Every time I take a trip for work, Pascaline starts a new business!  One time it was a car washing business.  The last few months it’s been a dairy free/gluten free cupcake business. Now she’s researching recipes for organic dog treats.   Most recently, she opened her own Flower Shop at the corner of our street.

We were hoping for the Flower Shop’s first day of business to have good weather, but the rain was letting up.  So on a windy, overcast, dreary day, I looked out my window and saw her setting up a table, chair, sign, cash box and vase of tulips.   The school around the corner was going to be letting out in the next ten minutes.  Her timing was perfect with all the parents who would be driving by.  As I watched her from a distance, I couldn’t help but think that she was experiencing the main essentials of starting your own business.  She may be eleven, but her process was something I identified with.

The Flower Shop idea popped into her head when I told her we were going to the Tulip Festival.  She took her own money so she could buy her own tulips to open up a Flower Shop.  She had it all worked out in her head.  A bunch of ten tulips cost her $10, she was going to sell a single tulip for $2 to make double the money she spent.

Essential #1:  Create a vision that will not only pay for your costs but make you a profit.

Not only could you buy a single tulip, but you could also buy a bunch of flowers with a tulip included.  And if you didn’t want a tulip, you could buy a bunch of flowers for half the price.  (Those didn’t cost her anything since they came from mama’s garden.)

Essential #2: Set Clear Prices and Give Your Clients Options. 

Pascaline and I have had lots of conversations on why three options is a a great offering to customers (what else do you talk about with your eleven year old?! ).  No one wants the lowest package, and we often don’t feel like we can spend money on the most expensive option, but the middle option is a sure thing.

Essential 3:  Be Prepared to be Passed By.

This is the making or breaking point for most new businesses.  I’ve met so many moms who have started a side photography business.  They start the process with tons of excitement, mixed with stress, as they figure out their pricing, their profit margins, what their business cards will look like, etc.  And once everything is set up, they are officially open for business.  Now comes the waiting part.  You can’t escape the waiting part.  And it’s one of the toughest parts.  You’ve got your sign out, you are open for business, and a lot of the people you thought would be your customers are passing you by.  Man, it broke my heart to see Pascaline watch car after car drive by.  She was sure that at least half the cars would stop and buy a tulip.  It was one thing after the first ten cars went by, but after thirty–even forty cars– went by, it was hard not to feel rejected.  Every thing in me wanted to tell her it was okay, and she should come inside where it’s warm.  But I kept my lips sealed because I know first hand that developing a spirit of tenacity, experiencing rejection, putting yourself out there, telling your prices to customers who are interested–only to see them say no, these are all things are part of the process.  The more you experience those things, the less likely you are to quit because you know that this is just part of it.  Growing pains that are unavoidable.

Essential 4:  Find Ways to Entertain Yourself While You Wait

I am so glad I didn’t open my mouth and tempt her to come back in the house because all of a sudden, when I thought she couldn’t handle another car going by, she started singing.

Then she started dancing, rearranging the flowers, singing some more.  She was entertaining herself as she waited for a customer.  And I was jumping up and down inside because she had made it past the toughest part.  She endured all those who said no or drove by without stopping, and she was still finding joy in trying this business out.

In the end, she broke even.  She had three customers in two hours.  Instead of being frustrated that she only had three customers, she ran in the house to tell me all about their conversations, how they liked her sign, how they couldn’t decide on which tulip to buy, how one dad and kids were going to surprise their mom “with MY flower bunch MOM!”…those three customers filled her up.

Whether you are eleven years old and selling flowers or a mom starting a side photography business or a CONFIDENCE Grad applying for our new certification program (last weekend ladies to work on those applications ), a degree of courage is necessary.

Essential 5:  Take Courage

If you can prepare yourself to expect excitement, mixed with stress, as you figure out what your business will be and offer, and then hunker down for all those that pass you by, but come with ideas of how to keep your tank filled and spirit entertained so you don’t close shop to early while you wait for customers…you may find yourself more satisfied than you ever expected because sticking it out…not giving up to soon…is often 90% of the challenge.

But the reward of feeling proud of yourself, making that sell, is so worth it!

xo,

m

(Today’s post is dedicated to my lovely, courageous daughter who inspires me every day.)

p.s.  Fall Planning Underway for CONFIDENCE Workshops!

We normally do four CONFIDENCE Workshops in the Fall, but it looks like we may only have time for two this year.  If we could do one on the West Coast and another on the East Coast, what would your top cities be?

We are back from LA, and it’s time to reconnect with my kiddos.  But here are two of my FAVORITES from this week’s film project.  I shot these after we were done filming and baby was fast asleep on dad’s chest. It was a spontaneous moment with mom and dad unaware at first of my presence since the day’s work was wrapped up and the crew was packing all the equipment.  Sometimes the least expected moments of having your photo taken are the best moments.

