Okay, I’m going out a limb here, but how many of you photographers out there get texts like this? In 2 different photography forums this morning alone, I see people having this issue. I’m admittedly shocked as this is not…
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I received an email today that is very similar to several emails I’ve received in the past. I thought maybe it would be a good idea to blog about it so that other people could (hopefully) benefit from it. It is NOT meant to be discouraging. In fact, if I can do it, so can…
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Great post! You are always such an inspiration to me as well as a TON of others! ?
This is a fantastic post, Erica! Thank you for writing it!
Love it! Thanks for sharing!
The first week of August is celebrated by mothers, health care officials, and breastfeeding proponents all over the world as World Breastfeeding Week. La Lech League International is an international organization created by 7 women in 1958 in order to provide information and support to breastfeeding mothers. “Our Mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed…
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I’m preggo and due in November! I plan to breast feed and would love this opportunity to win! Thanks!
Great post Erica! World breastfeeding week couldn’t have come at a better time as I get to celebrate with a baby on my boob!
I am about 18 weeks pregnant with my first and I plan on breastfeeding. Winning this would be a great opportunity for me to get to know you as a fellow photographer abd get to have my maternity shots done by you. 
One of the things I am looking forward to about being a mother is bonding with my son during breastfeeding. I wish we had a LLL chapter in Quincy.
I love this! Happy World Breastfeeding Week everyone! Love the time my daughter and I get together while she’s nursing!!
Last year I decided to begin looking for a space in which I can work, meet with clients, package prints, and showcase my work. I didn’t want a full studio for 2 big reasons: 1. I don’t do studio work. I prefer outdoor scenery and lifestyle photography. 2. I didn’t want to pass the added…
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I love your shop! When I was in there I couldn’t help but notice all the cute details! I love your color scheme or the aqua and red too…perfection!
Love the look of the shop. I will have to stop by sometime.
I love your shop! The details are so cute and the color scheme of the aqua and red is perfect!
Absolutley adorable, erica!
I see us!!! Hehe
Erica!!!! Your studio looks amazing!! It’s perfect-just like you are )
Love the space!!! I need to come check it out
Erica!!! I love your studio-if I ever come to Macomb, I will definitely stop by! It is perfect-just like you and your photography!!
Super cute! Thanks for sharing, I willbe there soon to put in a picture order!
Super cute! Thanks for sharing. I will be there sometime soon to put in a picture order 
Thank you, Erica. Can’t wait to see you!
Thank you so much, Amy. So glad I got the chance to meet you and get to know you and your beautiful family.
Amber, you can swing by this weekend. Can’t wait to see you guys!! Woot woot!
Thank you, Alicia. I am counting the days until your wedding! AHHH!!
So excited to shoot yours and Kevin’s big day. It’s right around the corner!! :) XOXO
Julie, I can’t thank you enough for always being such a kind and loyal client to Candace and me. I know I speak for her when I say, we’re grateful to have you as a client and friend. <3
Looks super cute!! I cant wait to get my pics ordered!
Love the white!! And our pic up on the wall great design Erica!
Love your little studio! Super cute! I can’t wait to stop in and see it!
seriously erica, i am so totally envious of your lovely little space. it represents your brand so well.
Thank you so much, Heather! I worked really hard to do just that so it means a lot that you noticed. <3
You may be envious of my space, but I envy your ability. XOXO
Erica, your shop is absolutely adorable, so much that it hurts. I go to the square a lot on my bike since I can’t drive yet, and every time I go past your space I peek in and draw inspiration. It’s just so cute. I’m crossing my fingers now that next time I’m out there you’re there.
Hopefully see you soon!
Oh, by the way, I got my hair cut very very short so you may have trouble recognizing me.
I will definitely be up there more when school starts. If you see me in there, stop in! <3
This is amazing. I love how you decorated it.
Thanks, Tonya. :)
Man did we have fun tonight. We laughed, we commiserated, and we laughed some more. Tonight at the photography meet up, we had so much fun. At least I like to think we did. Honestly, the time flew by. Sometimes when you’re feeling down about no matter what, all it takes to bring a smile…
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Had a wonderful time tonight!
So did I, Wendi. Thank you so much for being there and inviting such lovely people.
Recently I had the pleasure of hearing my favorite wedding photographer, Jasmine Star, speak in Chicago. It all seem to happen in slow motion, but in retrospect, it seems like it went by so fast that it’s all a blur. I really was star struck. Okay, to clarify, Jasmine Star was on a tour called…
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“So, for me, walking away from the Fix knowing I was making the right decisions, was just one of many ways I gained confidence, and that my friends…is PRICELESS.”
Sooooooo AWESOME!!!
What an experience
Wonderful photos Erica!
Love her smile!
Oh Heather, thank you so much for stopping by. Your support means so much.
