A couple days ago I was contacted by a lovely young lady who is going to be graduating from UCO soon, and she had a couple questions for me. I took a few moments out of my morning today to answer some of her questions – and I thought, heck, why not! I’ll throw my answers up on the blog.
So, as my first blog post for 2014 – a few behind the scenes answers about Catie Bartlett Photography – and a huge THANK YOU from the rooftops to my clients who have trusted me with their precious memories, and who have gotten me to where I am today. Enjoy!
1. When and what inspired you to pursue photography?
Well, I got started in 2011, because learning how a camera worked intrigued me. I thought to myself, how can I make this camera do exactly what I want it to do? Because it’s not. So, I sat down, read tons of articles on shooting in manual mode, theory, how the camera works behind the scenes, and the next time I used my camera I shot in complete manual mode…and began telling my camera what to do instead of it telling ME what to do. Then, after that, I realized it was something that I TRULY enjoyed doing, and started taking on more and more work as it came to me. Eventually I was let go from my full time job under rather shady circumstances, and completely threw myself into making this work full time for me – and I haven’t looked back!
2. How did you start your photography business? LLC?
For 2011, 2012, & most of 2013 I was a sole proprietor – near the end of 2013 I made the transition over to LLC.
3. What has been successful in your business? What hasn’t been as successful?
What has been successful in my business is hard work, and not being afraid to take risks. There are tons of photographers out there who are trying to SELL you something that will tell you that there is a “secret” to making a lot of money in photography and that is a lie. There is no formula for success in this business because everyone is different, and different clients like different photographers for different reasons – if that wasn’t the case, there wouldn’t be so many of us! One thing specifically that worked well for me was – to portfolio build – offer fun, free sessions that I would plan. The key was not ADVERTISING free sessions, because that attracts the “deal seekers” who won’t be return customers once you raise your prices – ever. Don’t convince yourself that they will. Do free sessions on your own time, don’t advertise them, and allow paying clients to see your work and want to hire you. Make sure your friends and family are aware that this won’t continue, and that if any of their friends want sessions it will be $XX amount. If they are aware ahead of time, and they love the images, they’ll have no problem recommending you.
4. What has been the best way to promote your business?
There has been a lot of different things I’ve tried – but I actually really loved Facebook Ads when I was first trying to book weddings! It doesn’t work so much anymore since Facebook ads are really more geared toward people looking for a great deal (who can blame them!) thus, these are the people willing to book a newer photographer. It worked very well for me, and the people that booked me this way were some of my favorite clients, who, with word of mouth and recommending me to their friends have helped me grow my business to where it is today, and I couldn’t have done it without them. 🙂
5. What suggestions do you have for new photographers wanting to be in the wedding and portrait field?
First suggestion is KNOW your gear in and out. Good photographers can create magic with ANY camera they’re given. It’s hard to not lust over the latest and greatest gear – but when you’re new and starting out, you just can’t afford it without going in to huge amounts of debt – which will not help your business at all. So, learn what your gear can do, and figure out how to make it work best for you. This will help you immeasurably.
Shoot in manual. If you create an image with no knowledge of HOW you did it – you will not be able to replicate the results for your next client resulting in inconsistent work. Take the time to learn it.
Weddings are HARD. WORK. By the end of a wedding I am sore, tired, hungry, thirsty, and I want to crawl into my bed and sleep for 3 days. But, it’s also incredibly important work. You are capturing moments that will last a lifetime, and you need to treat it with such importance. This wedding is THE BRIDE AND GROOM’s wedding day – not your portfolio building experience. Have a contract, have backup gear, have extra memory cards, look into renting gear you don’t have that you might need, because you cannot get these moments back if you don’t get it right. Before I started accepting my own weddings I second shot – A LOT – and I would highly recommend second shooting with an experienced photographer a TON before you accept your own so you can figure out the fast paced moments & how to capture them perfectly. So you can figure out the gear you need, and so you can save up for backup gear.
Backup gear – do NOT shoot a wedding without backup gear. I have never *personally* had anything horrible happen *knock on wood* but I’ve heard many horror stories or mirrors falling out of cameras, shutters locking up right before the first kiss, memory cards failing. Just don’t do it! Better to be safe than have to explain to a bride that you can’t keep photographing her day because your camera is broken. Right?!
Anyway, I hope this was helpful. Im kind of a rambler sometimes – and sometimes I don’t follow a clear train of thought. haha!
If you have any more questions at all please feel free to ask! My email catie@catiebartlett.com is always open.
Catie