When I saw Marian kick up her feet on the couch and lean in to Greg, I saw this moment as a black and white photo with the bright window light, the white couch and especially her black dress–her dress is what grabbed me most.  It almost looks like a painter relaxed his brush when he painted the length of her dress.

Marian, you were a beautiful bride, but you are a stunning mama–your sense of calm, comfort, and mother’s love radiates out of your very being.

I’m so happy for you and love you.

xo,

m

Today I get to blog on behalf of Me Ra who is taking a deserved rest after working so hard yesterday.  She’s got a special project to share with you real soon!  For now, that’s all the details I can share, but I thought you’d enjoy seeing her in action!  I can’t believe we got to work with such an amazing Director, Michael Fiore, who did great work yesterday. I learned so much from being on set yesterday.

This little guy is Neo after a little nap break:  the star of yesterday’s project. He is one of the chunkiest and happiest babies ever! He’s about 7 months old and I think everybody’s best friend. 

Marian and Greg are Neo’s mom and dad. They were so generous for letting us have the run of their place yesterday.

They were also one of our awesome Bride and Grooms!  It’s incredible to see them as new parents and capture this second chapter of their life (with a FILM CREW!).

Whether at a wedding or off-set during filming, I love taking the make-up getting ready shots of Me Ra.

We had such a great time yesterday. We always love these kind of projects.

Me Ra, I’m so proud of you. You did such a great job. (You totally look at home in the baby’s room with the camera crew).

Here is a little shot (that I’m probably going to get in trouble for) of the Executive Producer and Amanda, giving Me Ra dramatic performance-acting lessons.

They also performed an amazing singing and dance routine.

Thank you Susana and Amanda for such a great day yesterday. We’re so excited about this project!  And don’t worry I’ll be practicing so I can join your ensemble next time.

We get to announce this project in the next week.  So stay tuned!

-Brian

I met an elderly woman today on my morning walk.  She was struggling to pull out her recycling bin, so I jumped in to help.  Her hair was a pure white, wispy, a bit messy but still elegant. She was dressed in sweats and slippers.  In two years of doing the exact same route for my morning walk, I had never seen anyone stir in the big house that loomed behind her.  “Do you live here?” I asked.  She sheepishly said “Yes.  It’s just me since my Ernie passed away.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said.  “How long were you both married.”

“Oh!” she said with a chuckle.  Looking at the blue morning sky, leaving me for a moment to a distance memory, she answered “fifty six wonderful years.”

Without thinking, I said “I never thought anyone lived here at all.”

Her shoulders dropped, and she looked behind her at the large house.  Her eyes rested on the run down “For Sale” sign that has been out front for years.  “I think the house hasn’t sold because I’m not ready to let go yet.  Those walls are filled with memories you can’t imagine.  Ernie is with me everyday, even though he’s been gone for several years.”

And then she looked into my eyes, fighting back tears, and said “But I’ve decided most recently that I’m going to choose living again.”  She paused and looked at her slippers.  “No one ever tells you how painful that choice will be when your best friend is gone.  But I need to choose to live, not just exist.”

My immature, young heart sometimes thinks that the need to choose life is only made a handful of times.  This morning I was reminded that we are asked to choose life throughout our whole life.

I took this photo when we visited the Tulip Festival with a macro lens.  I wanted an image that held the story of unfolding–unfolding a mystery, a wonder, an unknown, a clenched fist, a new beginning, a choice.

Existing or living.  Which one do you choose today?

xo,

m

DSLR Settings for those of you who love them: 100 ISO, Aperture was f/4.0, Shutter Speed 1/800th of a second, shot with SONY Macro 100mm Lens

In case you missed my last photo segment with The Nate Berkus Show, here it is!  A few quick, easy photo tips for anyone to use–regardless of how small or big your camera is!

It’s been a complete honor to be Nate’s Go-To Photo Expert for the last two years.  His show is over but the adventure continues!  Nate is on to AMAZING things with a new product line for Target!  And his producers, who are now producers on other shows, have already started getting my calendar availability for this coming year!  One door closes, lots more always open! I owe so much to Nate Berkus for allowing me to incubate, learn, make mistakes, and try again while two million viewers watched!  I love you Nate, and deeply thankful for YOU!  Till the next project! 

I also want to thank all of you who supported every photo segment I did with Nate, setting your DVRs, spreading the word to friends and family, cheering me on–it meant the WORLD…what a ride!  I learned SO MUCH in the last two years of working with his talented staff.  And it’s amazing how ALL of it is has prepared me for this next chapter…but more on that later. 

And one last, very special thank you to Roxie at CanvasRox for shipping us canvases, metals, you name it!–no matter how last minute–so we could show the audience and all of you watching real, gorgeous examples of the magic that happens when we get our photos off the computer and on the wall!  Big hug Roxie!

