I can’t believe I haven’t shared the 5 programs I can’t live without on the blog yet. These downloads, apps, and websites actually cut my work time in half, they save my life, they are my babies. Trust me when I say, you’re going to LOVE this blog… thank me later, honey. They are 120% worth the investment and I’ll tell you why with each program listed!
1. Lightroom–– For some of you, this might be an obvious one, but let me tell you… When I first started this business a few years ago, I was using Photoshop for ALL MY PICTURES. This actually took me forrrrrevvvverrrrrrr and it was so annoying. Then I found out there was actually an easier/faster way to import, edit, and export my images (WHAT!?!?). If you don’t have Lightroom, get it right now, like today, tonight, asap. Youtube shares some awesome tutorials if you’re confused, but feel free to ask me anything!
2. Photo Mechanic 5–– I purchased this program about two years ago and I don’t know how I ever survived without it. It’s a major time saver and makes importing extremely easy!! Now, if you’re just starting out and aren’t booking a ton of sessions, I recommend waiting to make the investment until you are booking consistently!
3. BlogStomp— All those pretty little collages you see? All those images paired side by side for blog posts? BlogStomp. It’s AMAZING. I use this for blogs so that I’m not sharing a million photos in one post- you can just pair them up and cut your blog in half! It’s super easy and super fast. I also use it for facebook, my website, and Instagram stories to share session sneak peeks!
4. Dubsado— MY ENTIRE LIFE IS IN THIS WEBSITE. All my clients, my calendar, accounting, invoices, contracts, forms, notes, tasks, ALL OF IT. Check it out for a free trial and if you want to sign up, then use my code to sign up!!! https://www.dubsado.com/?c=yayrtp CODE: “yayrtp”
5. Notes— This one seems silly, but guess what… IT’S FREE and IT’S AMAZING. The “Notes” app gets updated on my phone and computer, so I keep all my thoughts and ideas organized here. This is where I keep my daily to-do lists, goals, new session ideas, blog ideas, workshop vendors, Instagram captions…I mean, alllll of it. If you want to keep your ideas and thoughts organized, I highly recommend using this program. Keep it constantly updated and it will become a part of your routine. It’s there on the go and it’s there at home- use it!
I hope this was helpful! These programs made a huge difference in my business and workflow, so I know it will do the same for you! Questions are always welcome. Happy downloading! 🙂
If you’re interested in an educational opportunity with me, check out more information about my “Shades of Pink” Workshop on June 18th!! Find the registration and investment at the bottom of the page! Mentoring is fully booked until July- if you are interested in some one-on-one time, shoot me an email! I can’t wait to hear from you!! 🙂
To sign up for my Education Email list, click HERE!
Do you know your worth…? Have you ever really thought about that before? Have you ever been put to the test about knowing your worth? I always knew what that question meant, but I didn’t know the true meaning of it until I had to step away from all the things I was doing and really take a look at myself. I had to dig deep, I had to be honest with myself, and I had to make some changes.
It feels good to be valued, doesn’t it? But it feels terrible when you’re not. When you are just starting to understand your worth, it can still be hard to make confident decisions about what you’re doing, who you’re working for, or how you’re being treated. After starting my photography business, I had to make some tough decisions. There were times when I just didn’t think I was worth as much as something or someone else, but then I grew to know my value. I have been challenged and tested time and time again. Certain situations and people have come in and out of my life by way of soul-searching and contemplating whether I was adding value or having it taken away from me. There are jobs, moments and people that are put into your life for a reason… they force you to soul-search, test your will, and grow.
I’m sure a lot of you have been in positions where we have felt undervalued and been given unfair circumstances. Let me tell you… I have been there a few times. After a while, it gets tiring. I am all for working hard, going above and beyond, and making a sacrifice for the greater good, but when I don’t get the appreciation or respect I feel I deserve, I begin to feel a lack of value as a whole. After a full year of going full-time as a photographer, I am now confident enough to say that I KNOW my worth. I know what I deserve and I know how I should be valued as a person and photographer. I decided I will no longer give away my hard work, time, and my personal space to a situation that doesn’t create value for both sides. I know that each and every one of you wants to feel that you earn value when you make an investment, and I believe everybody should dig deep to find that source of positive gain.
