I Want to Quit My Job (again)

I Want to Quit My Job (again)

Every time I get a corporate headshot gig, I fall in love with entrepreneurship all over again. It’s large amount of work that goes with photographing an entire business’s employees. Most importantly, the financial compensation. Businesses don’t haggle price (you shouldn’t be haggling your price anyway). I would love to quit my job and pursue gigs like this full time but I can’t. Here are the tips I’ve noticed worked for me and maybe you can use them and go full time yourself.

SEO: Consistently blogging about your expertise is great for SEO. SEO, or search engine optimization, is what gets you found in a Google search. Make a Google My Business account, blog weekly on your site, and post images to GMB. 0% of my new clients have come from social media.

Cold Call: Stop being so timid. Converse with humans. Call 20 businesses a day. If you land 2 businesses a month willing to spend $5k that would be $100k a year. Have a few scripts and find out what works. Get the info of people on the fence and foster a relationship. SEO brings clients to you. Cold calling brings you to the client.

Under Promise & Over Deliver: Always sneak a little more in whatever service you provide. Go a little more out of your way. No matter the business, this is always the best practice.

This is the latest corporate session that made me want to quit again. It was multiple headshot sessions for AdVANtage Outfitters.

3 Reasons for Not Relying On Photoshop's AI

Adobe took all the data they needed and if you thought Photoshop Beta would last… it won’t. It’s days are coming to an end and they figured out how to monetize their AI. Here are 3 reasons to not rely on Adobe’s AI.

Save a few bucks

Like I just stated, Adobe is monetizing the use of their AI. As of now Adobe wants to charge $4.99 for 100 credits. What will 100 credits gets you, I don’t know. If it is anything like Adobe Stock, it wont be much.

You still need to be connected

AI doesn’t work without an internet connection. If you want to work during a 5 hour flight or have a power outage and a deadline, AI won’t be there to save you.

sometimes you’re just faster and better

AI still isn’t “there” yet. I’ve typed in some simple commands in PS Beta and have gotten back some wild results: a man planking when I typed in sunset, a veiny bug looking object when I typed in remove stray hairs. You know what you want to achieve for your image and sometimes doing it manually is faster.

Now I don’t want you to think I am anti AI. I’m not. AI is very convenient. Just don’t become too dependent on it.

Graphic Design & Photography

Benefits of a Jack of All Trades Artist.

The quote most of us have heard is, “A Jack of all trades is a master of none.” I am guilty of thinking this was the entire quote just like you probably did. The full quote is, “A Jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one.”

Learning the full quote set me at ease. Society tells you niche down and pick one thing to focus your business on. I graduated college with a major in graphic design and a minor in photography. I felt, deep in my soul, I needed to do both in my business. If you pay attention to what clients want, it is easy to merge graphic design in a photography business.

As a portrait photographer I started integrating graphic design into my photography by designing custom holiday cards for my clients. As I have shifted into branding for businesses, my skill set has shown to be invaluable. Clients are delighted when they realize I am all they need for logo design, menu design, headshots, product photography, and bts photography.

This is the benefit of a jack of all trades artist. Stop letting the masses say an artist cannot be great at multiple things. I understand wanting a niche photographer for a wedding but branding is a much more creative area to work with. It is much more beneficial to work with one person good enough to make your logo, photography your product, and extract the most confident version of you for your business.

FAQ

FAQ

Answer It Before They Ask

Potential clients who don’t know you aren’t just going to book you. The have they’re own sets of needs they are worried about. It is a good idea to have frequently asked questions posted somewhere on your website to ease potential clients’ worries. When you ease a client’s worries, you raise their client experience. The more questions you answer before they contact you, the more of an expert you appear.

Click MY FAQ PAGE to see my examples

Are You Social?

Are You Social?

I have a recommendation. Get social. You never know where your next client will be. If your photography or graphic design is on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, and LinkedIn you have a better chance of being seen. This might not be news but videos are being prioritized so I would post behind the scenes or a screen recording of how you edit. Talk to your audience about what to expect or why you’re different. Don’t forget to put a hyperlink to a linktree like webpage. Here is an example.

