Jan 17th

A word on standing behind your product

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So many times I hear Photographers say “people just won’t pay my prices”. Let me start out be saying that I believe in being 100% confident in your skills, having your business policies and procedures, pricing in place and a STRONG portfolio BEFORE you open your business. Can you imagine walking into a deli with only half their menu available, no cash register and the person behind the counter says something like “we are still working on perfecting that sandwich, but we really really love to make it and we know eventually its going to be really good”. I don’t think so. I may order something, it may even be half way decent, but guess what? That experience is forever cemented in my mind, regardless of how awesome they become down the road.

Okay so lets assume that your product is awesome, your customer service is top notch and yet still people just aren’t spending. Have you thought about how your portfolio/web site looks? HOW you are selling your product? Are you educating your clients on what you offer? Did you discuss before the shoot what they plan to do with their photos so that you are shooting to sell? Are you doing online ordering or in person sales? (studies suggest that people spend double in person vs online ordering). And most importantly, do you believe you are worth what you are charging? Because let me tell you friends, if you don’t believe in yourself, in your product, how can you possibly expect your clients to? So the next time you sit down with your clients for an ordering session, pay attention to what you are saying, your body language, are you confidently selling your product or are you apologizing for the price? Because you ARE worth what you charge and probably more since most Photographers aren’t even charging enough at the end of the day. If you don’t think you’re worth what you are charging, ask yourself why. If it is because your skills aren’t there? Consider stepping back and improving them. Not confident in your work? Get confident because at the end of the day, you if you don’t believe in yourself, can you really expect anyone else to?

Jan 16th

Registration is officially open!

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I am once again thrilled and humbled to being teaching another workshop and hope to see you there, February 25th and 26th at my natural light studio in the lovely Hyde Park in Tampa, Florida. To register click here. Looking for a more technical workshop to advance your shooting skills, use of natural light and posing and Photoshop knowledge? Check out Launch 2 February 11th and 12th. This workshop is filling up quickly but there are still a few seats left!

Jan 15th

And the winner is…..

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Jody Savage!! Congratulations Jody on winning the free seat to Launch workshop February 25th and 26th! I could not be more excited to meet her and all the other lovely attendees! Registration opens tomorrow, we hope to see you there!

Jan 13th

Fifty Two Fridays | Week Two

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This week my son Cade turned nine. How does that happen? It seems like just yesterday he was born and now he is almost a decade old! I am so in love with this kid, he is funny and sweet and constantly reminds me why I love being a mom. For this weeks project I decided it was only fitting to make it all about Cade. I love you buddy.

When you are one of four, alone time with mom and dad is the rare and welcomed so we headed out to Panera (after a quick test ride on his new bike) for his favorite morning indulgence, a Cinnamon crunch bagel. Then, we were off to Target to spend the gift card that was burning a hole in his pocket followed by a walk around the mall to work up an appetite for Cheesecake Factory. We finished the afternoon at Boing, an indoor trampoline fun extravaganza that reminded my husband and I just how old we are. It was a perfect day with two of my all time favorite people.

Jan 9th

Interview | Deb Schwedhelm

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I have had the pleasure of getting to know Deb over the past few months and she is not only an incredibly talented Photographer, but also one of the most kind and genuine people I have ever met. Thank you Deb for sharing with us, you are an inspiration.

Can you describe your style in one word?

I don’t think I can narrow it down to just one word. I’d describe my style as real, honest, raw, evocative (with hints of hope).

What is something that most people would not know about you?

Something many don’t know about me is that I took a semester off of Undergraduate Nursing School to enlist in the Army Reserves. No one could believe it at the time. But I had also applied for and hoped that I would receive an ROTC scholarship.

While at Basic Training, they called me Private Benjamin, which was pretty funny because I did very well and ended up receiving the Leader of Cycle award. I also did end up receiving the ROTC scholarship, but when I returned home, I declined the scholarship. I didn’t realize that the scholarship required me to go Active Duty Army after I graduated nursing school (I thought I could stay in the Reserves). So, for the next few years, I was a Unit Supply Specialist in the Army Reserves (versus an ROTC Nurse Cadet) – until I graduated and decided to sign on as an Active Duty Air Force Nurse.

I know you’ve moved around a lot. Where is the most inspiring place you have lived?

Believe it or not, I think Kansas was the most inspiring. I had started my photography journey in 2006 in San Diego, and I was just so busy (and often overwhelmed) the entire time there. Our next military assignment was a one-year tour in Lansing, Kansas. Since it was only a year, I decided not to worry about launching my business there and instead, just focus on my family. I feel that without all the business pressures, stress, etc., my photography was able to really grow. I had the time and freedom to explore (not to mention all the space, the beautiful fields, all the trees, etc. that Kansas has to offer).

Are you working on any projects right now?

Whether personal or professional, I seem to always be working on photography projects… I hope to continue photographing underwater this summer, for my ‘flooded reverie’ series. I also hope to continue to expand upon my ‘home again’ series.

After receiving Photo A Day album for Christmas, I recently started doing just that – taking and printing a photo a day (although I’ll print them in bulk). Within those 365 photos, I’m also going to be sure that I capture a headshot of each of my kids every month (a project inspired by my dear friend, Leah).

