Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Photography Interview
Recently, I was interviewed by a local high school student as a part of research she was doing about careers. Here is a re-cap of our conversation:
What made you interested in becoming a photographer? GROWING UP MY MOM WAS ALWAYS TAKING PHOTOS. SHE GAVE ME MY FIRST CAMERA WHEN I WAS PROBABLY 5 OR SO AND ALWAYS SUPPLIED ME WITH FILM. SO I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TAKING PICTURES. THEN MY BROTHER GAVE ME HIS CANON AE-1 (A MANUAL CAMERA) WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL SO I GOT TO PLAY WITH THAT. I TOOK A PHOTOGRAPHY/DARKROOM CLASS IN HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL AND STARTED WORKING GIGS WITH SOME LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS. ONCE IN COLLEGE I TOOK MORE PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN CLASSES AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ASKED ME TO PHOTOGRAPH THEIR WEDDINGS OR SENIOR PICS SO I JUST KEPT TAKING PHOTOS :)
What college did you attend, and for how long? Major? I ATTENDED MSUM MY FRESHMAN YEAR AND THEN WENT TO BIBLE COLLEGE FOR TWO YEARS WHERE I STUDIED HEALTH AND NUTRITION BUT HAD LOTS OF PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES (WEDDINGS AND SENIORS). THEN I CAME BACK TO MSUM FOR 3 YEARS AND DECLARED A GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJOR WITH A STUDIO EMPHASIS IN PHOTOGRAPHY. MY LAST YEAR I SWITCHED TO ART EDUCATION AND GRADUATED WITH A DOUBLE EMPHASES IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN.
What does your daily schedule as a photographer look like? EVERY DAY IS SO DIFFERENT! I GENERALLY TRY TO STICK TO A ROUTINE, BUT FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE SINCE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL AREAS OF THE BUSINESS. IN A GIVEN WEEK, MY TASKS INCLUDE BOOKKEEPING, ANSWERING AND RETURNING CALLS AND EMAILS, BLOGGING, PHOTOGRAPHING, EDITING, DESIGNING, CREATING SLIDESHOWS, FILLING ORDERS, PACKAGING ORDERS, DELIVERING ORDERS, BACKING UP WORK, MARKETING, NETWORKING WITH OTHER VENDORS, AND MEETING WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS.
Is being a photographer time-consuming? EXTREMELY! STATISTICS SHOW THAT 95% OF PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESSES FAIL. I BELIEVE THAT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MANY TASKS TO JUGGLE IN A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS AND 80% OF BEING A SUCCESSFUL PHOTOGRAPHER IS DUE TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PERSON. YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO FIND YOUR CLIENTS, HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP AND LOYALTY WITH THEM, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE EVERY PENNY YOU MAKE IS SPENT AND HOW EACH CENT IS EARNED. AND ALL OF THIS TAKES TIME! MOST PHOTOGRAPHERS MAKE LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE, AND IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTING FOR ALL THE TIME THEY INVEST IN THEIR BUSINESS AND CONSIDERING THAT WHEN THEY PRICE THEIR WORK. TAKING PHOTOS IS EASY AND DOESN'T TAKE A LOT OF TIME, BUT THE HOUR IT TAKES TO PREP YOUR GEAR BEFORE A SHOOT AND SET UP, THE HOUR OF TRANSIT, THE 3 HOURS YOU SPENT ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CLIENT BEFORE AND AFTER THE SESSION, THE TWO HOURS OF EDITING, THE 30 MINUTES OF BLOGGING, THE HOUR OF TOUCHING UP THE IMAGES AND FILLING ORDERS AND FINALLY THE HOUR IT TAKES TO PACKAGE AND SHIP OR DELIVER THE PRODUCT ADDS UP QUICKLY AND FILLS YOUR DAY FAST. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, ONE JOB HAS TAKEN 10 HOURS OF YOUR TIME AND IF YOU ARE CHARGING $100 FOR A SESSION, YOU MADE LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE BECAUSE 35% OF THAT $100 GOES TO UNCLE SAM FOR TAXES, AND HALF OF WHAT'S LEFT COVERS YOUR GENERAL EXPENSES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS. SO THE SHORT OF IT IS THIS: YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT OF YOUR TIME WORTH IT!
