One of the reasons I started this podcast was to create a community that actually talks to one another and goes through life together. I have been looking forward to this episode for a really long time. A couple months ago I got connected with Naomi through Instagram. She quickly became one of the people I would watch EVERY SINGLE STORY for. Her personality is infectious and her heart is the size of Texas. I am so excited to introduce you to my friend and mentor, photographer Naomi Hopkins!
Loving this podcast? Come join us in the NEW Photographer Community on Facebook.
Click HERE to sign up for my FREE masterclass!
Looking for more?
Check out the photography templates on Etsy.
Looking to learn how to run a profitable photography business? Join the From Broke to Booked Blueprint program.
Would love to have you in our Photographer Facebook group!
One of the reasons I started this podcast was to create a community that actually talks to one another and goes through life together. I have been looking forward to this episode for a really long time. A couple months ago I got connected with Naomi through Instagram. She quickly became one of the people I would watch EVERY SINGLE STORY for. Her personality is infectious and her heart is the size of Texas. I am so excited to introduce you to my friend and mentor, photographer Naomi Hopkins!
Loving this podcast? Come join us in the NEW Photographer Community on Facebook.
Click HERE to sign up for my FREE masterclass!
Looking for more?
Check out the photography templates on Etsy.
Looking to learn how to run a profitable photography business? Join the From Broke to Booked Blueprint program.
Would love to have you in our Photographer Facebook group!
spk_0: 0:01
It's not too late to set yourself up for success in 2020 if you aren't currently booked out for the Year of 2020 with clients on your books and all the ways you're gonna make money. If that's not you, I want to invite you to join my free online training. How to plan out your 2020 photography calendar and get more clients in your books. In this master class, you're going to learn how to map out your 2020 photography calendar. No more planning last minute events and desperately trying to fill your session spots. How to create a strategic marketing plan to book out your year If you're confused on what to post on social media and email your clients, this is for you the two tools that dramatically change the game in my business and gave me my time back and why Planning or 2020 calendar can result in your best year Ever get ahead of the game and go into the New Year feeling confident and ready to have your best year yet you can access this training at frame your way. Da Brooke jefferson dot com slash replay Welcome to the brain your way. Photography podcast. I'm your host, Brooke Jefferson. I'm a wife, Mama to two and full time photographer in business. I created this podcast with inspiring photographer in mine to bring you inspired stories. Strategies to help you go from zero to mostly figures and tips and tricks to get one step closer to work. Life Harmony. Are you ready to bring your way to your dream career? Let's dive in. One of the reasons I started this podcast was to create a community that actually talks to one another and goes through life together. I have been looking forward to this episode for a really long time. A couple months ago, I got connected with Naomi through Instagram. She became one of the people I would watch. Every single story for her personality is infectious, and her heart is the size of Texas. I'm so honored to introduce you to my friend and mentor, Naomi Hopkins.
spk_1: 2:14
Well, hello audience. Get ready for very entertaining podcast because already bored Brooke, before we started that I'm basically like a wild animal. Cecil. Hopefully don't go deaf from us both laughing really hard because if you are not laughing that we're both failing. So hopefully come up with some good doc knock chokes or something during this time. But I am Naomi. I'm clearly very chatty. Um, I am a photographer. I mean, we specialize in families. Um, I am pretty much everything they tell you not to do in a business. So I do a lot more than families. I work with bloggers. Um, I also d'oh maternity like things that go with family portrait. But I specialize in bloggers. I don't really talk about that. A lot of my social media. So if you follow me on instagram, you might not realize that. So I am from Atlanta, Georgia. I've lived here almost my whole life. My family's originally from Illinois. I did live in Texas for a little bit. So maybe that's why my heart is so
spk_0: 3:12
big. I did not realize that I almost was going to say the size of Georgia, but then I just need to know bigger. Yeah.
spk_1: 3:22
Yes, yes. We looked in Houston for a while, so that was super fun. It's very hot there.