And while not exactly projects, I really long to get into film this year. I don’t know what’s been holding me back but I’m determined to figure it out and overcome it. And last but definitely not least, I’m so super excited to be photographing RIDETZ 2012, for The Foundation for Tomorrow.

How do you balance the demands of your business and personal life?

Balance — always a struggle. I really just try and do my best. And honestly, some days are better than others. My dream balance is to ONLY work (be on the computer, phone or ipad) while my kids are in school. That is what I strive to do in 2012. My kids deserve it and before I know it, they will be grown up and out of the house. Time passes too quickly and they grow up too fast. I really want to be present – fully and completely present – in their lives.

Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?

I have no idea. I just welcome every opportunity (that is a good fit) with open arms. I try to always stay positive and continue to challenge myself and grow. I never want to be stagnant. I also try to NOT get caught up in the competitiveness and overwhelming self-promotion that seems to make up such a large part of this industry. Where I will be in five years, with my photography…only time will tell.

Can you tell us about your trip to Africa this summer with The Foundation for Tomorrow?

My connection with The Foundation for Tomorrow (TFFT) is kind of a surreal story. While on vacation in Nevada, I decided I wanted to change my website design a bit. While doing that, I realized that I wasn’t receiving my contact messages from my website for the past year. One of those contacts was from TFFT’s Director of Communications, Kaitlin, written in October. Kaitlin’s message was inquiring as to if I’d ever be interested in photographing for their foundation, more specifically, for their 400-mile fundraising bike ride in Tanzania.

I was so sad that I had missed her contact. I wrote her back apologizing that I did not receive her message and shared that while I’m sure she’s found a photographer, this type of opportunity is something that I dream to one day do. Within hours, I got a message back that TFFT had not found a photographer yet and if I was still interested, they’d love to have me on board.

There were quite a few emails between Kaitlin and I and lots of discussion with my husband and his Mom (who will come to Tampa to help with my kids, while I am away). But within a short 1-1/2 days, it was official – I was going to Tanzania in June, to photograph TFFT’s RIDETZ 2012 incredible bike ride. I still can’t believe it — an absolute dream come true.

A bit about RIDETZ 2012: There will be 20 bikers, who will complete a 400-mile bike ride from Kilimanjaro to the Indian Ocean (12 stops). I will be in a safari van, photographing along the way. I will stay with the bikers for a while and then proceed to the next village and photograph there. I’m so excited and feel so very blessed to have received this opportunity!!

To view more of Deb’s work and follow her blog (you might just get hooked) visit www.debsphotographs.com

Jan 6th

Fifty Two Fridays | Week One

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Since I became a Photographer, I see the world differently. I see light differently, and somehow EVERYTHING becomes a photo opportunity. But I have to admit that I don’t carry my camera with me every where I go. I have frankly never been that person. Maybe because I take photographs for a living, maybe because the camera is so damn big, maybe because I’m lazy… either way I end up taking thousands of pictures with my iPhone. I LOVE the Hipstamatic and Instagram Apps so I figured maybe it’s time to start doing something with all those photos instead of letting them sit in my phone. In all the years I have been a Photographer, I have never done a 52 week project so I decided this is the perfect way for me to document the year. Who knows, it might just be fun!

This year, in lieu of buying tons of toys and junk that the kids are over in a weeks time, we bought each of the kids one gift and opted for a “staycation” We went to Busch Gardens, bowling, movie nights, had an amazing steak dinner and spend time just being together as a family. Since my oldest son, Brandon turned sixteen the day after Christmas, this year more than ever I realize how fast it’s going. When I was little my mom used to tell us to slow down, to stop growing and now more than ever I know exactly what she meant. It really is going so fast but I am so blessed to have such amazing people to share this ride with…..

Jan 1st

Enter to win CONTEST CLOSED.

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CONTEST CLOSED. Thank you for all of the entries!!

What better way to kick off the new year than with a our seat contest! It’s super easy, simply leave a comment here on this post telling us why you want to win a seat to the workshop and then send an email to stacy@launch-workshop.com with your contact info so we can call you when you win! Seriously, that’s it.

*Workshop details: February 25th and 26th with a meet and greet cocktail party on Friday the 24th. The winner will receive a seat at the workshop, our all inclusive Launch workbook, vendor coupons and catered lunches daily. Contest runs Jan 1st through Jan 15th and the winner will be announced Monday January 16th.

Dec 31st

New Year, New Blog

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Three years ago when I was dreaming up this workshop, one of the things I really wanted to do was actively blog here. Not just announce workshop dates, or run contests but really blog. I have so many ideas for the blog, a notebook full of them that are just SCREAMING to get out! As 2011 comes to a close I can’t help but think about what the new year will bring. So, I have a choice. Go big or go home. Guess which one I chose?

I hope you will join me as I create the blog that I have envisioned all along.

Dec 30th

Launch Workshop February 25th & 26th 2011

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Well, it is time again to announce our next workshop! I have had a lot of inquiries about when the next workshop will be held and we are beyond excited to announce that the next workshop will be held on February 25th and 26th 2012 at Stacy’s natural light studio in the historic Hyde Park in Tampa Florida!

Of course we would never dare open up registration without our FREE SEAT GIVEAWAY, be sure to come back and leave a comment on the blog anytime between January 1st and January 6th for a chance to win a free seat to the Febuary workshop. The winner will be announced on January 7th.

Jul 18th