Wedding Photography Podcast | How To Become A Successful, Full-time Wedding Photographer | Wedding Photography Tips

EPISODE #19: TOP 10 THINGS I WISH I COULD SAY AND DO ON A WEDDING DAY PART 2 Today's quote: The portraits are more than a “point and shoot” moment. Family photo headaches are common on the wedding day. What I wish the waiter staff could understand. What are you going to do to take action on these tips? Outline of this episode: [00:44] Introduction to this episode. [01:40] What I’ve been going through in the past few months and how it’s impacted my business. [07:03] How this podcast started and what I’m doing to fulfill that now. [09:40] Quick summary of part 1 of this topic. [10:24] A reminder about why I’m talking about what I wish I could say on the wedding day. [14:23] I wish I could explain that the portraits are not the hard part, there’s so much more. [18:43] Time is something I wish I could create (for more portrait shooting). [23:50] I’d love to be able to arrange the “first look” with the right setting and timing. [27:08] Why can’t I have a bit more control over the extended family photo process? [40

EPISODE #18: TOP 10 THINGS I WISH I COULD SAY AND DO ON A WEDDING DAY PART 1 Today's quote: The 4 main parts of the wedding day. I don’t mind others taking pictures too, but can I get mine first? If there’s tension in the room. I wish I could help relieve it. Can we talk about the best time to begin those outdoor weddings? Outline of this episode: [00:40] Welcome to this episode of the podcast. [01:38] Introduction to this episode’s topic regarding wedding day situations. [04:33] My motive in publishing this episode. [09:36] Things relating to the hair and make-up artists. [14:31] Issues relating to handling the bride’s dress. [17:43] Could we find a magical housekeeper to tidy things up? [21:12] Why can’t we go back in time to fix some key issues? [27:35] I wish I could talk about the tension in the room that sometime exists. [32:24] Things I wish I could say during the ceremony. [34:52] What I’d like to say about the start time of the wedding. [37:29] I wish I could ask the participants to take a little mor

EPISODE #17: HOW TO BE THE PERFECT SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER PART 2 Today's quote: If you want opportunities working as a second photographer, you need to go find them. If you’re going to reach out to vendors and forums, you need to do it the right way. How you can get shooting opportunities at non-wedding events. Some of the practical things you should and should not do as a second shooter. Outline of this episode: [00:40] Introduction to this episode about being a second photographer at weddings. [00:57] Did you meet your January goals? [40:10] Why I share the details of what’s going on in the rest of my life. [04:55] What you can expect in this episode about being a second photographer. [05:54] How you can find opportunities being a second shooter. [07:10] How to make the most of the opportunities on forums. [11:00] How to reach out to wedding vendors and resource sites. [17:00] Other photography opportunities that can help you move toward second shooting gigs. [22:10] The Dos and Don’ts of being a perfect secon

EPISODE #16: HOW TO BE THE PERFECT SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER PART 1 Today's quote: Why I think it’s important to understand the role of a second photographer. The benefits of working as a second photographer at weddings. But there are some cons to working alongside an experienced wedding photographers. Why my goal is to help upcoming wedding photographers become full-time on their own. Outline of this episode: [00:41] Introduction to this episode about being a second photographer for weddings. [02:44] A “secret” project I’m working on that I’ll be sharing with you soon. [03:25] What I mean by being a second photographer for weddings. [08:10] Getting opportunities by being a second shooter at weddings. [10:44] Why being a second photographer could be the only way to build a portfolio. [13:05] The things you can learn by being a second shooter at weddings. [18:30] Is second shooting only for photographers who are starting out? [22:26] My story on second shooting. [29:45] The power of being persistent to find second s

EPISODE #15: THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A QUALITY WEBSITE AND LOGO Today's quote: Do you understand the importance of a great website to represent you as a wedding photographer? Quality matters when it comes to your photography website. And don’t forget about the logo! In the end, your website will represent the kind of wedding photographer you are. Outline of this episode: [00:39] Introduction to this episode about websites and logos. [01:04] The current happenings in my life, at our new place and moving forward. [02:20] A hypothetical situation: a couple searching for a wedding photographer. [05:39] What happens when you don’t have a quality website? [08:09] Why your website could make all the difference in your business. [11:00] How do you get a couple to pay you to capture their special day when they don’t know you? [18:19] The importance that everything is mobile-friendly. [20:24] Why wedding photographers need to think down the road about their site. [22:09] How your logo fits into your website and brand.

