Dad. Husband. Photographer.

I seen a question  from someone online who's fear that having children will stop him for 3 years or so from pursuing his work as a photographer. I thought it was a very awesome question and thought I would indirectly answer it ;)

I think it's pretty relevant since today marks my 5 year wedding anniversary with my wife, Becky.

Five awesome years ago we were married but I started my photography business while we were engaged; She in fact, was my biggest supporter and gave me the kick in the pants to do photography professionally. Having that support is the first thing needed to have a successful photographic career.

Fast forward a couple years to 2008 when we had our son, Cameron. My photography business was finally doing really well for us. I was knee deep in it all! I couldn't be as helpful as I wanted with our son and I thought it sucked. But there my wife was a trooper and taking care of it all.

In 2011 we had our daughter, Addison. I learned this time around that being a photographer was great and all, but absolutely didn't want to miss time away from my little girl. So 2011 was when I fell off the map so to speak. I did my weddings and portraits more selectively and didn't update this site nearly as much as I used to.

I did this 110% voluntarily because I realized that being a good parent and husband is most important. Before I know it, my children will be off to school, college and then moved out so I had better enjoy it while it lasts.

Ironically, 2011 was when I really discovered myself as a photographer. It took me 13+ fricken' years to discover my style and what made me tick as a photographer. I wasn't obsessing over these rockstar photographer blogs, I wasn't on forums anymore and I didn't have anything to distract me from myself and my style. I didn't put any pressure on myself to shoot like so-and-so. I was just shooting a ton of family photos of my children just being kids and I had no pressure whatsoever. I shot what I wanted, when I wanted and, most importantly, how I wanted to.

Here are some examples. These are some snapshots that I took last week just using Instagram on my iPhone:

 I am in absolutely in love with these two pics. The first one is of my daughter. Yeah her head is cropped but I know it is her. This was a "daddy" memory. See we just got the kids a swing set in our back yard and her and I were passing the swing back and forth to each other playing. I know it's her. I am capturing the moment and it really encompasses the "mood." It makes me happy when I look at it so that makes it a good photo in my opinion.

The second image was taken a couple weeks ago when we visited Rushford Lake. The kids were about ready for bed so we hung out in the bedroom and watched a DVD on our laptop for a little bit. I snapped this shot real quick, once again using Instagram.

I showcase these two images because years prior, I would have never been caught dead cropping heads or taking dark, ambient lit photos. You know why? Because my "photo journalistic" skills bit the big one. It was only when I second shot for someone I knew or took snapshots that I experimented. As you can see, those are all my favorite shots...

So back from my tangent...
 
Having a wife and children helped MAKE me the photographer I am today... This is nothing to be feared of but rather embraced. I have never been more excited to shoot for my clients then I am right now.

You know what else I learned? How to do $#!% right in the first place. If I have a family and they need me to be a part of their lives then you better believe I am going to nail the shot so it requires little to no time in post-processing. Wow, I am suddenly an even-better photographer.

I cannot wait to see which child takes a liking to photography. I am like a giddy little school girl thinking about it. But even if they don't have any remote interest in photography I want them to at least see that anything is a possibility and that they can pursue what they love, whatever it is, be their own boss and love what they do for a living...

Teaching him young. Here I am showing my son how to use a camera.
Taken on Father's Day 2012 @ Letchworth State Park

In closing, when all is said and done and your time on this Earth is over, do you really want to be remembered as a rock star photographer for 15 minutes of fame or an amazing husband/wife and father/mother?

~ Mike

$100 Google Adwords Coupon Codes

I get stuff from Google all the time. Most recently, they gave me nine $100 Google Adwords coupon codes. These are valid for new Adword accounts only and will expire on June 30th, 2012.

For those who don't know, Google Adwords is a great way for businesses to promote their website on the first page of Google. This is especially beneficial to those who don't have their site on Page 1 of Google yet.

First come first serve for these Adwords Coupons:
LDPN-X6KR-SNUN-FNPQ-SFQ
LDPN-XULK-UA5L-HL7T-748
3USL-4ZAA08YKC-YH2G06BQ
LDPN-XNJU-PP6B-DXSR-HFQ
LDPNNN-XLC8-Y8DF-85PM-2LG
LDPN-XHRAA-CXHQ-2JM7-LE8
3USL-4Y9X-5RMM-M7C3-FEY
LDPN-XC77-WYUB-VPXT-ZDG
LDPN-X9FX-4WZC-5Q3U-NMQ

Remember these will be valid for only one person and only for new Adwords accounts.

Visit www.google.com/adwords to get started.

~ Mike

10 Ways To Boost Your Photography Business

Ok so listen up! I think all you business owners need to read this top 10 list that I created and apply it to your business. If you actually follow some of these things then I can guarantee that you will notice some amazing results to drum up more business and be even more profitable. I would love to hear your feedback so take a couple minutes out and comment below.

1. Listen: Ask your clients questions and get feedback. Send out an email blast, call or have them fill out a quick survey. Heck, even take some out for coffee and get an idea of what the industry demands.
2. Be Speedy: We live in an era where we want everything and we want it yesterday. So figure out creative ways to give your clients immediate gratification and they will be on cloud 9. If you spend an extra couple bucks on shipping then it more important than you think!
3. Be Original: Be unique AND offer products and services that are unique. Be first or be forgotten!
4. Create A Website For Your Clients: I think I remember reading that over 50% of couples getting married make their own website. We can take this over and make one for them! My wife even has a blog for our children so this can apply to portrait photographers as well.
5. Partner Up: Think how you can partner up with other businesses to come up with ways for you both to get more business.
6. Shave: Give your business' spending a shave. Meet with clients at a home or your studio over a Starbucks. Don't spend so much money on all that damned photo gear. Instead put money towards marketing or here's a crazy thought, start making money! I would also suggest you re-negotiate your contracts and try to save money with the business that you outsource your work to (post processing, album design, etc.). Businesses all across the board are hurting and will probably be able to work for less.
7. Slideshows: This can be a powerful tool. Try doing a same day slideshow for your wedding clients. Put slideshow up at reception and do the same the night of the wedding or even give a slideshow to past clients and email out for Christmas or their Anniversary!
8. Tag 'Em: Facebook. Have you heard of it? Why not start using it more for your business? After you shoot a wedding or portrait job, post a couple of your favorites on Facebook and tag everyone in them. It is a great way to be pro-active and tap into your client's network of friends and family. Be sure to watermark your pictures with your logo and website and it will be some very profitable free marketing for your business.
9. Be Passionate: Re-visit your love for photography and get inspired again. We can all get burned out so it is important to remember why we started our business in the first place.
10. Share The Love: There are a lot of people out there who aren't as fortunate as us. Be sure to help out in your community and it will go a long way.

Take care!
Michael