Who Is Zack Arias?

Zack Arias is a portrait photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia. A little over ten years ago, he began offering off-camera lighting workshops around the US that he called OneLight Workshops. Hundreds of photographers now know not to fear off-camera flashes, but embrace them because of Zack. I am one of them.

I was at Zack's Boston and New York workshops and let me tell you that he does not hold back on anything. He approaches his teaching with just as much humility and grace as he does his photography projects and commissions. The truth is he doesn't have to teach, but he wants to.

He is incredibly generous with his time during the workshops, and I remember him starting early and ending late at night. Every time, Zack patiently answered questions and demonstrated solutions to participants, even if it was for the third or fourth time.

At some point, Zack invited people to send him questions and a collection of his responses became the basis of his book, Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers.

Zack At Silk Inspire

I was thrilled to hear that Zack will be presenting his OneLight workshop at Silk Inspire, in Goa, India.

You may have watched Zack on CreativeLive, or seen his videos in Marrakech or Mumbai.

While gear is important for Zack, I remember the super simple setup he introduced me to during his OneLight workshop. Still he is always ready to be challenged, like this “cheap camera challenge” or the shootouts at Gulf Photo Plus.

If you have registered for this incredible photography festival, you already know what to expect (but there are some surprises for you too). We are just days away from opening day!

Interviewing Zack Arias

I sat down with Zack to find out what his plans were for Silk Inspire, and so here is that quick interview with him:

A Sample Portfolio

Zack's work is diverse and in between commissioned work, he self-assigns personal projects to stretch his creative muscles. Can you tell which ones are for his clients and which ones are for him?

Register Now For Silk Inspire 2017

You are going to meet and learn from world-class photographers like Zack Arias, at Silk Inspire. There is no better opportunity than right now to register for the event that runs from October 6th through October 10th, in Goa, India.

If you have made it all the way down here to this post, that's awesome.

But let me sweeten things for you. I have a few cool giveaways for those who register for Silk Inspire today. Once you do, email me your receipt (with today's date showing) and you will be qualified for a few cool things I am bringing with me. What are they?

Well, let's just say you could win one of six Black Rapid camera straps, one of three ShootProof annual accounts or one brand new LowePro camera backpack (valued at $350). Email your receipt to me here – seshu at tiffinbox dot org. First ones to email me win. That's the only way to keep this fair and you must be present at the event, to receive the prize in person. Good luck!

Speakers At Silk Inspire

Please watch the interviews with other Silk Inspire speakers: Arjun Kartha, Jen Huang and Brian Callaway. Plus, there are other incredible panelists!!

Fine Art Wedding & Portrait Photography

California-based fine art wedding and portrait photographer, Jen Huang, is set to speak at Silk Inspire 2017.

Jen's work has been published in numerous bridal publications, including Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country Weddings, Brides Magazine, Style Me Pretty, Martha Stewart, The Boston Globe and New York Magazine. 

Jen's fine art wedding and portrait photography is often described as being painterly. Her evocative images are created using medium format film cameras. The simple but elegant compositions you see below are her signature style that makes her one of the top wedding photographers in the world.

Be sure to follow Jen through her blog or her Facebook page.

Interview With Jen Huang

In advance of Jen's presentation at Silk Inspire 2017, in Goa, India, from October 6th through October 10th, I sat down with her to talk about her unique approach to wedding and portrait photography. Give this a listen now:

Be sure to check out Jen's interview on the Silk Inspire blog as well!

A Mini Portfolio

Register For Silk Inspire 2017

If you haven't watched the first interview in this series, with Delhi-based photographer Arjun Kartha, please do so.

Secondly, you should consider registering for SILK INSPIRE 2017, India's first wedding photography festival.

Can we all just agree that moving is the absolute worst? It only takes one or two rounds of packing, unpacking, and starting all over again in a new area to understand how difficult it can be! As a matter of fact, research indicates that “moving is more stressful than a relationship breakdown, divorce, or even a new job.” That is HUGE!

If you're a small business owner who has moved or is getting ready to do so, you're probably feeling the effects of stress and anxiety ten times over. When your local network and reputation is everything, the idea of relocating your wedding photography business can be downright scary! But what if I told you that this doesn’t have to be the case?