Thank you all for being such an incredible support, and I’ll keep you posted of new shows I hope to visit this Fall!

xo,

m

We had an incredible, inspiring turn out for our Gatherings Photo Contest.  I’m eagerly awaiting to hear back from the judges on who the winners are so I can call and congratulate them myself!  But while we wait, I’d love your input on the categories for the next photo contest!  The theme is going to be “SUMMER LOVE”.

What type of photos come to mind when you read the words “Summer Love”?  We want to hear from you!  What categories would you love to see for this contest?  I’m thinking a Baby category for sure!  What would you name that category;  Water Baby, Baby Sunshine, Beach Baby…?  Names that inspire ideas but aren’t limiting to just swimming pool or beach shots.  You also can’t talk about summertime without thinking of KIDS.  Got a fun idea for a summer/kid category?

I had to show this photo because it makes me think of summer with the beach, blue waters and swings hanging from a palm tree.  This photo also makes me laugh.  The kids were actually trying to ram into each other which was stressing me out–you can see Blaze trying to keep his toes from getting smooshed–and not really behaving with “summer love” for each other, but it’s what we WANT the story to be sometimes too…right?!  Keep it real ladies!

What other categories should we do?  Maybe a wedding or romance category or a travel/vacation type category (thank you Southwest Airlines!).

You tell us!

Post your ideas for categories and category titles in the comments today!  If we pick your idea, we will send you a little gift to start the “Summer Love” Photo Contest!

xo,

m

p.s.  My first Online Course starts June 6th!  The class is “How to Capture Magical Light”.  I’m so excited!  We’ve never done online classes before, but it seemed like a fun idea for the summer.  For more details, CLICK HERE!

My mom and grandma have never been to the annual Tulip Festival in Skagit County, so I took the day off of work and drove us four generations up to La Connor, WA.  We had an incredible time filled with lots of laughter.  Let me tell you, the conversations that happen between a sassy great grandma (Gigi Ma) and a strong minded, great granddaughter are hilarious and always entertaining.  NEVER a dull moment.  I know these times are a rare treasure, times that Pascaline will remember for years to come.

I come from a line of beautiful mamas.  My mom is by far the most beautiful of all, inside and out.

She has a passion to see people encouraged.  Ever since I can remember, she has been extending a comforting word, a helping hand, to the discouraged heart.  I know my heart for empowering women comes from my mom…and my fighter’s spirit.  Wow, my mom…talk about a fighter’s spirit.  I’ve watched her rally my dad to keep fighting for the last two years since his car accident, even though she herself has been weary with an overloaded plate of caring for her husband while continuing to work.  I don’t know how she does it.  So many endless challenges and obstacles come her way, and somehow she plows forward that much harder.  And in it all, she is quick to laugh.

There is so much I could say about my beautiful mama.  But most of all, I’m deeply thankful for her.  She has made a BIG impression on me in what is worth fighting for in this life–and what is worth ignoring.  Where would I be without her.

Happy Mother’s Day to my incredible mama.  And Happy Mother’s Day to all the other mamas, young and old, grandmas and great grandmas, who continue to share their enduring love without reservation.

What is something your mom has taught you or passed down to you by example?  Or what is something you admire about your mom?

Happy Monday!

m

A couple hundred of you voted for our first Summer Enrichment Online Course to be “How to Capture Magical Light”. We’ve only got 4 Full Registration spots and 6 Shadow spots left! If you know this is for you, CLICK HERE NOW to register!

Magical Light…the kind of light that takes our breath away. How do pro photographers capture this light over and over again? Hold on as we say goodbye to Auto mode and Aperture Priority mode! “Even Aperture Priority mode?” some of you ask. YEP! We are going all Manual to capture magical light. And I PROMISE, shooting in Manual is WAY easier than you would ever guess. I’m going to teach you step by step how I shoot in Manual to get consist, magical lighting. Every time I say this to a CONFIDENCE Workshop, they look back at me with doubt in their eyes. But by 1pm on Day 2 of the workshop, they are shooting in Manual like pros (and giving me big hugs!)! How we learn makes a difference in how well we understand something. For those of you who don’t know, before I was a photographer I got a Masters Degree in teaching. I take teaching, or better yet–empowering and equipping YOU, very seriously. I’m confident that you will walk away with a deeper understanding of capturing magical light that you never expected! I’ve been testing that confidence for five years with our workshops and haven’t lost one yet!

