As we round out 2022, I thought it would be fun to share some of the most asked questions that I have received this year. These range from professional and business-related, to the super juicy and personal. I’m sharing my best tips for wedding photographers and all creatives, and hoping to leave you feeling inspired and motivated for the new year. 

On Quianna Marie Weekly, we’re chatting about business growing pains, finding genuine connections, and celebrating wins of all sizes through the lens of a photographer at heart. Sprinkled throughout stories and interviews with past clients, photographers and other business owners this podcast is designed to help you step into your purpose and to truly create a life you’re proud of, a life worth photographing and sharing.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by The Green House, my resource garden for photographers! Let me help you AMPLIFY your heart online and in real life to turn bridesmaids into future brides through templates, workshops, and freebies!

Review the Show Notes:

How Do I Book More Weddings? (1:26)

How Do I Come Up With Ideas To Post? (2:48)

Which Workshops Or Conferences Should I Attend? (3:56)

What’s The Best Lens For Weddings? (7:42)

How Do You Stay So Positive And Happy? (9:36)

Are You Single? (10:35)

How Do You Protect Your Files And Images? (14:39)

How  Do You Stay Organized With Your Business? (16:47)

Can I Be On Your Podcast? (18:51)

How Do I Increase My Pricing For Photography? (20:40)

Mentioned In This Episode:

The Green House

Connect With Content – FREE CONTENT CHALLENGE 

Shine Online Wedding Photography Content Mastermind 

Amplify Your Weddings Series

Tech Savvy Creative

HoneyBook 

Episode 33: Preparing For Tech Fails with Dawn Richardson

Episode 36: Boosting Pinterest with Jen Vazquez

Episode 37: Creating A Vibe with Kim Baker

Episode 41: Creating Workflows And Systems with Laura Murphy

Episode 46: Creating A More Inclusive And LGBTQ Friendly Business with Ty Wilson

Episode 47: Blogging + SEO with Vanessa Hicks

Review the Transcript:

Welcome back to another episode and I am so happy you’re here as we are rounding up this year, I thought it’d be really fun to share my most asked question. This is going to be a fun q&a With Quianna and these questions have popped up everywhere. I have found these in my DMs, on emails, and of course in passing, whether it be at workshops or conferences, or all those fun things, even in person friends have reached out and asked these questions. And I thought it’d be really fun to sprinkle in some of these questions not in like the most asked order, but just a fun kind of collection of personal, professional and some juicy questions that I have been asked this year.

All right, so let’s dive into these really fun questions. Welcome to Quianna Marie weekly, a podcast for creatives who love to celebrate wins, big or small by dancing in the kitchen photographers who are excited to serve their clients and friends who are ready to chase really, really big dreams. You can find all of the resources mentioned in this episode at quiannamarie.com/podcast. Join me as I share weekly motivation, chat about growing pains, finding genuine connections and celebrating your wins through the lens of a photographer at heart. Come join me for a dance party. Ready? Loves though.

How Do I Book More Weddings?

Number one, how do I book more weddings? Oh, okay, so this is a really juicy one. And I actually have an entire series right here on the podcast because I get this question a lot. And it is actually called amplify your weddings series, we talk about everything with boosting your Pinterest with Jen vos squares. We chat all about blogging and SEO with Vanessa Hicks creating a vibe with Kim Baker. We chat with Ty Z Wilson about creating a more inclusive and LGBTQ friendly business plus, so so many more, I had so much fun with this series. In fact, I’m not gonna lie if you actually check back through recent episodes on the podcast, I kind of like did a roundup of the amplifier wedding series. And then I ended up posting a handful more podcasts and conversations and lessons and interviews with other wedding leaders and you know, professional speakers all about weddings as though this is something I just can’t stop talking about. But yes, please check out that series. There’s tons of information for you and ultimately just adding value to your current business. So you can shine online. This is literally oh my gosh, I can just talk about this for years and years and years.

How Do I Come Up With Ideas To Post?

Number two, how do I come up with ideas to post? Connecting with content is key. I have the perfect challenge for you. I just did it for my very first time live the first week of December and had a blast. Think of this challenge. As a mini training. I go over five different types of content audiences we should be thinking about when it’s time to post this challenge will help you flood ideas that never leave you feeling caption blocked again, I’m all about creating content that shares your adventures, business and fun behind the scenes shenanigans for your audience.

