*All images in the post copyright Lauren Clark*

NEXT WEEK: Bobbi of Bobbi + Mike

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

Lauren,  You are a fun person, full of energy and a let's do it now attitude.  I love that you are always up for living life to it's fullest, no holds barred.    You get ideas and charge ahead making your dreams come true.  You started your business very young and have become extremely successful.  Over the last 9 months you've made some big decisions and changes that have changed your life and business. You are a fantastic friend, smart business woman, always a Jesus loving person, and loving wife. Thanks so much for being here!

You are moving to Oklahoma soon, what made you make that decision?

As cheesy as this may sound I have had a personal awakening thanks to the Love Affair Workshop. I was the only one who didn’t really care much about the time-life balance part of the workshop. I knew that my life was not balanced and I didn’t really think that I needed to fix it. Over 4 workshops of hearing Davina speak on it I think it finally sunk in. My life was being counted away by the number of weekends I had filled with weddings, which averaged in the 40s each year. I took on sessions anytime and any day. My dreams had vanished and my life had been overtaken by a greedy, overworked monster. I began to think about what I really wanted my life to be like other than photography.

I had always dreamed of living on a farm and live like the Amish, simply and self-sustaining, and over a few months of contemplating where to choose our landing spot, Stillwater, Oklahoma became the perfect place to build a business and live my dream.

You have made some big decisions in the last 6 months.  What changes have you made?  What inspired those changes?

It’s funny how movies always teach you a lesson. I watched Julie and Julia a few months ago and seeing her blog her life away and get so involved in the people out there who read her blog and commented that she forgot who was most important… her family. I have paid less attention to my blogging and only read other people’s blogs about once a month. It was like a strange burden lifted. I no longer had an urgent desire to check blogs every morning. I could wake up and get started on my day. I always let myself have a few fun breaks throughout the day so that I don’t go cross eyed staring into this computer screen or too bored with work.

What does your workflow look like?  Do you outsource or keep everything in house?

I keep everything in house, but let my husband and sister do most of the work. My sister is my part time employee and she culls through weddings and color corrects them. Josh does all of the album orders and print orders for me. They are my life savers.

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?

I talk… A LOT. I tell them exactly what to do so that they aren’t guessing and getting awkward. I feel like a director on my shoots and I love it. I think it’s the bossy, dominant side of me getting its hour in for the dayJ

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

Brace yourself. There are so many people out there starting new photography businesses that it makes my head spin. People who I would have never thought would be photographers are all of the sudden becoming one. It is an awesome career, but education, balance and charisma are what you need to beat out the other new photographers.

What do you do for fun…that has nothing to do with photography?

I bought a horse in July and it has been the most fun thing I have ever done. I have always loved animals and wanted a horse like most girls did when they were little. I took lessons last year as part of trying to recover from burnout and it was the coolest thing ever. I keep my horse, Rev, out at this cute little nostalgic stable and in the warmer months I would spend a good 3 hours a day out there away from all of the media. I would come home smelling like a sweaty horse, but was fully recharged!

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

I am most proud of how far I’ve come. I believe that God has a plan for it all and that he allowed me to keep getting better for a reason. Who knows what tomorrow will hold? I would have never thought 7 years ago that I would be a full time photographer and about to start a farm!

What do you do to keep your marriage fun?

 We watch movies and play the wii. Sounds a bit boring to the old me, but now that I’ve been married to a movie buff for almost 5 years it is super fun. We have wii contests where I beat him pretty badly and then he will practice for hours just to prove that he can be better. Nothing beats a bit of friendly competition. We have also come alive in our marriage since purchasing the 20 acres in Oklahoma. We are able to dream about something together and build our lives with the dreams.

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?

I have a pretty laid back husband and luckily he travels with me to all of my out of town weddings. I wouldn’t say that it isn’t a bit stressed during the busy season, but at least I have him by my side throughout it all!

What is the best thing you’ve done to make your business successful?

I couldn’t pin point it to one thing. It would be a long list of people I’ve met and places I’ve been. It really isn’t what you know (not exactly but it helps), but really is all about WHO you know!

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

I take a day off. When I start feeling overwhelmed I make a long list of small tasks to do throughout the day and I mark them off one at a time. Once I feel like I’ve got about half of them marked off I take a break and do something fun. It makes me feel so much better! I usually stay up late that night after my fun break and finish the tasks all to realize that there wasn’t really that much to do anyway.

