**all images in this post copyright: Kelley of Kelly-Photo **
 

{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.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...

NEXT WEEK:  Justine Ungaro

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

Kelley, Your interview makes me wish I lived next door to you as I'm sure many other people will feel the same way.  You've got an easiness about you and about your work that has been one of your keys to success.  You've been through so much in the last 6 years...getting a brand new business off the ground, getting so busy that you did nothing but shoot and edit, and now, you've found a great boudaries that you work for you and give you time to do what you love both in business and relationships. In so many ways you embody the whole idea of this series. Thanks so much for being on Women and Business today.



You started off as a graphic designer.  What drew you to photography?
I always knew I wanted to own my own art-related business, and I love the influence graphic designers can have via their art. I was really drawn to it and still love it, but during my second semester I took a Photo I elective and it was all over from there! I became completely obsessed with photography and the amazing things that can be created with a camera. I loved the darkroom and everything about cameras, so from there it was an easy choice!!

How do you think graphic design has helped/influenced your work?
I think the two are naturally intertwined and complementary. I’ve done a lot of my own logo, printed material & web design (well, pretty much all of it, up till my most recent years’ website/blog design). I’m so in love with really great design – be it printed, environmental, interior, fashion, or photographic!

How long have you been a professional photographer?
I started my business a year after my first Photo I class – January 2005. So we’re almost 6 years old now…so crazy!

You have a very editorial fashion feel to your work.  Where do you look for creative inspiration?
Thank you! I look everywhere for inspiration. I used to be a big blog stalker, but honestly I’ve found that looking too much at other photographers’ work (who do portraits/weddings especially) is detrimental to my own. There are so many really amazing photographers out there and it’s easy for me to do the “ahhh, everyone is so much more talented than me...” routine, which doesn’t help anyone :). I do love magazines of all sort. Elle is one of my favorites, along with Boho, Lulu, Whole Living, & Natural Health, actually…

Are you in a retail space or home studio?  What made you make your choice on space?
Both! I’ve actually had three studio spaces at this point, and really love my current one. I share space with three other awesome photographers now in the KC City Market area. It’s a great location for shooting, is centrally located in the city, and there’s a ton of amazing food around :). Lately I’ve spent a lot more time working from home (which is about 40 minutes outside of KC in the country). My husband and I have 10 acres and it’s just beautiful for shooting! Admittedly, saving on gas is nice too!

You have your clients doing some crazy cool things.  What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?
Thanks! Frankly, I’m a big dork, and I think that helps loosen up my clients. I approach them all as new friends and love getting to know them and bring out their personalities. We spend a lot of time chatting and getting to know each other during the shoot, and I think it’s super important to shoot just one on one (no parents, friends, etc. allowed during the shooting). Most of my clients come via word of mouth too, so I think they kind of know what to expect by the time the get to me.

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?
This year I’ve been weirdly domesticated actually. I had a great garden and have been really into cooking. I love to make things from scratch. My hubs and I also have a couple of horses we like to ride and dogs we like to play with. This winter I’m planning on learning to knit, crochet, and possibly embroider before my new baby arrives in April!

What do you do to keep your marriage fun?
Well first off, I have an amazing husband :). I really like him and he’s very sweet and thoughtful. We’ve been together since I was sixteen and known each other since I was six, so there’s a lot of history there. We laugh together a lot and try to spend as much together-time as possible. We love to see plays and eat great food, and love to work on projects around our house.  We also spend a lot of time with our friends and family, which I think is great!

All of your clients dress so perfectly.  Do you have a stylist or are your clients just that uber cool?
They really are pretty cool! :) I do sometimes work with hair/makeup stylists, but as far as clothing/accessories goes I usually just collaborate with them. I tell my clients to bring as much as they’d like and I’ll help play Barbie. It’s always so fun to put together a few of their own pieces that they’d never thought about combining! And I do have a rather ridiculous collection of clothing myself, which I always love to share!

How much time do you put into planning/preparing for a session?
Really, a lot of my client shoots are pretty spur of the moment. We chat a bit via email and I might check out their style on Facebook. If they’re looking for something specific (like theatre buffs wanting a shoot in a theatre, etc.) we talk about that, but many times they’re very trusting and kind of let me just experiment and play! When they arrive we figure out their wardrobe (usually 3-4 outfits), then head out to find the best light!

You went through a time of shooting almost 40 weddings in a year.  Do  you still shoot that much or have you changed your approach?  If you've changed your approach, why was that?
Dear God, no. I know that works for a lot of people, but I just can’t do it. I decided, while I love being with my clients, I love being with my husband more so something had to change. These days I’m really enjoying shooting more portraits (especially seniors), which I shoot Mon-Thurs. I do still cover a few weddings per year (this year there were 5), which is great for me!

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?
I definitely try to limit my job-related duties to weekday business hours as much as possible so that when Sam is home we can spend that time together. I think that’s made the biggest difference for us. It’s definitely been difficult at times, but keeping more regular hours really helps.

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful?
Being myself. Letting my own style shine and my personality come through seems to attract the clients that are perfect for me, which creates a happier me and ultimately happier clients!