Now, think about it… Are you also confident enough to say the same? Do you know your worth? It took me a solid year in business to figure it out and I continue to work on it daily; maybe you need some time to figure it out, too. Take a step back, give yourself the time to really think about how far you’ve come in your career. Look at your business and your life. Are you getting what you know you deserve? Think about why you think you should be valued, and the changes you might need to make. Are you making sacrifices that seem unfair? I can tell you now, it’s okay and it’s going to all be worth it in the end. These things happen for a reason… to make you stronger, to teach you how to speak up and stand up. When you’re sacrificing and doing the best you can, you should be so proud of yourself. Just know that the right thing at the right time will be placed in front of you and it will pay off. You are always rewarded in the end.
Sometimes it seems impossible to get out of a situation or lifestyle after being committed to it for so long. I know, I’ve been there too. Weirdly enough, every time I put it in my head that I belong somewhere else or I don’t feel right in a position, I start making natural changes that push me in the right direction and I end up exactly where I need to be. Doing the right thing is never the easiest decision. It takes strength and courage to speak up for yourself and it takes hard work to make your worth a reality. Just know your value and don’t let that slip away from you. When it comes time for a change and you’re ready to step out, that will be your moment. It makes the world of a difference to know your worth and be confident in your strengths. If you don’t recognize your worth yet, maybe you need to make some changes, or maybe you just need space to grow. It takes time to really know and feel it, but I just wanted to get this thought into your head.
With faith, comes joy.
So have a little faith, do the right thing for yourself, and remember you deserve to be valued and you deserve to be happy!
Happy March, happy announcement day, happy almost Spring, HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY! The day has finally come! I’ve been waiting to launch this special project since last summer and now I can finally share with you what I’ve been dreaming of!
The secret I’ve been keeping and waiting to announce is…
FOR BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS
JUNE 18TH
AHHHHHH!!!! OH HAPPY DAY, I am so excited to finally share this project with you all! So, tell me, did you guess it? I’m sure a few of you had a pretty good idea of what all this commotion was about. I can’t believe this is happening! The awesome part is that I already announced this to my education mailing list a couple weeks ago and I already have attendees signed up and ready to go!!!! I can’t wait to meet them!
Registration for my very first photography workshop is open to everyone RIGHT NOW! The details are listed below, but I encourage you to visit my website for additional important details including the cost and requirements. Contact me if you have any questions and click the link at the bottom if you’re ready to sign up for the Shades of Pink Workshop! PS- this doesn’t mean you have to like the color pink 😉 I explain the meaning of the title as you keep reading on this page! I can’t wait to hear your feedback and start seeing those names sign-up!
It’s time to take control of your dreams and goals, it’s time to invest in something that can help you move forward and encourage you to keep going. It’s time YOU invest in YOURSELF.
DETAILS
DATE: Monday, June 18th at 8am-9pm
LOCATION:A cozy, 3-acre, waterfront home in Midlothian, VA
WHO? 12 portrait photographers who must own and have knowledge about a DSLR camera, must be willing to sign an RTP contract and must live outside 50 miles radius from Chesterfield, VA.
INCLUDED IN COST:One full day of educational lessons about in-camera tips and tricks, posing, Lightroom editing, branding, marketing, growing a business, workflow, collaborating, encouragement/real-talk, and so much more! There will be fun indoor and outdoor portfolio-building styled shoots created by incredible local vendors, as well as headshots by Remy, an amazing inspirational guest speaker, snacks, drinks, a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
BONUSES:Goodie bags, exciting giveaways, and joining the Q&A RTP Educational Facebook Group to connect with friends, support each other through our journeys, and some quality/one-on-one time with Remy to answer questions!
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? This workshop is customized to your needs of improving your photography skills, learning more about branding and marketing, growing your business, reaching your goals, and building relationships. It’s time to get out of your comfort zone, create new friendships, take the next step in your business, get productive, be confident, embrace your uniqueness, and start living your dreams. Let’s do some real talk with real people. Let’s create, motivate, encourage, and share our passion with each other!