spk_0: 3:27
Yeah, you can
spk_1: 3:28
get very big houses and a lot of really good food. Unfortunately, they're Mexicans awful. So if you ever going visit the case, I was orange. So I will warn you now, because that was a big disappointment for me.
spk_0: 3:39
That is hilarious. Well, maybe I'm eating case. So all wrong cause, aren't they all yellow and orange? Or am I just crazy
spk_1: 3:46
or what?
spk_0: 3:48
You know,
spk_1: 3:48
it's white. The cases should be white.
spk_0: 3:50
Well, people, her case? It was orange. Most Mexican restaurants here. It's orange or yellow. Yeah. Okay,
spk_1: 3:57
well, forget photography. This
spk_0: 3:59
is Oh, my God. Some
spk_1: 4:00
focus on why it's okay. So you when we when you come to Italy and I were going to get some white case, so because it should not be orgy if it's orange, it came from a can, and it's not delicious.
spk_0: 4:11
Oh, my God. Okay, so you mentioned that I'm coming to Atlanta. Can you tell me why I'm coming to see you?
spk_1: 4:17
So Brooke is coming for three days of glorious bliss with Kate Boggs and a list of Wallace. We are doing a amazing workshop, which I'm so insanely excited about. So it's gonna be hosted it of leanna. We're gonna be mainly focusing on families were going to do some stuff with bloggers and couples as well. But we're really excited.
spk_0: 4:41
I'm so excited for this too. I probably think about it on the daily as well as I am excited. I'm also nervous because you guys are the type of people with no boundaries. You know what? I No,
spk_1: 4:54
no, I have none. I'll probably get into bed with you in the middle of night and snuggle with you guys Have a big girl. You're like, Wow, I'm being crushed by a Bayer no
spk_0: 5:04
strip Cleo.
spk_1: 5:04
Me, It's just may or may.
spk_0: 5:06
Oh, my goodness. Okay, so one of my favorite things about Naomi and I mean, I've only known you for, like, a few months if and I have already signed up for a mentor ship and completed a sign up for your workshop. So clearly you have that type of personality that I am, like, attracted Thio. And that sounds so weird. I like it. So I'm into it. Oh, he's talking. But you just you just have, like, that infectious personality. And one of my favorite things about you is that you literally hold nothing back and I join me. I mean and always I mean for like, educating photographers because, you know, I'm so passionate about that obvious there. That's why you came on the pod. Gas was d'oh teach. But you just go above and beyond for people, and that's very apparent. And we see it all the time on and scream with you. So what are some ways that you currently serve photographers maybe both in freeways, but also paid ways? How do you serve them? Shameless is shameless. So that one of
spk_1: 6:15
the things that I love to say honestly as she this as this is it really goes back to my mom who were very much raised that you leave people in places better than we found them. And everywhere you go, you have the opportunity to basically give light into someone's life. And you don't know what they're struggling with, what their problems are, where they are at their business. Um when I think especially in a generation where social media so prevalent, we see so many highlights and we see so many places where we're seeing their wins, we're seeing them cross the finish line. We're seeing them succeeding and that it can be such a lonely place so coming on to this and, you know, with I hate to say the word by platform because I just like it sounds ridiculous. But within I feel like the space that I have it so incredibly important to me to leave people better than I found them. And I went photographers and my clients on people to walk away and feel heard and feel bad and feel left into and obviously probably not ever and has had that experience is me. I'm very passionate about trying my best to really make people feel heard and feel scene because, honestly, no matter what your skill set is, people never forget how you make them feel. And if you can make people walk away and make them feel like they're in a better place than they were 10 minutes ago in your