How do you find your perfect clients?
Word of mouth has been my best friend. Facebook photo tagging makes a huge impact too!

You have a wonderful grasp of light and texture.  What did you do to learn these techniques and applying them creatively?
Thank you! Honestly it’s a lot of trial and error, and just playing till I found what I liked. I do shoot almost exclusively with prime lenses (my top three are Sigma 28 f/1.8, Nikon 50 f/1.4, & Nikon 85 f/1.4) and pretty wide open all the time.

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
Sometimes I just don’t. I think it’s easy for us creative types, especially, to let things get a little crazy and overwhelming. It’s important for me to just start tackling the tasks at hand and working my way through the craziness, one step at a time. I try to always remember how fortunate I am too. Not everyone has a job so amazing, flexible, creative, and fulfilling!

You arrange photographer playdates.  What made you decide to start those?  How did you get them going, find people to attend, and then keep them going strong?
I’m so lucky to have a great group of photog friends, both in KC and around the country. Some of my closest friends/studiomates, the Solars (solarphotographers.com) & I started doing Shoot Days out of our studio for local photogs to get together and network, play, ask questions, and bounce ideas off each other. They’ve really been a ton of fun!! We usually just blog/facebook about the events and provide models for the evening. Ideally we’d do them once a month, but given everyone’s crazy schedule that doesn’t always happen! Whenever they do happen, though, they’re a blast!

What is something that you think women in the industry should do?
Always value your work and learn to say no. Just because you work for yourself, don’t allow people to take advantage of you. What you do is so incredibly important and valuable!! It’s taken me a long time to learn that.

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?

1. Sleep more.
2. Play & enjoy life more by really looking around yourself.
3. Think positively and ditch the negative attitude. Your life is wonderful.
4. Eliminate the negative/toxic personalities you find in your life. That’s been a big one for me in recent years. Life’s too short to waste on people who don’t contribute positively to your life.
5. Spend more time at home with family and friends. Life is great on your own back porch!

To see more of Kelley's work:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

**all images in this post copyright: Kelley of Kelly-Photo **

**all images in this post copyright: carrie / urban baby LA + milk LA **
 

{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.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...

IN 2 WEEKS:  Kelley

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

Carrie,  I first saw your work as a nomination from a blog reader and then, it seemed, within the next 10 days  I saw you in PPA magazine.  I knew I needed to check out your work and when I did I really loved the interaction it seems like you have with your subjects.  Your work is vibrant and fun. Thanks so much for being on Women and Business today.

What drew you to photography?

(or rather, what drew me to photographing children?)  I'm drawn to/and love documenting the raw and unique character of children.  I love documenting the relationship of siblings, and parents with their children. the ‘here and now’.

You have a different career path than most to photography.  Please tell us about it and how long you've been a professional photographer? 

I've been shooting professionally for (8) years. I left the film industry at my husbands urging (actually, it was a prerequisite to marriage!). I followed a dream, and have him to thank actually.

Are you in a retail space or home studio?  What made you decide to have the space you're in?

my workspace is at home which suits my needs so perfectly. with help on both sides (w/the kids + business), i'm able to manage both without feeling that i'm cheating either.  
 

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

after shooting, I view/select images to RAW process. I edit selects in PS, then upload slideshow to client to view. a phone mtg is scheduled prior for product order/post consult. I design my albums in-house (because i really love the design process). I have an assistant during my busy months to help manage packaging/shipping/designing/invoicing/uploading. I am considering outsourcing basic color correction to colorati this fall/winter ;).

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

I treat my clients like they have been lifelong friends - and some of them have become that! I make the kids feel like they are the coolest and most amazing kids on the planet - and most of them are. and, i have fun!

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

have a business plan, attend workshops, and build relationships with other photographers. bring technical knowledge and a creative vision to the table. all else will fall into place ;).

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

I love to cook with my husband (he's a better cook), I love spending time w/friends & all the kids together, I love taking my boys places & showing them new things, I love walking farmers market.

What are you most proud of as a business woman? 

I wake up every day loving what i spend my time doing.

You have 2 children.  Are they school age?  If so, do you homeschool or public school? 

finn is in kindergarten, and harrison is in preschool - both until about noon. I try to be as productive as possible while they’re in school. the balance is always a challenge.

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

I made a decision years ago to make my workspace off limits in the evening/night. My husband is in a creative field as well, working long hours, so the evening is our time and work waits ‘til morning ;).

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

I maintain a close relationship with my clients throughout the year. I remember their childrens birthdays, and basically treat them like gold.

What do you do to keep your family strong? 

I make them my top priority. ALWAYS.

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed? 

I know my limitations. however, i think feeling overwhelmed is pretty normal for most moms in a similar situation....have to just roll with it sometimes.

What three products or things help you stay organized?

freshbooks, THINGS (for mac), sketchbooks.

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

compare themselves to anybody else.

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

take risks, be authentic, be passionate.

To see more of Carrie's work:

Website

Blog

milk LA

** all images in this post copyright: carrie / urban baby LA + milk LA  **

**All images in this post are copyright the last 40 percent.***

{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.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...

