything in = $1,000+

After spending 8-10 hours at your wedding, I then come home to my home office and spend about 20-25 hours editing your images, creating your album, blogging about your wedding, posting pictures on Facebook, ordering your prints and burning your DVDs.

I edit your photographs using a 27-inch iMac computer = $2,500.
I edit your photographs on Adobe Lightroom ($200) and Adobe CS5 ($400).
I buy custom DVDs in bulk for $300
I archive all of your photographs on a 2TB external hard drive = $220.
I also have office expenses as far as buying paper, staples, envelopes, packaging, filing cabinets and files, etc…
I also spend time and money ordering your prints and albums, paying for shipping, going to the post office etc.
Lastly, but certainly not least, I am fully educated with a bachelor’s degree and that came at a price of $300,000 +

TOTAL INVESTMENT: $315,000 +

All of that being said, I’m constantly pinching pennies, and take on many family portraits, senior portraits and any thing else I can get in order to make ends meet.

Photography is my passion and my livelihood, and it is also expensive. Yes, it seems like a lot of money for one day, but one day isn’t all I spend on you or on my business. I know you will spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress, flowers, a venue, and on catering which you are going to have for only one day. The photographs I give you will be the only thing you have to remember of that one day for the rest of your lives.

I do feel insulted every time a bride scoffs at my price. I hope you can see why in light of the full description of what my financial life looks like. I understand every bride has their budget. So brides, please know when you set your budget to factor this information in when deciding how much you will spend on your photographer and know that we are in charge of your memories of this special day of yours. And please know that there are people behind that camera and though our goal is to serve you we do have feelings. When you insult my work or my price I take it personally because I do consider my photography art and art comes from the heart.

Sincerely,

Kaia Calhoun

Blog post inspired by Why Wedding Photographers’ Prices are “Wack”

BOOK REVIEW | Publish and Prosper: Blogging for your Business

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

I read Publish and Prosper: Blogging for your Business over the weekend and have already jumped on practicing their recommendations and tips.

When I committed to keeping a blog as a means of sharing all of my passions in one place. So, the first step I always do is jumping in head first. Although it can be a risky method to start something by sticking your neck out first rather than researching before hand, I find that I learn best by starting then implementing new tools as I go. Last week I was feeling up for learning some new tricks so I hit up the library and grabbed Publish and Prosper: Blogging for your Business and How to Start a Home-Based Blogging Business. This review is about Publish and Prosper, I’m sure the other book with appear as a review soon.

NOTEWORTHY AUTHORS

Publish and Prosper: Blogging for your Business

By: DL Byron & Steve Broback

DL Byron works on Boeing’s blogs and works on the Blog Business Summit by rolling out a network of sponsored blogs.

Steve Broback is the co-founder of the Blog Business Summit and the i3forum conferences. He manages the editorial blogs for Avondale’s marketing strategy: rawformat.com and pixelupdate.com.

SUMMARY

According to Publish and Prosper, blogs have a “naturally ‘Google-friendly’ architecture.” They state that the major benefits to blogging for your business are that you seriously increase your visibility and traffic at a minimal cost. They state four key points on how blogs can help companies further themselves; through a blog they can research new products, sell their wares, extend their brands, and engage with customers. With that in mind the authors then address how to go about optimizing your blogging efforts.

REVIEW

First off, I was pleased to have found all the information I was looking for in Publish and Prosper: Blogging for your Business. I was also impressed with the amount of content and tips they had available.

I was rather unimpressed by the structure. I found the chapter layout to be confusing; they constantly referenced pointed the reader to other points in the book rather than finishing an idea when they first planted it. They also tended to repeat the exact same point/s in different chapters of the book, only under a different title or main header. And, even though I found a little bit of everything I needed, I found the section on blogging for profit fairly empty of any real substance. This was the biggest let down for me because that was one of my primary goals in researching blogging. But, in the end, this book was geared more towards businesses that use blogs to further their business not small business owners looking to earn a little extra cash from a favored hobby.

CONCLUSION

If you want to learn how to appeal your blog to Google and other search engines and/or utilize yet another free way of marketing your business this book is a great way to go.

And, if you keep a blog, regardless of whether you are seeking to pull in some income from it or seeking to expand your business marketing or simply blog out of personal pleasure, I HIGHLY recommend Publish and Prosper. If you are keeping a blog I have to assume you want people to read it… well, you WILL get a higher draw by following their recommendations. Still not convinced? Yesterday I implemented a handful of new ideas I gleaned from the book and my views tripled, I got 4 new subscribers, and a few new followers on twitter. It is worth it!

