Meet Your Clients in Person!
First impressions are everything. Here is how to get the best first impression.
With each new potential client I get I find it a necessity to meet in person. There are many reasons why. I'll explain 3 for photographers and for clients:
1. (clients) Don't you want to meet the photographer and get a good read on the person. With an in person meeting you can. Does the photographer seem confident? Does the photographer know what he or she is talking about? Do they grab your attention? A wedding photographer or children photographer needs to control the scene. If they can't grab your attention one on one, how are they going to control your bridal party or children during a shoot where you pay for time?
2. (photographers) Piggy backing on number 1, show them! Answer each question they have and answer it with confidence. If you show weakness but your pricing is fairly expensive, your potential client is going to wonder, "Why should I hire this guy? He has no idea what he's talking about." This is also a great way to weed out the "Shoppers." A shopper is a potential client that is only interested in getting the cheapest price. There's nothing wrong with this type of client, personally that's not the type of client I'm looking for. It also protects you from scams. I almost was hit once (scroll my Instagram from a red FRAUD ALERT for details). Lastly, if your packages are customizable it's much easier to do that in person.
3. (both clients and photographers) MOST IMPORTANTLY: Don't network! SOCIALIZE. Your customer experience will be 10x better if you SOCIALIZED before hand. Clients, wouldn't you feel more comfortable handing your newborn baby to someone you are more comfortable with? Photographers, if you socialized with the bride and groom before the wedding, they will be far more comfortable allowing you to capture those real intimate moments. Photographers, if you do your job right, the groom WILL make you take a shot with him.
Grab a cup of coffee, grab drinks, smoke cigars. Sit down and get to know each other. If you're planning a wedding you'll need the break. Who knows, you might be their photographer for life. Wedding then newborn. Newborn then 6 month sessions. 6 months then 1st birthday cakesmash session and beyond. Good luck guys.
If you like what you read please share. You make my business possible. Thanks!
Having trouble staying motivated?
If you are running your own business there is no reason you can't strive. With so much information on the web, motivation is just one click away, as long as you know where to look.
Below are my top four podcasts to learn from and keep me motivated. Hopefully it can do the same for you. The first two are photography based and the last two are business and motivation based.
First is Sprouting Photographer. sproutingphotographer.com Great Canadian photographer who interviews every type of photographer and focuses on the business side of how they succeeded. He is also responsible for sproutstudio.com which I use and LOVE. My clients love it too.
Next is Photo Spark. Three women who host their podcast similarly to Sprouting Photographer. Great insight to running a photography business.
Then there is The MFCEO Project... Um... Andy Frisella is about as real as it gets. Parental Advisory Explicit Lyrics. Not recommend for virgin ears. Highly recommended if you're lacking the drive or motivation to do that extra needed for your business to thrive. He doesn't beat around the bush.
Last but not least is The Gary Vee Podcast. Theres a mixture of motivation and Q&As.
Hailey's Sweet 16
I had the greatest time shooting this event for the Alvarado Family. Here is a link to the gallery. Enjoy!
Packaging
Packaging is something very important in photography. It's the final part of a great customer experience. Some GR Design & Photography packages come with prints, some prints are gifted for that little extra that clients don't expect. Clients go out of their way and spend a good amount of money and you should want them to get MORE than they pay for. Past clients can vouch for the fact that this is what I do, go above and beyond, and this is why they come back.
Here is where being a Graphic Design & a Photographer pays off. Designing a custom CD and a thank you card when the client opens up their pictures is a great touch. When your happy client shows off your work, friends are going to ask,"Who shot that? How much did it cost?" Thats when your happy client hands them the price list you slid in the envelope. SEO, Facebook, and Instagram are great tools, but I find the most powerful tool in photography marketing is WORD OF MOUTH.
There is always room to raise your expectations. If a client spends more than most clients, DO MORE. USB and USB with prints boxes leave a client speechless.
When mailing prints, protect them in plastic and a hard baking. For the finishing touch, wrap it in a bow.
If you found this educational or know someone that can benefit from this please share.
50th Event Photography
Click here for the gallery from 7.15.2017's 50th wedding anniversary.
Baby Javier
Had a blast today shooting Baby Javier's newborn photography session. Here is a sneak peek. There's also a time laps... a 36 second time laps... of 20 minutes. We got the shot though!!!
Tip: just because you don't get the pose you want, doesn't mean you can't get other poses.
What's in the bag? Bodies- Canon 5D Mark III & Canon 7D back up. Lenses- 70-200mm 2.8 Canon L Series. 24-70mm 2.8 Canon L Series. 85mm 1.2 Canon L Series. Flashes- 600 EX. 430 EX. Laptop- MacBook Pro.
Fireworks Photography
With 4th of July right around the corner, I expect some of you will be watching some fireworks. Well here is what you do if want to take your camera gear and get some awesome shots of fireworks.
1st you need a camera where you can control shutter speed in manual mode. ISO control is a plus too.
2nd you need a tripod.
Place the camera one the tripod and set your shutter speed to 8-20 seconds. As the firework show goes on, you can adjust. I suggest a shorter shutter speed during the grand finally. Long exposure during this time might get you a white, overexposed shot.
