I’ve been shooting weddings since 2005. I’ve had my ups and downs. My overexposed, underexposed, blurry and just plain black days. I’ve had my “oh my gosh! How did I capture that?” days. The time put into arranging, organizing, shooting, editing and producing images for a wedding is… exciting, and exhausting. Weddings for me are extremely inspiring. Every ceremony, every ecstatic smile and grin and every embarrassing toast that uncle bob gives makes me giggle, tear up and laugh until I cry. I love them. I love them because they remind me of my wedding day. I love them because it gathers people from all over to get together and party with each other in celebration of two people who are in love. I love them because most receptions I have attended, there is dancing, music and some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had. That, in and of it’s self is reason enough to get invited to a wedding, right? But, you know what the best reason I have for loving what I do? I get to cut every guest in the food line and eat before everyone else! lol. Just kidding.. but, that does make me feel special every time.
No, the reason why I love weddings is because every wedding is different. Every bride is unique. Every groom is unique. Every one having their own unique moments, dance moves and “uncle bobs”. It is an honor to be hired by such incredible people to capture the biggest party they will have in their entire lives, celebrating their love, uniqueness, and story. Love that.
Janea Greene Photography as it is today has been a long time coming. I have worked, cried and poured my sweat into this business to make it what I want it to be. For a long time, I have been lacking, falling short, and feeling like for lack of a better description, a loser. Not just a loser like I’m lame. But and actual loser. Do not collect $200. Do not pass go. You lose. The end. I feel I am lacking confidence, talent and the ability to push forward and progress the way I have really wanted to and to live and breath the life and run the business I have always dreamed of. I have thought and thought what more could I do? How many more specials can I do? How many more people am I going to have convince what my talent is worth and why they need to hire me. Well, the train stops here.
I have a very unique and rare opportunity to refine my skills, learn techniques, and apply new skills toward my business and talent to really thrive and change the way I do business and enjoy more fully what I do: shoot weddings and have a product that I’m proud of and clients who truly love thier images and experience.
Right now, THAT. JUST AIN’T HAPPEN’N.
So, for about 3 years now, I have been following a husband and wife photography team over at Markbrooke Photographers. They. Are. AMAZING! Like, seriously, they are the Paula Dean of cooks. The Michael Jackson of pop music. The Ferrari of cars. At least, to me. I have been waiting for the right time in my life to sit down with them and get down to the nitty gritty of business, marketing, shooting and just being awesome.
Well, like anything that you wait for the “right” time, or “better” conditions for… it just doesn’t happen. Today, I’m not waiting any longer. I am no longer waiting on timing, or perfect weather, or when I have a grip on my life or my business… that day will never be. Instead, I am penciling in time for my business to make it a success and removing any reason to jot down an excuse or reason why I am not successful. And, the timing isn’t ideal. I just moved. I’m newly pregnant. I have a family which includes a small, demanding cuter-than-ever 3 year old. I have limited funds and no weddings lined up. At all. Not one. I am a dried up river. An empty cup. A finished banana. This, my friend, is not where I thought I’d be when I shot my first wedding in 2005 thanks to an incredibly trusting pair of friends.
Now, you’re wondering why I sent you to read about this fundraiser I am holding. Here it is. I am about $500 short of making this dream a reality. And, honestly, if no one signs up… well, I’ll cry. That would be really sad. I’m sure that won’t happen though. And if it does, I will find another way to earn the money I need to make this happen. I feel as though my heart and soul will explode if I keep ignoring the problems I am having with my business. It is so important to me that I take this rare opportunity to learn and grow not just as a business but as a talented, unique person.
There are a few reasons why I am doing this as soon as possible. First, wedding season starts in April, and Mark and Candice ( because they are rock’n photogs) have their whole wedding year booked already and they start shooting like crazy from April until about September non stop. Because of this, their schedule is crazy tight, and limited. Second, I have most of the money now.. which is a freaking miracle. Third, I’m having a baby in July and the next year is going to be pretty crazy over here at the Greene house. There is no way I’m going to nurse whilst taking notes, shooting and learning from Mark and Candice. Um, not going to happen.
