Category Archives: How To

STARTING A BUSINESS: Booking Weddings During My First Year….

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Sweaty palms and butterflies in my stomach. No, not fluttering butterflies but more like butterflies on a rampage…. and dizziness. Definitely felt some dizziness.

The above symptoms were brought on with just the slightest thought of trying to book weddings of my own. I was now 8 months into my photography business and ready to actually begin my business. I had a camera…. I had the capability of renting amazing equipment…. I had taken the time to 2nd Shoot weddings and learn and experience as much as possible…. I had Googled, You-Tubed and Binged until the wee hours of the morning. I mean, in the words of Chandler Bing….. Could I BE anymore ready?! The problem was, where to begin? How would I get my name and work out there for engaged couples to see? Even more, how would I get them to contact me among the hundreds of photographers in my area?

Enter Facebook, Word of Mouth & Blogging. 

Every business is different and the methods that work for some may not work for others. And that’s okay, business owners should definitely use what works for them. Speaking for myself, these are the 3 ways through which I have been able to book 10 weddings during my first year as a lead Wedding Photographer.

1. Facebook-  I’m at the point where I feel like I need to buy Facebook dinner at a swanky restaurant for being oh so good to me. Sure, you can tell people that you are a photographer but there is nothing quite like the power of being able to show them. Facebook allows you to do just that, show your work…. and takes it one step further. It allows others to see the positive feedback and your total  viewer reach expands with every tag, comment and “Like.”  Not only do your friends see the photos you post but now their friends can see them….. and their friends… and their friends…. and so on. That right there explains how I was booked by my friend’s, friend’s, friend from high school ;)

2. Word Of Mouth- I wouldn’t really consider myself a shy person (because I don’t think a shy person would openly admit their lack of cooking skills and of having spent the last two Valentine’s Day watching Twilight movies at home) but when it comes to asking someone if I could be their wedding photographer I choke up and the entire English language escapes me. Like, a 2yr old could communicate better at that point! So being referred by others is a gift from above. I put my heart into my photography and there is no greater compliment than someone acknowledging that and deeming you worthy of telling their family and friends about you. To the amazing friends that sent the fabulous couples I will be working with this year…. trust that they are in good hands and I plan on making their Wedding day sparkle ;)

3. Blogging- Asking me to express myself through a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter status gives me anxiety. As an avid comma, exclamation point, dot dot dot user truly I can’t be expected to narrow down my thoughts into two sentences or less, ergo the blogging. This was the answer to the “how would I get them to contact me among the hundreds of photographers in my area?” question. The only card I have that distinguishes me from any other photographer is my personality card. There’s no escaping the incredible photography talent that is out there and I am years behind most of them…. but the one thing I can own like no one else can is me. The Crystal-ness (that’s totally a thing, ask my friends ;) ). Being able to give a glimpse of what a wedding day would be like with me and who I am outside of photography through blogging has helped give the couples I work with that warm fuzzy feeling. And who doesn’t like to feel that spark? Exactly.

There are plenty of other ways to network and hopefully gain new clients; working with other photographers, connecting with Wedding Coordinators, paying for advertisement, participating in Bridal Shows, etc. I have tried a few of these as well but so far none have been as effective. Again, totally a personal thing as I am sure that many photographers have successfully booked weddings through all of these methods.

Facebook and blogging is not everyone’s cup of tea and I completely get that…. but I do highly recommend being opened to trying it out. Give your clients and future clients a chance to get to know you on a personal level and really just let your fabulousness shine! Believe me, if this shoe-obsessed, Chipotle burrito bowl loving, Twilight addicted, random thought girl can do it….. so can you ;)

Happy Monday!

Follow CRYSTAL NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY on Facebook to view the galleries & get all the latest details. Visit Crystal-Nicole.com or contact crystal@crystal-nicole.com for booking & pricing

TAKE A TOUR AROUND THE BLOG

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In case I have never mentioned this before, I will say it now: I come from a large hispanic family… aunts, uncles and cousins galore. Seriously! ! It never felt like there were THAT many of us -but based on the reaction’s of Disneyland employees when seating a party of 32 on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride- I guess there are THAT many of us.  These days it’s difficult to get together, but when we do get the chance to see each other it is complete chaos…. and I love it! This past weekend was one of those times and while talking with my older cousin (who would like for me to clarify that she was NOT the babysitter who let my brothers & I jump on the couches of the forbidden family room ;)  ) she inspired me to give everyone a tour of the blog and explain exactly how it works.