IN 2 WEEKS:  Carrie Cook

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

Brianna,  You are an amazing woman in the way you see and write about the world.  I love your regular posts that include a break down of the week and the funny, inspiring, and real insight you have into family and business life.  You are adept at pulling the meaningful out of the mundane and appreciating the beautiful in what others would pass without noticing.  Your work pushes your own limits and the ease with which you and Ewan conduct life and business is fantastic.  Thanks so much for being on Women and Business today.



How long have you been a professional photographer?
How did you and Ewan come together and create your photography business?

These two answers so go hand in hand. In 2002 I met Ewan. We were in the same philosophy class at The University of Western Ontario and were both pursuing teaching as a career. Ewan always told me that if he won the lottery he would be a photographer instead of teacher. I honestly think he was going to work in education just so he could have summers off!  He kept talking about how he would pursue photography full time if he won the lottery so I encouraged him to just do it. Just live his dream. In August 2004 we were married and in December 2004 we shot our first wedding together. In 2005 we shot 25 weddings. The following year we were both shooting full time together and photographed 50 weddings.

I took some time off from shooting while having our daughters (Rachel and Sarah Elizabeth) and only worked in the office. I came back again alongside Ewan this year and love every minute of it. It’s amazing how easily we work together.


Are you in a retail space or home studio? What made you decide to have retail space?

When we first started the business we were living in a 2 bedroom apartment and met clients at their homes. With the move to full time we bought our first home and gutted the 2nd floor, running the business from there. In 2010 we made the investment in a studio outside of our home.  While we loved working from home (the convenience, no commute) we knew it was time to take the business outside. Our girls were getting bigger (and louder) and required more room. Our boudoir business was continuing to grow and we wanted a permanent place to shoot these sessions instead of booking hotel rooms and using client spaces. And we needed a permanent space for mentor sessions and teaching.

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

We have an awesome team who make our business possible. Ewan and I work full time in the office (and shoot). Rebecca is our office assistant and works full time at the studio with us. Ewan and Rebecca’s duties include loading and backing up photos, culling images, editing images, sorting, choosing photos for blog posts. I answer emails, phone messages, do all client meetings, organize time lines and wedding day details, design albums, fill print orders, write blog posts and take care of all administrative tasks. Yaira is our associate photographer and assists in the office part time. Sara is a part time office assistant and helps with culling images and general administration. We have two assistants who rotate at weddings with us. And bring on one co-op student each year.

All of our post production work is done in-house. It’s taken us a few years to perfect the perfect work flow, but we’ve finally found it!

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

We have a lot of interaction with our clients from day one. The average bride emails me 50+ times, so we get to know our couples really well before the wedding day. And we do an engagement session with all of our couples before hand too. This helps us to get to know their personalities, see their style, how they interact together and if they’re shy/nervous in front of the camera. It’s kind of like a trial run for the wedding day.

When I first meet a bride and groom we look through full engagement sessions and weddings together. We chat about our style and what to expect during a shoot. Because our style is unique we also set expectations about sitting on the ground during a shoot, being adventurous and trusting our vision. Our main goal is for the couple to have fun!

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

Meet other people in your area. Network. Meet vendors. Ask questions. And get involved. When Ewan and I started out we were young (only 21 and 22). We didn’t know about any online photography forums, workshops, mentor sessions or networking events and everyone in our local industry was 25+ years older than us. I’d suggest going to local photography events and getting to know other people in your area. Don’t be afraid to meet people, ask questions and get involved.

Set goals for yourself. Where you want to be six months from now, 12 months and 5 years. If you have a clear vision of where you want to go, you can set out a plan on how to get there.

Also, be realistic. You need more than a passion to be successful in this industry. Learn about running a business and the administrative side of things. Knowing how to make a business ‘run’ will allow you more time to do what you love : take photos!

You are a mom, what do you do to keep from being a stressed out mom and have fun with your kids?

Sunday is family day. No ifs. No buts. Every Sunday is designated as a no-work day. We sleep in. When the girls wake up they crawl into bed with us and we watch cartoons. Read books. Eat breakfast in bed. Then we go out and do something fun together. Sometimes we go on a picnic. Or to the park. Storybook Garden (it’s like a kid’s fun park). The beach. The Children’s Museum. Anywhere fun where they can just be kids. I’m also a master of lists and have at least 2 or 3 on the go at all times. This really helps me balance everything that needs to get done and prioritize things. So when we go home at the end of the work day I can leave everything behind and pick up on the list again the next day. I refuse to work in the evenings – that time is just for Ewan and the kids. It did take me a long time to learn how to ‘turn off’ work, but it really helps me enjoy family time and keep a balance between work and home.

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

I love reading! I loved reading growing up as a kid and even went to school for English, Language and Literature. One semester I took 6 English courses all at one and actually thought it was fun to have to read so many books (yes, I’m a dork). But reading for pleasure helps me escape busy days and escape into a different world. I also love cooking. During our off season (after the kids have gone to bed) we love to open a bottle of wine, make a fresh meal and listen to some good music. I’m always on the hunt for new recipes.


What do you do to keep your marriage fun?

