Laid off and Hungry

[suerenee]

Well...I've been wanting to go FT for a while but always have been chicken to leave the comfort of the paycheck. Today my boss helped me out by laying me off. :sarcasm:

I have been working hard to build up my wedding biz over the last year. I wanted to put myself out there on the forum as well. If you have a wedding coming up in the coming months in the Austin or Houston area and need a second shooter please let me know. $ from second shooting literally could be our grocery money for the week...so I'm serious when I say "Will shoot for food."

You can see my work on my website below. I'm reworking my website and hope to have the relaunch done soon. I shoot Canon 5dMII and have great glass.

I'm looking at this as a blessing, now I just have to get ramped up.

[groovyone]

Sorry to hear about the unemployment but great attitude! Good thing you have been working hard to prepare.

[TxTowman]

It's My sincere wish that You are very successful!!!!!!

Austin is going to be rough on you, but I think You can handle it.

[MicWayWal]

Susan,

Good luck. Your work is very good. But that is not the issue today.
The issue is: She who markets the most, sales the most. The difference between a part time photographer and full time photographer is the full time photographer has ALL day and ALL night to market their services. Don't wait till they come to you. You present yourself to them.

You'll be fine AND make more money than you did at that slave shop you were working at.

[suerenee]

Thanks Michael. I know this is the push I needed. I sat down about 8 months and figured if I book 1 wedding and 3 sessions a month I'd make what I was making after 8 years as a paralegal. Just yesterday I started my marketing blitz. I booked one family session and line up a mini session Sunday in April.

And Sydney, everywhere is tough..Austin is not different. It does help that I live in Round Rock and I'm moving to Georgetown in a few months. I have a great group of folks in my neighborhood/church/schools that all called me for cards. The wedding end is tough but I know I will get them with time.

[ldelacruz]

Sorry to hear but looks like you have a great backup plan! Good luck!

[alamoshutterbug]

I think you should feel blessed you are in Austin. No doubt you face some seriously strong competition from above and below and that will be your toughest battle. But, you are in Austin. You may not know it, but you are sitting in one of the largest and most supportive groups of networked photographers around. Meetups happen several times a month for several different groups; some more established, some mixed with newcomers, some educational, some... well... more fun and nightlife'y. You'd be surprised how friendly some of the competition is around here.

Start asking other photographers out for coffee, go to meetups. There are facebook groups to announce the dates from.

I speak from experience, just one outing with a few other 'togs can lead to some serious work if you fall in well with them. Work will then lead to them passing on leads to you that they are booked for. I get a ton of good contracts this way.

Get in touch and I'll give you some more concrete info.

[suerenee]

Thanks Eric! That's exactly what I want (and need!) to do! I always felt I was missing out on opportunities because I was chained to the desk from 9-4!

My email is susan@robinwoodphoto.com. I'd love to meet up and make some new friends!

[stephenpinn]

Good luck Susan I have no doubt that you will succeed and remember that a good part of that success will be your attitude and confidence. Don't let "stuff" get you down, you will do great!

[lhdvies]

Good Luck with your new life!!!!

[brad]

So sorry to hear, Susan, but you may like this new path better in the end. The perks can't be beat... but the constant fear and job search can be tiring.

Best of luck! I'd also advise networking with some local photographers (not just online.. get out and have lunch/dinner with them once a month or so). You'll find just sitting and talking shop will help inspire you and keep you going.

[ndsimm]

not being sarcastic, but the timing is good for you.....Senior portrait season is starting up and you should have time to hit a few schools in your area as well. Good luck and we are here with whatever help we can offer

[Bella Pop]

Susan, I'm sorry to hear that and I know it's a struggle - but you can do it! Don't forget to focus on your blog - you've been doing great on it and it's an amazing way to bring in business. People may not comment, but you have readers. We once booked a couple where the bride found us while studying in Paris for college. She followed our blog (our personal posts and adventures she loved) while in Paris and when she came home and got engaged, she knew immediately we were her photographers. I had no idea Andrea (who is a great friend now) read our blog regularly - she never made a comment up until that moment.

We've had quite a few more like that. So even if you find yourself without anything to post, or you're feeling frustrated or down, keep it up ... don't let it slide. Your blog is such an important ally. Create content for your area, your clients, add more personal adventures (no matter how mundane they might seem.) You're on the right track!

Brandy

[suerenee]

Thanks Brandy! I have laid out several weeks of blog ideas! :) I'm making my blog and networking my top priorities!

[jkderby]

Might want to check out the Texas School of Photography. Worth every penny.