I truly did learn a lot at the Fix, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good just nodding my head to so many things she said. There’s value in confirmation. I believe that. <3
OMG!!! So amazing. I LOVE her and hope to meet her one day. LUCKY DUCK.
Thank you so much, Christine. It was so much fun.
I met Lindsay and Mitch through another lovely Peoria wedding couple of mine. Lindsay contacted me via email. I knew immediately that I wanted to work with her because her fabulous sense of humor was so clear in every bit of correspondence we shared. We met at a modest little restaurant in Peoria. I remember…
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Meet Emory. If you follow my work or know me, you’ve seen this cute little face. This is the daughter of a dear friend and colleague of mine, Candace. Emory turned 2 years old recently so Candace, her other 3 girls, and I packed up 1 car and 1 van FULL of props, clothes, and…
THE cutest 2 year old session ever!
I LOVE them ALL!
All the different outfits & color!
I think the hands on her hips set, the sunglasses set, & the sunflare with the parasol are my FAVZ!
I literally chuckled when I got to the sour images! Adorable!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE…Emory’s sassiness in the last few photos made me giggle a little…what a sweet, adorable little girl she is.
Most of you who follow my blog or know me in person probably know 2 things about me. 1. I’m not from Illinois. I’m from Miami, Florida. 2. You might also know that I’m a very curious person. I constantly what to know HOW things work or WHY they work that way. Well this experience…
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The cake was verrry dry.
Thanks again Erica! We are still trying to decide which prints we want and trying to take orders from our parents so I will get back to you soon!
No problem at all, Whitney. It was my pleasure. Take your time and let me know if you need anything.
If you’re one of my brides, you’ve probably heard me say this. If you’re another professional, you’ve probably heard me say this. If you live in my house, you’ve probably heard me say this. THE #1 question ALL clients/brides MUST ask all potential photographers is this: “Can you show me several weddings from beginning to…
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I agree with most of this, but I don’t necessarily think price should be the #1 consideration. (I’m assuming you’re saying it’s #1 since it’s listed as that in your post.) When I got married over a year ago I hired Ever After Photography out of Peoria (everafterlove.com) and when I initially emailed them just looking for a price I was shocked that package that would work the best for us was $4,000 (there were other packages more and less expensive than that) 4 grand?! I could practically buy a car with that! Or go on a dream vacation! But once I got over the initial sticker shock I realized 4,000 was actually an ‘investment’ because there are no re-do’s for our wedding photos and never another day to ‘reschedule’ it. I also felt comfortable just knowing I had contacted her in Jan 2009 for our wedding in Oct. 2010 and she was already booked on the initial day we were thinking of, so we made our set plans based on when she was available. I was in love with her work and felt another photographer’s wouldn’t be as good so I ‘sucked it up’ and paid $4000 but I (we) couldn’t be happier! I truly agree when you say you get what you pay for- and we paid a lot (in my opinion) but we also got a lot- a lifetime worth of beautiful photos! In my opinion if any couple is going to splurge, splurge on the photographer, and if they’re going to budget- budget a lot for the photographer and cut in other places!
Thanks for the info!
Hi Rachael. Thank you so much for stopping by. I agree with what you said 100%. I don’t recall why “Price” ended up being number one, but it wasn’t because I think it is the most important qualification. In fact, I certainly don’t. However, I can absolutely see why it would seem that way since I did list it first. I think the four important qualifications are all important in their own way. Honestly, I can’t really say which one of the should be #1 in regards to importance. I think that’s up the client.
Again, thank you SO much for sharing your story.
I always share my story because I never want a bride to turn down a photographer based solely on price. I’ve known too many people who didn’t go with a photographer they wanted because it was ‘too expensive’ and ended up with a cheap photographer and weren’t happy with their photos! Hope you didn’t mind me including my photographer’s info. I just thought some people might want to see the work I thought warranted 4,000.
Rachael, I couldn’t be happier that you took the time to share. I’m being 100% sincere when I say how grateful I am that a bride expressed the same sentiments as so many professionals often express, but it means so much more coming from you. Potential clients expect me to say, although price is important, it should certainly not be the main factor. I obviously have a bias. However, for another bride to share the same sentiment, the impact is that much greater because it is coming from someone who isn’t necessarily in the industry.
For the record, you are always welcome to share your experiences here on my blog.
Hugs,
erica
Love this!!! Its a great post about the TRUTH! It does happen and it happens all to frequently. I had it happen to me with a wedding last year for my bro-in-law and I didn’t even get acknowledgment for the images they posted on fb. =( It’s hurtful and it’s easier to keep being family/friends seperate from business. =) Be honest and be strong! Thank you again for this post!!!! <3's
That bites, Trina! Sorry that happened to you. Chalk it up to lesson learned, right?
I agree with you. Be honest and be strong. <3
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. It means a lot.
Very well-written! And very true. Thanks for sharing.