You are such a fun person.  What keeps you going?

 Chocolate ice cream :)

What three products or things help you stay organized?

Bludomain’s backend calendar, my Raid Zero server system and my sister!

What do you do to get such great color in your images?

I use Totally Rad Actions in secret way! I watch the lighting and make sure that I pick the right light to make the colors pop.

What is something that you think women in the industry should not do?

 Buy a ton of equipment and things only because someone else does. I’ve bought thousands of dollars worth of junk that I bought because I saw someone else do it. Rent it first!

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?

Make time to find your real creativity. Shoot what you love. I quit doing large family portraits because I hated them! Now I only shoot things that I know I will be good at and send the rest along to someone else.

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more balanced life?

Find a hobby.

Get a pet.

Schedule a day or two off each week.

Take a non-photography related vacation.

Hire someone to work for you to do your dirty jobs.

You recently came out with a Photoshop tutorial, UNO, with all of your secrets to great images.  How did you fit that into your already busy schedule?

I took 2 weeks off to make it. It only took me 2 full tries and about 8 hours to finish the recording since I outsourced the production of it all. I was so nervous about making it that I think I waited until the last free day to make it!

Why did you decide to put all of your secrets on a DVD?  Where can people purchase UNO?

I wanted to be able to share my post processing secrets with people so that they could have a head start in their business. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t for the money, so let me just get that out. It was for the money. My farm dream was much too expensive to not come up with something. It took me about 4 years to learn all of this in Photoshop and I knew that if people could jump that learning curve for a price then they would! www.unobylaurenclark.com

To see more of Lauren Clark's work:

Website

Blog

Uno by Lauren Clark

*All images in the post copyright Lauren Clark*

***All images in this post are copyright Jasmine Star.***

NEXT WEEK: Lauren Clark

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

How do you know that you need to take a break from business?  What do you do when you need a break?

I know when I need a break when I can't think clearly.  When thoughts and my emotions are at odds with each other, I know it's time to take a step back and breathe deeply.  My usual escape is with my husband and my dog...we'll head to Laguna Beach and just spend the afternoon at the beach.  Or, if I just need a quick release, I'll grab a book and read for a while.  Reading somehow puts my mind at ease and peace.

What do you think was the catalyst to becoming so widely known?

Without a doubt, my blog was the biggest catalyst for my business.  Far before I was a photographer, I was a girl who was just trying to follow her dreams.  And I blogged about it.  The fear, the triumphs, the trials, the failures.  I was real and documented my life as it happened.  Somewhere along the line, people started following the journey.  These people were random strangers who came across my blog and became supporters of my goals.  Some might have been brides, but most were people who passed my name along when they heard someone was getting married.  This was how my business grew.

You are very busy.  Relationships are very important to you, what do you do to make time for your husband, family, and friends?

This might be a totally lame answer, but I make time by making time.  Most entrepreneurs learn early on how to make, create, carve time.  Yes, it's a juggling act, but if you think in advance where you can skimp and splurge, it makes life easier.  Because I value my relationships, I keep a strict schedule.  I wake up early, I email from specific times in the day, I work out at a certain time, I have lunch and go on walks with my husband everyday, I close my computer at 6pm every night.  Time can be your biggest enemy or your best friend.  The more your schedule your life, the more control you retain.

What do you think are the three keys to your success?

1.  Support.  I have the most insane support structure.  Ever.  My husband is quite possibly the most amazing person on the face of this planet!  He's my biggest supporter and challenges me to new levels.  My family and friends have become pillars though this crazy journey as well and they help keep me grounded and focused.  I'm so blessed.

2.  Feedback.  I don't make big decisions without asking for help from peers and mentors.  Hearing from multiple perspectives really changes your thinking and I heavily suggest this when possible.

3.  Humility.  My dad always told me to never forget where I came from...the minute I forget my roots, the branches will never look the same.  

You have become successful in a short period of time.  What have you done over the last few years to keep from being overwhelmed?

During my first year of shooting, I booked 37 weddings...all which took place between May-October 2006.  It was quite possibly the most stress I've ever experienced in the life of my business.  Ever.  I vowed to never repeat it.  Since then, I balance bookings via price (determining price primarily via a supply/demand model) and outsource wedding post production and wedding album design.  By doing so, I'm freed to focus on client care, foster my online presence, and shoot....which are all things I love!

