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    June Member Spotlight: Deb Schwedhelm!

    June 13, 2011 | Posted by Alice Park

    In the spotlight this month, photographer Deb Schwedhelm gives us a peak inside her busy life as she juggles photography, motherhood, and a successful series of workshops. Based out of Tampa, Florida, Deb continues to challenge traditional portrait photography while illustrating the importance of staying true to your own personal vision. She will also be sharing her insights during the “Finding Your Style” presentation at this year’s NAPCP retreat in Vail.

    Who or what inspires you and your work? How?

    I really can’t say that there’s one thing that most inspires me. I feel like I’m inspired by so much and it changes all the time….every day. I’m inspired by…

    - my children
    - a location I come across
    - words I read
    - a painting
    - a photograph
    - living life
    - and all the everyday beauty that surrounds me

      During times I’m really inspired, I feel a stronger push to just be and create. It’s a longing…a pulling, to get out there, photograph and make magic happen.

      How do you maintain a work/life balance while juggling photography, teaching workshops, and motherhood?

      Juggling and balancing mother, wife, client work, personal time, business, creative growth, etc…it’s one of my biggest challenges. It’s often the topic of discussion between my photographer friends and I. All I can say is that I do my best and some days, weeks, months go better than others.

      I am constantly trying to set business hours — specific times where I’m on the computer working. But I can’t say it’s really worked or I’ve done a very good job with it. It’s an area I’m always striving to improve. When at my computer, I sit with a framed print right next to me that says “TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND GO OUTSIDE”.

      What is the best advice you have received regarding photography?

      I think the best advice I received was when I first launched my business and was told to price myself where I thought I’d be in a year and offer discounts. So I priced myself and then offered a 40% portfolio building discount, then a 25% holiday discount, then a 10% summer discount and finally full price. It gave me a solid starting point and in my mind, it made sense.

      Also, shortly after starting photography, I attended a Cheryl Jacobs-Nicolai workshop and she pushed me to just keep doing what I was doing and not worry about fitting in or what other photographers think. Following my own journey…my own path and not worrying about anyone else was so liberating. That was huge for me.

      What advice can you give to those starting out?

      Be true to yourself throughout your photography journey. Don’t get caught up in the cliques and what everyone else is doing and showing. Work hard and be patient!! Be inspired but do your own thing. And once you’re in business, know your cost-of-goods and price yourself appropriately. If you don’t have a solid business foundation, it’s easy to get caught up in the client / business work and not have time for continued creative exploration and growth.

      What is one business lesson you wish you learned a long time ago?

      I wish I learned to delegate or outsource earlier. We wear so many hats — photographer, small business owner, marketing executive, secretary, bookkeeper, accountant, graphic designer, stylist, etc. It’s not realistic to do it all and do each task well. I now outsource my bookkeeping and accounting and wish I made the decision to do that long ago. If you find that you just can’t do it all, find those things that are right for you (and your business) to outsource. I promise, you won’t regret it and always remember that your time is worth it.

      What are some of your favorite product offerings and biggest sellers?

      Digital files on CD are definitely my biggest seller. Some photographers don’t want to release their digital files but I feel it’s important to offer digital files, as we live in a digital age. If a client purchases a CD, they get an 11×14 print as a thank you gift. I want to be sure that they have an amazing print on their wall.

      I also love offering high-end giclee prints – prints that are handcrafted and printed on museum-quality hahnemuhle photo rag paper. They’re really something special!!

      Your style is so unique and defined by the detail and thought that goes into every shot. Can you tell us how you make it all work?

      I really try to stay true to myself, when I shoot and edit. I feel that true artistry is something that comes from within and cannot be taught. I wish I had some special secret to share, but I don’t. I just worked hard and shot as much as I possibly could and my style naturally evolved. I simply do what I love and absolutely love what I do!!

      I guess my best advice would be to be authentic and look at what you truly love. I think that’s when your photography goes to the next level and becomes “art”. Be honest with yourself — with what you shoot, how you edit, what you share. Dig deep. Play. Explore. Infuse yourself in your work. Infuse yourself into the technique you’ve already mastered.

      Tell us a little about the Wallflower Friends workshops you offer with fellow photographer and friend, Leah Zawadzki?