Would you have rather chosen a different route looking back?
SOME DAYS, YES, BUT MOST DAYS NO. THE THING ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER IS THAT YOU ARE CONSTANTLY LEARNING AND ADAPTING. TECHNOLOGY CHANGES, YOUR FAMILY SITUATION CHANGES, THE ECONOMY CHANGES, TRENDS CHANGE, SO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE TOO. IT'S NOT LIKE WORKING AT STARBUCKS WHERE A VANILLA LATTE IS ALWAYS A VANILLA LATTE, ALWAYS MADE THE SAME WAY. EVERYTHING I DO AS A PHOTOGRAPHER IS CUSTOM MADE, CUSTOM DESIGNED, EVERY SHOOT IS DIFFERENT. THIS MAKES MY JOB A LOT OF FUN, BUT IT ALSO MAKES IT CHALLENGING. SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY DAYS I WISH I WAS A BARISTA AT STARBUCKS, BUT MOST DAYS I ENJOY THE CHALLENGE OF BEING INNOVATIVE AND CHANGING WITH THE TIMES.
What are the ups of being a photographer?
THE MOST REWARDING THING IS THE RELATIONSHIPS I GET TO BUILD AND THE EXPERIENCES I GET TO WITNESS AND DOCUMENT. MY JOB IS SO IMPORTANT! AND I AM REMINDED OF THAT WHEN I HEAR OF A FAMILY MEMBER THAT PASSED AWAY THAT I PHOTOGRAPHED, OR SEE A CHILD OR YOUNG ADULT YEARS LATER AND AM AWED AT HOW THEY HAVE GROWN AND CHANGED. THE MOMENT YOU CAPTURE AN IMAGE IT IS VALUABLE, BUT TWENTY YEARS LATER WHEN A COUPLE IS SITTING WITH THEIR CHILD SHOWING THEM THEIR WEDDING IMAGES, OR TWENTY YEARS LATER WHEN THAT NEWBORN IS NOW AN ADULT--THAT'S WHEN YOUR WORK BECOMES PRICELESS. I AM HONORED TO DOCUMENT INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR LIVES.
Downs?
IT'S A CONSTANT CHALLENGE, ALWAYS A JUGGLING ACT. THE HARDEST PART FOR ME IS TO NOT LET IT CONSUME ME. (AT TIMES I THINK MY HUSBAND HAS FELT LIKE MY COMPUTER WAS A CLOSER COMPANION THAN HIM.) IT IS WAY TOO EASY TO FORFEIT YOUR OWN LIFE AND FAMILY TIME, IRONICALLY TO CAPTURE THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Personally, what is your favorite part? I LOVE THE CREATIVITY, DESIGN, AND AESTHETICS THAT GO INTO A SHOOT. AND EVEN MORE I LOVE EXPERIENCING THAT WITH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS WHETHER SHOOTING A JOB TOGETHER, TEACHING PHOTOGRAPHY, OR ATTENDING A WORKSHOP WITH OTHER ARTISTS.
What made you interested in becoming a photographer? GROWING UP MY MOM WAS ALWAYS TAKING PHOTOS. SHE GAVE ME MY FIRST CAMERA WHEN I WAS PROBABLY 5 OR SO AND ALWAYS SUPPLIED ME WITH FILM. SO I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TAKING PICTURES. THEN MY BROTHER GAVE ME HIS CANON AE-1 (A MANUAL CAMERA) WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL SO I GOT TO PLAY WITH THAT. I TOOK A PHOTOGRAPHY/DARKROOM CLASS IN HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL AND STARTED WORKING GIGS WITH SOME LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS. ONCE IN COLLEGE I TOOK MORE PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN CLASSES AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ASKED ME TO PHOTOGRAPH THEIR WEDDINGS OR SENIOR PICS SO I JUST KEPT TAKING PHOTOS :)
What college did you attend, and for how long? Major? I ATTENDED MSUM MY FRESHMAN YEAR AND THEN WENT TO BIBLE COLLEGE FOR TWO YEARS WHERE I STUDIED HEALTH AND NUTRITION BUT HAD LOTS OF PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES (WEDDINGS AND SENIORS). THEN I CAME BACK TO MSUM FOR 3 YEARS AND DECLARED A GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJOR WITH A STUDIO EMPHASIS IN PHOTOGRAPHY. MY LAST YEAR I SWITCHED TO ART EDUCATION AND GRADUATED WITH A DOUBLE EMPHASES IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN.