Honestly, we get asked how we work together 24/7 at least once a week. But we really are best friends and have learned how to separate work and home life. At work we’re business partners. At home we’re husband and wife and mom and dad.  We have a weekly date night for just the two of us. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it’s a set night each week where we do something special. We’ve been doing this since our oldest daughter was born and it’s always Thursday night. Sometimes we rent a movie. Sometimes we go to Chapter’s. Or Starbucks. Or for a walk. Just sit on the back deck and talk. Play a board game. Go out for dinner. Anything. As long as it doesn’t involve a cell phone, internet, computer or the words wedding or photography.


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

We always make our relationship with our couples beyond just showing up on their wedding day to take photos.  We want them to feel like they can come to us for anything – vendor suggestions, etiquette questions, sharing their dress choice with us and helping with their planning (I love when our brides send us photos of their shoes!) This is their first time planning a wedding, but we do this 365 days a year, so we really encourage them to involve us in their planning. We want our couples to have a great experience with us from start to finish and feel as stress free as possible with all of their planning.

You are a mom , how old are your children? What do you do to help them feel part of your business life?
We have two girls – Rachel is 3.5 and Sarah Elizabeth is 22 months. We try really hard to separate business and home life, but want our girls to know what we do for a living too. We’ve had picnics at the studio before so that they can see where we go every day. Recently they watched Ewan from far away while he photographed an engagement session (and loved it!) We also run into past/current clients all the time in public because we’re from a smaller city. So the girls are always meeting people and we make sure to explain how we know them/the connection.

You and your husband run your business together. How do you divide the work?

You might laugh at this, but we have a board. We have designated roles in the business and have a giant white board in our office. The work flow is divided by each step and there are deadlines listed for each step. Ewan knows he has to have job X done before X date. And then I know the next step needs to be done by date Y. This works really smoothly and makes sure nothing gets missed or overlooked.

How do you keep from making each other crazy?

We laugh a lot! We have a lot of fun together and are both realistic people. We know that some days are going to be long and hard work. Some days are going to be easy and a lot of fun. We talk to each other all day long at work and are still talking at 11pm at night. Typing that now I realize that maybe we are too talkative of people 

How do you keep business from invading your personal lives together?

Honestly, it’s sometimes hard in the busy season. I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t because sometimes you just can’t help but ‘take work home with you’ when work is crazy.  And I think that’s okay. Sometimes you need to vent about your bad day, even if you spent it together. We do have date nights and refuse to work during ‘kid time’, but it does happen where there are nights we start working again after the kids go to bed. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in saying that.

What do you do to keep your family strong?
We have a lot of fun with our kids. We have random dance parties in the hallway. One day painting pictures turned into full body painting. We bake. We go for walks. Watch silly cartoons. Play dress up. Let the girls give me silly hairdos. Make faces at the cats. Make huge splashes in the bathtub. Build forts. And make shaving cream beards. We really try to let our kids be kids and have fun together as a family. I hope when they’re all grown up that they look back on their childhood and smile 

Do you travel very often? How do you make this easier on your children? How do they feel about how often you travel?
We just started taking destination/distance weddings again this year because we were busy popping out babies! We only accepted 5 of these away events for 2011 to test out being away from the kids. I’m not sure if we’ll take more in years to come or cap at 5. For now it’s a good number.

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

Lists and the board in our office.  I also keep a notebook beside our bed because I have always been a light sleeper and get most of my ideas at night time. This way I can just jot things down and get them out of my head. I usually remember what my random scribbles mean in the morning, but not always 

What three products or things help you stay organized?

To-do lists. Notebook. Big board of deadlines. And a giant calendar that’s colour coded (again, realizing that I’m a dork!)


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

Don’t be a superhero. You’ll just end up burnt out in the end. If you need help, ask for it. If you’re too busy to take a booking, say no. If you can’t promise a due date on an item, don’t promise it or you’ll just disappoint. There are only so many hours in the day and we need to remember to allot some of that time for things other than work. Don’t forget to give yourself some time too!


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

Meet other women. We’re all in the same boat. Lots of us are moms or wives and trying to juggle different roles. It’s good to know that other people out there are wearing the same hats as you. I have a colleague (and friend) who is a mother of 5 and her kids are all older than ours. I love knowing that she’s likely been through every single strange mom moment that I have and I can ask her anything.

I love the way you see the beautiful, sweet, painful, humor, good, bad, etc. in your life. What do you do to help you see those moments and appreciate them?

In our wedding vows Ewan and I talked about loving each other through the sour and the sweet. I think about those words all the time and try to remember them in our day to day life. We need to experience the sour sometimes so that we’ll appreciate the sweet.

We often get asked what our business name means and the answer is that it comes from Ewan and I : you only show so much of yourself to the outside world and you save the special details for the person you love (the things that no one else would ever even see or notice). But those are the things that make you who you really are. So, you only show 60% of yourself to the outside world, but it’s the last 40% that counts.

