Having a crisis of photography faith

[photobykim]

I am just so overly frustrated it is not even funny. I have done both the January and July Dallas Bridal shows with very little response. The response from July currently equals 2 people total, one of which did sign with me.

I know that my heart really is with children's portraits, but I do not have the ability right now to do that. I am a stay at home mom and currently during the day have my 2 year old daughter and my 3 year old nephew, which is not really professional working environment with my 2 kiddos running a muck, so sessions during the day are out. I have no studio space in home really anyway.

I just really feel like I am stuck in this pit and the more I try to figure it out and try to make everything work out for me the further stuck I get.

any advice or thoughts would be great. Just really trying to figure it all out and I am not sure how to go about doing that.

[carrbowl]

Ok...question..if childrens portraits are in your heart, why are you trying to do bridals? $$

[Charles Putnam]

Kim

First, there's nothing wrong wih being a stay at home mom - it's actually quite honorable and you're to be commended.

I had a chance to look at some of you're work and it's excellent.

It seems photography is one of the last things that brides seem to think about. I've been asked to shoot a couple of weddings recently - all on a last minute notification. In all the research I've read/done, it seems that networking with local bridal stores, churches, wedding coordinators and other facilities is a far better way to go. Additionally, having professionally printed postcard sized business cards (with a couple of your best pictures, some info on what you do and how to get in touch with you) are a definite benefit. BTW, your website is excellent - it definitely communicates "you" and the type and style of your photography.

As to not having a studio on site, there are probably a lot of us here that rent studio space when necessary. The cost just gets passed on to the client.

Hang in there - take care of those kids, and don't lose your passion.

[photobykim]

Renae - to answer your question I do enjoy shooting weddings and have found that through my previous clients I have found that when they begin their families they often think of me to do further portraits for them. So in a way I'm sort of starting at the very beginning of their family with them. The $$ doesn't hurt either.

Charles - thank you. I love being a stay at home mom. I have had something so wonderful that can never be replaced and that is watching not only my kids, but my sisters children too grow from day to day and help to mold and teach them. I started being a stay at home 9 years ago with my niece and then when my children came along it has given them a bond of brother and sister instead of the traditional "cousins". One benefit of them is that I have on hand models to play around with.

thank you for taking the time to look at my site, I worked really hard to make not only my site but all of my work now as a reflection of me and my style and I stopped following the advice of many others because it just wasn't me.

Thank you both for responding, I've been questioning this for a while now and it's really just come down to make a change or give it up. I am really not ready to give it up, so really just trying to find that way to make a change. Change is scary and sometimes really frustrating for me cause I feel like I'm jumping from a cliff with now safety net on what i am doing. A lot of trial and error.

[Concisus Cognatus]

Hi Kim,

The quality of your work is such that if you just continue marketing and remain steadfast in what you do, you'll be alright. No doubt in my mind. Great pictures on your website.

Hang in there!

[carrbowl]

Kim, I'm asking questions to try and get you to figure out what you are looking for...(I wish you can hear voice tone in emails!!!) You said you loved child photo. but were doing weddings...so that made me wonder why?? I occasionally get where you are..I wish the business was better, but then "life" gets busy and i'm glad business isn't so great. I hope you figure out what it is you want to do. Unfortunately no one can do that for you...too bad huh!! Don't leave the kids unless you absolutely have to though...they money isn't worth it!!! I know it is not the "best" job, but I wouldn't trade it, nor give it up. (although there are days I would give it to someone else!!!!) Hang in there!!

[MikkiStreak]

I'm going to share my opinion because I'm on the other side of this perspective---- I am engaged and currently still looking for a photographer.

First, let me say that I totally agree with Charles. It's about networking. A photographer who comes as a referral from a vendor I have a strong relationship with already is going to go to the top of my priority list. I trust my vendor, then I'm more likely to trust their referral. Networking with wedding planners, venues and videographers are probably the best networking options, in my opinion (as a bride). I would disagree tho that photography is one of the last areas that brides consider. With every bride I know, regardless of their photography budget, their pictures are one of the FIRST items they address in planning.

I also want to say that I'm a bride planning a destination wedding, so my perspective is slightly different than brides doing local weddings. But, I am a member of numerous bridal forums geared toward weddings in general, as well as specializing in destination weddings. So what I'm writing is based on my opinion as a bride, but also what I've been hearing consistently from about 100 other brides that I interact with daily.

