Blog » Noemi Photography - Wedding & Portrait Photography

January always brings out a lot of emotions and thought provoking ideas for me. I love looking ahead and building a plan both for business and for me personally! I sat down with one of my new Photography assistants this week and talked through our “partnership” over the next 2-3 years and it was so exciting for me…It takes so little to make me happy!

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time working on my 5 year business plan. It’s so much work but, so rewarding. When you work for yourself you have to set your own goals and even provide incentives to help you along the way. For example: I want 15 weddings for 2008 (no more and no less - more then 15 means I’ll be away from my growing family too much and less then 15 means I won’t reach the financial goals I’ve set for the business) as I reach 5, 10 or 15 there’s equipment I get to purchase…AND we all know shopping is a great reward! (Note: I buy most my equipment through B & H Photo or at the WPPI Convention in Las Vegas)

I usually breakdown the year into segments to help me achieve the goals. For example: I’d like to book 10 of the 15 weddings before I leave for Vegas in the middle of March (6 weeks away)…and I’m well on my way to that goal. Then, I’d like to book the remaining weddings before the birth of our second baby 6 weeks after that. Then I’m taking a full two months “off”cause I’ll still be shooting portraits and engagements. The last 6 months of the year is dedicated to “my brides” and continuing to mentor my assistants! Everything wraps up in November and then I start the planning process all over again.

My goals for this year:

-Stay on top of Quickbooks through out the year so it’s not such a beast to sort out every quarter.

-Shoot when I don’t have to and when I’m not being paid…just because I love photography.

-Stop worrying because it always works out (and worrying doesn’t help anything!) Know matter how long you’ve been doing your job, when you own your business, there’s a weight of responsibility that can get really heavy. Finding ways to keep it light is the key.

I hope this is helpful to those of you reading trying to make a go of photography or other small businesses!!

www.noemiphotography.com

I can’t thank you enough for your sound advice on potty training. You were sooo right about waiting until she was ready! It was the last day I would’ve chosen but, that’s the way is right? On our vacation, while visiting Washington and going in and out of musuems, she decided she was done with diapers…and has gone 4-5 times a day since. I still have her in pull-ups cause she rarely asks me to go to the bathroom and sometimes I don’t ask her in time. But, I’m running low and will switch to “Big Girl” underwear soon.

It’s funny the things you worry about as a parent. Really. My little girl is her own person and has always surprised me. It’s good for me not to know-it-all.

For all the mom’s worrying about something today…take a deep breath. You are not the first and you won’t be the last but, I believe that you are the perfect parent for your child and if you need wisdom…all you have to do is ask!

www.noemiphotography.com

I have mixed feelings about coming home. I’ve been home for 2 days and still there’s stuff everywhere that needs to be washed and/or put away. Why is that so hard? My suitcase is open and I just need to clean it up…but, instead I find other things that are more important to do like spending time catching up with friends. Somehow I don’t think I’m alone in this!

I have to be honest…it’s not easy to be inspired in below zero weather. My poor daughter has not transitioned well. When we’re outside she starts moaning and saying, “Ouch mommy, it hurts!” Then she wants to be picked up and carried! For a pregnant mom in a puff-daddy jacket picking up my 32 pound toddler is the last thing I want to do! So, I try and find anything to distract her and it usually works.

I didn’t give you the update on potty training. Of all places, Adriah decided she was ready at the Smithsonian and went four times in one day! She has continued to go 2-3 times a day and tonight had her first poop experience! It’s gross but, I was so proud…and excited that my poopy diaper days may be coming to end Thank you for all your extremely helpful advice. If nothing else, I began to relax about the whole thing and it really has worked out well! I have 3 months til the next one comes so I think we’re in good shape!

Alright, I’m going to turn on a good movie and clean. Nothing like a good movie to get me inspired! Tomorrow I’m going shopping! My daughter is growing like a weed and that means all her clothes don’t fit. Thankfully, Old Navy and Children’s Place are having their HUGE sales off their clearance stuff so I can restock!

Wow, this blog was really a lot of blah, blah, blah…but, for those of you who read daily you’re used to my randomness!

www.noemiphotography.com

I received this email a few days ago and wanted to take this opportunity to talk about turning your photography passion into a profitable business…what are the first steps.

Hi Noemi!

I missed some of your blogs so I read back through and wanted to write about our “Canvas Vs. Print” entry on the 16th.  I recently presented at my first
wedding show this weekend and it was a lot of fun - very intimidating, but also a GREAT chance for me to get my name out there. (use every opportunity to let people know who you are and what you’re doing…do you blog yet?)

I am really eager to start learning more about photography - I want to go to workshops, seminars, etc. - and I saw your WPPI information in your blog,
which sounds SO great but probably not something I’d be able to do this year. I also think I’m a little too “green” to attend; I’ve done a few weddings,
some families, some seniors, etc. but I don’t know what I’m doing most of the time and want to start from the beginning!  The problem is, I am having a very
hard time just finding these types of courses - where do you find yours?  I took pictures everywhere and anywhere for free. I built my portfolio from shooting friends and family and learned as a went. I also took a couple of photography classes but mostly I read and got along side of anyone who knew more then me and asked a ton of questions. I searched online but come up with a lot of WAY out of state stuff and I keep hoping I’ll come across something a little closer to home, and more my speed. I received a letter in the mail today from a recent photography graduate looking for a photographer to shadow and be willing to take her under their wing! This is the key. Being a great photographer is not just about shooting good pictures. It’s tons more and tons of work…don’t try and reinvent the wheel! Learn from someone who learned from someone else.

When I’ve been printing, so far I have only used Pictage for one event, and loved the book I had for my wedding couple, but I don’t know yet how I’ll add
that in to my event pricing.  I’m spending quite a bit on materials  and time and not making a whole lot in the long run so a book like that, running about
$200 with all my photos, definitely takes another chunk out of any profits.  (setting up a business means putting  money out and having some risk…in most small businesses people don’t see profits for the first 2 years! Photography is a profitable business but you have to charge for your time or you’ll just be volunteering. Make it worth you’re while! You don’t want to resent the client for all the work you put into it. Charge what you’re worth.)

I handed out about 200 brochures and items with my web information on it, so I hate to up the prices when they may contact me because I’m very budget-
friendly already!  Up-ing your prices is a part of owning your own business. If they contact you and like you…they’ll higher you at the higher price. And if they talk about the old prices you can always compromise and through something extra into the package. Let them know you’ll take care of them and you’re worth every penny.

I know you use your e-mails for blog stuff so you can clean up this e-mail and use it, along with any tips you might have for me…I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks for reaching out to the new photographers out there!

Jenny

Jenny, I hope this is helpful…thanks for letting me talk it through on the blog. I guess I’m always hoping it helps others who are wondering the same things but didn’t know they could ask.

Wow! It’s been an amazing couple of weeks! I hope the pictures made you smile!

Here’s a few more:

Can you see the tiny White House in the background?

Adriah’s happy we came but, happy to be going home too!

www.noemiphotography.com