We try really hard to enjoy those little details and quirks. That’s what makes us us! Every night Ewan and I ask each other what our favourite parts of our day were. I love to remember/notice little things that no one else would ever think twice about, but that really make our family who we are. Like how Rachel only has freckles on one of her cheeks, not both. The way Sarah Elizabeth sleeps with two identical teddy bears, but seems to know the difference between them. How Ewan sets our alarm a few minutes before we actually need to get up so that we can cuddle in the morning. Driving with the windows down. Picking flowers in the park. These are things that I try to freeze in time and hold on to. They make us the Phelan family.

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content and blissful life?

Eat well. Sleep well. Take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anything else or anyone.

Dream big. Live fully.

Give back when you can. Remember all of the people who helped you out when you were just starting and do the same when you get to a place where you can.

Laugh. A lot. Even if it’s at yourself.

Take notes. So that when you’re 80 you can look back and remember what you were feeling throughout each stage of your life.



A little dorky chunk of info about us from our blog :

He only wears black belts. Not brown. He was a Chef in another life. He loves Star Wars. Sci-fi novels. And sports movies (Rudy, Rudy, Rudy). He won’t drink milk unless it’s in a bowl of cereal. Or mushrooms unless they’re on a pizza. Gives the best bear hugs. Uses his hands instead of a measuring tape. Hates taking out the garbage. Loves cleaning bathrooms. Thinks watching our girls play together is the sweetest thing on the planet. Has an infectious laugh. And tells the best knock knock jokes. Meet Ewan.

She likes the colour blue. But always prefers to wear black. Has a slight obsession with shoes. Loves to wear jeans and a pearl necklace. Still sleeps with a teddy bear. Gets a refill at restaurants and never drinks it. Only ever paints her toe nails silver or red. Is fiercely proud to be Canadian. Hates the word bologna. Loves the word onomatopoeia (Sizzle, whoosh, swish). Story time with the babes. Super long showers. And thinks mail time is the best part of the day. Meet Brianna.

So, that’s us. A random mix of Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops all in the same bowl. We love our family. We love each other. And we love what we do for a living!

To see more of Brianna (and Ewan's) work:

Our studio

www.lastfortypercentblog.com (our main site)

www.lastfortypercentboudoir.com (our boudoir site)

**All images in this post are copyright Nancy Ray and Caroline Joy.***

{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.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!
 

Nancy and Caroline,  You both attended the same Love Affair Workshop and are now very good business friends.  You're applying things that you learned at Love Affair and I LOVE seeing the things we talked about there really taking shape in your lives and business (and you know I love it when I hear that people have jumped on my journalling bandwagon!).  You've both got so much working out for you, together and individually...thanks so much for being on Women and Business today.

NANCY:

Are you in a retail space or home studio?  What made you choose your space?
Definitely a home studio.  I love it.  Not only are the economical benefits wonderful, I just think it's the best thing in the world to walk downstairs with my mug of coffee to go to work!  I shoot everything on location, so it's not a "studio" in the traditional sense - I never take photos in my studio.  But I have taken much time to design it as a productive workspace, as well as an attractive meeting area for my clients.    When we bought our townhome, we were looking for a specific 3-story layout.  The bottom floor is my studio, and the 2nd and 3rd stories is where my husband and I live.  It's perfect, really. 

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?
In the beginning of a shoot, I always acknowledge the fact that it feels awkward having your photos taken.  Let's be honest!  It usually makes them laugh, and it keeps it real.  When they begin loosening up and showing more affection, I am sure to shower them with lots of praise so they continue to just be themselves. 

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?
My favorite thing in the world is pizza night with my husband, Will.  We usually cuddle on the couch, eat pizza, and watch episodes of The Office.  When I'm not hanging out with him, I frequent the antique store down the street and see what little treasures I can find.  I have grand plans of buying pumpkins there this week!

What are you most proud of as a business woman?
I am most proud of the fact that I have never used debt in my business.  I have bought every thing with cash, and I built my business steadily with lots of hard work.  It is vitally important to learn how to prioritize big purchases and financial business decisions, and using cash allows you to truly do that.  I have learned that the latest gadget or the coolest lenses do NOT make you a good photographer or businesswoman!  Having good priorities does.

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in business to bring in clients?
1.  I asked for referrals, unashamedly. People love to spread your name if they like your work & you treat them well! 

2.  I updated my blog regularly, which started a great online "buzz."

3. I treated the clients I had the best way I possibly could.  Fast turn-around, quality work, and prompt emails.  People really appreciate and respect the little things like that. [I also highly recommend "Guerilla Marketing" by Jay Conrad Levinson for those of you just getting started.]

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
Stick with a schedule, get enough sleep, and work hard when you are at work.  It takes major self-discipline when working at home to not get distracted with every day life, (oh no, the laundry is overflowing!  we are out of groceries!  the dishes need to be done!) but if you can simply stick to the task at hand and treat it like a "real job," you will feel less overwhelmed.  Also, I give myself deadlines for each session & wedding I photograph, which allows me to stay on task and not pile up too much work for me to handle. 

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?
First and foremost, my faith in Jesus is the center of my contentment.  Finding fulfillment in Him first is vital to having a whole, content, and blissful life!  That is definitely my # 1 suggestion - get to know Him.  He never, ever lets me down.