      Leah and I had talked for years about doing a workshop together and had always said when the time is right, it will happen. And it did! And we love it! We wish we could offer more Retreats but we’re both mothers of three and coordinating our schedules (and the time away) is challenging.

      We really want those attending the Walllfower Friends Retreat to have a unique, open, honest experience of sharing, learning growing and exploration. And of course, we love that so many special friendships have resulted from our retreats.

      We are so excited to have you and Leah join us as featured speakers at this year’s NAPCP Retreat 2011: Vail! What will you be sharing with us?

      We’re so excited too and we thank you for this awesome opportunity to share with others. At the Retreat, the main topics we’ll be discussing are finding your style, being yourself, inspiration and creativity. These are topics we’re so passionate about and can’t wait to share with all those attending the NAPCP Retreat.

      To see more from the lovely Deb Schwedhelm, visit her site here, and her blog here!

      Alice ParkAlice Park

      April Member Spotlight: Liana Lehman Hall!

      April 4, 2011 | Posted by Alice Park

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      In the spotlight this month is NAPCP Retreat 2011: Vail speaker and business guru Liana Lehman Hall, of Liana Photography. Aside from launching a new letterpress business & making the best darn banana bread east of the Mississippi, this down-to-earth southern gal is one of the only working professional photographers in the nation who teaches managerial accounting, finance, and business planning to other industry professionals.

      We have heard raving reviews on your Business Boot Camps! Can you tell us a little bit about them?

      Basically, I teach the not-fun-stuff that every photographer (or entrepreneur for that matter) needs to know in order to run a financially-sound business. The information is based off the same principals taught at major educational institutions like Harvard Business. We use PPA’s Studio Financial Benchmark Survey as our guide as well. It’s a small group setting so we really have a chance to dig deep into each studio’s finances and individual situation. We’ve done over 25 of these since 2007 and it’s been interesting teaching abroad as well, and learning that a lot of the issues and photographers face overseas is the same as what we are dealing with here in the USA.

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      How were you able to use your background in business in shaping your photography business?

      I’ve learned to think of this process as a journey, not a one-time thing you apply then move on. Business is a never-ending adventure of building and improving things one step at a time. In the beginning I had to apply a lot of what I’d learned out the need for getting systems in place, and setting things up correctly with finances. When you are starting a new business, there is SO MUCH you need to do and know before things start to run smoothly. Once certain systems are in place (for example a solid workflow and having your banking set up right) I had more time to work on other parts of the business that were true profit-centers. In the past few years my focus has been on improving the client experience and most recently it’s been integrating my husband’s passions into our service offerings as well.

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      How do you juggle it all, Liana? The photography businesses, the bootcamps, the new letterpress endeavor, and life with friends & family?

      I’ve learned that I NEED to schedule in down-time, even when I’m in the midst of the busiest season of my business and life.

      This year we are essentially adding in two new business service lines into what we offer our current clients. My husband is very gifted in areas of technology and design, so we are adding Cinema and Letterpress experiences into our service offerings, in addition to building out a studio space in our home.

      One thing that gets us through all of this is realizing this is just a season of being extremely busy. It won’t be like this forever. Once we have systems in place and some of the larger projects behind us, we will be able to relax into a more regular schedule and workflow. I have experienced this already with my photography business. Things are somewhat of a well-oiled machine on the photography front, so we have the ability to focus on growing other areas of our business now.

      Back to the scheduling time off. We literally keep a calendar of personal appointments and dates. Even if it’s a day off to do “nothing,” I schedule it and make it known to others that I will be taking time off then. We tend to go in spurts of constant work, to times away to travel and explore and have some down-time. Next week we’ll be traveling to Northern Italy and Southern France to celebrate our 2-year anniversary and do some filming for a commercial while we are there. Last year it was Australia and South East Asia for a month. If I didn’t have these times away I’m not sure how we’d keep our sanity!

      Having a supportive network of friends and family helps a lot too. They are our biggest cheerleaders and some of them actually work with us and take care of the business while we are traveling. My sister Laurel now shoots wedding (both photography & cinema) with us too and is learning the Letterpress business as well. We have a small group of other newlyweds we meet with every Tuesday, like clockwork, that keeps us accountable in life. We schedule retreats with groups of friends and date nights with each other.

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      What do you feel is the biggest challenge portrait photographers face in pricing?

      Not knowing where to start or thinking they are not worth what they need to charge to make a living.

