Earlier this year, at WPPI in Vegas, Showit held an event called Showit United. For those of you who are wondering who Showit is, they are my website company. But they are more than a website company. They are marketing geniuses! Showit provides me with all the tools I need to be able to market my business in the non-traditional format which is through social media. Anyway… during Showit United in Vegas I was asked to speak on a panel next to Zach and Jody Gray and Trevor Dayley about How To Create New Clients.

I’m pretty sure that the reason I was asked to speak is because I had clear and honest results with my marketing after switching to Showit, yet I was still new enough in the business that Showit could have various levels photographers on the panel. It was an honor to speak on the panel, and I am happy to say that my marketing is still going strong. I absolutely LOVE marketing my business on Facebook instead of having to pay out thousands of dollars for print ads. And I will never ever leave Showit. DUDE! David Jay knows what he is doing!

But somewhere along the way something happened. I got sucked in! Facebook began to consume my business AND my life. And it wasn’t until I was sitting on that panel that I realized that. During my first year of focusing on Facebook marketing, I had gone from booking six weddings the year before, to booking 16 weddings. Ninety percent of those brides found me on Facebook. I think I began to take Facebook for granted at that point. I constantly lived on Facebook instead of living my life. And here is what happened after that:

I spent hours on Facebook communicating with and learning from other photographers within a few Facebook groups. And while I will never trade the relationships that I was able to build with those photographers for anything in the world, their business advice was useless to me because I stopped getting bridal inquiries. I wasn’t able to implement any of their suggestions because all of a sudden brides were not reaching out to me. I finally figured out why! I was spending WAY too much time talking to other photographers instead of living life! When I stopped living life, I stopped interacting with people in real life. I stopped having anything to blog about. I stopped paying attention to how I could create new clients and instead tried to focus on what to do after I had them. I suddenly found myself with only six weddings the very year after I had booked eighteen!

This is all new to me. I am slowly climbing this mountain and figuring things out as I go. So here is what I have learned:

It is important to build relationships and network with other photographers. But it is also important to live your own life and find a balance between it all. I think that I took everything for granted and assumed that I HAD ARRIVED when I  booked eighteen weddings. I ASSUMED that everything else would fall into place just like it had so far. But here’s the thing! Spending all that amount of time inside of Facebook groups will not bring me clients. Getting outside and living life is what will bring me new clients.

I’m sure that many of my photography friends inside of the Facebook groups have wondered why I disappeared. After returning home from WPPI and Showit United in February, I pretty much stopped going into groups. I cut them all out completely for several weeks. Now that some time has passed, I do try to pop in every now and then and say hello. I do still try to keep in touch with people who have impacted me the most. But for the most part, I only open up Facebook a few times a day. I will pop into groups and comment on one or two things. I will update my status a few times a day. I will share recent work a few times a day. And I will reach out to current clients a few times a day. But other than that, I am away from Facebook… living my life and enjoying my family! I am focusing on building relationships with people who I actually speak to in person or at the very least… on the phone! And guess what? My numbers are rising again.

Facebook is a very powerful marketing tool. And together with Showit, I feel like I could conquer the world… or at least world peace or something major like that. But in hind site, I realize that I dropped the ball. I stopped focusing on what was really important and instead convinced my children that my job was to talk shop on Facebook all day long. Like I said, I am learning this all as I go. And since I like to be real, I am laying it all out there. I am sharing this with the world because it is a lesson I learned the hard way.

Relationships that are truly meant to be nurtured, should not be nurtured on Facebook. Pick up the phone. Go have lunch with a friend! Let the people you care about KNOW that you care about them. The rest will come naturally.

I absolutely love Christian weddings! Yesterday I had the privilege to photograph the wedding of Melissa Davis and Bubba Warren at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tn. Melissa and Bubba met each other during high school at New Vision while volunteering for the Winshape day camp at church. But it wasn’t until their Baltimore high school mission trip that they really realized that they were interested in dating. Fast forward several years later, and you find Bubba down on one knee on the stage of New Vision Baptist church proposing to Melissa before God and everybody!

Their relationship revolved around God, children, ministry, and missions from the very beginning. Melissa and Bubba took a purity vow years ago, and yesterday they exchanged their purity rings for their wedding rings. I’m telling you internet… I’m already starting to tear up again.

Melissa and Bubba incorporated some of the cutest wedding details I’ve ever seen. They wanted something different than what they had seen before, but they also wanted something that oozed their personalities. So they opted for a county fair themed reception that included lots of vintage details including a popcorn machine, old Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper crates,  and tickets. Super super cute!

I can’t say enough about this groom’s cake. Let’s talk about the design, shall we? That cowboy hat is a REAL PIECE OF CAKE! It is completely edible. I love all the details including the fondant western rope. And the flavor was to die for! Yes internet… I ate a piece of cake. The salted caramel icing almost pushed me over the edge.