Good luck and happy shooting.
DYI Newborn Backdrop
Hi everyone. Just a few more photography tips to send your way. Today I did a DYI Backdrop for my Newborn shoots. All you need is paint, stretch canvas, staple gun, and canvas frame. Instead of spending $120 for ONE back drop, there is the potential for 4 backdrops. I will let you know if painting on the back works as well. Four backdrops for roughly $75 and some of your time. Here is a time laps video of this idea at work.
DYI Newborn Backdrop
1. Connect frame
2. Stretch canvas
3. Paint
4. Cut stencil
5. Paint design
6. (not shown) Remove staples and hang with clamps during photo shoot.
A huge congratulations to a great friend and few tips for outdoor wedding photography
I had the honor of shooting a childhood friend's wedding this weekend. CONGRATS JAY AND MARYAM!! For those who are close to Jay and Maryam, enjoy the teasers. For those looking for a few outdoor photography tips, continue reading after the images
Photography talk now. I might lose some of you here.
Ok, so as you can see it was a quaint, beautiful wedding. You might also notice it is super sunny and the sun was at a very high point causing a shadow in everyone's eyes. A quick fix would be to raise the shadow level in Lightroom. There is more artistic freedom in the couple shots.
Do as much as you can do inside the camera. If there is less to edit then workflow is a breeze. Come prepared. I travel with my strobe lights and a lithium battery so that means instant strobes anywhere. Another must have is a ND Filter. This helps keep the shallow depth of field (bokeh) on sunny days. Yes, some math is involved. Without a high speed sync, I must keep my shutter speed under 200. Thats what the ND Filter helps with. From there it's photographer's choice on what your filler light and what your main light source will be, sun or strobe.
Images were shot with a Canon 5D Mark III Lens: 85mm L Series ISO 100 Shutter Speed 200 Fstops 3.5-5.6
Â
For more information on wedding photography you can check it out here: http://shootdotedit.com/2018/04/how-to-edit-wedding-photos/
A good cause take 3
The news and social media might have forgotten the story but I haven't. Send an email. Lets schedule something. Every family should have a family picture.
A good cause.
Shooting for a good cause. Please spread the word. All the information you need is on this site. If there are any additional questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
April shoots
Had a blast with our lasted photo shoot. The Martinez Family had their beautiful baby girl. The shoot came out beautifully.
Helping those in need
Updates coming this week. As of now the photo shoots will be held on sat from 10-12. This is only for the people from the Gregory Ave fire last month.
Recently
There's been a whole lot going on with GR Design & Photography. The website has been spruced up. Even with the busy shoots there was time to make things easier. More packages for newborn sessions and weddings. I you aren't in the market for a photographer you are still in luck. If you know someone either getting married or expecting a baby there is a referral bonus waiting for you. Just ask how.
New Package for Newborn Sessions
The Binkie: Newborn Session, digital images, and more
The Glow: Maternity & Newborn
Guess What?: Pregnancy Announcement, Maternity Session, Newborn Session, Birth announcements, album, and more.
For more information call or email today.
$100 cash for any Wedding referral who signs a contract. Yes you send a couple to GR Design & Photography and YOU receive $100. If someone signs up for a Guess What? session, you receive $40. Refer someone today.
#bucketlistgoals
Before I die I would love to do this.
https://petapixel.com/2017/03/02/photographer-walked-2200-miles-worlds-biggest-cities/
What's new @ GR Design & Photography?
I have been so busy with countless shoots and working in affiliation with Little Nest Studio in Ridgewood, hence why you haven't heard much from me. Now that I have second to breathe.... (gasp for air) here is a recap:
GRDesignphoto.com has had a face lift. New photos, new pages, and just an all around cleaner look. Click on the link to open a new page.
A few Christmas shoots, some family shoots, and newborn. Here is a sneak peek
Remember GR Design & Photography Weddings! If you send someone to GR Design & Photography and they sign a wedding contract, YOU receive $100!! Easy money.
Little cousin's having a baby!
Here are the pictures of Dezi's baby shower. Elisa did an amazing job setting up her desert table. Follow her on ig @indiebeeevents
Click photo to view the event.
Busy Summer
Another exciting weekend behind the camera. Remember the Pilar Maternity shoot? Well baby Ayden is here and he was the first to try out my hand made newborn prop; the moon!
The other shoot I had was Tania's Maternity shoot. We had a nice stroll through Garret Mountain finding a balance between the perfect scenery and I'm too pregnant and its hot!
Click here for Tania's Maternity Shoot
Click here for Baby Ayden's (and Pilar's Maternity) Shoot
For more up to date posts about photo shoots follow on the social media sites below.
Spring 2016 Maternity / Newborn Shoots
Had a wonderful time these past few days shooting multiple families. First there is Baby Aksel's Newborn Family Photoshoot which was done in the comfort of their own home.
Click on photo to see more from this shoot.
Next there was Pilar's Maternity Family Shoot. This was shot on a beautiful day in the Colonial Park Gardens in Somerset.
Click to see more from this shoot.
Call or click to book a session today. 973.508.2080 gonzalo@grdesignphoto.com