More Nitty Gritty Details, CLICK HERE!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Each course includes;

1. 4 Weeks of Weekly Assignments/Challenges Posted within the Private Thread. PDFs also Emailed. You don’t have to be online at a certain time, so rest assured if you live in different time zones! This online course was designed with YOU in mind!
2. Detailed, Personal Critiques from Me Ra Koh each week
3. A Second Detailed Critiques/Feedback from another Pro Photographer each week
4. Experience of Growing alongside your Classmates. We will host this on a Private Thread in the SOARORITY Forum so you can engage with each other there, as well as ask me questions.
5. Video Tutorials When Applicable

PREREQUISITE

You will need a camera that allows you to manually change the Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO, whether this is a hybrid camera or DSLR.

I strongly urge you to take this class after you have a basic foundation of knowledge for Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.  You can learn more about these three components from our award winning DVD Series; Beyond the Green Box and Refuse to Say Cheese.  If you don’t have a strong foundation, you may feel a bit lost in the assignments.  Our next online course(s) will be in the month of July, and I’m thinking of offering two smaller classes that equal 30 students total but one will be “Beyond the Green Box” and address the basics that are necessary to eventually capture magical light.  The other may be the Wedding 101 class.  If you know you need the basics, I would wait and take that class in July, and maybe we can offer this June course again in August so you have something to build on.  Just thinking. 

THREE WAYS to REGISTER!

Full Course Attendee. $450  (4 Spots Left!)
When you sign up as a Full Course Attendee, you will receive all that is stated above; detailed, personal critiques each week from Me Ra, a second pro photographer’s critique each week, 4 weekly assignments/photo challenges and opportunity to discuss the assignments online within the private thread.

Shadow Course Attendee. $225 (half price to shadow along)  (6 Spots Left!)
When you shadow the course, you will receive the weekly assignments, but you will not receive any critiques or be allowed to participate in the online conversation. It’s just like auditing a class in college. You get to sit in the back, soak it all in, but you can’t participate with the students or speak with the teacher.

Refresh Yourself ($100 off for CONFIDENCE GRADS ONLY)  SOLD OUT!
We love our CONFIDENCE GRADS and want to continue to empower their growing confidence. We will reserve a certain amount of seats in each online course so you can take the class as a refresher with a $100 discount off the Full Course Attendee price ($350 instead of $450). The Shadow Course is the same price.

CLICK HERE to Register!

CLASS SIZE

To give detailed, thorough critiques, I’m limiting the class to 30 students. A certain number of spots were reserved for our CONFIDENCE Grads to take the Refresh, the remaining 20 are now open to Full Registration students.

We also have an additional 20 spots available for those of you who want to shadow along.   There are six of those spots left.  Why shadow?  I’ve had seasons in my life where I wasn’t up to feedback but I wanted to still be part of a group. I needed the freedom to sit in the back and just be a sponge. If sitting in the back of the class, and just soaking in the teaching and conversation sounds like the perfect mix for you this summer, hit the drop down arrow where it says Full Course and choose Shadow Course so the registration price adjusts.

You can CLICK HERE to see the details of the course, and when you turn in your weekly assignments I invite you to add any questions or ask for specific input that you may be looking for. You don’t have to, we are still going to critique it all!

CLASS BEGINS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6th!

Excited to enrich your summer with a deeper understanding on how to capture Magical Light!

xo,
m

p.s. Once your registration has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email. Sometimes it takes a couple days so be on the look out!

For this Mother’s Day, SONY invited me to share some of my favorite photo tips with their mailing list–a HUGE honor!  I wrote these tips in celebration of all the beautiful moms out there who would love a great shot of their kids, and especially one with them in it!  How many of you moms are MIA when it comes to family photos because you are behind the camera?

CLICK HERE to read the photo tips on the SONY blog!

and a BIG THANKS to my beautiful, beautiful clients shown in these tips, who simply SHINE, and allow me to share their photos to inspire others!

xo,

m

Not sure if you heard, but Jules and Joy Bianchi are doing a special Mother’s Day event this week with Creative Live!  You can read all the details here! I’m excited and honored to play a small role in it.

A few weeks ago, Joy reached out to five or six of us that are mamas but also pro photographers.  We were asked to share some thoughts on what we wish we would have known, what we’ve learned along the way, how to balance being a mama and business woman, and more.  I spent a lot of time thinking and praying in regards to what I wanted to share in my video.  During a morning walk, it became crystal clear.  It’s around the issue of dealing with stress.  I’m excited to hear if it resonates with your hearts.

Not only will I be sharing my thoughts on handling stress, but I will also be joining Tamara Lackey, Clickin Moms, Sarah Petty, Totally Rad Actions and MORE in giving away a ton of FUN GOODIES throughout the three days!  Mother’s Day is going to be super sweet this year on Creative Live!

CLICK HERE to find out how to tune in for FREE to this special Mother’s Day event!

xo,

m

p.s.  BIG thank you to Creative Live for not only creating, AWE-mazing workshops for photographers, but also for supporting mamas with cameras so much!  What an awesome, awesome thing!