WHY “SHADES OF PINK”? If you’ve read my other emails or blogs, you might have noticed my passion for encouraging other photographers to keep going, to embrace the “YOU” behind the business, and to identify what makes their business different from others… You may have also noticed my love for the color pink! 🙂 I decided to combine my love for both things and create something meaningful out of it. That’s when I thought of different shades of pink… stay with me…
YOU ARE A VERY SPECIFIC SHADE OF PINK. …Or maybe you don’t like pinkso you can replace that with a color that brings you joy! 😉
So here’s what I mean… every time I talk about a shade of pink in the following explanation, replace that with “a photographer” in your mind.
There are a million different shades of pink. There’s hot pink, dark pink, pale pink, and everything in between. Weirdly enough, because I am a pinkaholic, I am only drawn to a very specific shade of pink. I don’t like it too coral looking, I don’t like it too redish, I don’t like it too purpley, I don’t like it neon…I think you get my point! 🙂 Out of all those different shades, that I’m not totally in love with, I still think they’re beautiful in their own way, but they just aren’t a good fit for me. Do you know what I’m trying to say?
The photography industry might feel a bit saturated, but there is one very important thing to remember before we just lose our cool… WE are all different, we are all unique and imperfectly beautiful in our own way. Because of that, we attract different people, we offer different things, we serve our clients differently, we have different styles, we say different things, we run our operations in our way, and we all have something really special to add to the table. We are all a different shade of pink, and we are nothing without the other shades next to us.
We need to learn from each other to grow, we need to inspire each other to keep moving forward, and we need to encourage one another to be ourselves while living the same dream. We need to celebrate our differences and keep embracing our own little sparkle!
So think about it… what shade are you? Maybe this workshop is exactly what you need to find out. I want us all to come together, support one another, and discover what makes YOU unique from all the others.
Visit the website for investment and additional details!
If you joined my Education Mailing List, then you already read about my big clue! Now it’s time to share it with everyone else!!
Over the last 8 months, I have grown to really love my one-on-one mentoring sessions, like almost too much! After my first mentoring lesson last summer, I knew I wanted to do something more for other photographers who are trying to get their business rolling… something BIG… something different. I learned that mentoring isn’t just about the education. It’s about the guidance, the support, and the love I pour into the relationships with my clients. The girls I have already mentored have become more than a “mentee”, but actually a friend! I LOVE these girls and I am so thankful for the support that goes both ways!
There are so many different phases of becoming a photographer, especially when you’re on the way to full-time. I remember when I was first trying to get my business started, but people weren’t taking me seriously, which made me feel discouraged. I decided to kick that thought and start being my own cheerleader. I pushed myself and decided to invest in more education to take me to that next level.
When I first started, my goal was to become a wedding photographer, but that didn’t mean I was going to jump into strictly wedding education. When making the decision of where to start and keep growing in education, I knew I had to start with the basics, I couldn’t rush into all the things. I needed to invest in education that would teach me everything I needed to know about portrait photography first, like posing, lighting, camera settings and techniques, marketing, branding… I mean everything! Then, I knew when I felt confident enough in my skills, I would then be ready to take on the wedding world! Through this process, I met other photographers who were there to encourage me, inspire me, and cheer me on throughout the process. That’s truly one of the best parts and it’s so important to have that support system in our industry. Maybe you’re interested in doing the same thing I did, maybe you’re only interested in wedding photography, or maybe you’re only interested in portrait photography- either way, you’re on the right track by coming to my blog, because something so amazing and so special is coming thisJUNE and I have a feeling it’s perfect for YOU!
So to sum up the big clue– This IN-PERSON experience I’m offering is for those who want to grow their business and those who want to create strong friendships with women who will encourage them every step of the way. This is for those who want to make that next step because they believe in themselves! I believe in you too, and I will be there to guide you through it all. I’ve been through it all and I want to lift up a team of women who can embrace their differences while empowering each other! We all share the same passion, but we all offer something different and special… now that’s something to celebrate!