So they feel like they know you, they love you, they trust you and they start begging to work with you. And if you all know me, you know I love going big, and making as big of an impact as possible. And this is why I teach creating content around things that you’re all ready doing. It might feel like I’m creating more work for you for this challenge. But that’s the point, right? With just a little bit of effort upfront to create these posts and short films. Soon your calendar will be fully booked with Dream clients. So yes, my goal is to create more work for you, literally.

Which Workshops or Conferences Should I Attend?

Number three, which workshops or conferences should I attend? Ooh, this is the juicy one. And I get this often, whether they’re asking for specific mentor, or just workshops and conferences. So I just want to break down a little bit like I am a workshop a Holic and I’ve done a lot. My very, very first workshop was with Jasmine star in 2016. And it actually flew down to Newport. It was the first time ever flying down by myself. And I even roomed oh my gosh, with my friend Tracy Jasmine, she’s actually an incredible photographer. And now she’s strategizes in mindset coaching and business growth.

She’s just so incredible. And we met back then. And yeah, so Jasmine star doesn’t even host wedding workshops anymore. If you know her, you know she is the queen of content. And once again, just like I am so passionate about it’s helping your business shine online. And it’s just so fun. I suggest you get online and start searching for the type of people that you feel aligned with. Not the people that you think are going to booking more weddings or the ones that you know make all these promises and all these Excel Raider programs, fine people that have actually done it. And that kind of show receipts on that, right? I feel like there’s this flood right now of online coaching, which I think is beautiful.

I’m not trying to throw shade at it. But just be very cautious with who you are investing your time and money with and the results that they have gotten other people, I see so many coaches and business owners that start their business because they say, Hey, this worked for me. And now I’m teaching it. But those strategies, and those lessons may be outdated, because what brought them to where they are today is not working tomorrow, right? You see what I’m saying? That was just like little tidbit on finding those, those coaches ask tons of questions. Look for referrals.

I’ve even been really sneaky before before I’ve signed up with coaches. And I’ve like gone to their Facebook groups or any place that I can be kind of speaking and like see, other people in that program are in that, that group of coaching and I’ve DM them, I’ve asked for me to hop on a call with them. I’ve asked for their recommendations, I’ve shared my business with them, because one thing I’ve done too, and this is just a little personal key key tip here is the last two years I’ve really focused on finding coaches and mentors that are outside of the wedding industry.

When I first started, I was all about weddings, right? So I had invested in obviously Jasmine star, I have bought oh my gosh, almost everything that Caitlin James has created, Amy and Jordan, I’ve been following closely for years, Justin and Mary Moran’s. I have taken their lake courses as well as a workshop in person. I’ve done it all I’ve done, show it united, which now has kind of rebranded and now they’ve opened up their conference called spark to basically all entrepreneurs that used to be really photography, education heavy. And now they’re opening it up to designers and entrepreneurs and creatives of all different sorts. And I just love that community.

I love my showit community and no matter what type of event they put on, like I just I just love attending. And yes, so now I’m kind of going on a tangent here about workshops and conferences. But I highly suggest that you show up to these things. Even if you’re totally not sure where to start, try looking at local style shoots, especially in the wedding industry. From there you can meet wedding planners and event coordinators and venues that may lead you into a direction to meet other photographers. And then pick their brains, after they’ve invested in asked who their mentors and their coaches are is really important for you to just get out and meet as many people as possible and ask those questions.

What’s The Best Lens For Weddings?

Number four, what’s the best lens for weddings? So I get this question a lot. Honestly, it’s just one lens that I can use an entire wedding day. That is my 50 millimeter it’s my go to. I also always packed my 105 sigma, which that’s what I use for my detail shots and the range shots like all those really close, close, close images. And the reason why kind of going back to that 50 millimeter why I love it so much is out of all of the lenses, the 50 millimeter is most closely to our naked eye. And I want to tell you a little secret about me. This is just the way my brain works.

I think I mentioned before the podcast, but when I first started my wedding photography business, I could not afford these really expensive lenses. Now my aunts have gifted me lenses, they really set me up with a great gear that everything that I’ve ever needed for photography. Thank you auntie Cindy, and Thank you auntie Lindy, but when I was ever questioned about what lens you use for this, or Oh, you’re gonna change your lens or do all that kind of stuff.