Meet Emily Chappell – Dallas Wedding Photographer

My name is Emily Chappell, and I am a Dallas wedding photographer who has been capturing weddings for four wonderful years. I average 20-25 weddings each year and have shot domestically and internationally. In 2015, my family and I were living in South Carolina where I started and successfully grew my business. Due to some significant changes happening in our lives, we agreed that it was time to move back to Texas where both of our families lived. On top of the stress of moving, I was also pregnant with our son, Lincoln – talk about crazy! After our move, I finished out the remaining weddings I had in South Carolina and got very familiar with the Dallas and Atlanta airports. In February 2016, our baby boy arrived and I took a two-month maternity leave. That same year, I shot five weddings in Texas. This year will be my most successful yet with 25-30 weddings, and I am continuing to receive inquiries for 2017-2018.  

If you're a wedding photographer facing the potential of an upcoming move, be it out of state or just a couple of zip codes away, I get it. I understand. I’ve been there, too. But for now, take a deep breath and try your best to calm those nerves! Moving your business might seem daunting, but it is possible and may actually prove to be profitable in the long run. Today, I am going to show you how to successfully relocate your wedding photography business!

Update All Marketing to Reflect Your New Area

The first step you need to take is to update your online marketing. Obviously, your website copy will need to reflect your new target market area. You'll also want to update your Google Business listing, Facebook, and other social media and advertising platforms to show that you're a wedding photographer in whichever city to which you've moved.

Refine your SEO and Online Presence

This is a whole topic unto itself, but SEO will be your best friend as you begin shifting gears into your new market. If you don't know anything about current SEO trends, begin learning as much as you possibly can. Work on your on-page SEO by optimizing your page titles and image tags. And of course, start blogging with relevant content about your move to your new location. You might not have sessions or weddings in your new city, but you can certainly share your personal experiences as you move! What a great opportunity to connect with your readers on a relatable level! 

When it comes to off-page SEO, I highly recommend hiring someone reputable to optimize your local citations to match your new city. There are hundreds of places online that list your business, and you don't want to leave these untouched. These listings all need to reflect your new market, as well.  

One of your biggest allies will be all of the reviews you've collected while in business! I'm talking about Wedding Wire, The Knot, Google Business – all of these and more. These carry with you no matter where you go! If you haven't reached out to past couples to ask for reviews, do so NOW. Don't be afraid! Let them know that you are relocating and that their reviews are a huge part of the success of your business in your new area.

Join Local Wedding Photographer and Wedding Industry Groups

When we were in the early stages of moving, one of the first things I did was join a few local Dallas photography and wedding industry Facebook groups. This played a vital role in my success as a Dallas wedding photographer. Making a point to get connected allows you to get to know other photographers and vendors, and learn “who's who” in your new market. This also gives you the opportunity to learn what the wedding market is like before you dive in. And on a personal note, many wedding industry communities host meet ups, which help to build a sense of community so that you won't feel quite as lonely! 

One disclaimer – don't feel discouraged if you are denied access to local groups before you actually move. Oftentimes, admins and moderators won't yet approve your request as a measure to maintain the integrity of a local industry group. This is normal, so just try to be patient.

Research and Study The Wedding Market

Moving from South Carolina to Texas, I noticed that the wedding photography market was vastly different, but I let that inform me rather than simply discourage me. Be prepared that your target demographic in your new city may look different than that in your former city. Geographic changes reflect different styles and trends, and while you will want to stay true to your artistic style, you will need to understand what consumers are buying in your new market.  

With this in mind, start learning about the top photographers in your new city. Study what they are doing and discover what makes them successful, but use that knowledge as a tool to decide how you can then stand out on your own.   

Second Shoot for Other Wedding Photographers

For a couple of reasons, I spent a lot of time second shooting during my first year in Texas. For one, we definitely needed the money, but even more importantly I wanted to connect with the most popular and successful photographers in Dallas. I knew that I could learn so much by working for and observing well-respected Dallas wedding photographers and took any opportunity I could to second shoot for them.  

The great thing about second shooting is that you're able to pick up some new tricks and techniques through observation, but you also have the opportunity to impress that more established photographer by giving them your all. This gives you the potential to earn their trust, friendship, and possibly their referrals for dates they might be booked!

If you are cleared to do so, you can also blog the images you take from weddings you second shoot. Make absolutely sure that the lead photographer is okay with this, as you definitely don't want to burn any bridges.