photography career, in teaching, in anything, in friendships, in your marriage, like it's such an infectious thing. And then it's so exciting to constantly watch people grow and like to be a part of the story. So that was kind of a huge part of how we kind of got started into teaching. So I do mentor ships on basically business. A lot of it is customer service on educating how to create an experience for your clients that leave them wanting to come back and work with you and to just, you know, be a part of your story and just love your Brandon you and create relationship. I do offer the business mentorships those air going to be opening up in January for the rest of 2020. They're sold out for 2019. Um, and then I am hosting obviously, the workshop that bricks coming thio in April. And then hopefully we're gonna be really seen. Some information on a fall workshop is allow that nobody knows about till right now. Congratulations. This is an exclusive brick podcasts announcement. Your look,
spk_0: 8:41
you know, I've been collecting these, you know, Brooke Podcast Exclusive announcement. I think you're like the third or fourth personnel that has announced something. So yeah, I just feel so special, but I'm really excited. Super super excited. But I asked Naomi to come on today so we could focus specifically on something that she is passionate about but also really educated about. And I'm hoping that you will leave this podcast episode feeling inspired and, of course, taking action. Because one of my favorite things, if you ever do a mentor ship with Naomi, she gives you homework. So you're all getting home, or today we're gonna find out what that is. Yeah, yeah, yeah, but okay, so we're here to talk about collaborations and what effect it has on our business. Why, it's important. And then whatever else Naomi wants to bring to the table, So I'm gonna hand it over to you and you kick it off where you need Thio.
spk_1: 9:43
Yes. So I talked about this a lot in my business. Mentorships. It's kind of one of the last things that we talk on. But if you do a lot of research to have a sustainable business that basically one person owns, you need to be collaborating with other businesses pretty much all the time. I recommend having at least three different types of businesses that you're working with because we are furrow based industry. And what is better than when your best friend tells you to go work with this person or to go to this Mexican restaurant? If you google that restaurant you I promise you be way more inclined to go If your mom was like, Oh, I went there last week. It was the best chicken tortilla soup and white case. Oh, not yellow White
spk_0: 10:28
case. So that you
spk_1: 10:28
ever had a girl. Um, so I'm a huge believer of how can you create revenue and business and experiences where people are hearing from a human being that Oh, my gosh, you should definitely go book with broker. You should go book with me on me, and they're amazing. And this is why so, Ah, lot of people focus on paid ads, and I think that that it's not I mean, it can be good. And it's not, I think, nearly as effective as doing a collaborative basically relationship with a local business. Um, so I know that when Brooke did my mentor ship, she came up with some amazing businesses and stuff to collaborate with some kind of what that looks like is you want to think where are my ideal clients? Who are the people that you want to reach and see where they going, where they shopping? Where are they going to go and trust that person and it can look so many different ways. I think people get very literal with this, and that's kind of what shoots him in the foot. It's like one of my favorite ways to collaborate is Go to a hairdresser, go to someone who is going to have people sitting in their chair all day long, talking to women in the holiday season all the time and, you know, work with them and do it give away or give them a free mini session or do something so that, um, people are hearing about your business and hearing about your service is and can hear it firsthand from an actual person and not from just a paid ad online.