Melissa and Bubba decided on having a first look before their ceremony. They wanted to have that special moment just for the two of them. They had taken all they could take of being apart from one another. It was a day filled with excitement and anticipation! Their first look could not have been more beautiful which included lots of hugging, tears, and a few kisses!

After their first look it was time to grab bridal portraits. I think I should mention here that this is seriously the cutest bride and groom I’ve ever seen. Okay so I say that about all of my clients, but seriously… look at all this cuteness! I love the way he looks at her! And I love the way she melts when he does.

This bridal party was so much fun, and full of life long friends! The bridesmaid dresses were adorable, and just look at those groomsmen. OW OW!

Melissa made the most beautiful bride!

Just before the ceremony, all of the girls laid their hands on Melissa and began praying. Each and every single one of them said a prayer, and this, my dear internet friends, is where I am beginning to cry again. I seriously fall in love with my couples, and when things get this personal I feel it right there with them.

The first dance was so sweet. I love the way they look at each other and the way she smiles!

I have never cried as much as I did during this wedding during a father-daughter dance as I did during this one. The father of the bride did all that he could to hold back his emotions, and the Melissa did end up crying. It was very sweet.

The mother of the groom was such a proud mother! She was so full of pride, and happy for her son. And you could tell by their interactions all day that they have a very close relationship.

If you would like to see more images from this wedding, you can go to Melissa and Bubba’s website that I created for them. It includes their engagement pictures, and a sneak peek folder of their wedding images. Their complete wedding will be added to their website after they are complete. Until then, be sure to visit their site and leave them a comment! You can visit their website at: http://melissa-bubba.wendy-cunningham.com
Congratulations Melissa and Bubba!

CREDITS:

Allure Bridal Gown from: A Special Touch in Murfreesboro Tn

Tuxedos from Street Tuxedos in Murfreesboro Tn

Wedding Designer: Michelle Sweatt

Flowers: DIY

Reception Catered by: Alex Belew at New Vision Baptist Church

Murfreesboro Wedding DJ: DJ.T.RAV Travis Olmstead

Wedding Cake by: Jo’s Custom Cakes

Groom’s Cake by: Amie Miles of Trilly Belle’s Tea Parties

Hair and Makeup by Vanessa Haley at: Sarah’s Place Salon

Officiant: Michael Murray

Venue: New Vision Baptist Church

Videographer: Sarah Bizzoco

Ceremony Song performed by: Russ Lee and his daughter Addy

Murfreesboro Wedding Photographer: Wendy Cunningham
Smyrna, TN 37167
615-418-0689

I am a photographer in Murfreesboro TN, and I have to admit that when Miranda contacted me about shooting a session for her, her beautiful two year old daughter, and her mother… I may have squealed with excitement! Three generations of GORGEOUS girls… a mothers’ day gift to each other. As a mother myself, and having lost my own mother when I was a little girl, I knew this was the sort of photos I could only DREAM of having for myself! So I was super excited about shooting these pictures for Miranda!

Miranda,

Thank you so much for reaching out to me to capture these special memories! It was such a pleasure meeting you and your family.

xoxoxo

Wendy

To see this GORGEOUS gallery on their very own custom client gallery, click here!

Photography by Wendy Cunningham
Smyrna, TN 37167

615-418-0689

Murfreesboro and Smyrna Seniors listen up! More and more Seniors are looking for a more modern approach to their senior portraits. When you shoot with me, you get to be yourself. Your senior portraits should show how fabulous you really are… not just show how good you can look in front of an old pickup truck or sitting on a rope swing. There is nothing unique about showing up to the same boring studio and sitting in the same boring poses that your entire Senior class has experienced. It is time for you to shine! This is your SENIOR YEAR!

I have several different packages to fit every budget and style! Packages start at $250 and every Senior will receive their very own custom Senior Site that will feature all of your senior portraits and graduation ceremony details so that all of your friends and family can find everything they need in one online location! Your custom Senior site will also be fully integrated with Facebook, making it super easy to share your images on Facebook with a simple click of the mouse!

CLASS OF 2013… ARE YOU READY?!

Book your session before June, and you will receive $50 off of your package!

Check out my Murfreesboro Senior Portrait site for more info!

http://seniors.wendy-cunningham.com

Murfreesboro Smyrna Senior Portraits
Smyrna, TN 37167

I am a photographer in Murfreesboro, and this is one portrait session I have been giddy about. Focusing on weddings for so long, I decided to open myself back up into portraits within the Middle Tennessee area. Abby and Haleigh were the first in line, and this vintage tea party inspired session could not have turned out more perfect.

Abby and Haleigh… thank you so much for being so amazing today during our photo session! I hope that you will give me the opportunity to continue photographing your family as it continues to grow. Enjoy your sneak peek!

I absolutely love being a wedding photographer here in Tennessee and all over the country. And for a while now weddings have been my only focus. But I am finding that more and more people are requesting portrait sessions with me, and quite frankly… I have been turning them down. However I recently had the pleasure of shooting an amazing senior portrait session for my niece, and I even styled a portrait session for my own girls. I have discovered that I truly LOVE shooting portrait sessions, especially when I am given the freedom to get creative with style.