Here are some facts about what the mentor session will include and reasons why this is so important to me and will hopefully help you understand the importance of this and why I am asking for your help.
Q: What is a mentor session?
A: A mentor session is basically a business, shooting and all things wedding photography class for photographers. Mine, specifically, is a private one-on-one class with just me , Mark and Candice (the awesome photographers)
Q: What will you learn doing this mentoring session?
A: Because this is a private session, I choose specific topics of learning based on my business and talent needs. Topics include things like workflow (editing and processing), pricing structure, branding, maintaining client relationships, off camera lighting set up, marketing, shooting, directing clients to make them comfortable and be themselves in front of the camera, and much, much more.
Q: When is the session?
A: March 21st…. yeah, like the month after next!
Q: Why do photographers do this? Why is it important?
A: Tons of photographers all over the globe from pro to beginners take the opportunity to participate in mentor sessions, workshops and seminars to further their education in their area of expertise and add value to their business and talent. Having the opportunity to take advantage to learn from the best in the business not only is cool and educational, but it’s an investment similar to a college education. It’s priceless… and SO worth it. It’s an investment in their business, showing that they love and value their talent and business, they spend good money to learn what is most important to further their progression. This is my first mentor session and I guarantee it wont be my last. It is imperative to not only photographers but any business owner to be on top of the newest happenings and education for their profession to continue to be competitive and successful. Mentor sessions, workshops and seminars are business changing, life changing events that I hope to continue to participate in.
Q: Who is the photographer doing this mentor session?
A: My all time favorite wedding photographers Markbrooke Photographers. You can visit their website @ markbrooke.com to view their work and experience their awesomeness.They have been teaching photographers for a while and have inspired so many to do more as artists and as people.
Q: Why Markbrooke Photographers? Why not someone else?
A: Like I said, they are my favorite wedding photographers. If I got married all over again, I’d hire them in a heart beat. Their style is fresh and unique to them and their personalities. Every time I read/ view their blog posts, I am not just inspired but enriched and edified, leaving their site with a resolution to do better, shoot with more intent and connect with those who I am shooting more deeply. But most of all, I chose them to teach and guide me because their style of shooting is something I want to aspire to and I know I will be more than happy with, knowing I am shooting the way I see the world to the best of my ability. They also are parents of two small boys which enables them to give me a unique perspective on running a successful wedding photography business while running a loving, creative and fun home to which I hold at the upmost importance! I once read when choosing a workshop or mentor session to attend, to not pick the workshop just because everyone else is signing up, but do your research about the photographers themselves, their life style and views on the world. That will greatly increase your chances of learning what you need to learn personally and professionally to further your business and confidence because they live and think similarly to you.
Q: How long is the session? What does it include?
A: The entire session is 7 hours long. It includes anything I want to discuss pertaining to business, personal life etc and lunch! Yessss!!! hahaha. The session ends with an on location session with MarkBrooke Photographers, hired models and me for some hands on training! (having a heart attack now just thinking about the pure awesomeness of that experience!)
Now… you know. Now you know how passionate I am about doing this and how long I have been dreaming, hoping and praying for this to actually happen. Now you know I will do anything to make this happen. So, if you want to help me out and get a big fat kiss from me ( or not… if that’s not what you had in mind) please sign up for a time slot, put a silly face on and be prepared to have a fun 30 minutes with me and some valentines day props to get me where I need to go! Thank you so much to all my friends, family and fans for supporting me all these years!
Ready, Set, GOOOO!!!
P.S. Wondering, “Hey! I don’t live near you… how can I help?” If you want to donate towards my mentoring session, just contact me @ janea@janeagreenephotography.com and let me know how much you want to donate.Sound good? Good.
by Janea Greene
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