spk_0: 12:02
Yeah, that makes sense. I I was just taking Noah some tangible examples because I know people are gonna be like, Oh, that's really broad. Uh, you know, what are some other ways? I think collaborations can look different ways, right? So there there's 1000 different ways, and the two things that kind of came to my mind was one of them. Woz. You could connect with a clothing store that's, you know, like an actual small business, someone building their dream, too, and you could offer your photography service is for, you know, maybe their products. Maybe they need some better online marketing. Or maybe they're putting on a fashion show and you get to be their toe, photograph it and be a sponsor another
spk_1: 12:48
great way. If just suppose you real quick. That's a great way for wanting to start a client closet. That is an amazing way on a low cost of for you to be able to go find a boutique. Let's say your senior photographer, you specialized engagements where those people probably gonna shop. Well, maybe dress up or Brooklyn's or whatever. You know, your local boutique as well. They're willing to spend, you know, 100 and $20 on a T shirt dress. Well, then they probably are someone who, if they care that much about their styling, things like that, they're probably gonna want beautiful senior photos or engage voters or family photos. So you already know that they're kind of in your idea, ideal clientele basis. So, you know, go to them and think, Hey, I would love, you know, to give you so many our credits towards, you know, online marketing, and I want you to talk. And I am. You have to make rules. But that's their half the ground rules. You have to communicate. You can't just go and be like, Hey, can I take some free pictures and you tell people about me? It needs to be a thought out process, or you're gonna shoot yourself in the foot and, girl, you're going to get nothing out of it. They were gonna get nothing out of it. And you're both probably just not gonna like each other anymore. And then you will go eat yellow, case it with them
spk_0: 14:00
instead of those guys. So I'm
spk_1: 14:02
just gonna keep bringing the case so
spk_0: 14:03
back. Very odd
spk_1: 14:04
about it. Um but so that's a great way to go to a cheek and say, Hey, I would love to, you know, to treat do so many hours of product sessions And then instead of being paid for the sources, I could trade and get some pieces from you and add this to my client closet. And that'll aussi Austin tell you so you're building a long term relationship where you're both Bennett fitting off that you're getting pieces for your client closet. You're also going to get exposure from when they post about you, hopefully on their social media. And, you know, I always think there's some way that you want to bring it back, undoing some type of giveaway or some type of action where you're getting information back. So do a sign up and say, Hey, I'm gonna give 50% off a senior session. Get please. You write your name in your e mails and what you're you're graduating. So that way you're still getting some type of contact base. You're getting something that you could get an email. Lester, contact these people instead of just giving free photos and praying for the best.
spk_0: 14:59
Oh, my goodness, that was so good. Naomi, You always have the best ideas is like for me. I come up with an idea and it's like surface level, and then you're like, Oh, no, here's your marketing. Alright, Everything you do And
spk_1: 15:15
that's the problems. I think so he will get these great ideas and you don't think. Okay, I you eat, you have to come up with a game plan and think it all the way through and sort of they're saying Okay, well, here's the boutique here is free photos like, how can you both make it benefit? Because, obviously, then not only is about boutique for in their mind, they're getting the images that you're gonna take during your product sessions. But now they're also to get gorgeous family photos, a different type of contact for their social media and for their marketing. And then they you've opened that boutique to a whole new marketing for them. Where is now, If they're only, you know, mainly a boutique that's getting teenagers and early college students. Well, if you put this gorgeous mom in this beautiful wrap skirt that they have now they're marketing to family photo. So you have benefited them, and they've also benefited you. So you want to be so intentional to think of What is your boring term plan with this? Instead of getting just instant gratification of just hoping that you're gonna get some get off like you have to think it out so thoroughly, and I think that's where so many people fail in these things is they say surface level instead of really diving in and thinking about every single angle.
spk_0: 16:22
That's awesome. Okay, so that leads me to my next question, which is, Let's say we've all I'm sure some business has popped up in everyone's mind at this point in their town where they live. So what is our first step in making contact? Cause you said don't just run in there and, you know, pitch yourself. So what would be what would you do? What would be your first step if maybe we've only been involved with this business like a couple times, personally, maybe as a customer.
spk_1: 16:55
So obviously all of this is totally gonna depend on what the type of business you're wanting to collaborate with. But I think that building a relationship with them it's huge and, like just coming in hot and being like, Hey, I'm a photographer, you have no clue who I am. But now I want you to trust me. And now I've come up with this five year business plan for us to be best friends and then all the White case hold together. I just can't stop. I can't. I can't stop. Building a relationship is so incredibly huge, so obviously it's going to be completely dependent because some of them let's say you're someone who specializes in bump to baby photos and you go and work with the three. The ultrasound. We can't just be going getting three d ultrasounds all the time so that the clerks start getting to know you like, Hey, I have no child But I would like
spk_0: 17:38
two at market.
