It has become a yearly tradition...

I usually get the phone call in mid-August.

Emily calls me to say hello and catch up on life and family.

And then the planning starts…

She books a birthday shoot with me every years.

A special day, just for her.

A day of fun and funky outfits that show off the real her.

A makeover to make her feel amazing.

Emily,

The self-proclaimed “ok” mom

The loving wife

The fiercely loyal friend

The world traveler

Just Emily. Just as she is.

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Want to see more? Click HERE

Wednesday Top 3 - Elevator Pitch

Today’s Top 3 is all about the Elevator Pitch.

Every business should have one. It is a sixty second synopsis of your business that you could present at any time to anyone. An Elevator Pitch is essential to perfect. At networking events it is a lifeline to talking with other business owners.

In my opinion, your Elevator Pitch should have three basic parts:

Acknowledge your ideal clients

Who exactly do you serve in your business: entrepreneurs, first time moms, stressed out teachers, empty nesters, creative business owners, etc. It is important to declare your niche and who it is you serve.

List what you can do to help your ideal client

What is your superpower for your ideal client? Do you create on brand images for small business owners? Relieve stress with a full therapeutic massage? Help couples style their homes to get top dollar in offers? This is your chance to toot your own horn about what you excel in.

Tell why you are the best person for the job

Now is the time to be bold. Do you have the right experience? Do you have the right knowledge for the job? Have you been doing this forever? What do your former clients say? ETC. This is not the time to be timid. You are an amazing business owner and this is your chance to put yourself above the crowd.

EXAMPLE: I am a brand photographer who helps fellow entrepreneurs create on brand images they can use for all their marketing needs. With my knowledge of social media marketing, I can save them time and money.

So, let’s hear your elevator pitch. Write it out in the comments. Practice, Practice, Practice

Wednesday Top 3

We are back for another installment of Top 3. Each week I create a list of things that have been on my mind that will help other entrepreneurs.

Ready?

Top 3 ways to prepare for your Personal Brand shoot:

Pick the right clothes

Go for solid colors. They photograph better than patterns.

Use your brand colors as an inspiration. Bold colors stand out on FB.

The style should reflect your personality and your brands personality. Are you very serious and professional? Choose a suit. Are you and your business fun and creative? Pick bright colors and a casual look.

Bring Props (yes props)

Your ideal client wants to see you “work”. They love behind the scenes looks. So bring in the tools of your trade: computer, phone, notebook, fabric samples, paint brushes, etc.

A business plan (Don’t freak out.)

A personal Brand session will give you an on-brand bank of images to use in your marketing for months to come. Brainstorm, before the shoot, where and how your images will be used. Think about what topics will be covered to plan for “action shots”.

Every Wednesday...

So I have an idea I want to implement.

Every Wednesday I want to share my top 3 lists right here on my blog. The topics will be everything from small business stuff, books, websites, do’s and don’ts, etc.

I would love to hear your ideas on what to post about.

So let’s start things off with…

Top 3 websites my small business can’t live without.

1. Keywords Everywhere - Once you fall down the rabbit hole of SEOs you quickly learn that there is a lot of research you need to do from the start. Keyword search info is a MUST! This site shows you how to research the terms and phrases your ideal client is using to search Google. If you are new to this it may sound like no big deal (That used to be me.) Knowing key words will help you plant them strategically throughout your website so you can get to the top of Google Search. You know the old joke right? Where is the best place to hide a dead body where no one will find it? Page 2 of a Google search. Don’t be that guy.

2. PicMonkey - I know that lots of people love Canva for their graphic designs. I like them just fine, but I have used PicMonkey for YEARS. I have been with them ever since they were named Picnik. They have easy to use templates for IG, Youtube, etc. You can edit photos. You can find your true love…Just kidding!

3. Animoto - If I could shout this one from the roof tops, I would!! You MUST have video in your marketing. All of the social media platforms “reward” accounts that use it (especially IG - stories, reels, etc.) Animoto helps you to create amazing videos. Can you click and drag a picture or video, then you can use Animoto. All of the videos on my Youtube channel are made from this website. It is user friendly, amazing content and the music selection is the best part.

So there are 3 of my must have websites I use for my business. What about you? What website do you have bookmarked? Leave them in the comments below.

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I just couldn’t help myself…Here is #4

Fiverr - Need a logo? Need a website? Need a photo retoucher? Need someone to write a press release for you? This is the site for you. You can choose sellers based on experience, price, and skill level. I will warn you. If you pay someone $5 to edit a portrait, you get what you pay for. See examples HERE.

She is #1

Teresa contacted me as soon as she saw my FB post about my 40 over 40 campaign. We talked about the process, the outfits, the shoot.

I asked her what she was most looking forward to. Her answer: being pampered. She wanted some time that was just for her, a day to feel special.

I think we delivered…

Click below to see more.

Wanna see some behind the scenes action? Check out the video HERE. A huge thank you to my go to makeup artist, Penny Medlin.

One of these things is not like the other.

You have that song stuck in your head now don’t you?

Sorry.

These images look like they don’t belong on my page. But they do. I was hired recently to photograph Choose Tire and Automotive for Kernersville Magazine.

I learned some valuable lessons:

1) Grown mean who work in a auto shop DO NOT like to have their picture taken.

2) Grown men who work in an auto shop are HARD to photograph. They don’t want to be there. They don’t know how to act. They don’t know what to do with their hands.

3) These were the nicest guys in Kernersville. They were nice and the let me take their picture. It took some convincing.

So here are the images from the January Kernersville magazine. It was an honor to be included.

To each their own...

You are going to find this hard to believe…

My own children hate having their pictures taken. I can’t blame them. I’ve had a camera in their face since a few minutes after they were born so they have earned the right to be sick of it.

But I will keep trying and keep making them come to my studio.

Especially when I get results like these.

Once Removed...

I had this idea. And I won’t lie. I saw it on Pinterest.

I take family pictures all the time. But what about the grandparents. I never get a chance to capture the bond that grandparents and their grandkids have.

I talked about this idea with my friend Kayla. Her parents and her in-laws live close. She loved the idea. We made a plan and had an amazing photo shoot at her home. Her parents loved the idea and I spent a wonderful afternoon capturing their relationship.

On the drive home it struck me, One day when the grandparents are long gone, those kids will have these pictures of this wonderful afternoon to share with their kids. It will remind them of the small details that they love so much.

These images will last far beyond the subjects in them.

Wanna learn more about Grand Parent sessions? Click here…

Writer's Block

When Audra and I spoke about her personal brand shoot, I knew exactly what we needed to focus on. She is an amazing writer and often writes about her faith, her family and herself. We talked about wardrobe, props, etc. And when I walked into her beautiful home and saw all of the gorgeous light I knew this would be special.

We captured her writing, the space she writes in, and threw in a head shot or two.

The result: a bank of images she could use for her social media, website, and any promotional work.

That is a must for any business owner on social media. You want images that capture you and your business and show people what it is you are truly good at.

Dream Job

This portrait session was an absolute dream. I LOVE shooting mother/daughter sessions. I love to show how close a mom and her girls are. I love to capture that for all time.

And then I get to capture images of the sisters together.

Your daughters might argue but deep down they love each other. And I get to document it all.

And now, enjoy the Sweat girls…