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

I'm most proud of sharing.  Sharing my ideas, my beliefs, and my knowledge with other photographers.  When I first started, I desperately wanted knowledge from photographers I looked up to, but it was hard to come by.  I made a promise to myself that if I was ever blessed with an audience, I'd share ideas and knowledge freely.  I'm proud to say this has come to life and I'm so lucky to be a part of such an awesome community!  If you're interested in reading FAQs, you can find them here: Jasmine's FAQ's

What do you do that your clients rave about most?

This is SUCH an interesting question...no one has ever asked this before!  I had to think a few minutes before I answered and the one word that kept appearing in my mind was fun.  FUN!  Yes, clients are happy with their images, but most often I hear they had fun during their shoot.  That is the biggest compliment!  I've discovered that if I can make people have fun, I've done more than I could ever dream with my camera alone.  This makes me feel like the luckiest girl alive.

You have thousands of followers on your blog.  What do you think are three keys to having a successful blog?

During high school, my best friends and I coined the following term:  K.I.R.  Keep It Real.  Often times I come across blogs where the writer talks so highly of himself/herself, and I blush at the self-flattery.  It's disconcerting.  The best way to reach people is to be real...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We've shaped our beliefs to think we--as photographers--should come across as overly professional, artistic, and, well, amazing.  But if we were honest with ourselves, I'm not sure that's the case.  At least entirely anyway.  The best rule of thumb is to blog the way you'd talk with your grocer.  Would you tell your grocer you just took the most amazing images that are buttery and creamy and will make your eyes pop out from awesomeness?!  I sure hope not...and if you would, then maybe you have a pretty awesome grocer!  :)

How do you post on your blog so often?  Do you have a system for quick blogging?

I WISH I had a system for quick blogging!  I'd sell it and become a millionaire!  :)

I blog 5-6 times a week and, yes, it's so hard at times.  Sometimes it's hard because I lack time...lack content...lack creativity...other times, I'm just lackluster!  :)  I, however, have worked blogging into my daily routine because I know it's a defining part of my brand, business, and online presence.  It's become the largest point of differentiation in a saturated market and pushed demand, regardless of the economic downturn.

I usually try to plan my blog topics 3-4 days in advance so I'm not left striving for content day-of...that's always frustrating.  I also have bi-weekly topics such as Kisses+Disses and FAQs, so this helps keep things fresh and fun!  Overall, I'd definitely say it's a discipline and something anyone can do if they put their mind to it!  :)

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

Follow your heart.  

Don't let anyone tell you, You Can't. 

If you come across negativity (oh, and you will!), don't ignore it...use it to fuel your inner desire to prove the nay-sayers wrong.  When you want to quit, don't....quitting is too easy and nothing good in life is easy.  

Don't be the best, be different.  

Be you.  

Love yourself...the flaws, the wrinkles, the OCD, the extraness around your belly.

When all else fails, take a deep breath, open a pint of Ben&Jerry's, and enjoy life.

To see more of Jasmine's Work:

Blogsite

Website

***All images in this post are copyright Jasmine Star.***

***All images in this post are copyright Chenin Boutwell.***

NEXT WEEK: Jasmine Star  (January 7th)  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

You are married and have a sweet little baby. What has the transition to motherhood been like for you?

For me, the major transition has been trying to balance work and play.

The first few months were easy, because I could set Max down in one place and tend to emails, phone calls, etc. Around 4 months old, I noticed that he was needing more stimulation and I simply could not continue to mix mommy time and working time. I immediately hired a nanny to come two days a week, 9-5, and made those days "office days." My husband cares for Maxfield on Saturdays while I shoot and Sunday is family day. The other three days, I am a full-time, stay-at-home mom; I may answer emails or sneak in a phone call during naps, but Max has my full attention on those days.

Since Maxfield was born, in what ways have you had to change your approach in your studio on a day to day basis?

Simply put: I HAVE to be disciplined. Since I only get two full days in the studio, I have to get my work done on those days. It requires a lot of structure and no messing around or wasting time, but it is possible to get my work done in 2 days.

You are very busy. What do you do to keep things normal at home with your family?