spk_1: 17:40
You're pregnant women. So can you give me a three? The ultrasound of my can be I would love
spk_0: 17:46
some printed
spk_1: 17:47
in my s o Obviously has to be so dependent but film relationship Go in, introduce yourself. Hi. You know, I'm talking for years, right? Social media go and find If they have social media, go start engaging on their posts like go start commenting and be active with them and start, you know, work on building that relationship, trying refer your clients to them And do you think that that's so there's some type of level where they can say, Hey, this person isn't just one quick advertising Just because you want to think of two of how would you feel if, uh, floral company came to you and your wedding photographer and they're like, Hey, we would love to give you a freebie. Okay, for you to do a full styled shoe, which How would you perceive from that? So you want to think of us? That company was coming and basically offering you the exact same thing. What would make you feel comfortable enough to trust him To say, Hey, this is a spark smart business move for me like this is a smart person to collaborate with they our true business because that's also their reputation as well. So they don't want to be, you know, collaborating and working with someone who doesn't fit with their brand and their ideal clients. So I would for sure, if they start with building relationships. Um, I am a firm believer that with the stupid things that you need to go into the actual locution, introduce yourself to the mane. Mature. Tell him about your business. You know? Hey, I following on social media like we would be a great partner. And then this is why and then, you know, again, have that thought out of what does this look like? Um, like, for example, let's say you are someone who specializes in the couples, and you do a lot of engagement sessions and a lot of wedding sessions. We'll go find a jewelry company and say, Hey, you know our love to be some product photos, something like this. Maybe we can do like a style engagement shooting stuff for your social media. And then in January, well, when our most photographers not busy January to April, No one know unless you're doing inside shoots or you have time sensitive sessions. That's a lot of hymns were photographers are revamping their business and doing things. So if you're you know, using this is your sustainable income. You need to be making money those months. So go and say, You know, Hey, I would love in the month of January us to advertise a Valentine's Day special so they would get $100 off jewelry with you and then 50% off a couple session with me so that husband or fiancee is now going to have an amazing Valentine's to get to give to their partner so they can get jewelry at a great deal, and then they can also get this photo session. Valentine's Day is done. They don't have to think about it. So then that both of you are still making money the jewelry company is still going to make a commission. They're still going to make some money. It's gonna bring people into their store and then they're benefiting off of it where you're still gonna hopefully get couple of sessions Where I I don't think you should ever give a full session away for free. So either D'oh! You know, one mini, or give some type of discount because you still our business, and you want to be mindful of how you can still make it in come off of it. So say, you know, I'll give you the full gallery for free. So let's say, you know, you do all carte pricing, so now you're gonna get 100 $25 off by getting decibel gallery with your session. So then your marketing toe, a whole different group of people and you're still making a sustainable income on times that you might not necessarily be busy.
spk_0: 21:09
Wow! Whoa, that was good. The last
spk_1: 21:12
exactly why you need to be thought out instead of just coming in and being like, Hey, can you give me some email so I could evoke a bull and hopefully they think I'm awesome. That would be great.
spk_0: 21:20
Yeah, for sure. Woo, So many ideas have popped into my mind as well. Now one way that you collaborate, and I think this is so fascinating is you collaborate with bloggers and I'm curious. I just want you to dive into that a little bit. Like, how did that start for you? Um and why is that also a good stream for people who are available to work with bloggers?
