Simple ways to avoid future frustrations | Diana’s Thursday Thoughts

The situations that often frustrate photographers can often be avoided or diminished if guidelines are already set before running a business and accepting clients. Having gone through many frustrations myself and hearing various issues my peers have experienced over the years, we’ve concluded that if we communicate the way we run our business clearly to our clients, it can diminish future problems. By doing so, it will allowing us to continue loving our jobs and ensure we have a great relationship with our clients.

Path to Pro with AJ: How Wishes Can Transform Your Photography Business

If your photography business is a ‘squash’ when you’d like it to be a success, then read on. I’m going to teach you to transform it from a pumpkin to a handsome coach, with just a few wishes…

Finding the Path to Pro, Part 2: How to Work for Free

So many young (and not so young) photographers wanting to break into the photography business tell me that while they bide their time, when they can’t get paying gigs, they do ‘free work’ for clients, in order to ‘gain professional experience.’ This is usually further explained with the caveat, “If I’m not busy, I might as well be working for free until someone begins to pay me.”

When to Raise Prices | Diana’s Thursday Thoughts

Raising your rates can be a difficult decision – when to do it, what is fair enough to charge, and will anyone think you’re worth it?

The rates you set for portraits and wedding coverage matters. Each check goes into the end of the year money bucket which is basically, what you’ll be making annually as a full-time photographer. Taking that into consideration, it’s important to price your services in hopes that you book enough to make a decent living.

Opinion: Reasons I’m Not Deleting My Instagram Account | Wednesdays with Leo

Like many people out there, I rarely read Terms and Conditions statements. I probably owe my Kidney to Apple as I’ve never read their terms and conditions. However, due to the recent outcry from Instagram users, I thought it’s worth giving it a quick read.

Should I Work For Free? | Wednesdays with Leo

I’m sure most, if not, all of us have been asked to shoot for free at one point or another. I still get asked even today! But is working for free a bad thing?

Blogging Tip | Write a “Best Of” Post | Diana’s Thursday Thoughts

As the year comes to a close, you might notice your fellow peers posting a “Best of 2012″ blog post. These are almost like portfolio showcases but with links to the full wedding blog posts; and they’re a fantastic way to catch your reader’s attention.

Photography Web Hosting Review | What’s the Best Hosting Company for Photographers

An in depth review our top 5 favorite shared web hosting companies for photographers, videographers, and other creative professionals.

Investing in Equipment or Marketing | Diana’s Thursday Thoughts

There comes a time in every photographer’s career when you’re at that crossroad – you have lens envy and want to upgrade your equipment, however, you also need to book more in order to pay for the equipment you want, which means investing in marketing. Which should take more precedence – investing in equipment or marketing?

Convincing Clients to do a First Look | Diana’s Thursday Thoughts

Images can speak louder than words when it comes to educating a couple on why they should plan for a First Look or Reveal Moment, whichever you wish to call it. As wedding photographers, we understand the benefit of having a first look – the lighting is better, make up is fresh, there are more portraits for the couple in two different lighting scenarios, and all portraits are taken care of prior to the ceremony.

How to Get Your Photography Published and Featured on Blogs

Getting published on popular wedding blogs can attract brides who want their own weddings published on a blog (they are often the creative brides as well). It also gives you publicity, and for some photographers, it’s a badge of honor.

Photography Contract Template

The recent news about the Seattle wedding photographer threatened by a $300K lawsuit has really gotten the photography industry buzzing in the last few weeks. It was a great reminder to all of us that we need to take a look at our own businesses and make sure all of our workflows, processes, business practices, [...]