I think having a schedule has really helped. On work days, I come home from the studio at 5pm, usually walk the baby to the market and then prepare the ingredients for dinner. 6pm is bath time, then dinner for Max and some cuddle time before bed. He is in bed by 7pm, at which time I cook dinner (everything is usually prepped at this point). By 7:45, my husband and I are enjoying a nice glass of wine, a good meal and some quiet time.

We also schedule time to work out, time to take Maxfield to a Mommy and Me class, and Doug and I go on one date a week.

Again, there isn't a whole lot of spontaneity around our house, but we do get in some solid family time this way.....

What are the three most important things you do as a business woman?

Network. Network. Network. And be a nice person with a good reputation.

If you get yourself out there and put your best attitude and effort forward, people will want to help you succeed.

What are the three most important things you do as a mom?

The most important things I do as a mom are Work and Play. Although it is hard to be a working mom, I know that it is what is best for me and Max. I get a sense of accomplishment and independence and Max gets to see that his mom is ambitious and dedicated. Being a working mom is a big part of my identity. It is also important that I Play. Nothing makes me happier than playing with my family. I used to take life waaaaay too seriously, and now I take time to goof around.

What does your workflow look like? What have you done to make is simple and efficient?

-Saturday: Shoot a wedding

-Sunday: Download cards throughout the day; back up to a hard drive that I keep at home (as offsite backup)

-Monday: Mommy Day: cull through my images during nap times (usually two

1.5 hour stretches)

-Tuesday: Studio Day; copy images to my tower at the office; put "keeper" images on a hard drive and ship out to Colorati; pick my favorite images and rework them in Photoshop using the Totally Rad Actions (www.gettotallyrad.com) - keep for when I design the album; post favorites on my blog

-Wednesday: Mommy Day

-Thursday: Studio Day; receive last week's wedding from Colorati; generate proofbook and post images on PicPick for client to view; design an album (usually from 3 weeks prior), this includes choosing 50-100 images, retouching them using TRA and designing the layout

-Friday: Mommy Day; charge batteries and pack up equipment for tomorrow's wedding

Do you travel quite a bit? How do you make this easier on Maxfield?

I just wrote a blog post on this! -http://cheninboutwell.com/stuffforphotographers/destination-wedding-photograph.html

You were recently featured in Rangefinder magazine. What have you done to become so sought after and recognized?

I think having a reputation as an approachable person and hardworking photographer has led to a lot of these opportunities. Sometimes I think a lot of photographers get too big for their britches and blow off opportunities to get their name/work out there. For me, some of the smallest opportunities have turned it to big, big opportunities. For example, a nice woman contacted me a few years back about doing a little article for a magazine; she was not a photographer and so had a lot of questions. I immediately called her back and went out of my way to help her out. A year later, she was asked to write a book on wedding photography and included a chapter on my studio.

What are you most proud of as a business woman?

I am most proud of the way I weathered the transition from being a husband/wife studio to being all by myself. About 2 years ago, my husband left the studio to pursue another career and I was left to run things on my own. I was terrified, but instead of throwing in the towel, I decided to completely revamp my brand, launch a new website and really infuse the studio with my own, individual photography style. It was a big risk, but I learned A LOT about running a business and how to weather a storm.

What do you do that your clients rave about most?

Probably my customer service. I pride myself on getting back to clients quickly and on providing amazing service.

What is the best thing you’ve done to make your business successful?

The single best thing I've done for my business is to be true to myself.

I make business decisions based on what's right and wrong, not on what will make me the most money. I created a brand that is 100% representative of my personal style. If you base your business on your true values and style, it makes all those hard business questions so much easier. I never ask myself what would so and so do.... I am always listening to my heart and my gut.

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

The three S's: Structure. Schedule. Shopping.

What do you think are the 3 core things on which to build a business?

Values. Hard work. And a healthy dose of Fearlessness.

What strengths do you think we, as women, bring to the table in this industry?

Women can multitask! Women can answer an email, while holding a baby, while returning a client call, while boiling a pot of water on the stove and keep it all under control. I think what women bring to the photography business is the sense that, if you work hard, you CAN have your cake and eat it too. We can be good wives, strong business people AND great moms.

To see more of Chenin's work and make sure to check out her WORKSHOP:

Website

Blog

WORKSHOP!