This is me being really resourceful and just kind of taking advantage of what I have. And I used to tell people, oh, you know what, I just use that 50 millimeter lens, because it’s the most natural to our own, like Natural Vision. And I tried to have my photography reflect that. Like, that literally was my go to, but the fact was, is I couldn’t afford those other lenses. So, like, I’m not telling you to lie or like make up stories about which is your favorite lens or why you do certain things in your business. But I wanted to share that story to just remind you that like you can totally start with what you have now. And yeah, so the 50 millimeter is my baby and I use it for everything. Even my portraits I I will bring a backup lens of a 50 or 35 just so I have a backup but I literally shoot everything with my 50 millimeter.

How Do You Stay Positive and Happy?

Number five, how do you stay so positive and happy? The short answer is it’s a choice. It takes more energy to be bad and angry than to simply smile. Now for the record. I want to be totally transparent with you. No, I have not always perky and positive but I do wake up happy and excited for my days. I seriously love my life. I know it’s not anywhere near like where I want to be. You know I don’t have my farm house yet.

I don’t have my husband and my Movies and you know my little flock of dogs if that’s even a thing. It’s not there yet. Like, I know that that’s coming though and the days that I’m living now I’m really grateful for. Plus, sometimes I bring this up, but after losing my dad, like, I just am so grateful for every moment we have, and I just don’t want to be angry in you know, life is too short to be pissy and annoyed at all the little things in life like I just prefer to be laughing and joyful, for as much of it as possible.

Are You Single?

Number six, okay, now this is a juicy one that I surprisingly get often, especially when I do those, Ask Me Anything questions on Instagram?

Are you single? So the answer is yes. And no single as in No, I’m not married. But yes, as in I am dating someone new. Now, I have gone on over 25 first dates in the last like year and a half. It’s a dumpster fire out there. Like I am not kidding. In fact, I have tons of content about being single in the wedding industry. how difficult that is photographing the happiest, most joyous moments of my couples lives. And then literally getting the car crying as I go through drive thru thinking, why not me? Like this is just not fair.

How have they found their forever, their love just seems so genuine and true. And why not me, especially during many sessions, oh, gosh, that just used to kill me. And then finally, something just clicked with me. Or I realized, you know what, like, this just isn’t my time yet. And I’m so grateful for the business I do have. So when it is time for me to God willing bring little ones into my world and become a mom, which has been my dream job for as long as I can remember, like I am so much more set up for for being a mom with the timeline and the schedule that I have today that if I would have started my family years ago, it just wouldn’t have worked for me.

I’m here to remind you that, you know, the grass, the grass isn’t always greener, you know, it’s only green where you water it. And I have so many girlfriends that have told like have told me I’m not just making this up or saying this, but they’ve told me how jealous they are of me in my life. And how I get to take a nap whenever I want. Or I could just hop on an airplane and go somewhere when they have their their two little ones at home. And and these are my like my best girlfriends. They’ll tell me this. And I just look at them and smile. And I just kind of whisper when I say yes, I would give anything to how would you have like I would have I would give anything, you know to have a husband that hunts and provides for our family and also little ones that are driving you crazy right now.

You’re living those days that like I wish I could have now too. So it’s just a reminder, this once again is going off topic and these q&a is with Quianna I have so many answers and so many opinions to share with you. But if you are in that season of being single, this is your time to shine. This is your time to soak up those memories and to kind of build as you go.

If you already have started your family now and you’re thinking, oh my gosh, I’m drowning, like I don’t have time for my business like this was so easy for you to say key like because you don’t have all these responsibilities. I just want to remind you that everything, everything happens in divine timing, and you get to be proof for your little ones. And maybe it’s just your dog or your cat you’re building this life for but they get to see you going after your goals and making that happen. And that is a beautiful thing. It all takes time. And I’ve been kind of going off on a tangent instead of sharing about my new boyfriend. But his name is Mike. And of course his name is Mike. My brother’s name is Mike. My best friend’s brother’s name is Mike. And her husband’s Mike.