# 2 -  Make time for yourself.  Have a bubble bath, take a walk, cook a meal.  Whatever makes you happy!  Make time for it, even if you have to write it down in your crazy schedule.  (No shame in that - I do it all the time!)

# 3 - Have a morning routine... you have no idea how much I look forward to my mornings every day! It sets the tone for your entire day.  Here is a brief synopsis of my mornings: Wake up, make my bed, get dressed, drink coffee/prayer time/journal time, light a candle and go to work. I feel so accomplished simply by making my bed and getting fully dressed.

# 4 - Be comfortable in your own skin.  Be confident in who you are, your style, your photography.  Don't continually compare yourself or try to please others. (I wrote a post about this in a recent Branches and Light Workshop blogpost: http://www.branchesandlight.com)

# 5 - Set goals.  I am a big believer in writing down goals for yourself, and meeting those goals.  There is something powerful about crossing off a personal goal you have set for yourself!  I set monthly goals and strive to meet every single one.  It keeps me on track, doing the things I love.

twitter: www.twitter.com/nancyray
blog: www.nancyrayblog.com
web: www.nancyrayphotography.com

CAROLINE:

Are you in a retail space or home studio?  What made you choose your space?
I chose to go the home studio route and I’ve never looked back! The most obvious pro is that it’s budget friendly! I feel that my business is an extension of my personal life, so I like having my workspace close in my home. It’s a place I love to be in.

What do you do to help your clients be so comfortable with you during a photo shoot?
I always begin shoots letting my clients know what to expect. This goes such a long way! It takes the pressure off when they hear that I’ll always let them know what I want from them in front of the camera. Eye contact and smiles go a long way too--I never stop smiling on a shoot. I also never stop talking while I’m behind the camera. I’m constantly talking to my clients, giving feedback, giving encouragement, or telling them what I’m doing with my camera (for example, “Lovely! Keep holding that pose while I get my exposure right.”).

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?
I just recently purchased my first home, so decorating is my favorite thing to do now! I love getting inspiration from design blogs and then searching for unique things in antique/secondhand stores. I never realized just how much fun it would be to express myself creatively through my house, but it’s been a blast! I also got a German Shepherd puppy about 5 months ago, so it’s refreshing to get out and play with her. She’s a ball of fun! Last but not least, dinner parties are my new favorite thing! My friends and I have put together some seriously swanky outdoor dinner parties, and we love the excuse it gives us to create a lovely atmosphere, cook some delish food, and hang out!

What are you most proud of as a business woman?
To be completely honest, I’ve always been a person influenced more by fear than anything else. When I began my photography business, the love of creating art distracted me from that fear and I hardly noticed again until I was out in the middle of the photography pool. As soon as I realized just how far out of my comfort zone I’d gotten, it was too late and I was full force in my business. No turning back. With all my heart I wanted to continue in photography, but that voice of fear taunted me. With the grace of God, I’ve been able to face my fears, weaknesses, and insecurities head on. While I still battle with them, I’ve experienced tremendous personal and spiritual growth through my business. Through this business and the guiding hand of the Lord, I’ve learned to live above my fears.

What are the top three things you did when you were first getting started in business to bring in clients?
1.     Networking! My first year in business, I was blessed with a small but amazing network of photographer friends in my area. We all had similar goals and were in photography for the same reasons (the people, the beauty of life). If one of us had an inquiry for a date we already had booked, we’d pass the inquiry on to the others in the group. Instead of feeling competitive with each other, we helped and encouraged each other, and because of that, we each grew our businesses into what they are now.

2.     Treating my clients like they are kings and queens and NEVER missing a deadline. My goodness, that alone can make or break your business. People notice consistency (or lack thereof!).

3.     Setting out mini Moo cards at weddings for guests to grab. I included the couples photos on the front, the couple’s names and wedding date on the back, and directions where to find the wedding photos online. Short, Sweet, Small, and Successful!

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
I make choices that are right for my business, without comparing my choices to another person’s business. For example, I have friends who take 50+ weddings a year, but I know that wouldn’t work for me. I only accept 15-20 weddings a year. Another example, my first year, I constantly felt overwhelmed with my editing load, and frustrated because I didn’t have much time to invest in client relationships. I decided, once for all, that outsourcing my editing was the right choice for me. This decision transformed my business. I was able to spend time on the aspects of my business that I loved, which relieved so much stress. Don’t be afraid to do what’s right for you and your style of business!

What five suggestions do you have for women who are trying to have a more whole, content, and blissful life?
1.     Remember your original vision for your life. When you used to dream about life {with your new husband} {at your new job} {when you bought a house}, what did those dreams include. Take a moment to write those dreams down, and then make a plan to get back to that original vision. It is totally possible to live the life you dreamed!
2.     Journal. It’s so therapeutic to write out your thoughts. You can also use it to list out 5 things you’re thankful for each day, or other contentment-breeding exercises.
3.     Do one good thing. I suddenly looked up from my work the other day and realized I hadn’t made time for my family or friends much at all lately. I was instantly discouraged, but rather than wallowing in it, I got up, called a friend, and made plans with her. Simply by doing that one good thing, I was inspired the next day to spend time with my mom. And so on, and so on. One good thing breeds another.
4.     Don’t compare. There’s nothing that saps me faster than when I get caught up in a comparison rut. Remember, when you’re comparing, you’re usually comparing the worst of yourself to the best of someone else and not seeing the whole picture. Blogs are a great source of inspiration, but go ahead and cut out the blogs that you tend to compare yourself to. Just stick with the ones that truly inspire and refresh you.
5.     Pray. Hands down the thing that keeps me balanced in life is prayer. It brings such an instant and beautiful peace.