I think the biggest challenge for building a career in wedding photography is going to be that the bar has been set *really* high. It's not the same field it was 10-20 years ago. The hottest things right now (and this is based on my experience, as well as my networking with about 100 other brides nationwide right now) are wedding photojournalism and trash the dress sessions. 20 years ago, it was the formals. Not any more. And every bride I know wants Trash the Dress sessions that are really cutting edge! They value this trend so much that most of them are buying a second dress just to get really experimental with their sessions.

Most brides are focusing less on the printing packages (because it's really cheap to use a lab service these days) and are wanting a really cool album and coffee table book instead. And they want ownership of their images on a high-res CD. Plus a slideshow presentation they can use later.

Now, to give you my views after looking at your website:

You have the ability, but I think some of the images you have up could deter a bride. When I look at your details images, the work has really good quality! The shots showcasing the rings, the tablescape, the favors, the placecards are great detail shots that brides want. So many brides are DIY'ing for these details that they really want some great photos to spotlight the work they have done. For the 'getting ready' shots, I would include some good samples of the bride surrounded by her mother, bridesmaids, etc...

But when I look at the images under "Weddings", there are some images that would have me concerned. For example, the unity candle image (third one down on the right side, first screen of images)- the brides face is blocked by the candle. In the shot of the group with the bridesmaids and little people, the composition of the group isn't uniform and the members in the group look like their attention is going to someone else. When I scroll down to the next set of wedding images, the third one down on the left side (bride/groom kissing)-- neither of their faces are showing.

I know these kind of things happen and you take the best shot you can get. So I do understand. I know that what I love to see is the story of the day---- When I look at wedding photos, I want to "feel" the picture and what was going on that day. I want to see people laughing, dancing, having a great time.

[brad]

Chin up, Kim... we all have crises on occasion. Shoot me an IM sometime if you wanna just whine. :)

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by photobykim

I know that my heart really is with children's portraits, but I do not have the ability right now to do that. ... I have no studio space in home really anyway.

Kim:

Look at:

http://www.suzannerevy.com/

http://www.nicoleboenigmcgrade.com/

These two women shoot kid's portraits on location. I know Nicole doesn't have a studio.

Just some ideas ...

Cheers,

[photobykim]

thanks brad!

David, thank you for the inspiration!

[Gordon]

Also check out Tara Whitney

All kids/ families, all on location. Some great stuff too.

[my3peas]

Hey Kim! I'm in the same boat as you :)

I am a mom of 3 and while one is in school, the other 2 are with me the majority of the time. Because of this, I only schedule a certain amount of sessions per week and month. I wish I could do more than I do, but I realize that this will come in time.

Because I have the kiddos with me, I'm only able to schedule at certain times. During the week, my sessions are at 6:00PM. On the weekend, I have more flexibility, but usually it's a Saturday AM and/or PM. I'm averaging 3 sessions per week, and have been since late May. Right now, I'm finding that is a good amount, as I tend to get stretched thin if there are more.

As of now, I'm only shooting on-location. I let my customers choose the location, and offer suggestions if needed. Luckily, most of my clients live near me or are willing to travel, so I don't have to travel too far. And I am realizing that the session times will change as the days grow shorter.

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions :) This is only my first year, but I think it's going well so far! :)

[epoh]

Christie - it's only your first year??? I am impressed. You are an amazing photographer.

Back on topic - Kimberly - If your heart really isn't in Bridals and Weddings, then I would quit worrying about trying to get those gigs, unless you just _need_ the money. Focus on what you yourself said you love, children's photography. The weekends are, I would think, when most families have time for portraits anyway. And have you considered enrolling the 2 kiddos in a mother's day out program once a week? Most churchs have them and they are either free if you are a member, or pretty cheap. That would give you a few hours every week, during the day, to either shoot, or edit or just work on promotional stuff.

[photobykim]

Christie -- only your first year....I have to say I am beyond impressed! what a wonderful compliment to be as busy as you'd like to be. I PM'd ya too.

Amy -- I actually contact my bridal show rep and told her i'd like to go ahead and see about getting my deposits back for next year and just pull from the show altogether. It's really just not what I want and life is to short to not go after what makes me happy. The money is nice, but money sometimes isn't enough.

[Michelle Allmon]

Kim,
Get a reliable sitter. Get your sessions paid up front so you are not out-of-pocket when people cancel/reschedule. It's much easier to make big money photographing children than weddings. So no excuses. :)
Michelle