      So many photographers base their pricing off of “what others are charging” or “how my work compares to others in my area” when in reality that’s only one way to price. It can be dangerous to price according to this method because you actually have no idea if those other photographers (that we compare ourselves to) are actually making a living at it or not!

      In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge portrait photographers face in running their business?

      The Groupon mentality. Three years ago I would have said that portrait photography was the way to go. It was a much less-saturated industry back then. These days everyone is a portrait photographer and everyone is giving it away for free. Figuring out how to validate yourself and your work to clients is becoming ever more challenging.

      What is the best advice you’ve received regarding photography and business?

      Understand why you do what you do and what makes you different. If you don’t know this and cannot tell a client why they should pick you (over every other photographer in your area that does essentially the same thing), you can hardly expect others to know this and hire you because of it!
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      Who are some of your favorite vendors, and why do you love them so much?

      I’m a huge fan of Pixel2Canvas and KISS albums. Out of my many suppliers, these are consistently the ones that “bend over backwards” so to speak with their phenomenal customer service. They both also have a very simple ordering process and absolutely stunning products. I love when clients order these over alternatives because I know how easy and painless it will be to get beautiful pieces of art ordered and in my client’s homes in time.

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      What are some recommendations you have to newer photographers who want to grow their business quickly without giving their services away?

      When you do your portfolio building sessions, be sure to invoice for the full amount, even if you are giving the family a discount or something complimentary for their time. You may then write in the discount so they know the value of what they have received. They need to be able to let their friends and family know the true value of the work so when someone asks “how much did that cost” their answer is the amount, not “oh, I got if for free.”

      Also, learn as much as you can about finance, both personal finance and business finances. Having a sound and strong financial foundation for your life and business will get you through the ups and downs. Cash flow is one of the most difficult issues entrepreneurs face, and if you can tackle it head on, you are ensuring a greater chance at success and business longevity.

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      We’re so excited that you will be coming to speak to our group at the Retreat! What is one thing you want all of our attendees to take away from your session with them?

      I’m very excited and honored to be joining you all out in Vail this summer! There’s so much I want for others to take away, but if I had to pick one thing, it would be a greater understanding of how much we take home out of every dollar. When you understand this equation, making wise business decisions becomes much easier. Things start to make sense.

      To see more of Liana Hall, check out her website here, and read the latest on her blog here!

      Alice ParkAlice Park

      NAPCP Member Spotlight: Andrea Halsey

      July 21, 2010 | Posted by Alice Park

      This month, we’re thrilled to feature one of our favorite faces on NAPCP as our member spotlight! Our members love her because of how passionate she is about our craft and our community. In our member spotlight this month, Andrea Halsey shares a glimpse into her crystal ball as well as simple tips on her favorite topic, ‘enhancing the client experience’.

      Whether your client experience calls for gorgeous templates to create beautiful gifts or access to time-saving apps, look no further than The Designer Concept, this month’s vendor partner. The brainchild of Andrea Halsey, The Designer Concept is gifting away an awesome new iPad app to two lucky NAPCP members who follow us on Twitter and our new Facebook Fan page (see info below). So give us some love and enter to win.

      Andrea tells us: “We truly do have a unique part of the photography industry and my hopes and dreams are that we will together educate communities all over about what we do and why it is so important and worth the investment.”

      Q: Where do you see yourself and your business in 3 years?
      In three years I hope to expand my business in my specialty areas by adding and training new associate photographers. I hope I will have a few more new employees, and *fingers crossed* a couple of other studio locations that I and my associates will photograph in! I also hope to further delve into my passion for teaching, sharing, and inspiring (and hopefully learn to overcome my nerves to do so!) *Tip of the Day* Thanks to my new friend Brandy Anderson, a glass of wine can do the trick!

      Q: In 5 years?
      I hesitate to even think that far! To think it was only three years ago when I started dreaming about owning my own photography business and making it into reality. It is hard to comprehend the possibilities in more than doubling that time. I never could have imagined where I would be today and the vastness of this wonderful industry we all share. To think that so many share this journey with me is both humbling and gratifying. One of my long term goals is to learn the magic of making more time by running an efficient business that can survive with or without me. Once I achieve this I have all kinds of plans for my kids, my family, my business, and my constant need to create and explore.