5 helpful key points within my application:

1. Successful blogs build on communication by…

fostering interaction with other bloggers
being easy to use
lending great content

2. Having your blog hosted under your website domain will draw more natural traffic to your standard website.
3. To get AD buyers you must have…

lots of visitors and readers
lots of inbound links

4. 10 TIPS TO WRITING YOUR BLOG
5. 5 STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHING YOUR BLOG AND GETTING NOTICED

5 STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHING YOUR BLOG AND GETTING NOTICED

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

5 STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHING YOUR BLOG AND GETTING NOTICED

DAY 1: Have several posts ready and ask for feedback.
Get recognition from other bloggers by carefully selecting who you want to connect with, make your request personal, and then comment or link back to their material.
Get involved in commenting on other blogs.
Encourage comments and trackbacks with provocative posts, by asking for input, and by making the process generally easy (no cumbersome forms), inviting (not letting discussion turn sour), and rewarding (respond personally to your commenters and trackbacks).
Maintain a presence by commenting like crazy on posts that others write, using Google groups to raise awareness about your blog, linking to other blogs, and getting your blog address out there by attaching it to all emails and adding it to your marketing materials.

SOURCES… real life experience and Publish and Prosper: Blogging for your Business

100th Blog Post Giveaway (CLOSED)

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Kaia Calhoun

This is my 100th blog post! As such I did not want to just post any ‘ol blog entry. First, thank you so much to those of you who read all the crazy things I have to say and a special thanks to my subscribers!

My gift to you: a giveaway (more info below) and a few interesting blog statistics

Your gift to me: subscribing to my blog and leaving feedback below 😉

MY INTERESTING BLOG STATISTICS

My first blog post: Forgotten Rocks (May 16, 2011)

Top 5 blog posts:

Simple and Eclectic Studio Boudoir Session (271 views)
FACT: The Makings of a Musical Marriage (220 views)
Wednesday Words: Walking through a Desert (211 views)
2012 ASM Wedding Favorites! (169 views)
Musings of a Musician’s Wife: Remembering (169 views)

Post Most Commented On: Musings of a Musician’s Wife: where things are broken (10 comments)

THE GIVEAWAY: a MINI session with me!

TO ENTER: comment below with these details…

favorite color
positive AND constructive feedback about the blog

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

15 minute MINI session at the studio
10 – 20 final images on a disc shipped directly to you
contest closes 1 week from today (February 12 @ midnight)

And here’s what your MINI session might look like… (baby, couple, boudoir… you name it)

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

SUBMITTED FEEDBACK

In response to all of these wonderful comments I have been personally replying via email and then pasting what I wrote below 🙂

that means you are entered in the drawing 😉

Melissa Knott

I love everything about your blog. You are honest, intelligent, and you are a beautiful photographer.

What’s your favorite color?	Lime green
What needs improving on my blog?	I want to be able to follow it! Tell me how!
Any thing else you want to say?	I miss you.

My Reply
Melissa! You are just the SWEETEST! Thanks for your encouragement, it goes so far in my little heart 🙂 To follow the blog scroll down my sidebar until you see…

FOLLOW BLOG VIA EMAIL

Then you fill in your email address in the form below and you’re set! Thanks sweetums 😉

Joel Osborn
I love the way you share your heart in a very real way.

What’s your favorite color?	dark blue
What needs improving on my blog?	I’ve not noticed anything that needs improvement.
Any thing else you want to say?	nope

My Reply
Hey Joel! Thanks so much for commenting! Thanks for affirming my risk in stepping out in honestly 🙂 Very encouraging!

Sam Gabhart
I like the various things that I’ve seen already…and since I’ve just started following, that isn’t much yet. I do have to say, I appreciate your honesty and how fun your photography is to see!

What’s your favorite color?	Emerald Green. 😀
What needs improving on my blog?	Not sure…honestly.
Any thing else you want to say?	Keep it up! It is going to be so fun to follow you!

My Reply
Hi Sam! Thanks so much for commenting! Your simple words of affirmation about my honesty and photography were so kind. Looking forward to sharing more with you!

weltzinmedia
Well I (Brittany) prefer your homeopathic and pet posts! We do love your photography ideas as well too! We mostly do video but like to fill request for photography as well. That leads to us enjoying your pictures of a new studio! Basically It’s a great way to share your creativity that God has given you!