EPISODE #14: WE FINALLY MOVED! STARTING A NEW CHAPTER IN MY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS. Today's quote: Life can throw you call kinds of curveballs. How will you handle them? Learning to be flexible is one of the greatest lessons. Why the toughest part of my day is not the actual work. What do you do when things go wrong? Outline of this episode: [00:44] Introduction to this episode about the changes going on in my business. [01:10] And update on our situation: the move is over and I’m settling into a new space. [04:32] Rebranding the company and the goals I have for it. [06:22] The personal difficulties could cause you to lose hope, but hang in there. [11:07] The toughest part of my day is not the actual work. [15:53] Today’s inspirational quote. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: http://www.learnfromhenry.com - see my products and subscribe to my email list! learnfromhenry@gmail.com - shoot me an email!   Subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes!

EPISODE #13: TREATING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS...LIKE A BUSINESS! Today's quote: Do you have goals for your business? Do you have financial goals for your wedding photography business? Is there a foundation of commitment underneath your business? What is slowing you down or standing in the way of your business becoming successful? Outline of this episode: [00:24] My introduction to this episode. [03:24] Always something to think about with your business. [06:07] What did you get done this week? What are your next 3 goals? [08:00] Why you need to be thinking about working on your business year round. [09:33] What are your financial goals? Do you have any? [12:16] How serious are you about your business? [14:30] Are you committed to making your business work over the long haul? [18:03] Considering the risks and the need to truly invest in your business. [22:12] People will always be getting engaged and need a wedding photographer. [22:41] What is slowing you down or standing in the way? [24:08] Assess

EPISODE #12: 2016 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR MY BUSINESS Today's quote: The success of your wedding photography business depends largely on your relationships with other professionals. Hold your clients, your brides and grooms, accountable before the wedding day arrives. Take creative risks! Make smart investments in your wedding photography business. Outline of this episode: [00:30] Welcome and Happy New Year. [01:39] Making resolutions for your business any time of year. [05:27] Dealing with distractions and interruptions in my work. [11:29] My top 10 resolutions for 2016. [19:29] Item 6 on the list: stop being so nice! [31:01] Why I anticipate doing these podcasts as long as possible into the future. [32:30] Today’s inspirational quote. [35:50] A bit about a setback I have encountered over the past month. [37:45] What’s coming up in future episodes on Learn From Henry podcasts. [39:05] I want to hear feedback from my listeners; here’s how to contact me. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: http

EPISODE #11: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ROAD MAP QUESTIONNAIRE Today's quote: What do I mean by a “wedding photography road map"? If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll wind up someplace else. A questionnaire is the first tool we’ll use to build this road map. When it’s all said and done everyone will be able to use this resource. Outline of this episode: [00:24] Welcome and introduction. [03:03] Current life lesson: there’s never a perfect time to do things. [04:18] Why I created this podcast and why I’m asking you to help me build this wedding photography road map. [27:19] How this road map is my way of helping you build your wedding photography business. [30:00] The format of the questionnaire and how it will help us build a road map for our businesses. [37:00] How I plan to give you specific feedback about your individual situation. [42:22] Today's inspirational quote. [45:00] How you can get in on this wedding photography questionnaire. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: Wedding photography

EPISODE #10: HAVING AN EFFICIENT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FLOW AND PLATFORM PART 2 Today's quote: What do I mean by “platform"? So what’s the “flow” part of the equation? Building your wedding photography business depends on effective platform and workflow integration. Develop your platform-flow integration in light of your goals. Outline of this episode: [00:24] Welcome and updates on what’s going on in my life. [02:37] Lessons learned from my life experiences lately. [07:09] Summary of part 1 of this topic and a story from my past. [10:10] What I mean by the words “platform” and “flow” and things that impact their effectiveness. [14:45] Examples of the platform for wedding photographers. [15:49] How the available platform affects your flow and personal energy. [17:00] A variety of platforms are part of the wedding photography job. [24:20] How your personality and perspectives fit into your platform and flow. [26:01] Real life situations I experienced when I was first starting out. [28:25] The importance of keepi