What does your daily schedule as a photographer look like? EVERY DAY IS SO DIFFERENT! I GENERALLY TRY TO STICK TO A ROUTINE, BUT FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE SINCE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL AREAS OF THE BUSINESS. IN A GIVEN WEEK, MY TASKS INCLUDE BOOKKEEPING, ANSWERING AND RETURNING CALLS AND EMAILS, BLOGGING, PHOTOGRAPHING, EDITING, DESIGNING, CREATING SLIDESHOWS, FILLING ORDERS, PACKAGING ORDERS, DELIVERING ORDERS, BACKING UP WORK, MARKETING, NETWORKING WITH OTHER VENDORS, AND MEETING WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS.
Is being a photographer time-consuming? EXTREMELY! STATISTICS SHOW THAT 95% OF PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESSES FAIL. I BELIEVE THAT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MANY TASKS TO JUGGLE IN A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS AND 80% OF BEING A SUCCESSFUL PHOTOGRAPHER IS DUE TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PERSON. YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO FIND YOUR CLIENTS, HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP AND LOYALTY WITH THEM, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE EVERY PENNY YOU MAKE IS SPENT AND HOW EACH CENT IS EARNED. AND ALL OF THIS TAKES TIME! MOST PHOTOGRAPHERS MAKE LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE, AND IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTING FOR ALL THE TIME THEY INVEST IN THEIR BUSINESS AND CONSIDERING THAT WHEN THEY PRICE THEIR WORK. TAKING PHOTOS IS EASY AND DOESN'T TAKE A LOT OF TIME, BUT THE HOUR IT TAKES TO PREP YOUR GEAR BEFORE A SHOOT AND SET UP, THE HOUR OF TRANSIT, THE 3 HOURS YOU SPENT ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CLIENT BEFORE AND AFTER THE SESSION, THE TWO HOURS OF EDITING, THE 30 MINUTES OF BLOGGING, THE HOUR OF TOUCHING UP THE IMAGES AND FILLING ORDERS AND FINALLY THE HOUR IT TAKES TO PACKAGE AND SHIP OR DELIVER THE PRODUCT ADDS UP QUICKLY AND FILLS YOUR DAY FAST. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, ONE JOB HAS TAKEN 10 HOURS OF YOUR TIME AND IF YOU ARE CHARGING $100 FOR A SESSION, YOU MADE LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE BECAUSE 35% OF THAT $100 GOES TO UNCLE SAM FOR TAXES, AND HALF OF WHAT'S LEFT COVERS YOUR GENERAL EXPENSES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS. SO THE SHORT OF IT IS THIS: YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT OF YOUR TIME WORTH IT!
Would you have rather chosen a different route looking back?
SOME DAYS, YES, BUT MOST DAYS NO. THE THING ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER IS THAT YOU ARE CONSTANTLY LEARNING AND ADAPTING. TECHNOLOGY CHANGES, YOUR FAMILY SITUATION CHANGES, THE ECONOMY CHANGES, TRENDS CHANGE, SO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE TOO. IT'S NOT LIKE WORKING AT STARBUCKS WHERE A VANILLA LATTE IS ALWAYS A VANILLA LATTE, ALWAYS MADE THE SAME WAY. EVERYTHING I DO AS A PHOTOGRAPHER IS CUSTOM MADE, CUSTOM DESIGNED, EVERY SHOOT IS DIFFERENT. THIS MAKES MY JOB A LOT OF FUN, BUT IT ALSO MAKES IT CHALLENGING. SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY DAYS I WISH I WAS A BARISTA AT STARBUCKS, BUT MOST DAYS I ENJOY THE CHALLENGE OF BEING INNOVATIVE AND CHANGING WITH THE TIMES.
What are the ups of being a photographer?
THE MOST REWARDING THING IS THE RELATIONSHIPS I GET TO BUILD AND THE EXPERIENCES I GET TO WITNESS AND DOCUMENT. MY JOB IS SO IMPORTANT! AND I AM REMINDED OF THAT WHEN I HEAR OF A FAMILY MEMBER THAT PASSED AWAY THAT I PHOTOGRAPHED, OR SEE A CHILD OR YOUNG ADULT YEARS LATER AND AM AWED AT HOW THEY HAVE GROWN AND CHANGED. THE MOMENT YOU CAPTURE AN IMAGE IT IS VALUABLE, BUT TWENTY YEARS LATER WHEN A COUPLE IS SITTING WITH THEIR CHILD SHOWING THEM THEIR WEDDING IMAGES, OR TWENTY YEARS LATER WHEN THAT NEWBORN IS NOW AN ADULT--THAT'S WHEN YOUR WORK BECOMES PRICELESS. I AM HONORED TO DOCUMENT INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR LIVES.
Downs?
IT'S A CONSTANT CHALLENGE, ALWAYS A JUGGLING ACT. THE HARDEST PART FOR ME IS TO NOT LET IT CONSUME ME. (AT TIMES I THINK MY HUSBAND HAS FELT LIKE MY COMPUTER WAS A CLOSER COMPANION THAN HIM.) IT IS WAY TOO EASY TO FORFEIT YOUR OWN LIFE AND FAMILY TIME, IRONICALLY TO CAPTURE THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Personally, what is your favorite part? I LOVE THE CREATIVITY, DESIGN, AND AESTHETICS THAT GO INTO A SHOOT. AND EVEN MORE I LOVE EXPERIENCING THAT WITH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS WHETHER SHOOTING A JOB TOGETHER, TEACHING PHOTOGRAPHY, OR ATTENDING A WORKSHOP WITH OTHER ARTISTS.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Contracts, Deposits, and Dates, Oh My!
I have been asked before about contracts and deposits and what to do if your client changes their date or backs out of an agreement, etc.
Well, my first answer is have a plan! Have a plan for everything--if you (or a loved one) gets sick, if they change the date, if they change their date, if they get sick, etc. And a plan is no good, if you don't have it in WRITING!! A Contract is necessary to keep your business running and to be sure you and your client are on the same page.
Professional organizations like PPA or WPPI give examples of contracts and releases, so check with them!
Deposits: A higher deposit gives to a more professional appearance and motivates your client to be committed to you and that date. They will be less likely to change dates on you so that you won't be out a bunch of jobs that could have been booked on the date(s) you reserved for them. It's important that they understand that you need to be compensated for reserving a date, because it is unlikely that you will be able to book other jobs if they back out last minute.
The legal stuff isn't always the most fun, but it is SOOOOO important. So do your homework, have a plan, and write it down.
Well, my first answer is have a plan! Have a plan for everything--if you (or a loved one) gets sick, if they change the date, if they change their date, if they get sick, etc. And a plan is no good, if you don't have it in WRITING!! A Contract is necessary to keep your business running and to be sure you and your client are on the same page.
Professional organizations like PPA or WPPI give examples of contracts and releases, so check with them!
Deposits: A higher deposit gives to a more professional appearance and motivates your client to be committed to you and that date. They will be less likely to change dates on you so that you won't be out a bunch of jobs that could have been booked on the date(s) you reserved for them. It's important that they understand that you need to be compensated for reserving a date, because it is unlikely that you will be able to book other jobs if they back out last minute.
The legal stuff isn't always the most fun, but it is SOOOOO important. So do your homework, have a plan, and write it down.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Fall Mosaic Photography Workshop Recap!
Here's a fun little video showcasing the work of our students last weekend at our "Conquering your Camera and Increasing Creativity" workshop. We have one more workshop left this year for those of you who are at a more intermediate level. (Check out the Workshops section on our www.mosaicphotography.net/blog Blog under INFO for more details.)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Encounter
This is a sweet event that I get to cover as a "giving back" sort of project. It's a sweet event with an amazing purpose, so I love donating my time to help these guys out. Enjoy these images of past Encounter Nights!
Free Marketing Conference with Sarah Petty and more Amazing Photographers!
Hey fellow Photogs! In just two weeks, I’m participating in the world’s largest FREE photography educational event. Hands down, it’s the can’t miss event of the year. And it’s FREE!
I’ve joined my friend Sarah Petty and 14 other photography marketing gurus to bring this unbelievable event to you at no charge.
Not only that, you don’t have to leave home or your studio to attend this two-day, 16 hour extravaganza.
Click here to register!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Photography Workshops!
I am so excited for our upcoming workshops--in two weeks we will have our first one--our INTRO TO PHOTOSHOP class! This is going to be fun! See the post below if you are interested or zip me an email (alyssaflaten@mosaicphotography.net) or ring me (701.200.8110)
Friday, August 21, 2009
FALL WORKSHOPS!
Hurray! As my wedding season slows down, our fall workshop season will begin with one workshop in September, one in October, and one in November!! I LOVE teaching! I love the contagious environment of a shmattering of minds and creative perspectives! This fall we will be focusing again on learning how to use our Digital SLRS, Storytelling and Composition, Photoshop basics, and for those with a grip on the Creative and Manual operations of your camera, we will be offering intermediate photography class where we will explore night photography, video light, motion, and exposure compensation (high-key and low-key imagery). Space is limited, because we like to keep our workshop numbers small so we have the best environment for learning and creativity, so please contact me at alyssaflaten@mosaicphotography.net with your questions or call 701.200.8110 to register!
Here are some comments from past Mosaic Workshop students:
"Alyssa, you are an excellent teacher. This was FABULOUS!! I appreciated the way you took genuine interest in each question and desired to see us learn."
"This was a great learning experience! I learned so much and loved the hands on learning."
"I absolutely LOVED the hand-outs."
"Thank you for sharing all your insight--This was a priceless class."
"I liked how we learned a concept and then practiced it right away. You made all the photography terms really easy to
understand."
"Thank you so much for all the take-home resources and individual investment. I learned so much and am so glad I got to be
a part of this!"
"I learned so much about my camera by doing the hands on exercises. And I loved how organized everything was!"
Below is more information, which you can also find on the Workshops part of our Mosaic Photography Blog (www.mosaicphotography.net/blog).
Here are some comments from past Mosaic Workshop students:
"Alyssa, you are an excellent teacher. This was FABULOUS!! I appreciated the way you took genuine interest in each question and desired to see us learn."
"This was a great learning experience! I learned so much and loved the hands on learning."
"I absolutely LOVED the hand-outs."
"Thank you for sharing all your insight--This was a priceless class."
"I liked how we learned a concept and then practiced it right away. You made all the photography terms really easy to
understand."
"Thank you so much for all the take-home resources and individual investment. I learned so much and am so glad I got to be
a part of this!"
"I learned so much about my camera by doing the hands on exercises. And I loved how organized everything was!"
Below is more information, which you can also find on the Workshops part of our Mosaic Photography Blog (www.mosaicphotography.net/blog).
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Updates...
Hello Friends, I must apologize for my lack of presence on this blog. My goal is to post once a week, but with the busiest summer of my life, I have had a difficult time finding time to post. We are finally in a "slower" season, with only 1-2 weddings a weekend, rather than 2-3.
Another reason for my lack of presence is that I am needing to rest in every spare moment (which is rare these days) because Scott and I are expecting our first little one! I am 4 months pregnant!
Here is a photo of Baby Flaten at 11 weeks! Enjoy!
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