***All images in this post are copyright Chenin Boutwell.***

*Above image of Liz by Jenn Cress.*

***All images in this post are copyright Liz Banfield unless otherwise noted. ***

NEXT WEEK: Chenin Boutwell

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

How long have you been in business?  What was the process you went through to get things running smoothly?

11 years as a full time photographer.  Learning to trust my instincts made a big difference in feeling confident with decisions I make for my business. 

Are you married?  How many children do you have?

I'm married and we have two children, age 4 and almost 3.

How do you manage all of the chores, jobs, and work of running a home along with being a small business owner and photographer? 

As a business owner I'm conscious of the value of my time.  Running across town for something I can order over the internet is just not worth it. I'm also keep an account with a courier service that perform all sorts of miscellaneous errands such as picking up orders at the lab or delivering items to clients. When a task can be delegated, I try to look at those instances as opportunities to free up my time to be creative or to be thinking about the big picture issues.  There are certain chores that I consciously choose to do myself, such as shopping for the kids or cooking dinner that I give me personal satisfaction.  I prioritize and chose those things that feed my soul.    

What do you do to help your children know that you are not too busy for them?

I have scheduled activities or ongoing projects with each of my children. For instance my son and I are participating in Suzuki piano lessons which has high amount of parent involvement.  I'm there for his lessons and practice every day.  He knows he can interrupt my work for an impromptu practice session.  Also, I'm very conscientious about how often I use my cell phone around my children.  It takes willpower but I avoid checking my phone for emails in front of them and always turn the ringer off when we are out together as a family.  

Do you shoot film or digital?  How has this helped to simplify your life, studio, and workflow?

I shoot both.  My film is batch scanned when it's processed so my workflow follows a digital model.  In some ways it’s more streamlined but I still struggle with spending too much time in front of a computer screen.  I miss the days when my contact sheets would come back from the lab and I’d pull out my lupe. 

You are a commercial photographer as well as a wedding photographer.  How do you juggle both?

It can be challenging to juggle both because my clients operate in different time frames; wedding work dominates evenings and weekends while commercial / editorial dominates the traditional work day.  During wedding season, I just have to accept that I'm working every day.  When possible, I try and leave town for very short vacations -- even 24 hours at a cabin can help me refresh and recharge.  

How often do you shoot?

In some capacity or another I'm shooting a few times a week.  Big multi-day shoots, such as catalog work, come around about once a month.  I shoot about 15 weddings a year, most of them out of town.  

What do you think are the top three things you must do as a mom every day?

1. I try and present a very even, unflappable presence that helps them feel safe and secure.  

2. I look for opportunities for us to do fun things together, even if it’s coloring while water is boiling for dinner. 

3. I workout every day to help manage stress.  It's not time that I spend directly with my kids but I feel more present around my kids for the remaining family time if I've had some exercise.  

It looks like you must travel quite a bit with your commercial work.  How do you make this easier on your children?  Do they travel with you?

I travel a lot for my job, it's true.  When my son was an infant I took him and my husband along almost everywhere.  When we had a second child, this became impractical.  But I do shoot in many beautiful locations, such as Charleston, SC so we sometimes look for opportunities to extend a work trip into a family vacation.  When I travel alone I try to minimize the amount of time I'm gone, even if it means getting up after only a few hours sleep to take early flight home.  Of course the whole thing wouldn't work at all if I didn't have a great support system at home; my husband, my sister, my parents, our nanny all pitch in on childcare.  

What top three tips do you recommend to women who are trying to raise children and run a business on their own?

1. Don't try to do both at the same time.  Carve out work time and mom time and decide how much time you want to devote to both.

2. Find childcare that you love and trust completely.  In our situation, a nanny was the best solution but I know lots of working moms who have had successful daycare or Au Pair arrangements.  The key, of course, is that you 100% trust the person who is in charge of your children when you cannot be.  

3. Pick one special activity that you do with each child and make it a priority.

Do you have a retail studio space?  If not, how do you keep work and home separate with a home studio space?  Is your studio separate from your home?

I have had home-based office for many years because my shooting jobs are primarily on location and I haven't needed a traditional studio.  When my children were babies, this seemed like the best way to be around for them even though I wasn’t their primary caretaker during the day.  I always had a door, however, and I believe that was critical to the success of our arrangement.  Now that the kids are becoming a bit more independent and also I want to expand my operation, I'm opening an office / studio about 3 miles from my house.  It was really important to me that I minimize my “commute” for their sake.  I'm excited and a bit nervous about my transition out of the home.  I'm confident the new setup will ultimately be more productive, providing clear division between home time and work time.  