EPISODE #9: HAVING AN EFFICIENT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FLOW AND PLATFORM PART 1 Today's quote: What does it mean to have efficient “work flow”? There are several strategies you can use to maximize your efficiency and productivity. Schedule your time wisely, even when the nature of your work doesn’t force you to. The benefits of creating and sustaining an efficient work flow extend beyond your business, benefiting your personal and family life too! Outline of this episode: [00:28] Introduction to today’s episode on efficient work flow. [02:36] Personal update: My wife and I are in the middle of a move, just back from a trip to Thailand, and juggling numerous other things. [05:59] What’s ahead for the Learn From Henry podcasts in 2016: more weekly episodes and some new tools. [07:12] What does an efficient work flow mean? What sorts of things interrupt that flow? Possible solutions to such interruptions. [15:16] Real-life interruptions or interferences to your work flow, and how to avoid or minimize them. [19:15]

EPISODE #8: TOP 10 MISTAKES I MADE AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER PART 2 Today's quote: You’re starting a small business, but do you know HOW to run a business? You won’t get many clients if they don’t know how to find you. Do you have a mentor or coach to help you learn the ropes? You need to be “you” in the way you run your business and shoot your weddings. Outline of this episode: [00:24] Welcome to the podcast, here’s an update on what’s going on in my life and on this show! [04:00] The stress in my life and the things I’m dealing with…and how to keep perspective in business. [09:41] A quick summary of the previous 5 mistakes I shared on the last episode. [11:00] Mistake #6: I didn’t take any business courses or learn much about it. [14:30] Mistake #7: I should have spent more time figuring out the marketing. [19:32] Mistake #8: I wish I’d built a more effective group of associates to help me. [27:09] Mistake #9: I didn’t find a coach or mentor to learn from. [29:22] Mistake #10: I didn’t take “being me” serio

EPISODE #7: TOP 10 MISTAKES I MADE AS A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER PART 1 Today's quote: If you only learn from your successes, you only learn half as much as you could. Your success as a wedding photographer doesn’t only depend on you. Having a usable, relevant website matters - a LOT! Think through the kind of lifestyle you want before you build your wedding photography business! Outline of this episode: [00:24] My introduction of this “lessons learned” episode. [06:32] Mistakes I’ve made when starting this podcast (as an example of where we’re headed today). [13:45] Mistake #1: I didn’t network as much with wedding vendors. [19:00] Mistake #2: Not researching my website design enough. [21:47] Mistake #3: I didn’t learn SEO (Search Engine Optimization) early on. [23:55] Mistake #4: I didn’t blog details on my website. [30:00] Mistake #5: I didn’t think enough about the kind of lifestyle I wanted to live. [37:09] Recap of these top 5 mistakes. [37:39] Today’ s inspirational quote. [43:28] How to connect with me. R

EPISODE #6: HOW MUCH MONEY DO I REALLY NEED TO MAKE IN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY? Today's quote: Beginning to think like a business person, not just a photographer. It’s OK to have a financial motivation. How should you price your wedding photography services? You can reverse engineer your pricing with simple math. Outline of this episode: [00:24] Welcome to this episode! Ready to learn about the money side of wedding photography? [01:55] Updates on the website and an offer I have for you - my free ebook! [04:00] The “passions” you have the need to figure into your income. [07:06] Developing a financial mindset from the start. [10:00] Do you have a business background? How do you move forward if you don’t? [12:00] The honest truth: You need to make money. You need to have a financial motive. [14:10] Looking at how you should price your services. [28:11] Factors to consider regarding pricing and what you need to make each year. [39:56] The concept of “opportunity income” and how I factor it in. [47:49] Today’s inspi