spk_1: 21:46
Yes. So, working with barters, I feel it is like a completely different beast. And I think that it's also something where a lot of bloggers have done tripods and iPhone pictures. And now why he has really turned into sustainable income for these bloggers. I mean, I have girls that literally that they're full incoming are incredibly successful at this. Um, so now these brands that they're working with are wanting to see professional images. They're wanting to use these for their ad campaigns. They're wanting to instead of higher your photographer and doing a full session. They're just saying the burgers. Hey, I want a professional photographer on this, and then we're gonna buy these images and use them for ad campaign. So that's happened with GSW with Wal Mart with huge name brand places are now using the longer images instead of doing the whole production team. Um, so it's left a lot of these bloggers and looking thing. Okay, well, now I need professional photos and they don't know how to edit. And surprisingly, running a business for blogger has so much more than you would ever imagine of so much respect for the bloggers that I worked with because it is a lot of work. Um, So I have about 10 bloggers that I work with weekly to bi weekly during the week. Um, I personally and basically employed by them. So I get paid to do them. I don't do sessions for free. I don't do free collaborations. There are Blogger thought we'll trade that, and I think that can be a great option. Um, but since I shoot with them so regularly, I'm basically exclusive to them and shoot them so much a week. Um, a huge thing if you're considering with wanting to work with bloggers is that you have to realize that it is all about their business and not about your business. And I think That's where a lot of photographers fail because they're like, Oh, you know, if I make $600 for a family session, I don't want to go work with this water for, you know, $150. Now we're $200 an hour. But if someone shooting with you 3 to 4 hours a month, it's just such a different process. And I guess I get messages multiple times they were people like I don't know howto prices. They don't like my edits. They want to put their pre set over. And there are so many things where I think so many bloggers are still figuring out. But so many photographers are still trying to figure it out because you really have to sit and say, you know, what are you okay with? And I know that when I work with the blogger, I'm stepping into their world. I'm not asking them to step into mine, so if they do a family session with me there in my turf now, But when I'm going in assisting them and getting blood campaigns and hope really getting featured on these big sites and I'm doing things like that, I'm trying to say, What is it that makes your brand elevate? What is it that's going to make you grow as a blogger? Um, which I mean, I have girls that work with huge, huge companies with anthropology, and Wal Mart is a huge one. Right now. Let me just tell you. Warmer is literally I'm pretty sure coming for target. They're coming, and they're coming strong over while I'm still a target girl. But I do appreciate that Warmer is putting in a good effort. They are trying to get out of that yellow case of world into the white case. So see how I did that.
spk_0: 25:04
I brought it back again, huh? So for me, when I
spk_1: 25:10
work with bloggers, I create custom presets for them, Which is kind of a unique thing with working with me versus another photographer that mainly works with bloggers. So I basically do a consultation with them. I go over there, feed what they're wanting. I make a preset pre set that's going to blend into their feed. Currently, Um, and then a lot of times when you work with a blogger, they will have a brief off of what? That brand if they need detail shots, horizontal, vertical if they you know needed. And this type of location, A lot of times will have vision boards. I'm so it's such an amazing way. I feel like as an artist, I'm constantly challenged if you go work. Look at the bloggers that I worked with. I'm ones that are very catalogued, ones that are crazy, high fashion look like Hey, you know, I want to make a slinky work in this photo and some weird kind of crazy look. What can you do is a slinky or have a mere or like all of the Cessna or crunch flee for me, I'm constantly being challenged in saying, How could not only can I make this work but also make it work words true to them? So it's such a great way to stretch yourself as an artist because you're constantly having to look at something from someone else's perspective versus how you would just, naturally, organically shoot it for your own brand. Um, and then if you do live, especially if you live in a bigger city, it's an amazing way, Thio collaborate, and I get a lot of traction. I get a lot of family sessions. I got a lot of things off of my bloggers, which is amazing.