Network With Local Wedding Industry Vendors

A great way to start getting your name out there is to begin following local industry vendors. Connect with venues, florists, bakers, dress shops, and planners. Comment on their Instagram feeds, blog posts, Facebook business page updates, etc. – but make sure your comments are natural and organic. No one likes spammy comments that have nothing to do with the content!

Find and attend local industry mixers such as grand openings and open houses. You can usually find these through Facebook groups and business pages. Also, don't be afraid to hit the concrete and introduce yourself to other businesses such as venues, bakeries, and dress shops! 

Strategize “Out Of The Box” Marketing Solutions

Your most successful business plans might be the craziest, most creative ideas! Come up with fresh and unique ways to connect with your community and market yourself to potential couples. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Contact local planners and offer to do complimentary headshots. Planners will love that you are contacting them from a perspective of what you can do for them rather than the other way around! In addition to serving them and initiating a relationship, you could also blog about the headshot session and ask if you could interview  that planner for your blog!

• Organize a styled wedding shoot. I actually prefer to call these “networking shoots”! Styled shoots are a great way to connect with local vendors while adding to your portfolio. You can also submit the final shoot to wedding blogs so that everyone benefits from SEO building!

• Host a giveaway. In each market I've worked in, I hosted a giveaway as a marketing strategy. In South Carolina, I gave away two engagement sessions. In Texas, I pulled out all the stops and gave away an entire wedding package. In both instances, I was able to attract buzz around my business and booked five or more weddings as a result. The key to making this work is to create entry guidelines, promote as much as possible, and establish a way to collect names and emails so that you can follow up with those who enter. I can't stress the last part enough – following up is absolutely crucial!

Become an expert at creative marketing strategies that no one else is attempting. This way, you'll set yourself apart from other wedding photographers in your area in no time!

Take It Easy On Yourself

It can be easy to look at the move ahead and become frozen and overwhelmed with fear. However, I want to encourage you to try your best to shift your perspective and look at your relocation as an opportunity to start fresh. Challenge yourself to try new marketing strategies, or maybe even consider a rebrand. Lastly, and most importantly, give yourself grace as well as the room to make mistakes. Don't beat yourself up if it takes longer to build your business than you originally expected. This could be the perfect opportunity to take a break in the midst of the stress that comes with moving.

So, deep breath. Slow down. You're going to be okay, and you're going to rock it as your city's newest wedding photographer!

Conference Season Is Upon Us

It's photography conference season, if you haven't noticed. Imaging USA, produced by PPA is on right now. WPPI‘s annual meeting and expo has apparently moved to a new space and will run in early February.

As I have said before, those are conferences that you should go to … at least once.

But if you prefer something more intimate and intellectually stimulating, check out Inspire Photo Retreats. It is coming up quickly. This year, like last year, it will be held in Newport, Rhode Island, from February 27 through March 1. Please visit and register for it here.

Four things dictate a photography conference's level of success:

1) Personal experience

Does your personal experience motivate you to keep coming back?

I can't recall attending any other annual photography get together more times than Inspire Photo Retreats. There is a vibe that is both positive and uplifting to me. This conference couldn't come at a better time in the year when I am starting to plan out the year and consider how my business will be shaped. When I attend, I can be sure of meeting amazing people and having a memorable experience. The conference is topped off at 250 participants and continues to foster a sense of community and fellowship that the larger conferences simply cannot provide. If this is what you are looking for, you are in the right place.

So the answer is, yes, I would love to go back to Inspire again and again.

2) Organizers

Is the conference organized and efficient? And are the organizers open to suggestions for change?

Eric Foley, Enna Grazier and Mark Higgins are all busy photographers. But every year, for the last several years, they have dedicated themselves to producing a phenomenal event that is rich in quality content. It's no easy matter to put this photography conference on, but they do so with the help of great volunteers and a hotel staff that is now well-tuned to their needs. I give Eric, Enna and Mark full credit for elevating their conference game each year. They provide a safe space for everyone to express themselves, in a format that truly feels like you are at a retreat. Year after year, they make it a point to send out a survey after the conference to see how they can improve the overall experience for everyone.

High marks for the trio on this one because I have seen this conference grow, not so much in size thankfully, but in quality.

3) Speaker Lineup

Are the speakers simply dumping information or are they teaching you a skill?