Like there’s so many Mikes in our family. And when we get together there’s mic number one, mic number two mic number three, your Mike, Mike, Mike and your’e Mike Mike. There’s just so many names for all these guys in my life. It’s crazy. And it’s been fun. So I’m just I’m taking it really slow. If you’ve been following along with Instagram, or my tiktoks.

I’ve been doing some little soft launches. But this poor guy, I’m telling you right now, like he makes me He makes me so happy and we have the best time together. And we have we share really, really big dreams and a lot of our goals are aligned, which is just so awesome. I’ve been praying for that. But I’m not even joking when I say help her help her make his debut on social media. Like if we do get engaged. I just I don’t know, I just I’m that person. Like, it’s just so funny. So anytime I post something and my girlfriend’s and my cousins are like, oh, like he’s getting you know, he’s getting his little Insta story. So yeah, we’re just we’re just having fun and I’m taking it really slow.

How Do You Protect Your Files and Images?

Number seven, how do you protect your files and images? So let’s get back to business here in episode number 33. I’m chatting with Don Richardson all about preparing for tech fails, because ultimately it’s not about just protecting them to keep them safe. But preparing for those fails because they will happen. It’s inevitable. Technology is such a blessing but it can also be a curse and turn our days into the worst days of our lives. So if we’re not proactive about the email archiving and protecting our files, so in that episode, we break down the best gear to use the best strategies and workflows and systems.

I don’t know why but I have this feeling I need to tell you right this second before I move on. One key tip that I have for this is to make sure that you are not formatting which is just deleting any gallery, any photoshoot, any wedding off of those memory cards, until you know they have physically been delivered, whether you are delivering them through pixie set or cloud spot or pass, I know there’s a handful of photo to delivery programs out there are websites, make sure that those are not only on that website as well, but backup to the cloud backed up backed up backed up.

And and then you can delete them. Even if you have to go through let’s say something got edited and harddrive got washed out or totally wiped away. I mean, you still have even if it’s a pain in the butt, that you have to go through and edit them again, you still have the Ross, right. So make sure you’re keeping your images safe, that will protect you and your clients forever. And this is your business, like your reputation is on the line. And we want to make sure that you’re protected. So make sure you go back to episode number 33. And listen to that chat with my bestie dawn. She’s incredible. She also has a beautiful prose. She has like tons of programs and really fun stuff called tech savvy, creative. Make sure to check that out. Because you know, she leads you through detoxing your workspaces. And you know, all the fun stuff about files and photo management. It’s huge. This is something that you absolutely need to be aware of now before it’s too late.

How Do You Stay Organized With Your Business?

Number eight, how do you stay organized with your business? Well, the short answer is HoneyBook is life. HoneyBook is my CRM, which is my client relationship manager. I think that’s what CRM stands for. But basically, it’s where I house everything, my invoices, my contracts, all of my emails to my clients, all the banking and payment information. This is huge. This took my business. Gosh, from just being a hobbyist and just enjoying my, you know, my business and like just shooting people for fun to creating a professional website and professional business that it’s just, it was just amazing, like the ability to simply take credit cards, and to have a follow up email and workflows and systems is huge. Which reminds me to number 41 Episode number 41.

I’m chatting with Laura Murphy, all about creating workflows and systems and she is a gem she literally can help you develop an entire workflow from the initial inquiry email to the thank you like your album has been delivered asking for reviews, like every touchpoint you can possibly imagine, this is her wheelhouse. And it really does take so much time and energy out of your business that she literally says one of her taglines is having HoneyBook become your admin or something like that, right? Like she can take a 40 hour workweek and turn it into a 10 hour workweek or some crazy number like that.

But it’s true, because I want you to think about all the tiny, mundane tasks that you do, whether it’s responding to emails, or prepping thank you gifts, or all that kind of stuff that can just be so streamlined, where you’re just popping into HoneyBook and checking off those tasks. And it’s all done for you. And you’re keeping track of your clients. So they don’t fall through the cracks. This this is what it’s all about. Right? You know, I know, I get tons of questions about adding value and increasing pricing, which we’ll go into in a minute. But that right there is so huge. So be on top of your workflows and be on top of your clients by creating those workflows and systems.

Can I Be On Your Podcast?