If you’re interested in joining the RTP Education List, click HERE to sign up! I’ll be sharing my heart, my photography tips, and upcoming exciting announcements! This list will be the first to find out about details, events, secrets, and the first place registration will open up!
The first week of 2018 started with an amazing one-on-one mentoring session with Hannah Shinholser Photography. As soon as I met Hannah and got to know more about herself and her business, I knew she was totally invested. I could sense her determination and passion for photography and the people that come with it. I love getting to know my clients before jumping into the lesson plan. This allows us to get comfortable and really dig deep into the heart of the business. Hannah is so good at what she does and her work is stunning! I can already see business growth and another level of confidence shining through her since we met for the mentoring day.
My larger mentoring packages include a mini styled portrait session of choice. Hannah wanted to practice with a couple and asked for a location that represented her business. Luckily, the barn that I chose was one I have used for a previous mentoring shoot and it fit her personality and brand so well. I always want to make sure I am providing details for my clients that are customized to their business needs, not mine!
I love that my mentees have differences from me and my style, but still appreciate learning from me. I also found that adding a little bit of my own style encouraged Hannah to try something new. She soon stepped out of her comfort zone, and enjoyed it! As photographers, we should constantly push ourselves to step outside of our branding box and spice things up every once in a while! Hannah had the opportunity to try a couple of new techniques and she totally ran with it… that’s what these practice photoshoots are for after all! With a mix of our brands coming together, we had so much fun shooting side by side! Hannah is SO beautiful and I’m obsessed with her headshots, which shares her love for horses, her adorable style, and stunning features! See my favorites below!
Following the headshots, we had the most perfect and adorable couple modeling for us this day. The best part is that they had just gotten engaged over Christmas time and we were able to capture their first professional photos ever, along with their actual engagement shoot!! How special and awesome is that!? Plus we ended the evening with a slight sunset glow along the horizon through the trees, and we were so pumped about it! I loved working with this sweet couple, my amazing mentee, and the vendors who helped out! Just you wait until you see this fun-loving, romantic session- cue the heart eyes!!!
If you’re ready to make the next step in your photography business and you’re interested in one-on-one mentoring with Remy, visit the website for more information!
If you want to be the first to find out more about RTP Educational Events, exciting announcements, and early access for sign-ups, get all the notifications here!
My mentoring packages have become one of my favorite services that I offer. My heart is constantly pulled in the direction to help others and their businesses. I meet such incredible women through this process. I start every mentoring session by asking about themselves, their businesses, and their goals. I love that this allows me to get to know the client better from a personal aspect and then hear more about the business side of it.
Mallory booked with me a while ago, and we were so excited to finally meet for her 5-hour mentoring package! This includes 3 hours of customized lessons, lunch, headshots, and a styled shoot to learn hands-on, trying new posing techniques, and then use the photos for the portfolio! Mallory showed me that she was hard-working, driven, and has the kindest, sweetest heart!! I loved getting to know her and I can’t wait to take her senior pictures at VCU in the Spring! I am always blown away by the dedication that goes into finishing college while running a photography business. She is seriously kicking some butt, and I can’t wait to see her business grow even more by applying what she learned when we met.
The day of our session, it was literally blowing 40mph gusts of wind. It wasn’t super cold earlier in the day, but then it dropped to the upper 30’s by the time we started shooting outdoors. I guess it’s better to learn in the worst of conditions, right? 🙂 But then the sunshine started peaking through and we ended up with beautiful golden backlighting! Mallory did amazing and dealt with the weather like a champ. The models were basically frozen, but they looked flawless and I was so thankful for their patience!
First, I will be sharing some of Mallory’s windy and beautiful headshots! Then I will begin sharing my own images and favorites from the Fall and Holiday looks… We ended the shoot with a little Christmas fun! 🙂
THANK YOU to my awesome vendor crew who helped tremendously! I loved everything about the makeup, the hair (even though the wind really wanted to screw with it), and the flower crowns! See vendors listed below:
I mean like really hard. I’ve always had a strong work ethic and I’ll always be that way. I forced myself to be this way a long time ago and now it just comes naturally… it’s a part of who I am. I give my all in everything that I do.