You’ve been published in numerous magazines.  How do you get so many features?  How do they help your business?

Magazine work is great for business branding.  I think of it like free advertising.  Consequently I make it a priority to develop relationships with editors so I can be tapped into what they need and when.  Some of the work you see published is assignment based, meaning the magazine hires me to shoot something specific, but a good portion of the work is "stock," meaning I send it in after the fact.  The benefit to my business is that by being associated with good publications elevates my own brand.  In the wedding business I find that this has the effect of a third-party endorsement which boosts my credibility with planners or clients who weren't previously familiar with my work.  

I love the way you edit and present your images.  Seemingly unrelated images are brought together to be side by side on your website.  It ends up telling a wonderful little mini story and gives a wonderful, more emotional feel to your work.  Can you take us through your mental process as you’re editing and putting images together?

I combine images by feel.  It's definitely an intuitive process that is hard to explain.  I will say that I often try to tell a small story when I combine two images.  I usually respond to how the colors relate to each other, that is a main draw, but sometimes it will be a detail like textures or an emotional theme that ties the images together.  

I believe it's very important to learn how to edit your work.  Many artists are perhaps naturally prone to show too much; which is a weakness I often see on websites and especially blogs.  I make it a point to never post more than three images at a time for my blog.  A sage art director I used to work with at Fallon told me that "the difference between an amateur and a professional photographer is that a professional doesn't show you all their pictures."  

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?

Digital really opens the doors for newcomers to get into photography and I think that's great.  I think if you really want to stand out, you have to get on top of the technical aspects.  Things like metering, lens selection or post production techniques can take your work to the next level.  Even if you are getting jobs as a professional, keep pursuing workshops or night classes to advance your work.  

Also, don't underestimate the power of great marketing.  Hire someone to help you make your website and promotional materials professional and cohesive.  

What is the best thing you’ve done to make your business successful?

Recognize what you don't enjoy doing and hire someone else to do it for you.  Before I could even pay myself a salary, I hired a bookkeeper to help me with set up systems for keeping track of payments and invoices.  She comes in once a month to handle basic accounting and pay sales tax, etc. In the end she saved me a lot of time and expensive mistakes.  

What three products or things help you stay organized?

1. I absolutely love how my iPhone synchs up with my address book and calendar on my computer.  When I want to save some information I make sure it's somewhere on my hard drive or iPhone.  

2. I have two credit cards, one for business and one for personal.  I charge almost everything so that it's easier to track my expenses and see where the money is going.   

3.  For travel I always keep a dop kit packed, even if it means having duplicates of things that I use day to day (such as cosmetics or toothpaste) and restock it when I return from a trip.  That way I'm always ready to go and never have to think about it.  

To see more of Liz's work:

Website

Blog

***All images in this post are copyright Liz Banfield unless otherwise noted. ***

***All images in this post are copyright Storey Wilkins. ***

NEXT WEEK: Liz Banfield

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

You can check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

Clarity and Courage

by Storey Wilkins

DISCLAIMER: 

Just because I know this stuff doesn’t mean I live it every day.  Life is about learning as you go.  SW

It shouldn’t be this way...but I can count the number of times on one hand when I have possessed great and equal amounts of both clarity and courage.  Interestingly, each time I have experienced this powerful intersection, great change has occurred in my life (including starting my photography business). 

So why so few occurrences?  Because like most working women, I completely overwork myself – I have six balls in the air at once – I try to be a supermom – and I don’t do what most men do (such as allocating time for rest and relaxation and taking a proper lunch break).

Think of the last time you made a really great change in your life…could it be that you had a moment of clarity where you just knew what you had to do?  Could it also be that you found the courage to do it even if it was a difficult change?

This article is about celebrating our “Moments of Clarity.”  It’s also about finding courage to ACT.  It’s really about that rare and treasured intersection where clarity meets courage and beautiful, positive or necessary things happen.    

Clarity

Think back to the year you decided to become a photographer.  What was happening when you figured it out, when you realized this was your calling?  The greatest moment of clarity I have ever experienced was on the day Margaret, my first born, lay in my arms for the first time.  I knew instantly that my greatest and most wonderful lifetime task had begun, and would never end.  