Talk To Me: I love talking. Talking is my favorite! Just ask my coworkers who have the pleasure of hearing me speak all day, non-stop, at 97 mph and at a volume that should only be used in a stadium during a football game. Blogging, however, is basically having a one-sided conversation… which can sometimes be torture to my social-loving heart. Luckily everyone has the opportunity to change this by responding to each post. Do you have a tiny dog who has you wrapped around their paw as mine does? Tell me about them! Do you have a completely normal obsession with high heels? Tell me where you shop… and remember that I’m a size 8 and gladly welcome donations. Do you share in my hopes that one day Chipotle and In-N-Out would be considered healthy? Do tell! I know I can’t be the only one ;) I want to know if you are in the same boat as I am in trying something new, or have been there and can relate… or even what you thought of last week’s episode of the OC Housewives on Bravo. Questions are more than welcomed as well, I read every comment so let me know you’re out there!

** How To Add A Reply: The reply box is located at the end of every post (click on the thought bubble to the right of the post title if it is not visible) Add in your comment, question, etc. It’s that easy, for real! 

Join Team Crystal: If you’ve followed along for a few posts and decide that we are probably twins separated at birth and just have too much in common to stop reading, then there is an easier way to stay in the loop. Receive instant email notifications of new posts. I get that everyone has a million and one things to do and reading my blog posts is probably around #8 on your list… and sometimes we just don’t make it past item #7. Since the posts are directly included in the email, reading is at your own convenience. See? Now you have something to read while you’re in line at Starbucks. You’re welcome :)

**To Receive Email Notifications: Click the BLOG tab at the top of the page (Middle tab) which will direct you to the main blog page. On the upper right corner you will see an option to FOLLOW BLOG VIA EMAIL. Type in your email address and hit follow…. Welcome to the club! WOOT!  

Spread The Word: You know the funny emails or website links that you send to your friends or post on Facebook, because they are that awesome? Well you can do that with blog posts also! In fact, I’ll let you in on a secret and say that this is how a blog builds an audience…. with the help of awesome readers who share it with their friends. So consider yourselves a part of the Crystal Nicole Marketing and Advertising Department because it is through all of your referrals that I am able to get my name out their. Thank you in advance, your cupcakes are in the mail ;)

** How To Share A Blog Post: There are sharing buttons at the bottom of every post (share via Facebook, Twitter or Email) Choose one or all and type in a brief description that you would like to include along with the link. I would love to hear of any sharing being done so feel free to sport your “TEAM CRYSTAL” t-shirts and let me know! 

Include Me In Your Social Circle: Now I know there are plenty of social media sites out there but I like to keep it simple so I only use Facebook & Twitter. I try to cover as much as I can on the blog, but if you’re interested in seeing a picture of the “shoes of the day” or what I do on the weekends then we definitely need to socialize.

** How to Follow Me on Facebook & Twitter: Go the main Blog Page (Click the Blog tab) and off the right side you will see the options to LIKE my Facebook page or to add me on twitter. Both link directly to my pages. 

Now that you’ve had a tour and know how everything works, let’s get the party started! Believe me, even though I enjoy writing it is still a difficult thing to do. Kind of like jumping on stage and performing at the Grammy’s…. I’m going to give it my all, but I’ll need all of you to reassure me that my mic is on ;)

 

HOW TO: Designing A Logo & Website

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While in the process of learning the “how-to’s” of photography I figured I might as well jump ahead and begin working on a logo and website design. This seems like the next logical step, right? Right!

Now, I myself do not know a thing about logo & web design…. fortunately I have amazing friends (and sit one cubicle away from gifted designers) who do! And they are willing to help me, which earns them an extra 35 cool points. You’re welcome ;)

Over the past week I put together a few Inspiration Boards to use as guides of my own personal style, which of course is the style I want to portray. I’m hoping these will help set the starting point for my lovely creatives and they can go on with their bad selves from here

1. Color Palette:                                                                                                                     I’m hooked on earth tone colors because I feel they have a very clean-cut, sophisticated look. They remind me of that nice Family Room at home that my brothers & I were not allowed to be in. Ever! Sidenote: Big thanks to my older cousins for letting us run around & jump on the couches of said living room while babysitting us. One day I’ll take care of your kids & return the favor! 

2. Fashion Inspiration:                                                                                                   Here are two outfits I put together myself. I chose every item and made sure to only include what I would personally wear. I like to stick with one or two shades of color & then add one item that screams FABULOUS! Like those red heels…. Fierce! If I was a high roller, these would definitely be in my closet….

3. Interior Design Inspiration:                                                                                   “Hello…. I live here” -okay, not really… but wouldn’t it be amazing to call this your bedroom? Again, soft colors & minimum details is my go-to. At this moment, my bedroom looks nothing like this, really. But item #4 on my 2012 list is to give my room a make-over so don’t be surprised if it’s featured on Pottery Barn’s website later this year ;)

If you’re looking for a place to get great ideas & inspirations, Pinterest is the way to go! Be warned, this website is like a bag of chocolate chip cookies…. the blue bag, Chips Ahoy kind! Once you start, it’s almost impossible to stop.

Happy “back at work, feeling a little better after 2 sick days” Wednesday! :)