There are those people we all know: the ones who easily succeed in school without having to lift a finger or open a book… and then there are the people who have to try extra hard to make it through… that was me.
Elementary school- I literally couldn’t learn the times tables no matter how many times my teacher jammed it in my head. Middle school- I actually couldn’t comprehend a single thing I was learning. High school- tutors on tutors on tutors. Math, science, history… it was all a nightmare. That left me to English/Writing, Music, and Arts… those were the only subjects I felt confident in. Obviously, I succeeded more in the creative field- where I (happily) am today.
Back then I thought I was a failure, and that I would never get a good job because I felt so stupid. Really? Stupid? That wasn’t true by any means, but that’s how the school systems can make you feel when you aren’t learning at the same pace as the majority of students. I, of course, was blessed with the typical loving parents who always told me how smart I was and how amazing I was doing in school, but I knew, truly, that it wasn’t my strongpoint and I struggled with that.
I wasn’t stupid, and I’m not stupid, I just learn differently. There is nothing wrong with that. Knowing this, I had to work extra hard at everything I did. I was so hard on myself, especially when it came to tests. I would bawl when I came home with a bad grade– not because my parents were upset… they were proud of me because they knew I worked hard — it was because I gave it my all, and I still didn’t see my hard work pay off. Yet, the person beside me could miss class for a week and text through every lecture, and still receive a better grade than me.
Taking the SAT was a nightmare. I took them twice and my scores were terrible, both times. Sadly, I didn’t get to experience the excitement of being accepted into the college of my dreams, like all my friends did. I experienced something way different. I was embarrassed, distraught, and felt totally alone. I had to accept the fact that I had to stay at my childhood home during what was supposed to be my freshman year of college and attend a community college instead. It just wasn’t what I pictured. Most people think of community college as a lesser thing, so I did too. I was in a really dark place and on top of that, I was diagnosed with Still’s Disease after being in the hospital for a week. I was on medication that gave me bad reactions and I was going through a healing process with my body.
My friends were all leaving for college, while I was dealing with illness, depression, anger, and, truly, I didn’t even want to leave the house. As it turned out, staying home and going to community college was honestly the best possible experience for me and it was exactly where I needed to be. I learned so much about myself, about my work ethic, and ways to succeed through college. I was determined to succeed and would not stop until I got accepted into a four year university. After two years of working my butt off at the community college, I was denied by the school I had my heart set on, but I was accepted into two colleges- VCU and ECU. I took a chance and chose East Carolina to study Hospitality and Special Events… thank the Lord I did or else I would have never found my great friends and my amazing husband. It all happens for a reason, friends.
I have never worked harder in my life for the Bachelors Degree that I received from ECU in 2014. Even after transferring from a community college, I only graduated one semester behind. I have never been more proud of myself for getting through college. It is SO rewarding to finally receive a degree knowing all of the stress, tears, and struggles that I went through along the way. I somehow found a path through the biggest challenges, but I believe it had a lot to do with the thousands of prayers I sent to God. I proved to myself that I could succeed, and not just succeed, but do it better than I ever thought I could. ECU gave me the biggest blessings at just the right time in my life.
Three years down the road, here I am owning my own business and succeeding more than I ever dreamed I could. I’ve been given the greatest opportunities thus far by working for some of the best people I know. I was given a gracious chance to prove myself and what I had to offer. I have been blessed with incredible experiences in many different areas. I have been inspired, encouraged and taught by amazing women in the creative industry.
This is where I belong. I can feel it and those who know me can see it. I get to use my best skills every day: organizing, planning, creating, coordinating, collaborating, sharing my heart, inspiring others, and working really really hard every day to improve and better myself. I wasn’t meant to remember and talk about history, or understand science, or work with numbers. The schools may not have planned for that, but looking at my life now, I couldn’t have it any other way. All I needed to do was put my best skills and my accelerated work ethic to use and now I truly feel that I can create anything I desire. A lot of people don’t have those skills, and that’s okay because they’re using their strengths to do big things.