To see more of Caroline's work:

twitter : www.twitter.com/carolinejoy
blog : www.carolinejoyblog.com
web : www.carolinejoyphotography.com

**All images in this post are copyright Alicia Caine.***

{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.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!
 

Alicia,  You are an very busy mom and business woman.  Over the last several years you've gone from being an extremely busy photographer to writing ebooks for other photographers online.  You have the wildly successful Easy as Pie pricing guide and 5 children.  Your journey, humor, and out look on life are inspiring.  Thank you so much for being on Women and Business today!

How long have you been a professional photographer? 
I started my business in the spring of 2006. I had only touched a DSLR 6 months prior to starting

What drew you to photography?
I had always appreciated & valued it and took my firstborn to studios constantly- but it wasn't something that I ever really thought " hey! I could totally do that!" until my 3rd child, and at that point,  hiring photographers was just out of my budget for the kind that i really wanted. What can I say- I wanted to selective color my pictures and no one would do it for me! ;-)

 

You made $100k in you first year of business.  What contributed to 4 figures in your first year?

(six figures? lol felt like 4 with how much debt we had to pay off during that year)  Working my butt off to an extreme that I would never recommend. Although that was sales- we didn't live the life of someone who was making that kind of money. We used the money to pay off $42K in credit card debt while living as college students.

Making $100k in your first year doesn't necessarily mean financial success.  What steps did you take in that first year to make sure you were actually profitable?
You are so right! There is a huge difference of someone who is grossing $100K but netting only $20K and someone who is selling $40K and netting $20K. I went through a series of price changes- almost monthly that first year. Not making what I needed to make- price increase. Clients not spending what i needed them to spend- price increase. Not meeting my sales goals- price increase. Didn't have insurance and had to pay for the birth of a baby- price increase. That's pretty much how it went that first year. It made my stomach sick every time- but it came out of a necessity to put food on the table as I was bringing in 100% of our household income while my hubby was taking 19 credit in bible college.

Did you start with the suggested seed money of at least $10k?
Actually, I started out bare bones. I bought my 20D camera used off of wedding photographer who was upgrading to her 5D, only had the 50mm f/1.8 lens, and I edited on my laptop. I only purchased for my business as I could afford it from my sales after bills were paid. Marketing was done all by word of mouth as I couldn't afford marketing materials beyond the cost of my web-site. I would never recommend going this route as it is very stressful working with sub-par quality equipment (my laptop would take an hour to batch process a folder of images just to save copies of them- torture!) but at the same time, I was proof that you don't have to have the best of the best of what the industry is selling to making money. The only people that noticed that I upgraded my camera and lenses when I did were other photographers- not my clients. And other photographers weren't the ones hiring me. My sales didn't change because I got the 5D.

Most people don't have a big marketing budget their first year, what were your marketing strategies?
I worked very hard to build relationships with local businesses any way I could. Referring my clients to the children's boutique in town to buy their outfits for their sessions, blogging about different stores, and simply just making friends with them when I shopped in their stores. They were the ones that ended up sending most of my clients my way because I was helping them build their businesses and wasn't just trying to rub shoulders with them for self-promotion.

Are you in a retail space or home studio?  What made you choose the space you have?
I started out working out of my home- I only did on-location sessions and then a year and half later, I got a natural light studio which I had for just a year. I ended up going back to working out of my home as I enjoyed shooting children out doors more than I did in the studio and I found that I had to work more to pay for the overhead that came with the territory of having a studio. I loved the experience, but it just didn't line up with the most important things in my life. 

What do you do for fun...that has nothing to do with photography?
oh my- I've become an Amanda Soule/Pioneer Woman wannabe- I've been posting pictures on my personal facebook page just showing the madness of this person I've become since I've moved to the sticks of Pennsylvania. If it's hippy granola, crafty, foodie- I'm all over it. 

What are you most proud of as a business woman?
I have to say that I am proud that I actually survived my first year of business despite the fact that the odds were stacked against me and the outlook was pretty bleak. I have to give all the credit to God though as somedays I look at the whole experience and think "how the heck did that all just happen!?" All the highs and all the lows were something that I was able to pull together from the  experience and create a product for other photographers that I am blessed to share.

What do you do to keep your marriage fun?
we make babies!!! hahah!

