At the Shoot & Share United 2014 conference in February, Kaitlin Hebert talked about gifting your clients. I've been doing this for a while but just recently though about more branded ways to do it. Edible logo cookies sounded good ! And who doesn't like cookies ?!
The problem is that I don't really cook or bake that much. Cue the BellaDiva Mom ! She is always willing to let me destroy her house with a sewing, cooking or baking project ! My dad walked in half way through the project though and wondered why we weren't messing up the kitchen at MY house ! LOL
I ordered the logo frosting sheets from Edible Printing and got everything else at Michaels, except the ingredients of course !
By the end of the night, I was covered in sticky frosting and baking flour but he cookies looked cute. However, the border didn't dry and got all smushed and I ran out of pink sugar crystals ! So it's back to square one and Batch #2.
Here's a short little video/slideshow of our evening !
So, this week, after coming back from United, and frankly, even last year after the United conference, I've been thinking about my "brand". I feel like I'm just another cookie cutter photographer. Why would someone pick my pretty photos over another photographer's pretty photos ? Especially if mine are more expensive ! The answer is me. They would need to pick me over the other photographer for me. Now, this is a hard concept for someone who's always been insecure, but hides it well. I guess it comes with the territory. When you're doing something creative, sharing of yourself, it's harder. Because what if the world doesn't like it ? This piece of you that you've wrenched out of yourself for all to see and judge ?
So many of the speakers at United seemed to have a similar message. Find out who you are, then market to like minded/dressed/acting people and you'll have your perfect client who'll pay more to spend time with a "friend" on their wedding day than they would a stranger. And bonus, fab pics where you and your hubby look totally relaxed and like you're having a great time, because you are !
So, they say think of 3 words to describe yourself, your brand or whatever. I am having a tough time. Most people would say I'm fun. "Fun" sucks. "Fun" can be so many different things. And "goofy" doesn't seem like a valid reason for a client to choose you over someone else.
Maybe I should take a page from the fab, Kristen Booth's playbook, and go with a phrase rather. She describes her purpose as a photographer, "To make the world believe in happily ever after". She's all about poofy dresses and white horses. I too love a good poofy dress, but I'd say I'm more sequins and black lace, minus the goth. Sometimes I feel like I'm a walking contradiction. I love books, but I'm a movie nerd too. I love classical music, but I'll belt it out with Dave Grohl anyday ! I watch TMZ but also love historical documentaries !
Hrumph ! This introspection thing sucks !
To be continued ...