Work with a purpose. The goal of your post is to either book a client or collect an email. Add their info to your CRM and organize it under photographer or client. Save that info for your email so you can target the proper audience. For example if you have a photo session for Easter or fall target that to potential or past clients. If you made a course, target your photographer or graphic design followers.

Having a social media presence is great but it needs to be paired with a call to action on your website which is absolutely necessary. Social media doesn’t always work. There have been days where Instagram has been hacked. This is why it is good to be everywhere. I have business posts on LinkedIn, client posts on Instagram & Facebook, and photographer posts on Tiktok. Do this how ever you want, just make sure you do it.

Comment below if you want more info about targeting for emails.

---

What is Branding?

What is Branding?

Branding is the process of creating a distinct identity for a business in the mind of your target audience and consumers. At the the most basic level, branding is made up of a company's logo, visual design, mission, and tone of voice. The end of the year is a perfect time to rebrand your busniess. Luckly with GR Design & Photography all the things I listed for rebranding can be done with me.

The Madelyn is a restaurant in NYC I worked with. They needed an identity. A logo fit for a high end fusion restaurant. This went on their website, menus, marketing, and vinyl lettering for their glass storefront. Photography for the website was also needed and they appreciated that they were able to get all these services from one vendor. How did I do?

J’adore Fashion is a clothing brand. I was asked to make the logo fun and classy. We used 3 models to photograph their inventory which also was fun and classy. What does this brand, as a whole, say to you?

5 things you need in your photography website

5 things you need in your photography website.

What makes a great website? It’s debatable but some of the most important things are as follows:

• Great eye catching photography. Less is more. You will be judged on your worst photo so only post your absolute best. (attention)

• A call to action button. Make it clear where your potential clients can contact you so they can book you. (booking)

• Have your location on your website. If a potential client has to chose between 2 photographers they’re going to pick (or contact) the one with the known location. (booking & SEO)

• Blogs. Give tips on what to wear or what to expect in your blogs. It establishes you as an authority and helps your SEO. (SEO)

• Most importaintly, get Google verified. This will make you searchable when people look for photographers in my area. (SEO)

---

I'm Back

Thanks for all the well wishes on social. The family is doing great. Monroe is just the cutest little bundle of joy but it’s time. Time to get back to work. So how can I help you make memories?

• Family Portraits

• Maternity & Newborn Portraits

• Weddings

• Head Shots

• Branding

• Sweet 16s

• Events

Help me get these girls through college.

What to look for when hiring a maternity &/or newborn photographer.

Experience

You will be pregnant with this child only once.  You might be spending a lot of money on one or both of these sessions.  Make sure your photographer can consistently produce what they are showing on their site or social media.  An experienced photographer should be answering most of your questions before you even ask them.  

Vibe

You should be vibing with your photographer.  If you aren’t comfortable with your photographer, there is a good chance that will come through in your photos. Photographers who know what they are doing are comfortable with their sessions and their confidence 9/10 will be passed onto you. 

Can They Bundle?

Maternity photographers might not be newborn photographers but newborn photographers are almost always maternity photographers as well.  See if they have bundle packaging.  My “The Glow” package is a maternity session and newborn session and images from both sessions end up in your album and, at times, the birth announcement cards. 

Ps: you should be printing this beautiful journey out.  Don’t just post it on your social media, print it out and hang images in your nursery. Make an album and put it on your coffee table for all to see.  

2022 Seasonal Schedule

The 2022 Photography Schedule by season.

If you know you want a photo session but are not sure when to book a session, here are the types of sessions to look out for by season:

Gen Zer's and online presence

Gen Zer's and Online Presence

Generation Z and Millenials don’t really know a world outside of their phones. If you are an entrepreneur and want to get their attention then it’s time to spruce up your online presents. Headshots and branding sessions are the best way to start. It’s also something I can help with.

Here is the proof they value an online presence.

3 tips for a smooth family session

Calm the beast and slay your session.

I only say beast because that’s my daughter. Here are three tips to help your family session go smoothly.

• PATIENCE- patience is paramount when photographing children. Those under 4 won’t always cooperate. If you book multiple sessions in a day, have down time in between session so your session doesn’t spill into your next booking.
  