So in order to prepare for the launch of an exciting senior portrait photography and styled portrait photography line, I have begun a few changes to my brand. It seems like the look to my website changes quite a bit, but that is because I am constantly feeling the need to be creative… bitten by the creative bug I guess. Anyway… I wanted to share the change with you, and I also wanted to tell you to be on the lookout for the launch of the senior portrait line and styled portrait sites as well. I can’t wait to get it all finished, and show you where this is all heading.

Be sure to click on the photo below to see my new website! It has lots of yumminess. And I would LOVE IT if you would click on “Comment” while you are there and leave me some love. One random commenter will be receiving a $15 Starbucks card! Will it be you?

WISH ME LUCK!

One of the things that I love most about being a wedding photographer is seeing how brides and grooms choose to incorporate details into their wedding that are meaningful. I love it when a couple will go that extra mile to make a huge impact on sentiment. One of the things I pride myself on as a wedding photographer is that I capture emotion, and do what I need to do to make the experience with me on a wedding day as special as possible for both the couple AND their family. So when I ran across these cuff links on Etsy, I naturally envisioned a bride giving these to her daddy on her wedding day to remind him that even though she is getting married, she will always be his little girl!

Be sure to check out Klidonas Photo Jewelry on Etsy! There is actually a ton of photo jewelry that would be perfect for weddings. Adding sentimental details to your wedding day helps to create a sentimental experience for everyone!

Be sure to visit my website: Nashville Wedding Photographers Wendy Cunningham

Wendy Cunningham
Nashville, TN

It seems like many of my most recent blog posts have been about my youngest daughter. But that is because around the Cunningham household, we get more than just a dinky little birthday. We get a BIRTH WEEK! So this entire past week has been all about Peyton around here… why? Because today is her 5th birthday! So I promise to get back on track with a few less personal posts, but for now… I want to take an opportunity to show you some of the CUTEST images of Peyton with her puppies. And when I say puppies… I actually mean 130 pound Great Danes! TWO OF THEM! Yes internet… it costs me more to feed my animals than it does my daughter. But that is just the way we roll.

Several weeks ago, Chelsey Somohano and Evan Hurst came out to the house and photographed Peyton and the Danes. It turned into a fabulously fun day of shooting, and getting wet! Peyton crawled in the bathtub with Kira and bubbles and water went everywhere… but I didn’t care! It is memories like this that I never want to forget! EVER! And I am so thankful for Chelsey and Evan of Hurst Photography and Fetch Nashville for coming out and shooting these. I expected something totally different than what they produced, and I could not be more thrilled with the results. It takes a special kind of person to be able to just go with the flow and turn it into artful memories! They are GREAT photographers!

Thank you Chelsey and Evan for giving me these memories. I can’t believe she is five years old today. I’m pretty sure that my blog audience (all ten people) can tell that this week is an emotional, my baby is growing up, kind of week!

Photos By Chelsey and Evan Somohano

A Letter For Peyton:

When I look into your eyes I am reminded of my childhood… my own mother and how much I felt loved by her! I have always promised myself that I would never allow one single day to go by where you may have felt unloved or scared. There is nothing more important to me than for you to know how much you are loved. You literally saved my life when you were born. I thank God for you every single day, and I am so blessed to have you as my daughter. There are no words that can describe how you make me feel, or what you have done for my soul!

Today you are five years old… a big girl! But you will always be my baby girl. I write you this letter here on my blog because I never want to forget your smile, your tears, your laughter, your innocence, and your magic! I love you so much, and I am looking forward to all of the new adventures, dancing in the living room, singing into the bathroom mirror, dance classes, and gymnastics that your fifth year will bring. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEYTON!

I LOVE YOU!

As a wedding photographer, I am always seeking inspiration from many sources. And my latest obsession is Etsy. I absolutely love to see what people are making and offering to sell to brides. And naturally my mouth starts watering when I run across details that I wish I could photograph. So in an attempt to blog more often and to offer some interesting content OTHER than my sessions, I will begin sharing some of my Etsy finds! Etsy seems to be a great place to find custom and unique details for your wedding. DETAILS! I absolutely love wedding details. LOTS OF THEM!

This week’s Etsy find comes from Butterfly Above, a wedding and home boutique. Everyone knows that I love love love vintage wedding details, and when a bride includes burlap into those details I get tinglies! So when I found these super cute burlap banners, I envisioned them being used everywhere! How cute would it be to have one of these burlap banners at every single station? Use one at your candy bar, dessert bar, signature drink station, gift table, on the head table, etc. I love it! And priced at only $25 each, it is so affordable!

I think I am going to order one to use in an engagement session that I have coming up. This will look super cute hanging in a tree in a picnic themed engagement session. The one that says LOVE really makes me SWOON!