      Q: How do you juggle it all? The photography business, the boutique design business, and your family…
      This is something I am still learning day by day. I tend to have the urge to create (like most of us, I’m sure!) and that is truly the drive that keeps my businesses going. As for family, I have an amazing and supportive husband who doesn’t mind doing the dishes or folding clothes. I think it would be impossible to do what I do without him.

      Q: What is your typical daily schedule like?
      I work full time Monday – Thursday (and sometimes Saturdays) so in the mornings I bring the kids with me to the studio. I usually just straighten up and organize client work while the kids have snack and wait for the grandparents. Once the grands have them for the day and my assistant gets to the studio, we start working on designing and order fulfillment, sorting client work, and scheduling for the next photo shoot or meeting. I tend to limit my sessions 1-2 per week and we spend the rest of the week consulting, proofing, designing, ordering, and packaging. Somewhere in between I work on new marketing and design ideas and apply them to my own business, and eventually apply them to The Designer Concept.

      Q: We love all of the little client gifts you create. Can you share some of your favorites?

      Gifting is definitely my weakness. I love finding unique ways to treat my clients. More than often I will gift a mini accordion album (using this template to easily put them together) but sometimes I am able to get a really special gift. My favorite being these handmade door signs for children to hang on their door. I have a custom stamp on the back letting them know who gifted the piece to them and my hope is that they will think of me whenever they catch a glimpse. Another of my favorite gift ideas is a custom made name puzzle for toddlers or these handmade wooden toys. I think sometimes it is important to give a gift that isn’t photo-related, as it brings a personal and endearing connection between myself and the family I am working with.

      Q: Tell us about your philosophy behind the Client Experience.

      Oh wow, definitely my favorite subject! My philosophy has not always been so apparent to me. I have made some mistakes in the past but have become the better for it. I want every client to walk away having had an enjoyable experience and with far more than just some good photographs, and this truly starts from the beginning and follows through to the end. I want to be a lifetime photographer for my clients and make it easy for them to come back again and again. I think starting with this mindset the rest of the client experience falls into place.

      Q: We love all of the products you design for other clients. What has been some of your customer’s favorites?
      By far, my client’s favorite finished pieces are my albums. I think equally loved are the Image Boxes for their versatility.

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      Q: Tell us about the Designer Concept.
      This is where I get to share all of my studio’s design work, ideas, and strategies. I take a lot of the themes from personal experience and ask myself how can I make this better? and then bring it to life. Most of the templates I create have all been put to practice in my own studio, and when I know they are great ideas and work for me, I want to share them with everyone! For example, one theme behind TDC started like this: I am big on creating custom designs for each client, but early on found it was daunting for clients to show them a blank canvas and ask them what they wanted. I realized this isn’t their job, it is my job! So I asked myself how can I make this better? How can I both show my clients an example of what they will receive while also customizing their experience? And that is when I started designing all-in-one templates. I would create a single template for a product that has countless design options, get a sample made of a general design, and show the sample to my client. I would let them know I would customize the design based off of the images they chose. Once the images are chosen, it would literally take me 15 minutes to have a complete design ready using these templates. When I knew I had something worth sharing, I started The Designer Concept. In the future I hope The Designer Concept will expand beyond just the templates I create, but a place where I can share all aspects of my photography business and ideas.


      The next generation of in-person proofing for photographers. This application combined with the beautiful display and sleek design of the iPad makes the perfect combination to replace printed proofs forever. Use this app for that personal touch when presenting your photos to your client. Easily portable to meet in-home, at the studio, or on the go.

      NAPCP members and other photographers can quickly and easily learn about iProofpro here.

      Bonus TODAY: iProofpro is giving 2 lucky winners their revolutionary new app! Replace paper proofs and wow your clients….just in time for the busy fall season! There are 2 ways to win:

      You must be following us on Twitter or “like” our NEW Facebook Page.

      You must send out the following tweet: I want to WIN an iProofpro app @napcp_tweets because… (and fill in the rest) OR Post on your facebook page: I want to WIN an iProofpro app with @NAPCP (National Association of Professional Child Photographers) because…. (and fill in the rest)

      Deadline:  TODAY, 7/21 at 11:59 EST.

      The 2 Winners will be announced this Thursday on our new facebook page and on twitter!

      To get to know our wonderful moderator Andrea better, members – please visit our forum.


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