I was meant for this field and I will succeed in it.
Here is some advice for anyone who feels they might be a little like me… This is your life, be who you are meant to be. It is your duty to prove your worth- work hard to get where you want to go. Nobody else will do it for you, only you can make it happen. There are so many opportunities out there for you. Some jobs might require a Masters Degree or some employers might look down on community college, but just know this… It only takes one person. It takes ONE person to see the real you, to believe in you, take a chance on you, and trust you. You might get denied a lot and leave you feeling worthless and harsh on yourself, but do NOT give up.
I’m telling you now, there is a place for you and it’s waiting for the right moment. It’s all in your hands. YOU can define your own success, YOU can decide what’s best for you, YOU are in control of your own life… nobody else is. So remember, hard work and dedication will take you anywhere you want to go in life. It’s not about being book smart, it’s about believing you can do anything and making it happen. If you’re trying, you’re improving. If you’re failing, you’re learning. If you’re changing, you’re growing. If you’re seeing all of this and continuing to work hard, you are succeeding. The money isn’t the reward in the end. The rewarding part is whatever is truly important to you.
Keep dreaming and follow your heart.
First step? Write down your weekly and monthly goals. Stop dreaming it, and start living it. I want you to feel empowered and inspired, because I believe in YOU! If I didn’t have my little support community through school, I would have given up and I wouldn’t have the happiness that I have now. If you need that support, that kick in the butt or a cheerleader, you let me know. I’m here to help and I would LOVE to hear from you. It’s time to hear the encouragement you need to get you on the path you deserve for yourself. This is much more than a career, it’s your happiness and the fulfillment of your life. Discover yourself and be exactly who you are meant to be.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
Well, I think the title may have given away the big announcement! 🙂
YAS, it’s true!! I am now offering one-on-one mentoring to budding photographers who are looking to improve their skills, invest in their education, and grow their businesses! Mentoring is the best way to take your business to the next step and start making your dreams a reality! Having a mentor, someone to push you in the right direction, and someone to encourage you to keep going, is the most valuable resource you can invest in! Over the past year or so I have been getting a lot of emails and messages asking photography-related questions. I LOVE that so many people choose to come to me for questions and it makes me feel so honored! That’s when I knew I had to start trying this whole mentor thing, to take helping other photographers to an entirely new level.
When I first started photography, I felt seriously confused about EVERYTHING. I decided to reach out to just about every photographer I could find and asked if they were offering any type of mentoring. Some people just didn’t respond and most didn’t offer anything. Then I found workshops, and decided to go that direction instead. I love workshops, but I wasn’t where I wanted to be in my business when I attended my first one! I wish I would have found someone to sit down with me and break it all down piece by piece. I was frustrated, discouraged, and totally annoyed that I couldn’t find anyone in my area to help me. You don’t need to feel that same way.
Now, it’s MY opportunity to help YOU. I want to offer mentoring to those photographers who are starting out just like I did. If you are willing to work hard, learn, grow, and chase your dreams, this is for you!! I am here to guide you, teach you, encourage you, and help you succeed in the business you are meant for! This is your time to take advantage of something that could completely change your business. I want you to feel confident in your brand, style, skills, and the goals you have for the future!
If you are interested in knowing more about my One-On-One Mentoring, please email me for details at remybthompson@gmail.com! I would LOVE to get to know you and everything about your business! It’s time to celebrate, because you are about to start investing in yourself and making your dreams reality!!