Sean D'Souza of Psychotactics has a great metric for workshops and conferences. If they are simply an information dump, he gives them a failing grade. What makes his own workshops stand out is the fact that you will never leave without learning a skill – a skill you can put to use right away.

The speakers at Inspire Photo Retreats do the same thing. There is information, for sure. But the skills that they teach are actionable. While there is some overlap, year to year, the organizers go to great lengths to find speakers who will add value to those who attend.

I spoke with six speakers (see below), but there are 19 speakers in all, over the course of three days. From my experience, every speaker prepares to wow with information that is actionable. I'm willing to bet I won't find a seat again when Spencer Lum speaks. Or, how about Sarah Dugan who will be teaching us to work with cyanotype and produce salt prints. Did you want to learn how to market using video? Kate McElwee is set to teach you just that. Wendell Fernandes, whom I haven't met, will help you hone in on creating and sustaining client relationships. Want to learn about the lucrative and colorful world of multicultural weddings? Petronella Lugemwa is the right person to do it. And there are others, each bringing their A game to a conference that they love.

4) Wonderful Vendors

How engaged are the vendors? Is the trade show only an opportunity for vendors to sell to us or for us to get to know them and their products?

What's a conference without a trade show, right? Well, again, the trade show at Inspire Photo Retreats feels different. Thanks to the limited number of participants, there is more time and more opportunities to sit down and talk with the vendors who will support you through the year. I recall having a wonderful time speaking with Kate Kauffman of Fundy Designer, Joel Wiebner of Perfect Image, Colin Breece of ShootProof and Kyu Don Kwak of Pictobooks.

I found pockets of time to steal away and speak with the vendors. ShootDotEdit, with Jared Bauman's leadership, really set the tone for what vendors can expect at Inspire Photo Retreats. As Bauman told me a few years ago, “We are in it for the long haul.” I believe every vendor understands and accepts this paradigm; you come year after year, not so much to sell but to see how to help photographers problem-solve.

Interviews With Speakers

I was asked to speak with six presenters – Dani Diamond, Andrew Funderburg, Jen Rozenbaum, The Scobeys, Vanessa Joy and Huy Nguyen – and record their aspirations for this conference.

Dani Diamond

The Scobeys

Andrew Funderburg

Jen Rozenbaum

Vanessa Joy

Huy Nguyen

You'll agree it's a diverse group of speakers. Do look at the full line up of speakers at Inspire Photo Retreats this year.

Community, The Common Theme

Whether it is on TiffinboxTV or here on the blog, I've talked about stepping away from your business to recharge your creative batteries. There is no better conference than Inspire Photo Retreats that will help you do just that.

Think of what you will learn, think of who you will speak with, think of the networking opportunities, think of just being away from home for a few days and think of the community you will begin building.

Whether you are a portrait or wedding photographer, there is a speaker who is meant just for you. So hop off of that fence and register now.

Join me at Inspire Photo Retreats this year!

Did you know that at one time Orlando, Florida family photographer Isabel Azalia designed lasers? Now, she reads her client's minds.

Totally true!

More than what or how she does this, the question should be why she does it.

Isabel spent the last six years formulating client quizzes that she sends out in efforts to get to know them and ultimately serve them better. The better the experience, the thought process goes, the greater the chance they will buy more and refer future clients.

As a scientist, she needed something more precise and so she developed her personality tests and questionnaire that dives deep into a client's psyche so she can capture that family as they truly are and make the whole photography experience stress-free.

Interviw With Isabel

Intrigued by her client quizzes, I asked to speak with her to find out more. Here is our conversation about how she uses client quizzes in her family portrait photography business:

So tell me, how well do you know your clients? Be honest with yourself. When the phone rings you book a session, but more often than not, you have no clue who they are, what their likes and dislikes are, how they see themselves or what they ultimately want in photography artwork for their home.

Wouldn't you want to change that? You will get to serve your clients at a high level. In the process you'll create a sustainable business that is known in your community.

Client Quizzes

For more details about Isabel's client quizzes.

Customizing Your Quizzes

Isabel is making her client quizzes available to you so that you can customize them with your own logo and then share them with your clients before your next portrait session. Talk about a huge WIN.

What would knowing more about your clients do for your business? Will you use client quizzes to serve your clients?