You are a mom, business woman, wife, photographer, and teacher (just to name a few).  You homeschool your children. How do you fit this into an already busy schedule?
It's a jam packed schedule- and I'm finding that to make it work, it requires just ditching the schedule sometimes. That has been one of the many blessings that we have with having a business at home and homeschooling. If we're having a rough day- we ditch the schedule. We watch movies together- or take the kids shopping in town- or go for a hike. We try to maintain the schedule the best that we can- but it doesn't rule our life if it isn't working and we just need to have a day that just goes with the flow.

You have so much going on and wear so many different hats, what does a day in your life look like?
It's controlled chaos. Let's just leave it at that. lol. okay-well, in a nutshell- I get up before the kids, work out, shower, eat, answer e-mails, and then I spend most of the morning and afternoon between homeschooling, cooking, laundry, housework, cleaning up poop (potty training right now a 2 year old and a puppy. lots of poop) and kissing boo-boos. Evenings I work on the computer or phone calls to the people I am consulting. It's a jam packed day that ends in me collapsing in bed. But I love it. :) 

How do you keep your marriage safe from the stresses of your business?
The same way I would if I wasn't in business, I guess. We have a unique relationship with being around each other ALL THE TIME- we have our days that we make a rockin team and other days that we clash. But we have the same goals for our family and it's a matter of just working together, serving one another, encouraging each other... those are the times that we really shine. 

What is the best thing you've done to make your business successful?
Watching myself to not be driven by pleasing people just for the sake of the applause that I receive for my success, but because I was given a task to perform and I want to do it to the very best of my ability.

You talk about being in your happy place.  What does that mean?
Everyone's happy place is different- basically, it is the sum of all the things you value in your life and it's maintaining those things and identifying the motives that are taking you there. Clear as mud, right?  For instance, my happy place is being able to homeschool my children, to allow my husband to be a large part of their raising by allowing him to be a stay at home dad and living debt free. All the decisions that I make for my business, I try to keep my motives in check with my happy place.

You have an "Easy as Pie" pricing guide that has gotten great reviews.  Please, tell us about it.
wow- how to sum it up in a few short sentences? well, I wrote it almost 2 years ago after I was doing a ton (or more like 42) pricing consults for photographer friends for peanuts and baked goods, and I realized that I just didn't have enough of me to help all the people that I really was wanting to see be successful in their business. I literally didn't think my book would go very far- my goal was to sell just 100 copies the first year. I just needed to have something to point people in a direction for their business instead of saying, "sorry hun, I'm so busy running my own business that I simply have no time to help you with yours." It ended up becoming so successful (I think it's one of the only pricing guides in the industry?)- that I ended up having to give up doing photography just to maintain the customer service side of Easy As Pie. It also freed me up to also work with photographers one on one again doing pricing consults which is now a large portion of what I do.  Working with these women has been my heart- I am so blessed to be able to do this...although I do have days that I miss being a photographer and the relational side I had with my clients.

My books are written to help the photographer who is needing to take their business to the next level and be more profitable- it's for the photog just starting out who needs to create their first price list and understand the hows and whys and for the established photographer that needs to get their price list and collections more consistent so that they can meet their sales goals. It covers session fees to baby plans- pretty much everything you need in regards to pricing your work and understanding it and simplifying the process.

You are a mom, how old are your children?  What do you do to help them feel part of your business life?  
They are 8, 6, 4, 2 and 3 months (yep, 5 of em!). Since I have transitioned from being a full time photographer to a full time business consultant and e-mail answerer- most of my business is done online. I try to do most of my work early in the morning when they are asleep, during their quiet time in the afternoon and at night when they are in bed. I'm blessed to have my hubby home with me full time and he often takes them out of the house at times that I have to spend several hours doing work related stuff. They think money grows on trees- so I recently started thinking of ways that I might need to teach them about what I do so they don't get a false perspective to how a livelihood is made. 

What do you do to keep your family strong?
God alone. Without Him, we'd be a huge mess. And really, we probably have more days of struggling than we do being solid- but it's a growing process which we seem to get better with every year. Highs and lows, just like everyone else. 

You travel quite a bit.  How do you make this easier on your children?  How do they feel about how often you travel? 
Most of the traveling I have done has been taking my my baby along. I have had to do it a lot the last year where I left them at home with my hubby- I don't think I could ever make it easy on them. I am blessed to have a supportive husband that fills my shoes and wears my hat (metaphorically speaking- don't want you all to get the wrong idea!) when I am away. It doesn't make it easy on my children- but it does make it easier. 

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?
well, hahah, good question! Wish I knew! I think it's pretty much next to impossible to NOT get overwhelmed. I use to sit in a puddle of tears everytime I got overwhelmed and I don't seem to do that (as much) anymore- so maybe I'm doing something? Or maybe it's a matter of just sucking it up and going "okay God, it's just you and me- let's do this thing!"

What three products or things help you stay organized?
Flylady  (keeping my house tidy- which right now, it isn't)

Steady Days for creating a schedule for my home and a whole lot of flexibility (wish there was a link for that!).

As a mother of 5 little ones, I have had to resolve that I will never be perfect, I will always fall short of my expectations of myself.

I'm learning that even though I may be successful in business- if my family is falling apart- it really isn't success at all.




Facebook- www.facebook.com/AliciaCaine
Easy As Pie