My professional photography career path is probably similar to yours.  I was in my thirties and home with Margaret, and then Ava (both under two), wondering if I could ever return to the corporate world, when I saw the light…literally.  Clarity, and my heart, told me I wanted to be a stay at home mom - and a photographer.  So, I followed my heart. 

Seven years ago Storey Wilkins Photography was born, baby #3 if you will.  Like my kids’ toys, the business expanded to consume an entire floor of my house with space for staff and a seemingly endless array of printers, computers, and photographic gadgets (thankfully not strewn on the floor). 

For years I had been photographing my loved ones just for fun.  When my friend Kate asked me to photograph her wedding day, I experienced a remarkable moment of clarity.  It was as though my path was clear.  I remember the fear that set in realizing the responsibility I had just accepted.  I spent months reading books, taking photography classes, and practicing relentlessly. 

They say that photographers either LOVE or HATE photographing weddings, and that you will know right away in which camp you belong.  That first wedding was an adrenaline rush I won’t forget.  It was a cottage wedding and I remember going barefoot in the lake to cover the ceremony, and climbing the roof to get one big group shot.  I found myself thinking, this is SO cool!!!!

Now?  I find myself with a thriving wedding and family portrait business, with fabulous clients, dealing with wonderful people all along the way, and enjoying professional recognition such as recently being named one of Canada’s Top 10 Wedding photographers.  Above it all, Margaret and Ava think I am a great mom and LOVE me to bits - as I do them.  We have ALL grown up.

Courage

So…what did you have to do to make it all happen?  Did you have to move roadblocks?  Climb mountains?   Generally accomplish the impossible?  Did the first year prove so difficult that you almost gave up?  Or, did you find the courage to persevere and succeed? Did you have to move forward in spite of a lack of support or understanding from those close to you?  Did you take more than one job despite your subconscious screaming that you shouldn’t, because you knew from the start they were not a good fit?   Have you referred to yourself as a ’PJ’ photographer because you lacked the courage to ‘work a room’ to create portraits? 

If so, welcome.  I have been there.

Just imagine the great things that can still happen when we have a major moment of clarity, and a ton of courage to go along with it.  Even better, wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could find a way to have a little clarity and a little courage, each and every day?  It might be something as small as returning that difficult phone call, turning down a commission that just doesn’t feel right, or addressing a production problem with a staff member or supplier that you know could create tension.

If so, welcome.  I have been there.

Clarity and courage are HUGE words.  Start with the smallest problem you have.  Gain courage.  Build strength.  Tackle another one.  Build more strength.  Before you know it, you are dealing with problems instead of collecting them.

Advice going forward:

Decide your path and don’t be frightened. Remember that excitement and fear are very close emotions. 

Don’t be lazy and expect the glory to come to you easily without putting in the effort.  To photograph a wedding beautifully is exceptionally hard work.  Don’t mind the work – Treasure it! 

Embrace the incredible effort required to get better at what you do every year (plenty of camera time, reading books AND instruction manuals, attending workshops and conventions, and entering professional print competitions). 

During seminars, take REAL notes like you never did in high school, don’t just blindly buy the DVD (don’t “drink the CoolAid”), and don’t expect it to come quickly or easily.  Everything good requires an effort.

I don’t care if you don’t relate to the work being showcased in your local professional association, join the group and participate regularly. You will learn about the “life” of professional photography, avoid some common pitfalls, and, most importantly, you will make some lifelong friends along the way.

Realize that every photographer, no matter how famous or how lauded, has had to start at the bottom.  It always looks daunting from down below.  Surprisingly the view often never changes because there will always be new challenges and new technology to master.

To finish:

Rather than six balls in the air (as I mentioned at the start), I wish I had the “balls” of a 60 year old woman, now, in my 40’s.  Experienced women know what they want and are not afraid to ask for it.  They have the clarity to know what they want - AND the courage to ask for it. 

So why wait until you’re 60?  Let’s see if can’t just do it NOW…shall we?

**For inspiration, see the following resource:

 Elliott, Timothy  Clarity and Courage:  Life as an Improvised Journey, Toronto:  Elliott Resource Services, 2006

To see more of Storey's work:

Website

Upcoming Speaking Engagements