Its time for another Q&A Session! I find myself becoming recognized by my name in the strangest of places. Not that its unusual to recognize an unusual name. Anybody who has ever known a “Treva” their entire life, is usually incredulous when they hear my name. “Oh, WOW, I knew a Treva back in (some random location) many years ago (some random timeframe) and she spelled it just.like.that.” Not that I don’t like knowing I’m not the only person in the world with this oddball name. (Thanks mom!) Growing up, I used to dread first days of school, when the teacher would call out my name, using the short e sound instead of the long e. Or someone would snicker (children can be SO evil!) in the back of the room. Growing up in a small town kids got used to it though before long. But stepping outside of that small town? Lets just say I have learned to go by more than one version of the pronouncing of my name. 
And if people aren’t sure what to make of it, they say “what a beautiful name!” Which is probably code word for “what was your momma thinkin!?” Ok, so back to the point, if there is one…lately, people have been recognizing my name, for my work. Putting the photography with the face, and its kind of cool! Like, something I am doing, is speaking for me before I ever open my mouth. Its scary, and humbling. Which is why I work every day to do right by every person I come in contact with. I also get, whether it be the grocery line, the coffee shop, the clothing store, or one of my kids events, a million + 1 questions about photography, cameras, and generally “how can I make my pictures look… (random issue with camera). Or even more lately, “how can I start my own business?”
This is why I post these Q&A’s. Because there were a lot of photographers who didn’t give me the time of day when I started out. And there were some, who posted such helpful information, I could given them a big hug on the spot! Hollllla out to the awesome photogs who share their hard-earned knowledge for the rest of us! You deserve an award, or at least, some chocolate.
We are going to be offering an opportunity for anyone interested in starting up their own business, a very cool thing. We will be hosting a workshop for a day in late August/Early September, which will include valuable insight into this business, an opportunity to shoot with us and ask as many questions as you like, and we will be all yours for the day. The first five who sign up can come at HALF price! We already have a few who have emailed or messaged me that they want IN, so the half price opportunity won’t last long!
Here we GO! (grab your coffee, its 1pm, if you are like me I KNOW you need it right about now!)
{Q} How many images do you give clients after a shoot?
{A} It depends on the shoot. If its just a couple, or a senior, the images vary between 50-100 edited images that they proof, and then ultimately receive if they purchase the CD with printing rights. If its a large family session, its closer to the 100 images range. Weddings are also unique in that a smaller wedding might yield 300-500 images, a larger more time intensive wedding may yield 1000-1500. I know that I give more images than most photographers, and I do work very hard at each shot, editing them as if they are individual works of art. The important part is that there is a high level of quality, over quantity.
{Q} What’s the skinny on printing rights/copyright/ etc. with regards to the CD’s?
{A} We (as photoraphers) own the copyright to every picture we take. When selling the CD, we sell the printing rights, NOT the copyright. This means we are still allowed to use the photos on our websites, marketing materials, blog, etc. Without the copyright, you must gain approval from the new owner for every picture you want to use for yourself as a business. Selling the printing rights allows the client to take the images and print them wherever, however, forever.
{Q} How do you stand out when there are so many photographers who are not necessarily as good as you, marketing and advertising? How do you pull in the business?
{A} You have to always remember, as photographers, we are selling OURSELVES as much as we are selling our work. The relationships that I build with clients that I’ve never known prior to a shoot or a wedding, is invaluable to my business. I am not just offering my work to my potential clients, I am offering a piece of myself, of my life to them. This is my passion and my calling, and unless I am capable of showing and giving every client that part of me, as well as their friends and families, then I have not been successful for my clients. We are more than just a vendor, and we are more than just our work. THIS is what we need to offer our clients at every meeting, shoot, and wedding.
{Q} How do you figure out your niche in this industry/business?
{A} That is a GREAT question, and one I am still figuring out myself! I’m not the cool single photographer. I don’t jump around at photo shoots and sport Prada bags and sunglasses. I am probably not the first name on the lips of the socialites, though if they met me they would love me. Or at least love my beautiful babies! I am just someone who loves people, who loves fresh, flirty, REAL and genuine photography, I want you to FEEL something when you see my work. What niche does that fit into? I don’t know. But if people are looking for this type of photography, I’m their girl. Because ultimately, I don’t want to be a photographer but THE photographer for my clients, and their families, and their friends. I want my vendors that I work with to feel inspired, and that I genuinely appreciate them. And hopefully this is my “niche”…Fabulous photography for everybody. Be real with your work and your clients, and you’ll find your niche too.
Post any other questions to the comments section of this post! Have a fabulous weekend, I’m off to edit more pictures, peeps! And because what post is complete, without a picture….a reminder of some recent, gorgeous clients!
Treva
by Treva
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