Just a quick note that the next Learnfest Workshop is in September and registration opens tomorrow. The last one sold out in about 4 hours so get your credit card ready and make sure you set your reminder to go sign up at noon tomorrow (EST).
What is Learnfest? It is an awesome workshop put on by a few of my favorite ladies: Lena Hyde, Audrey Woulard, Tamara Lackey, and Laura Novak. The workshop consists of 4-1/2 day segments - one with each photographer in small 15 person groups. It is fantastic to be in such small groups with these photographers because you can ask questions and have more of a discussion rather than it being totally lecture style. You actually get to go out and shoot with Audrey and Tamara and seeing the ease with which they work with children will help you go back and have more fun in your sessions (at least it did with me). Lena Hyde is a branding genius (no surprise that she also created Design Aglow), and Laura will get your business in shape. This was easily one of the best investments I made in my business and it has helped me to grow. I only wish I paid more attention to some of the associate photographer talk because NOW I am doing that (at the time I had no interest in hiring other people).
You can read more about what I wrote from my experience at Learnfest.
You can read some of the questions and answers I posted about my Learnfest experience too.
I wish I could go again. The relationships you develop with other photographers will follow you home too! Feeling all happy just thinking about it!
I've spent the weekend reading back through your blog and I love it! I'm currently living near Baltimore, so it was funny to find out you're originally from here. I've been on the fence about going into a "pro" business instead of just a photo enthusiast and your posts are really helpful. I'm dying to go to Learnfest after reading your reviews! I'm going to have to save my pennies to try and make one early next year. I've followed along the blog and mentally tallied up your purchases and my head was spinning!
Anyway, I had 2 questions for you that I haven't seen covered anywhere on here and might give you a topic to cover.
The first is...how did you originally choose your equipment? Most people say choosing Nikon or Canon is like choosing a religion so I'm always curious about how other people chose what they'll use. Are there certain Canon features that you love? Or is because that's what you were given so you went with it?
2) What are some of the first steps you took to turn it into a an actual business?
3) I've been struggling with whether I want to use my name as my business or if I want to go with another name. How did you decide on that? It seems the name route is most popular.
Thanks again for putting it all out there!
Posted by: Erika | May 31, 2009 at 11:25 PM