What’s your favorite color?	Red
What needs improving on my blog?	I think maybe more connections to the title of your blog would help tie into the stories. I haven’t read every post though so I don’t know!
Any thing else you want to say?	Never stop writing your thoughts and ideas! God is using your voice to help others!

My Reply
Hey Brittany! Thanks so much for your feedback and encouragement! I also appreciate your tip and will see what I can do about drawing a better connection to the title of the blog. I have a hunch on the blog posts you are referring to 😉

Jackie Burns
I like how honest you are Kaia. I’m sure it not only helps you, but so many other people that read what you have to write. Your honesty is what makes this blog a blessing to read.

What’s your favorite color?	Pink
What needs improving on my blog?	Currently I think things are really working nicely. Pictures of you and Josh are always wonderful 🙂
Any thing else you want to say?	Even though I’ve never met you, Kaia, I am so glad I have gotten a chance to see a glimpse into who you are and the life you have with Josh. It’s such a blessing to see what a wonderful woman he married and to know that he’s so utterly blessed by you. I have appreciated growing up with Josh through SDB stuff, but I appreciate growing as adults now too in our respective marriages. Many blessings to you (and Josh)!

My Reply
Hey Jackie! You words were so kind and encouraging! Thanks for taking the time to write them to me. Made me smile! And I did say “hi” to Josh for you 😉

Elyse McIntire
I love your honesty! My favorite blogs have been the ones you write about marriage! Being in a long distance relationship, it gives me hope and insight knowing I’m not alone in facing difficulties with distance! Reading your blog has also given me insight as to who you are as a person, and how that has led to SO much more excitement that you’ll photograph Kev & I’s wedding!

What’s your favorite color?	yellow
What needs improving on my blog?	I dont know :/. I am not, by any means, a writer… So anyone who can write I am always very impressed and have very little to critique… Sorry!
Any thing else you want to say?

My Reply
Hey Elyse! Thanks so much for your feedback! It warmed my heart and I SUPER love that your favorite color is the same as mine!

Jenny Hipskind
I like looking through your photography posts! I always love to see what other photogs get to do on a more consistent basis than I do. And of course, I can relate to your posts about being a poor musician’s wife. 🙂 It’s such a strange mix of emotions sometimes for me of being so proud and happy for my husband in that he gets to do what he loves…but there are other times I look at the checkbook and just want to scream, “Get a real job!!” Ok, that’s probably more than you needed to know, haha! 🙂

What’s your favorite color?	Purple!
What needs improving on my blog?	I think it’s nice and easy to read. If I had to be hyper-critical, I might suggest to make the side menu a little smaller, so it gives your actual blog or pictures more space. Or maybe use a more different font to make it stand apart better.
Any thing else you want to say?	Keep up the good work! 🙂

My Reply
Hey Jenny! Thanks so much for your feedback on my blog! And it’s nice to know I have a fellow wife in my corner 🙂 Unfortunately, due to my template, I don’t think I’ll manage changing the sidebar… it’s kind of stuck that way but I appreciate your suggestion. I would have loved to fulfill it 🙂

Heather Smith

I love looking at pictures, so anything that you write with an image that catches my attention makes me want to come read your blog posts. I also love your honesty about things. You are not afraid to share the truth about what is really going on in your life. i.e. marriage, what God is doing, silly stories, sad stories.

What’s your favorite color?	ORANGE!
What needs improving on my blog?	Being able to subscribe should be more accessible, because I didn’t know that I could.
Any thing else you want to say?	You’re a wonderful woman and I love that you are genuine and friendly to everyone that you meet. =)

My Reply
Hey Heather! Thank you for your feedback on my blog. Your encouragement meant a lot to me today. I also took a stab at getting the subscribe more noticeable. What do you think?

I like lots of things 🙂 I enjoy that you always give a little info on the person who you took photos of, it makes you feel so personal (which you are). My favorite link on your blog currently is the blog about marriage!! I really enjoy when you give helpful tips to others, because it is so encouraging and it’s just because. It gives people a little burst of sunshine and positivity which is exactly who you are. I love that the blog is so you! **AND THAT YOU ARE DOING A GIVEAWAY! 🙂

Megan Miller

What’s your favorite color?	Yellow AND blue 🙂
What needs improving on my blog?	Hmmm…. this is the tough part. I would say that I … I can’t say anything, I just like it 🙂
Any thing else you want to say?

My Reply
Megan! You’re just the sweetest and make my heart smile 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement and wonderful friendship. Can’t wait to take more pictures of you in the near future 😉