For the past few months I’ve been planning a 6-Hour Mentoring Session located in Midlothian, VA with Colleen Megan Photography. Colleen originally messaged with a question a while back. After we spoke, I learned she wanted to really grow as a photographer, so I offered her some mentoring packages to choose from. She was ALL about it! Finally, the mentor day came to life this past Tuesday! We both met at a coffee shop to review the power point lessons that I had prepared and we talked for hours. I LOVED hearing her goals and being able to push her closer to achieving them. We had an awesome day getting to know each other better through our passion for photography! Our time together was jam-packed with a ton of material and great conversation, but the fun didn’t stop there…
The package she chose included a portrait session at the end with a model. I ended up surprised her with a full photoshoot including three stunning models, a variety of session types/outfits/props to practice with, a makeup artist, a florist, and a beautiful venue! THIS WAS CRAZY FUN!!! We started our session in the golden sunshine and finished just after sunset to practice the new lighting techniques she had just learned. She left feeling SO confident and she killed it during the photoshoot!! I was so proud to see her practicing the new skills I taught her during the lessons and learning more and more as the night went on. We were both exhausted by the end of the night, but our hearts were so full! I will never forget my first One-On-One Mentoring Session thanks to Colleen, these awesome models, and amazing vendors. I am so excited to share the beautiful images from the photoshoot!
Before that, I want to share Colleen’s testimony from after our Mentor Day together! She is so so sweet and I love her enthusiasm for life! She is going to be so successful as a girl boss and I can’t wait to see her business take off!
“When starting my business I was struggling to keep a float in the photography world. As many say it is an intimidating, overwhelmingly lonely game, and I couldn’t agree more, that is until I met Remy. She went above and beyond to comfort me and remind me I am not alone in this. Driving away from my mentor session I was ready to take this adventure in my business head on! Her fun loving attitude broke me out of my shell, and allowed me to drastically step out of my comfort zone. I went from hiding behind my camera to taking control of it. The future is is bright for Colleen Megan Photography, and that is all thanks to my incredible mentor Remy, her words of wisdom and, guidance ignited a fire inside of me I didn’t know could exist. I am a better photographer because of her, and for that I am truly humbled for the opportunity of working alongside her! If anyone is looking to grow their education and business Remy Thompson is a game changer!” -Colleen 8/8/17
First… headshots, of course!! 🙂 Isn’t Colleen stunning?!
NOW.. the photoshoot!! Huge shoutout to the vendors and models, they killed it!
AnnMarie is SO talented, I was thrilled to have her as a vendor!! Check her out on Facebook and Instagram @makeupbyvnnmarie_
We started off with a mini graduation shoot of these two cute friends, Compton and Maddy. Next we moved into bridal portraits with Brenna! You’re about to be blown away…
AND IN COMES THE BEST PART!!!…
Just wait until you see the horse with it’s owner, Compton. SO CUTE!!
Well, this is exciting! We haven’t been able to do a lesson together in a loooong time. Probably because we’ve been home for 3 days in the past 2 months- crazy!! Today we are talking about something that might come easily to a lot of people, but maybe not so easily for others.
SERVING YOUR CLIENTS
This lesson is about serving your clients, or simply, putting your client’s needs before your own! This can be hard if your client’s want something specific that isn’t your typical style. This can also be difficult if it is something you wouldn’t normally do or want in your portfolio. Another challenge in putting your client’s first can be a situation where you begin editing the album and you just LOVE the lighting and composition in some of your images, but the client’s pose or expression isn’t as flattering as the other images. This is when you have to make the decision to make your client’s feel beautiful in every image, and ask yourself if they would appreciate you sharing a not-so-perfect picture. Put your client’s first. Do not send them photos because the lighting is beautiful. Send them images that will make them say, “WOAH, is that really me!?”. Think about how they might feel when viewing their photos.
My sweet hubby is getting a lesson in WHY you should be putting your client’s needs first and at all times. He will also be learning about HOW you can please your client’s even if it’s not something that lines up with your typical style or practices.
Photo by Hope Taylor Photography
1.)Flattering Posing— One way to prevent some of your favorite photos going into the cyber-trash due to bad posing is to LEARN what the most flattering poses are for their body types, and to take your time directing your clients into a flattering pose with a complimentary facial expression. Also, EDUCATE your client’s. They trust you to make them look good- they have no clue what they look like in the pictures- so that is your job!! Be sure you’re paying attention to their facial expressions AND the way they’re posing.