• BRIBERY- Photoshoots are a big deal for little children. Reward them handsomely! “Do a good job and we get ice cream!” has worked wonders. If the child needs immediate gratification, stay away from messy treats. If worse come to worse, strap a phone to your head while playing Cocomelon.
  

• KINDNESS IS KING- Parenting styles vary from parent to parent. Inform them they will not be yelling at their child during there session. Nothing is worse than a sad, scared child in all of your pictures.
  

Let me know if any of these tips worked for you. What did I miss that works for you?
Smile!

P.S. She calmed down.

Beautiful things happen at the beach

Beach Portrait Sessions

When was the last time you had a family portrait session? I am pleased to inform you that JUNE 13th I will be setting up shop down the shore in Asbury Park Beach. It’s a regular 20 minute session just with a beautiful beach backdrop.

I will have 5 time slots available on June 13th:

• 9:00am - 9:20am

• 9:30am - 9:50am

• 10:00am - 10:20am

• 10:30am - 10:50am

• 11:00am -11:20am

Click on the make memories button to book your session or to ask any questions.

2021 Seasonal Schedule

The 2021 Photography Schedule by season.

If you know you want a photo session but are not sure when to book a session, here are the types of sessions to look out for by season:

Reasons you need prints in your life (Copy)

Reasons you need prints in your life.

While I love and respect the posting and sharing of my clients’ images after one of my photoshoots, I feel like clients should go the extra mile and get those images printed. It doesn’t even have to be through me. I’m in the process of getting photo release cards so clients don’t run the risk of other places not printing my photography. If you take the time and spend the money on a shoot, some sort of physical product should be purchased as well. If you just take the digital prints and never do anything with them you run the risk of losing the USB and your computer crashing. Yes this is worse case scenario it won’t happen right away. I only archive my clients’ images for a year or so.

Showing off the digital images can be a nuisance also. You need to be near a computer. You need to find the USB if it’s not saved on your computer. Physical products are usually on a coffee table, on your wall, or make your mornings bright when you hold your coffee mug with my images on them. You see these products every day.

You have choices as well. You’re free to take your images to Walmart or Costco. I don’t recommend it. I won’t stop you. I will warn you that the quality and colors will most likely be subpar. The quality of those products won’t compare with manufactures that strictly deal with professional photographers. Screens are calibrated and images are color corrected so you receive the best image possible.

Yes it will cost more. There is nothing wrong with going the less expensive route. Quality will make your images stand out though. Just what ever you do, don’t let your image collect dust hidden in a drawer.

Gift Certificates Available

Give the gift of photography. Memories for life.

Book Now

Cherry Blossoms

So I know you’ve felt this winter, or lack there of, and seen how mild it has been. Because of this the Cherry Blossoms Festival in Newark states it will be held April 4th and 5th. I’m assuming that’s when the blossoms will be out in full bloom.

Lets book you a session ASAP. Can you imagine have your own images like the ones below?

---

Easter Sessions

New seasons call for new themes. The next available theme is Easter. I’m pretty sure the photo of the set up tells you everything you need to know.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Hope your New Year was as good as mine. Another year has passed and I’d like to thank you for your support. Whether it was as simple as consistently liking my work or as big as getting me a corporate headshot gig, THANK YOU.

Christmas sessions were a success once again. I had such a great time photographing all these families.

I tried something new this year. I had the honor of being picked to take school pictures for The Ivy Academy in Teaneck. It taught me a lot.

I like to always look forward to the next great thing. I’ll be starting 2020 by offering Valentine’s Day sessions. Click the button below and fill out a contact form to learn more.

Tis the Season

It’s Christmas session time!!! (Not Christmas season, enjoy your pumpkin spice everything)

There are still spots available. This year’s Christmas sessions include 30 minutes of photography, 5 digital images chosen from your gallery of all usable images from the session, and 25 Christmas cards for $195.

Available Dates:

November: 3rd, 16th, 17th, 24th, 30th

December: 14th, 15th.

Confirm a date and I can get the ball rolling on my end.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize