The Loveliest of Ladies (and a man or two!)
Today we participated in a wedding expo hosted by The Original Wedding Expo. You can read in my previous post here about how much I’ve enjoyed being an attendee of their events. This however was a whole different ball game as we were one of the many wonderful vendors that were partaking in the day.
There were definitely some perks to this show. First was the constant support and staffers roaming around the venue asking, “Do you need anything?” I never felt we were on our own which was a great experience. But of course, I was pretty comfortable, we had some great photos on display, some amazing books to show off and our hand outs ready to go. We were able to set up the day before so come the day of, we were prepared and ready to just spend a day talking to couples who are looking for somebody to capture their special day.
There were definitely a lot of brides. It almost felt at times like there wasn’t enough space or that I couldn’t talk fast enough, but of course, I hate to rush. I could spend all day talking to a couple about their plans and what they’re excited about. There are some key moments that stood out to me (just made me smile and grin!):
- The mom of the bride who knew the zip code for my co-photographer (and mother’s) home in Hampden.
- The ladies who started out the conversation with, “I love your tattoos,” and purchased a wedding dress just to show off her own!
- The two ladies who pointed out my HRC lapel pin and then excited me with a story of a culturally inspired wedding.
- The grooms who were as excited by the photos and the few grooms who were even MORE excited than the brides!
- The several brides who found their perfect dress (you could tell it was perfect by the big toothy smiles!)
First Look, a Moment to Consider
Bear with me for a few moments as I share my thoughts about “first look” wedding photographs. Remember, this comes from “he photographer and lover of all things wedding: me. The term “First look” refers to when the couple decides to see each other before the ceremony instead of opting for waiting for the more traditional walk down the aisle.
For those who haven’t thought about taking pictures with their partner prior to the ceremony or those still dabbling with the idea, read Kristen Weaver’s article on her Blog. For the traditionalist who has decided to wait for the walk down the aisle for their first look, I encourage you to give it a thought. I agree with Kristen’s points and don’t feel the need to reiterate all her points here since my purpose is to share one particular reason I love “first look” pictures.
For me, it is the intimacy of the moment. It is the perfect opportunity for the couple to share those last quiet moments before they are caught up in the events of the day. Together, they shake off the jitters and calm each other. Because the couple is focused on each other and oblivious to the rest of the world including the photographer, these shared moments allow for some of the most awesome candid shots. Those whispered words, soft touches, and tender looks are easily captured during those “first look” moments. The couple isn’t the only thing captured; raw emotion is caught in these moments. The couple is not thinking about hurrying through the pictures to get to the cocktail hour. They aren’t worrying about their guests. They are in the moment when it is just the two of them (and a photographer on the side). These are the shots that are most often the favorites of the couples and their families. They are the summary of the events about to happen.
It’s a personal choice if your first look happens as you come down the aisle or is done during a private moment between the couple. If you do have any questions about “first look” pictures be sure to ask your photographer. Ask them if it’s possible to catch the expressions in that moment. If walking down the aisle, ask your photographer if mom and dad can be included in the shot. I am sure you will find them as willing as I am to make your day everything you want it to be.
Size Can Matter
I’m sure you’ve heard that in the digital photograph world, you can’t take a photo and make it bigger. Well this is partly true (some programs can do a pretty nifty job of it) but chances that a photographer knows the extent and limits of this complex formula (and I promise you, it is complicated math equations) is rare and needs exploration if you’re expecting to purchase a photograph with the intent of having it turned into something that can be hung over the fireplace mantle. Thankfully my work in design has made me acutely aware of what can and can’t be done to photographs before they lose their integrity. But is knowing enough? Nope, it had to be proven. So here is a beautiful 2′ x 4′ photograph printed directly onto canvas.
More Beautiful Albums!
Say it isn’t so! Oh yes, we have yet another album where we can safely say, we expected beautiful pictures to turn out a beautiful album, but we weren’t prepared for how stunning it looks. The photos are more architectural so you can see how the book is put together, but this is being added to the arsenal of books to show every couple. The thick plexiglass cover has an under mounted photo that just sparkles and would make the perfect coffee table book. The leather spine and leather back cover are also durable and will stand up to the many viewings it will most certainly receive. What do you get when you have a bride, a free day before the wedding and the local library? You get this:
Portfolio Special (50% Off)
There are just those wonderful weddings that we’re eager to feature in our photographic portfolio. Because of this we’ll periodically offer “portfolio specials.” These deals will be offered on a first-come-first serve basis and at seriously great discounts. These deals will be offered throughout the year and are a great way to have your event captured for a fraction of the cost.
For our first “Portfolio Special,” we are turning our attention to same-sex couples that are planning a ceremony and/or reception. We are offering 50% off the final cost* of our photographic services. The only stipulation that 241South Studios requests that we be allowed at least one-hour of photography aside from the ceremony and reception (typically this is done during the “cocktail” hour but we are open to other arrangements such as a pre-wedding shots or a “honeymoon shoot.”) We have no specifications on the style of ceremony and are just looking to photograph two people madly in love. We welcome everything from small intimate ceremonies to large extravagant affairs.
For more information or to arrange a consultation to discuss your needs please email jeremy@241south.com.
*This offer is for the total cost of all Packages and A La Carte Items but does not include the purchasing of printed photographs.
Photo Fun Booth
The trend has grown to the point where we can’t resist any long. We are introducing the Photo Fun Booth to our collection of services. Of course we thought only the people being photographed were going to have fun with this, but it’s amazing how much fun it is to see the expressions on the patron’s faces while photographing and editing. We’ll be consulting with our event hosts to come up with unique and interesting props to be used in the shoot that will help tailor it to a particular theme. For more information feel free to email us or check the photography section of the website for a list of our prices.
Blogging: The How & How to Use it
In the past few days I’ve been approached by several readers to discuss blogging in-depth. I currently am involved with three blog projects that differ wildly from one another. The first one is my business site, 241South Studios where I talk about design and photography related business. The second is an independent art/blog project called I.Am.Maine that discusses what its like growing up in rural Maine and how small towns shape people. The third is a blog I’ve started contributing to is called the Creative Freelance Blog in which I pretty specifically talk about sustainability in small freelance businesses.
Each of these blogs puts me in a very different role. With 241South I am managing my business partner and myself and overseeing content that is placed on the site. For I.Am.Maine I am the sole contributor, and responsible for generating all the content. The Creative Freelance Blog I am only responsible for supplying content that is approved by the sites owner, Ilise Benum. I would refer to myself as a blogger for each of these sites but my role varies greatly as do my responsibilities and my dedication of time. I also think in all three circumstances I am educating people (I.Am.Maine is a bit of retrospection, but I believe I’m educating people outside the demographic) as opposed to blogs that serve the writer as a diary.
I’ll approach to approach each of the questions from the multiple roles I play with each blog. If there are more questions, hit the comments section and I’ll be more than happy to expand and provide specifics, as they’re needed.
Should I make my own blog?
This is a common question. Is there a need for your blog to exist? For the casual user I always like to pose the question, “Is this something you’ve tried to look up on the Internet and didn’t find?” If you want to make a food blog, there are several hundred (some of them come to mind without looking) why would I want to read yours instead of theirs? What is your unique spin that would captivate me enough to make me add you to my RSS feed? Sometimes it can be simple as taking a concept and changing the demographic, what about a food blog for 1-3 year olds? Off the top of my head, I don’t know any.
For a businessperson I think there is a use for it on many occasions. This blog gives potential customers a look into your company and specifically into you. Since I do photography it’s the perfect opportunity to show off some work that I might not otherwise bring to a client meeting. It’s also a great place for me to talk about upcoming events, new products or even feature a piece of design I created for a client. This allows a potential client to spend time on their own doing background research, research that I can actually control.
Free Blog versus Paid Accounts?
Currently all my blogs are run using WordPress, which I have grown to love. The free versus paid debate I feel is pretty cut and dry. If you’re creating a blog for your professional website, it should be hosted using your own web space. I find it unprofessional when I am on a designer’s site and when I click to see their blog it takes me to a free hosted URL. This goes double and triple for web designers. Take a day or two to learn the software and set it up, it helps create a complete package for the viewer. While it won’t instantly make your blog, it can quickly break it.
For the casual user (the non-business user) I find that both of them are suitable for different reasons. I’m a bit of a control freak and being able to customize my themes and the PHP that runs them is important. I also feel that if you’re going to take steps towards an online identity (and from this potentially begin a business blogging) then you should stick with a self-hosted WordPress blog. However, if you’re just doing it for the casual experience of sharing and want to connect with like minded individuals (and you’re not selling them something) then you can save a few bucks and go with a free site.
How do you generate topics?
I probably spend as much time coming up with topics as I do writing them. For 241South the topics are pretty standard. I either want to show something off, bring up a discussion point or discuss my business. I always ask myself if my topic falls into those categories, if it doesn’t, then I make sure it has some knack for enhancing my business otherwise it’s just wasting space and potentially distancing myself from my original goal.
I.Am.Maine is a collection of memories. I usually begin writing my topics and just let them grow as I write them. They’re personal stories that require absolutely no research beyond my own mind. This allows me to make it very personal and speaks specifically to a geographic location. If my article doesn’t apply to that location (and speaks through my memories) I will usually set the post aside and see if I can later direct it a bit. Many of my topics come to me while I’m driving, having a cup of coffee or when I’m recounting stories of growing up with friends. I’ll often pull out my phone and write down a topic sentence that will make a post later on.
For the blog I contribute to, it’s a much more academic approach. Since all my topics focus on sustainability in freelance businesses I make sure to always check potential posts against that topic. Some of the posts come from my previous work as a graphic designer and educator or from observation of other designers. Usually the posts originate from a gripe, such as, “I hate designers who waste paper.” From this gripe potential solutions arise and I examine how to correct the gripe. The point is always to educate and always to educate on sustainability.
I should also discuss “pandering” to the audience. Some of your topics will undoubtedly arise because you’re caving to the pressure of your readers. I have several readers on I.Am.Maine who want me to address a specific topic that is kind of not on my “to-do” list. However, they are my readers and after thinking about it, the topic does pertain to my goals. I pandered. However, with my professional posts (that I exert expertise over my area) I try to resist pandering and try to maintain my professional integrity. This isn’t to say that outside suggestions aren’t considered, but they must always be weighed against my original goal and how they will affect me as a professional.
What are my habits as blog writer?
I’m a bit of an extremist as a blogger; I take two very different approaches in which I would almost consider myself two different writers. For I.Am.Maine, will spend an afternoon at the coffee shop writing away on a list of topics I’m “feeling” that day. I might find myself emotionally exhausted after one topic, but I try to spend time writing three or four in one sitting. I will then figure out when each one will be posted and I stick by a strict M/W/F schedule for posting. I also try to make sure if I have an emotionally heavy post in which the reader will feel a bit taxed after reading I try to make my next post something light and airy in which the reader will leave with a grin. But I maintain that strict schedule (meaning I almost never post on “non-post” days and I always make sure at least a short post goes up on M/W/F.)
For 241South I am a bit more haphazard. I have a list of blog articles that I would like to write, but these are not always a sit down article. Some of them require specific visuals to accompany them or require research to make claims that aren’t just hogwash. Because of this, I attempt to post weekly for my professional blog. Sometimes it’s design related and sometimes it’s photography related. I’m currently in negotiations with my partner of setting up a firm “strict” schedule that will keep the professional blog up to date with relevant information. I do find that business blogs, you’re only relevant as long as you’re in somebody’s RSS feed, the moment you move to page 2, you’re forgotten. However, I also find that many professional bloggers write drivel that leave them sounding desperate for content and often times unrelated to their professional identities.
As for the Creative Freelance Blog, the blog I contribute to, I try to maintain a weekly post. However, I am subject to the availability of the maintainer’s schedule. This means that I may send an article one day and not have it posted for a week. Part of this is because the articles are spaced for continuity and the maintainer probably doesn’t want a dozen articles on Monday and nothing the rest of the week. Because of this I attempt to send her articles at a steady schedule based on when they’re posted. This allows for some firm deadlines but also is flexible with the maintainer’s schedule.
How do you write?
This is the most asked question. I keep a Word document on my computer in which I write all my notes and first drafts of my articles. Once I’m done with them I’ll reread them a day or two later, check for mistakes and make sure that it makes sense (I find some time away from the content helps a lot.) I then copy and paste everything into my blog and then save as a draft until it’s ready to publish. Once it’s been pasted I either color the text or use strike-through in my Word document to signify that it’s been pasted. I don’t automate the posting schedule because I like to log in and hit the Publish button; this somehow brings me a lot of satisfaction. Then I hover on the site over the next few days to keep track of statistics.
Advertising on your Page
On both of my blogs I have Google’s Adsense advertising. I’ve customized them to blend into the site design and I have the accounts linked. People always ask me if it’s worth having and I can only answer, “depends.” Will you be able to pay your bills with the revenue? Absolutely not. In the past year I’ve made enough to cover my hosting fees and enough to make a donation to the CarbonFund (to help offset my server’s carbon emissions.) I have a fairly strong readership of roughly 150+ readers per post and in a year I’ve made less than $100 dollars. Unless you have a specific goal in mind for that money, I would avoid it. Since AdSense uses the input from Google searches the reader’s computer I’ll get questions like, “Why is your website advertising something inappropriate.” I have to then explain it’s because of searches being done on their computer, it’s comical to me, but my readers freak out a little bit.
How do you rate if your blog is a success?
Now this is a loaded question that I get asked. You imagine within a few short weeks that thousands will read your vibrant writings and that you’ll be syndicated by the end of the year. The truth of the matter is that your numbers will not instantly sky rocket and you should keep a modest outlook. The means by which you measure success should be kept simple and measurable.
For I.Am.Maine I have to admit some vanity. I rank the success of this blog by the number of unique visitors each day. It’s been running for about three months and when a single day’s readers hits 100, I do a little dance. It’s a bit easier in this instant that I’m writing for a very particular audience and they’re a dedicated crowd. I’m also advertising it to near and dear friends and family who it directly applies to. This isn’t always going to be the case.
241South is bit more difficult to measure. I look at the page counts for each article posted but the numbers will remain low because I have a wide audience and not all of them are following me religiously. I rate my success by looking at “referrals” and “search engine” referrals. I find it extremely gratifying to see that somebody looked up “graphic design” in my area and they clicked on me. Those blind referrals give me an idea that I’m doing something correct.
For the Creative Freelance Blog, I rank success very simply by comments. If I receive a single comment, I consider it a success. Somebody took time out of their busy day to critique my post or even add to it, that’s a big deal. It also helps that I can’t haunt the page counts to see how I rank. I also found it extremely gratifying that I saw a fellow designer recommend the article on facebook without the knowledge that I was the author. That was insta-rock-star status for me.
The Rest of it…
Feel free to ask questions, make comments or add to the article. While this is how I would discuss the concept of blogs, others, could very well have other varied experiences that would be worth hearing/researching.
Beautiful Photograph Albums by GraphiStudio
We definitely put in some leg work on this important job. The question started out as, “Who should we rely on for photographic albums.” We sat down and made a list of factors that were essential in a company that we would be doing work with long term. This included:
- Multiple Price points for luxury and for affordable
- Affordable had to have the capabilities to mimic the luxury
- Multiple styles that were broad enough to accommodate the many tastes we encounter
- Books that have the ability to function as wedding albums that “scream” wedding book but also can function as portfolio books, portrait books or even senior portrait books
- They had to have endurance and be capable of being long term coffee table books or withstand stress on the shelf
- They had to expand their lines frequently enough that growing trends would be fast coming
- They had to be environmentally friendly
241South – What’s Happening Around These Parts
241South Followers,
You might be thinking, “Wow, it’s been so long since 241South has updated that I’ve forgotten about them.” Well for those faithful followers, you may have noticed some photo updates, but other than that, things have been so crazy we’ve barely had time to breathe.
As many fans may know, I (Jeremy) have been working towards my Master of Fine Art in Graphic Design and have reached the last leg. My thesis topic revolves around the need for graphic designers having a rating system that verifies their “green” factor and how sustainable they are. It’s currently in the review process and I’m expected to be a Master of Graphic Design by the end of the month.
My thesis has led to formation of a non-profit organization called Ethosian, a third-party company that verifies graphic designers as sustainable. The company is still in the growing stages and along with fellow board members Naomi Shadix and Jessi Robinson, we hope to have a functioning system in place by the end of the year. Once this is in place, 241South will be undergoing their scrutiny to become one of the first companies to move towards 100% sustainability. (You can see the Facebook page Here or the Twitter Here)
Along with the formation of a non-profit company I (Jeremy) have become a regular writer over at the Creative Freelance Blog. This is a collection of people who work independently in creative fields and I now have the pleasure of being the writer that focuses on the world of sustainability and green in creative careers. So while I’ve appreciated those who have read my articles about being green on 241South, you’ll find those topics here on the Creative Freelance Blog.
I’ve also begun working on a photojournalism book about the small town I grew up in Central Maine. It’s a mix of stories and photography new and old from where I grew up and what influenced me as a person and an artist. The project, lovingly called, I.Am.Maine started as a blog with witty stories and will finish as a book detailing the decline of a once industrious town.
So where does that leave 241South you may ask? Well, now with the addition of a new photographer (Susan) we’re doing fairly well. She will be overseeing the photography aspects of the blog, which will allow me to focus on the graphic design. We have several photography jobs coming up (wedding and portrait) and there are several websites in the works.
Of course this means that we’ll be spending some more time playing with our craft. There’s a constant want/need to keep trying new things and I think there are some upcoming photo/design projects that will be eye-candy for our fans. So thanks for sticking with us and stay tuned because there’s more coming. A lot more.
Agreeing to Pro Bono Work
The conversation always starts about the same, “We’re looking for volunteers,” which instantly translates into, “We want you to work for free.” Now, I recommend all creatives ask another question immediately, “Is this actual volunteering, or are they just looking for a way to avoid paying a bill.” Sometimes it’s a fine line, but there are some things that can help guide you.
Are the people asking you as an organization, is it a non-profit? (This is important later on) Do they have a large budget? Are they just unwilling to pay? These things can quickly lead you down a road of determining if it is worth it for you and your business.
For instance, I recently did a pro bono gig for Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. While I have no specific tie to them, my frequent model, Jessi Robinson is a Volunteer for the organization and I figure I owed her. The event was pretty quick, easy to do but overall, they gave me no recognition and I didn’t have the opportunity to hand out business cards. Professionally it was a bit of wash. However, as a non-profit they offered to give me a 501c3 form for my donated time. That’ll be a big assistance come tax time.
The second time they requested assistance I was reluctant, but I had a free night and I figured why not. I have to say that not only was my experience amazing, it was also well worth my time. Because I was photographing for free (and allowing free downloads) the organizer of the event had taken the liberty to post my business card in the program for all to see. Then, during the presentation they had me stand and explain who I was and what I was doing. THEN they did it again. I felt a little bit like a rockstar with a camera. The event was not only worth my time, but it gave me exposure and a bit of a tax break. These things I felt justified waiving my hourly fee (this may differ depending on your situation.)
So some things to think about when facing the dreaded word “free:”
Make sure you get exposure. In the first instance, I got no exposure, which really meant there was nothing in it for me other than paying back a favor. In the second instance, my business got exposure and while the downloads were free, I had the potential to make sales on patrons purchasing photos.
Make sure you still discuss money. A non-profit company that has a 501c3 form may not pay you, but they can help you when it comes time for taxes. You can give them a bill that shows your hourly wage and that the total owed is $0. Then you can have them submit a letter that says you donated your time. It’s a tax right off that can add up quickly.
Contracts aren’t a bad idea. The word “volunteer” is usually synonymous with “doormat.” People will abuse you, push your limits and try to squeeze every penny out of you. A contract protects you and if you state clearly the terms of the donation you can protect yourself from “volunteer abuse.”
Make sure you’re invested in the organization you’re donating time to. I have no association to Girl Scouts, but a dear friend does. She offered to go and be my assistant which not only made the experience enjoyable, but gave me a connection to the organization. Because of this connection I value what they do and what they were doing, I felt like I was promoting these good things.
Feel free to talk about your business and what you do. I didn’t stand on a chair and discuss my services, but I absolutely mentioned being a photographer and graphic designer. When parents asked where they could get the photos I made sure to discuss how I operated and what they could do to download them for free or purchase prints. I figure, these may very well be future clients.