2.)Be Flexible– I believe it is so important to understand what your clients want and to listen to their thoughts and ideas. Here is an example… Shooting sunset images may not be my typical style because they’re too dark to match my Instagram feed, but… put your clients first, you guys!! If your client’s want to remember that special night and the beautiful sunset during the session, just do it!! Why not give them the images that are your style during sunset and the other images that please the client? Remember to think outside of your ‘instagram box’ and go above and beyond for your clients!
3.Plan In Advance–Another example… There is nothing worse than delivering an album, but the client comes back to say she doesn’t like the way she looks in the outfit she chose. One way to prevent something like this is to plan, plan, plan in advance! Plan out the outfit changes, colors, accessories, makeup and hair, etc. Your client’s will love their images if these things are planned in advance and they are told what looks best before getting to the photoshoot.
4.Make It Work— It is up to you as the professional to make it work in any situation. If they chose the location because it’s special to them, but you don’t like it, make it work!! If you can’t stand the lighting but you had no control over the time of day, make it work!! If your clients want this or that, but it’s totally not your style…make.it.work.!!
5.Ask Questions– Before your session begins, sometimes it is best to ask your client if they are concerned about anything specific in regards any worries or insecurities. For example, I have the smallest head in the world, but the thickest hair I’ve ever seen. Therefore, I don’t want my hair swallowing my face and making my head look even smaller! I would tell the photographer to take note of my hair while posing because if it’s all in front of my shoulders or in my face, I won’t like the pictures! It is great to know the small details that we wouldn’t just know right off-the-bat, this way we can prevent them from disliking their photos because of something you weren’t aware of.
6.Distractions–Try not getting too distracted when you get over-excited about the sunshine coming through or the perfect background, etc. If you’re too concentrated on everything else around your clients, then how are you supposed to adjust the way she or he is standing, or know if her smile is fading and you need to make them laugh! Remember you are there for your client’s and it is your job to think of them AND everything around them at the same time!
Today we are talking about some of the roles that a second shooter can expect to fill at a wedding. These roles can be customized to the main shooter’s needs and it’s always good to double check with the photographer first. I have learned that it’s best to ask the main shooter what they specifically are looking for in advance so that you can feel comfortable about what you’re doing. Not every photographer is going to want you to shoot every moment but they may not speak up or be too up front with you about it. The best thing you can do is ask them from the beginning, listen to what they want, and assist them whenever it’s needed! Hubbies, just like you would do anything for your wifey at home, that goes for wedding days, too! 🙂
1.ASSISTANCE. As a second shooter, it’s important to remember that you are there to serve your clients AND the photographer! By helping the photographer wherever needed, you are also helping your client by giving them the best possible experience. You are there to help make things go smoothly. For example, you might be asked to have your camera ready at all (or most) times BUT also asked to carry and set up equipment, set up the lighting, hold a reflector, run errands, hold an umbrella, call out names for family formals, get food and water, and the list goes on!
2.A SECOND PERSPECTIVE. It’s always a great idea to shoot from a difference angle and a different lens than what the main photographer is shooting with at the time. That gives a different perspective and a variety of photos to choose from for the wedding album. One example is while the main shooter is photographing the first look with a 50mm, watching the bride, you could be shooting with the 70-200mm watching the groom. Another example while shooting the ceremony: you could be standing in a different area on the opposite side of the venue using a different lens that compliments the main shooter.
3.TIME SAVER. While the main photographer is shooting one subject, you could be shooting something else simultaneously to save time. It’s always best to do this when the main shooter doesn’t need you at the time. For example, when the photographer is with the bridesmaids while getting ready and shooting details, the second shooter could be doing the same thing with the groomsmen.
4.BEHIND THE SCENES. Every photographer loves a good “behind the scenes” action shot. If you get the opportunity to take some fun and exciting shots of the main photographer in action, then go for it! They will appreciate it and you might even get a bonus shoutout on social media! 😉
I hope that helps you guys understand a little more about being a second shooter! Remember, everyone is different and may have other opinions about the roles that come into play, but these are the main points that I find helpful to know! Thanks for following along and learning alongside with us!