Number nine, can I be on your podcast? I get this question a lot. And I just want to say yes, yes, babe, we need you. I am currently working on a wedding hall right now with an emphasis on sharing about my photography, education, and just providing tons of resources and directing people to my online shop, which of course is specifically for wedding photographers and just photographers in general right now. However, I have big, really big goals for fun series talking about my dirt road to venue adventures, sharing everyone that I have connected with, that’s helping that dream come true.

As well as future Small Business Saturday conversations, introducing you to as many entrepreneurs as possible to spark ideas and build community around small businesses. This is going to be so fun. I know personally, like when I was in high school, I had no idea what type of business opportunities there really were out there. Like, I literally thought that you could just be a mom, you could be a teacher, maybe a fireman or a police officer like anything in that community realm.

Obviously being a doctor or a lawyer like I literally felt or maybe a mailman like I thought those are my only options. And then as I’ve built this business and as I’ve not met so many interns Little entrepreneurs along the way. I quickly realized that you literally can do anything, you could do anything and turn it, like to monetize it and make money. So I cannot wait to have that really fun series coming up soon. So if that interests you, or maybe that makes you feel like Oh, heck yes, I have a conversation I’d like to share about that. Please reach out you can check out Quiannamarie.com/podcast. And at the bottom, I have a little application process for you send me an email. Let’s pitch those pitch into me, baby.

I want to hear all about you and your business. And your adventures.

How Do I Increase My Pricing For Photography?

Number 10. I’m saving as juicy one for last. How do I increase my pricing for photography? Oh, baby, I get this question all the time. And sometimes I think we get carried away with increasing pricing, when we should be increasing our value. First, I encourage you to list out all the attributes and vibes have your dream couples, and then look in the mirror and ask if you carry those characteristics too. I know that sounds silly and maybe even a little condescending. And I’m so sorry. But it’s true. Sometimes we push out what we want instead of becoming what we need.

First. This first step to increase in your pricing is to share a perceived value through your work. We need to be creating tack sharp images and understanding our settings and the ability to troubleshoot every lighting situation possible. Once you understand that tech, it’s important to polish your attitude personality and shooting style. Words of mouth and referrals will help you build your brand and credibility.

Making Friends with vendors showcasing their work and creating referral groups will also help increase your value. Then once you’re walking, you’re in person experiences blowing away your wedding parties just like creating this wow experience for wedding guests to see in person and to witness. The next step is to take that online and blast your work like confetti. When others see that you’re busy investing in your education, working often and creating content that connects you will be able to slowly but consistently raise your prices.

I go into a ton of this stuff on the like, you know through the greenhouse in the shop. And I just this is what like this is what oozes out of me is how do you increase your value not just in the like income that you’re bringing in but value to your daily life value to your business?

How are you adding value to your family and and I hate to break it to you sister like I don’t say Hate to break it to you. But adding value to your family is adding more of you. Like that’s what that’s what this is all about. Right? Like how can we add more of you into your weddings into your business and into your kitchen and homes where you are raising the next generation? Or maybe just a cute puppy? Like we want to add value to your life. I hope you found this episode helpful and fun with relatable personal and professional questions.

This is a series I’ll be picking up and answering on my YouTube channel and short films for tiktoks and reels next year and would love to showcase you. There’s no such thing as silly questions and I’m always here to help. I can’t wait for my first ever mastermind to kick off this year and I hope you’ll join the party. Starting January 9 I’ll be kicking off a three month mastermind to help generate a ton of content ideas for your business together will identify your content vibe, aka the types of content you love to make and the kinds you despise. All to help you shine online. This mastermind will pinpoint content ideas to create before the wedding during the wedding. And after the wedding.

Lets create magnetic content for your dream clients. Head over to the show notes to learn more. This will be a Kickstarter mastermind with the lowest price point ever. Right out the gate and I hope you’ll join us the biggest lie photographers tell themselves is that their dream clients are viewing their content are coming across our business online or in person and choosing not to book them. That’s a lie. Our dream clients just don’t know we exist yet. Let’s show up and slow some scrolls.

Stick around for future podcasts and tons of education to help you shine online. I’m always cheering for you, babe. Keep on dancing. That’s a wrap on another episode of Quianna Marie weekly. Thank you so much for your listenership and support. You can find the resources and show notes for this episode and more at quiannamarie.com/podcast. I’d be honored if you show your support by leaving a review and rating on your favorite podcast app. Until next time, keep on dancing.