spk_0: 26:39
Yeah, so that's like you said, That's a whole new world. It's a different beast, but I think a lot of people is. I think they're gonna resonate with that line of work and they're gonna think to themselves. I could totally do that. Why have I never thought of this avenue before? And I still think it's cool because you still get to be creative, but you still get to serve clients, and the whole point is they're helping get your name out there. But you're also getting that consistent income that for the majority of us we have that dream that his full time. So if you're not full time yet, you probably want to be at some point. And then I know there's several of you on here who love your full time job, and I applaud you for that and having a business. Yes, you, do you? But I know for the majority of us, that's why you listen to this podcast is because you want it to be sustainable for the long term, and you want it to be profitable. We are. That's the thing I want to ask you today, not just you, but anyone listening. I want you to reevaluate your business right now. It's perfect time. It's December because you need thio. Look at yourself and ask yourself this question. Am I a hobby or am I a business? Because just because you take pictures and just because your airport open for business, that doesn't mean that you're making money. I and I really want you. I really want you to look at that, because if your long term goal is a long term business that's profitable, that pays your bills that get you that want to your vacation or your hobby lobby. Monthly allowance does us. We're on that. But regardless of what that is like, you have to be profitable. And that's one of my favorite things is you teach us ways to be impossible, like that's the whole idea. So what? You have
spk_1: 28:35
to, uh, evaluate to like, what is your goal with your business? The same thing are you Are you wanting to make a sustainable income in like that? Something that I am incredibly passionate. I make a very sustainable income off of my business. I have created myself a basically little space where I have branded myself enough that I have very consistent. Client tells where I know every single month if I don't shoot one family if it rains all month, if it's freezing. If I don't do anything outside of bloggers that I have a very specific amount that I make each month and I know that that is my bare minimum, Um, so for me, that was important because I wanted to look and say, um, what is it that my goal of how much I want to make a month And how could I make that every single month? Because that's where a lot of photographers fail is they put so much stock into the Aussies and then family season, which, you know, we're just now out of Well, now, what are you gonna do for the next six months? What are you gonna do when people don't want to take pictures in 100 degree weather in its sledding and they just leave for the fall and then oboe? It rained off also. Now they're all rescheduled, and they're all hate you because you are not God and can't make its operating. I don't know why I pull it together, but we have to intentionally just truly my favorite word. If you ever do a mentor ship with meal you I would probably recommend taking shots every time I say intentional, but
spk_0: 29:56
probably don't could die
spk_1: 29:57
of alcohol poisoning. But so many people truly don't think and say, How could I be intentional? What is it? My What are my goals? And how can I hit that every month? Not just the busy months. How 12 months of the year can I have a sustainable business that's paying my bills?
spk_0: 30:13
Yeah, and I'm just going thio tag along on what you just said. How many of you that have been in business long enough to know? I mean, if you're just starting out, you're gonna resonate with this real quick. But how many of you have thought during the summer and fall? Oh, my gosh, I'm a queen. I was made for this photography business. Money is just raining all around, and then you get two right after Christmas. It's January. It's probably freaking cold where you are. Unless you're across the world. then I envy you. But for most of us, we are in dead season. If you want to call it, that shouldn't be that way. But I'll be honest. I still call it that occasionally. But that is your dead season. And so now you were riding the high wave. Now you're in the low tide and you're No, no, no. I'm
spk_1: 31:06
the worst person ever. Why did I do that?
spk_0: 31:08
Yeah, I
spk_1: 31:09
am now. Personally Yellow case. Oh,
spk_0: 31:12
yes, of course. Yours
spk_1: 31:15
would have punched me in the face yet. I'm so sorry. Probably don't bother me an instrument, because this is how I am all the
spk_0: 31:20
time. It's one of my favorite things, but yes. Oh. Then January February rolls around, and now you're in your head. You're doubting yourself. You think that you're not gonna make it? You don't know how to pay your bills. So that's why I think what Naomi is talking about today is so relevant. And if you don't do bloggers, do these collaborations get more people under your belt. There is always something to photographs. Always
spk_1: 31:45
Yes, and be so intentional because even a lot of things in January start booking for Valentine's Day do spring many. It's to Easter. Things like constantly look and say, What is it that people might want? Pictures. I do go branch Ah, loft or an Airbnb and do a couple of sessions inside the house. Or do cozy family sessions by the fireplace like fine things that are going to make people stop year round because people always have things. You just have to figure out how to market to them and how to make it seem worth it. And again, it's about being intentional, unconsciously thinking. How can I grow my business? How can I reach a different clientele? Because, hey, guess what? There are a lot of people that would have loved family fall pictures and just forgot. And now they're like, Oh, crap, I didn't take pictures. So find a way to market them and sort of them beautiful image is an amazing experience, but you have to constantly shift your perspective and be willing to grow and to constant evaluate and say, What can I do next? That will take my business to the next level instead of just writing on the wall? Hi.