EPISODE #5 - HOW TO FIND YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY STYLE? Today's quote: Why it can be difficult to discover your photography style. Your photography style will flow out of your entire life, not just how you approach photography. There are a variety of official styles, and you’ll likely be a mix of them. In order for your business to thrive, you may need a road map. Outline of this episode: [00:20] My introduction for this episode and what you can learn today. [02:27] My back story and why I’m doing this podcast. [07:49] A common question from couples, “What is your wedding photography style?” [12:59] The question you have to answer in the end. [14:11] The difficulty of discovering your own style. [16:17] Why finding your style matters for your peace of mind and fulfillment. [18:00] How I discovered my style over the course of 100 weddings and some other photography opportunities. [28:50] What if you already have an idea about what your wedding photography style is? [29:20] The variety of styles you could empl

EPISODE #4 - REVIEW OF WEDDINGWIRE'S DELIGHT, DON'T FIGHT! 10 DOS AND DON'TS FROM COUPLES WEBINAR Today's quote: Do you know your bride and groom’s point of view? WeddingWire suggests that quality communication with clients is powerful. Good wedding photographers know how to educate the couples they work with. Great wedding photographers know that they have to stay humble. Outline of this episode: [00:24] Welcome to this episode! [01:02] My podcast journey is on the way…thanks for being along for the ride! [02:42] A recent webinar I attended, hosted by WeddingWire. [07:01] Getting into the bride and groom’s point of view. [10:22] Communicate with couples quickly and efficiently. [13:58] Get the pricing right: 3 tips to be aware of. [19:07] Email mistakes you might make when dealing with brides and grooms. [21:40] Know your clients. [26:32] Be sure that you educate the couple about your process and services. [29:23] First impressions of the situation may not be the right impression. [31:55] Care needs to be ta

EPISODE #3: Top 10 Habits Of A Successful Wedding Photographer Part 2 Today's quote: Have you set goals for your wedding photography business? Do you know how you’re going to reach them? Are you willing to take some calculated risks? Is ongoing learning something you are committed to as a wedding photographer? If you’re going to be a successful wedding photographer, you’ve got to know who you are. Outline of this episode: [00:26] My introduction to this “part two” episode of the podcast. [01:29] A change I’m making on these episodes. [02:50] Recap of the first 5 traits of successful wedding photographers. [03:54] #6: Have a clear idea of your goals and how to attain them. [06:57] #7: Be willing to take calculated risks. [14:31] #8: Learn how to multitask for the sake of productivity. [19:20] #9: Continue your education. [23:10] #10: Stay true to yourself and don’t try to be someone else. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: http://www.theknot.com/ http://www.weddingwire.com/   Subscribe and le

EPISODE #2 - TOP 10 HABITS OF A SUCCESSFUL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER PART 1 Today's quote: What IS a successful wedding photographer? Where does passion fit into success as a wedding photographer? You need to habitually learn and deal with your own strengths and weaknesses. Your wedding photography business is just that, A BUSINESS. Outline of this episode: [00:24] My welcome to this episode and the podcast! [05:03] Disclaimer: This “top 10” list is MY observations, nobody else’s. [06:20] First, let’s talk about what we mean when we say “success.” [14:28] #1 - Develop a passion for wedding photography, it shows in your work. [17:39] #2 - Have a good sense of your own strengths and weaknesses. [21:19] #3 - Have a sense of urgency. [24:44] #4 - Treat your business like an actual business. [29:57] #5 - A sincere desire to help others. [34:57] My summary of these first 5. [39:18] How you can connect with me. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: http://www.learnfromhenry.com - my website learnfromhenry@gm

EPISODE #1: A PODCAST TO HELP ASPIRING AND NEW WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS GO FULL-TIME Today's quote: My experiences, lessons learned, and how you can avoid the pitfalls. My story: engineer to wedding photographer. If you’re going to get started with wedding photography, there’s no better time than now. Top 5 reasons I wanted to do this podcast. Outline of this episode: [00:26] Welcome, from me, Henry Chen, host and professional wedding photographer. [01:14] Why a wedding photography podcast? [00:53] My bio - the experiences I have that I want to pass along to you. [12:45] Why the sooner you get started, the sooner you’re going to have your dream. [16:06] The top 5 reasons I wanted to do this podcast. [25:40] What you can expect from future episodes. [26:17] Today's inspirational quote. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: http://www.learnfromhenry.com - my website learnfromhenry@gmail.com - shoot me an email!   Subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes!