WHAT I

WishI KNEW

o

28 LESSONS, RESOURCES AND “AHA” MOMENTS FOR THE RISING PHOTOGRAPHER

YOU’VE GOT THIS DREAM…THIS BIG DREAM A dream to take your love of photography and turn it into a career that you have a true passion for. Behind the camera you feel brave and vibrant; so happy that someVmes it feels like a secret. But the rest of it feels just beyond your reach.

I SEE YOU. I KNOW YOU. I’VE BEEN YOU.

This ebook is designed to help bring you just a liXle bit closer to “all the things” you need to know about running a thriving photography business that you love. It’s the things I wish I knew when I was starVng out, along with lessons and “aha” moments from fellow photographers who have made this passion their life’s work.

I started my photography business as my senior project in high school and knew I was meant to be behind the camera. I have loved capturing special moments for my clients in the years since then.My love of design grew out of necessity...I wanted my own blog and graphics to look good online. So I taught myself and keep learning and growing in my skill set and designs. There is nothing like sketching out a concept and making it come to life with my tools.Your Ampersand Studio is the connecVon between these two loves of mine and my way to help others, specifically rising photographers. I've been where you are, and I can't wait to help you grow your big dreams!

ShainaHI THERE, I’M

www.yourampersandstudio.com

EducationCreaVveLive CreaVveLive is an online educaVon pla]orm that broadcasts live classes to an internaVonal audience for free, and then sell the classes videos and content so you can have them to keep and watch again and again. They have photography specific classes, along with markeVng, business, gear and ediVng classes. A very valuable resource. Some photography specific favorites:

• Jasmine Star - All great, but especially: Building A Wedding Photography Business • Brooke Shaden - Fine Art Photography • Sue Bryce - Amazing teacher. Love this class: Glamour Photography • Kirsten Lewis - Family Photography: Modern Storytelling

My Own IrresisVble Brand This comprehensive branding class is perfect for photographers to help you get from that “take every job I can get” mentality, to building an experience your dream clients can’t help but love, share and buy. This was truly a game-changer for me.

Hey Sweet Pea Mini Classes These mini classes are great jump-starts for taking your business to the next level and include lessons on Instagram, newsleXer lists, social media, and my favorite: Mastering Systems + ProducVvity. This class will help you put systems in place to get your business tasks on auto-pilot so you can focus on doing more of what you love to do.

Ben Sasso EducaVon Ben is an incredible photographer who has taken his style, ediVng and posing talents to the next level with online classes and in-person workshops. He even has a free lighVng mini class.

JusVn & Mary - For Photographers Well-know wedding photographer couple, JusVn & Mary, also launched an educaVon page on their website which includes their favorite lenses, lighVng Vps and also live workshops, including their popular class Walk Through A Wedding.

“I loved JusVn & Mary’s “Walk Through A Wedding” workshop.”

- Alicia of Hither & Hold >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

www.yourampersandstudio.com

Marketog Marketog is a 6-week online course focused more on the business side of things than with actual technique or skills. Its got videos and acVonable worksheets that goes deep into the strategy, the all-encompassing plan you need for landing more of your ideal clients. Clients that love you and don’t hesitate to pay your prices. Strategies, how to make your website work for you, and a markeVng toolkit are all included. And the best part is the bonus… a step-by-step breakdown of how to start a photography business from scratch to get your first paying clients and set yourself up for success. Such a great course!

The Define School The Define School is an online photography school offering online photography classes and e-courses for students to learn photography online on their own schedule with interacVve classes throughout the year, and self-paced classes available all the Vme. I took the “From Auto to Manual” class from the school’s founder when I was just starVng out. I highly recommend this class and Jessica brings in some of the best teachers out there. Check out all the classes available.

Adorama TV on YouTube You will find tons of videos, workshops, online tutorials, product reviews, gear guides, interviews, and more on this YouTube channel. Great for the beginning photographer to learn skills and techniques, and for the advances photographer to conVnue to grow. You’ll want to dig into this resource!

Design Aglow Everything you’ll need to run a successful photography business. This website is a true HUB of goodness. There are markeVng kits, sales resources, albums, packaging supplies and ideas, design templates and guides. Their forms and templates are super customizable to make you look like a professional from the very beginning.

“Being completely self taught, my biggest aha moment was turning my seings to manual. You have so much more creaVvity in your hands when you go manual. I felt more in control of what I was shooVng and what I wanted the image to be.” - Bre of Bre Rachelle Photography

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Resources

www.yourampersandstudio.com

Jaimie Delaine Watson Another photographer turned educator, but with a liXle different twist. Jaimie focuses on teaching entrepreneurs how to build successful businesses they love, with a free course on growing your blog following. One of my favorite posts and training videos of hers is all about building a referral circle with other photographers. Its a great idea to have a group you know you can refer jobs to when you don’t have available dates, and visa-versa.

Simply for CreaVves BriXany is breaking the mold with her business by making “the numbers” easier for those running a creaVve business. She currently offers a free 3-day course with a workbook with actual business numbers laid out as a walk-through example. And she has a new tool and course specifically for photographers. She helps photographers see if you’re really set up to make money meaning enough to pay for your business, lifestyle, taxes and sVll have some lek over for savings. So important!

“One of my biggest aha moments was becoming brave enough to know my seings and how to take photos on manual, learning light,

and taking classes on photography from the masters. There is always something else, a new perspecVve, a deferent level to learn. Another thing that had a huge impact on me was how much we traveled, and I would reach out to people and help them in their studios. I learned a lot from helping and working with other photographers… things like systems and learning how they walk their customers through from start to finish, how different studios uploaded, backed up, saved and edited their images. I started to see similariVes, paXerns and it was such a great hands on learning experience. In the beginning I believed that I couldn't work with numbers or with accountants. But when I finally looked at my numbers, it gave Mee this confidence to charge what I needed to. To say those numbers with enthusiasm and wholehearted belief in their value. Funny how doing banking and numbers and organizing receipts would give someone confidence! When I opened a bank account, it gave Mee this "oomph" to get out there and market and conVnue to grow my business.” - Mee of melissaeearle.com

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www.yourampersandstudio.com

Photoshop AcVons & Lightroom Presets • MasVn Labs • My Four Hens Photography • Greater Than Gatsby • PreXy Presets • Kubota Photoshop AcVons • BlogStomp

Websites & Blogging • WP + BFF with Shannon MaXern - a WordPress Website building course • Squarespace Tutorials from Megan Minns • Alex Beadon blogging Vps and training videos • Iris Works - studio management system • Social media tools: MeetEdgar, Later, Planoly

Album Design and PrinVng • The Bobbi Shop - album design templates • ArVfact Uprising • KISS

Extras • Holdfast Camera Harness • Camera Bags: Kelly Moore, Epiphanie, JoTotes • Outsource! Find a VA to help you with all the things you don’t want to do

Tools and Extras

“A Vp I wish someone had told me when I was starVng out: Don’t watermark your images! You WILL get beXer and then you will be embarrassed that your name is on your worst beginner work. Place it in a nice frame with a small logo so people know who did it and be happy. If people want to steal it or print it, they will find a way even with that watermark. I use BlogStomp to make the frame and watermark. And I keep having aha moments…I keep having the same one over and over, too. So I must sVll be learning this lesson. Just because the industry is doing it this way or that way, doesn't mean I need to. You don't have to offer what clients expect. Offering the unexpected can be a point of differenVaVon.” - Misty Bradley of Revel Photo

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www.yourampersandstudio.com

“My biggest aha moment would be... STOP comparing to other photographers and make sure your work and has its own voice,

your voice. Trust me, comparing kills and I sVll catch myself doing it. But making sure my own voice came through in my work

has helped me build amazing relaVonships with my clients which gives clients exactly what they truly want, which not a lot of other photographers offer.

Make sure you don't undersell yourself, try to sVck to your prices and not give discounts. A lot of starVng out is word of mouth but also really concentrate on a solid online presence.” - Peter of Peter Reynolds Photography

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“I personally found it so helpful to connect with communiVes and other creaVves that liked me up. I know how compeVVon can be overwhelming and some people aren't very supporVve when you’re just starVng out. For me, it was nice to seek other photographers that were willing to help.” - Ali Bee

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Tips from the Pros- Focus on one area of

improvement at a Vme. - Find a mentor. - Join a local PPA group. - Learn how to do In-Person Sales. - Don’t be afraid to try new things…

even if your biggest lesson is that you don’t want to do that type of work.

- Ask when you don’t know. - Run your business your own way!

www.yourampersandstudio.com