spk_0: 32:45
Oh, so good. Now me, this podcast episode was just packed full of good, difficult for tangible strategies. Do you have a piece of homework that you want to give people to do? A soon as they stop listening?
spk_1: 33:00
So I would love for you guys. Now that you know the fall rush is over, it's done. I would really love for you to sit and come up with a game plan for 2020 and I know that sounds so cheesy, but come up with some ways that you can elevate your business by doing a collaboration by, you know, coming up with a new ways to market with people and seasons that they might not be doing family photos. Or, you know, constantly finding ways to grow your business where you're still making income. Um, year round and not just for those three or four months out of the year. And please go message me on Instagram. Go tell me what they are love to be a part of it. Um, it is something that makes me so incredibly excited to watch people see how putting in this back and work and being intentional and going that extra mile. How much of a difference it's really makes in your business. So yeah. Bane plan for sure. Come up with the business, come up with one way that you're gonna book sessions from January to April. And what is not gonna look like in What's your game plan for that?
spk_0: 34:02
I love that. So this is perfect, because here we go with a shameless pitch again from Brooke. You are You all heard her say right. Plan your 2020 and two weeks ago, I lead you through a free workshop on how to play on your 2020 photography calendar on. And then I invited you into something awesome on how to learn how to fill it and make sure that your business is set up to be profitable and sustainable. So if you missed it, you can definitely catch the replay of it. And I highly encourage you to do it. So if you signed up, you didn't show up. You got busy. I totally understand. Um but I hope that you're even more inspired to go check out that free workshop that I put on for you guys so that you can do these things that Naomi is talking about. For sure so. Oh, my gosh, It's been so fun. Where can people find you and connect with you and especially your Instagram link, please.
spk_1: 35:04
So, Naomi Hopkins photo. Um, I am ridiculous and very entertaining on stories I also never have makeup on. So if you wake up in the morning and I cut, I feel like I look like struggle Bus. Grogan washed my stories you'd like. Okay, well, Naomi's talking to thousands of people and has done, like, 10 photo shoots today, walking around looking like that. So all of a sudden I feel like I look like Beyonc? You're welcome. You are welcome.
spk_0: 35:31
I love it. It'll
spk_1: 35:32
follow me. Message me. Let's be best friends.
spk_0: 35:35
And she really doesn't mean that she's not. She's not one of those people. That's like, Come follow me. So my follower Count King grow. She will literally probably start either following you liking your stuff. And then I see people attacking you all the time. Oh, my gosh! Look who liked my post. Look who messaged me back. She really is all about that community. So if you want to follow somebody that will pay attention and that will bring inspiration into your life. I mean, if you guys love this, you all should be in her stories. Just
spk_1: 36:06
get ready. We gotta have fun, girl
spk_0: 36:08
Or boy or boy, we'd always gonna hate
spk_1: 36:10
to this. We don't discriminate. I sit on my story's way too much.
spk_0: 36:14
Yes, you D'oh! It's
spk_1: 36:15
always the same. It's girls. And like I was sorry if your boy watching this.
spk_0: 36:18
Oh, I love it. Okay, well, this was so much fun. Thank you for having me. I want to be featured on the podcast. I'm currently looking for photographers who are interested in a coaching session that will be recorded and aired on the podcast in 2020. To apply to be a guest on the show, please visit Brooke jefferson dot com slash apply