introducing...

We are so excited to announce The Savvy Review...a website or blog critique from the Savvy team. This is exactly what most professionals are looking for but never knew where to find it. 

Does your web presence stand out? Do you need a professional consultant to guide you to small changes that will make a big impact?

If you have a blog or website, this is the service for you! 

Learn more about it here and today only...get it for 40% off! It's the Daily Savvy Steal...and price is discounted today! Don't miss it!

***

We also made a little mistake yesterday...you know when you have that feeling that you have forgotten something...but can't remember what...like hit the publish post button. yep...I forgot to publish my post yesterday. 

So lucky for you, Willette Designs is extending her Daily Savvy Steal for one more day since I forgot to tell you about here on the Savvy blog. 

Kelly Willette from Willette Designs is braving out the hurricane right now...I'm keeping her and all the people who are enduring this terrible storm in my thoughts and prayers today!

celebrating Willette style~

Kelly Willette is helping us celebrate the one year birthday of the Savvy blog, which is so special to me because she was the very first advertiser I had on my site! A year ago I was thrilled she believed in the site enough to advertise with us~ Thank you Kelly! We think you are such a Savvy girl!

To get a great discount on all of the wonderful products from the Willette site, enter coupon code willie20 and receive 20% at checkout!

and the winners are...

Congratulations to

Brandy Texter {comment number 194}

and Amy Larson {comment number 70}...

you both are the lucky winners of the fabulous Marketing Calendar from Willette Designs!

can you answer this question?

Why do you photograph?

by Kelly McMahon Willette

Is it to fill the need for a creative outlet? Is it a hobby? Is it a career? Is it for philanthropic purposes? Is it for profit? Is it just to get out of the house and away from the kiddos for a bit? This is the first question you need to ask yourself as a photographer….WHY do you photograph? What is the draw for you?

When I first started, it was to get out of the house….to have a hobby. That hobby took off (thank goodness), and my business grew like gangbusters, but I wasn’t really making any money at it. I LOVED it…I LOVED (and I still love) all of my clients, but I was barely breaking even at the end of the day.

After two years of playing around with my business….i got serious. I got serious about pricing, serious about charging rather than giving away my talent and serious about making a profit. I find that the money issue really is an issue for most photographers who are just starting out – especially for those whose photography business is born from a hobby.

Many people are afraid to admit that they like money. Artists seem particularly apt to dismiss any interest in money. Almost like there is shame in confessing that you create art for money. Well, I’m here to publicly admit, I work for money. I’m not embarrassed by this in the least. My business is not a charity. Though I do charity work and make charitable donations, I work for money. I don’t work and spend time away from my own children because I enjoy it (I do enjoy what I do…I enjoy it immensely), but if given the choice to work for free or sit around and read magazines for free, I would choose to sit around and read magazines. I don’t know many people (aside from clergy members and missionaries) who want to work for free (if they’re being completely honest with themselves).

Soooo…….I’ll ask you the question again, why do you photograph? Do you want to make money with your photography business? Is this why you started your business? Are you making money? What can you do to change your business if you’re not making money?

By getting my business organized, I was able to start turning profits. Though I still created works of art, unique for each family, I focused on analyzing sessions from a numbers standpoint. I paid attention to the amount of time I spent with a family while photographing. I paid attention to how I posed or loosely guided the children to the correct lighting situations for the portraits, and I paid attention to how many unique poses I did at a session.

After analyzing factors such as these, I was able to determine how much I made per session. I had mental checklists to help me maximize my profits. I stopped letting clients dictate when I would photograph for them….i learned to set boundaries for when I could photograph. After my business awakening, my sessions would only be offered on the mornings my son was in school. Then I didn’t have to worry about paying for childcare or worry about missing key events in my son’s life like soccer games and birthday parties. I found that clients respected these boundaries. T hey would pull their child out of school for the session once they understood why I didn’t photograph on the weekends.

I encourage you to really analyze your current photography workload. Do you feel that you are making as much profit as you can? Are you managing your time effectively? Do you see any areas in your business that could use some fine tuning to better benefit you? And the big eye opener for you…..what is your hourly rate? Do you know the answer to this? Do you know how much you make for every hour you work? This is not unlike attorneys tracking their billable hours. Start tracking this data. I promise that after you start paying attention to the figures, you will start earning more. Be aware of your time…value your time….and value your family’s time.

Bio: Kelly Mcmahon Willette is a photographer based in Ghent, Norfolk ,Virginia, and she helps other moms with cameras and photographers with her business products and workshops geared towards them. Her products include a series of seven posing guides, her business workshops, and her newest product, the photographer’s marketing calendar. Her blogsite contains weekly free downloads and photo tips. She makes a mean beef stew, can still remember/sing all the words to the Beastie Boys’ “Paul Revere” and has learned to do most things with one hand since having her second baby this year. You can find her work and products at www.willettedesigns.com

Here's the latest tool that Kelly had developed for photographers~ we think she is a marketing genius! The Marketing Calendar is a great way to kick start your business!

The photographer’s marketing calendar:

the photographer's marketing calendar provides photographers with over 100 unique holidays to market around.

Are you in need of more photography business? Or, maybe you have steady business, but you’d love to book a ton of sessions in a hurry? Are you trying to reach out to new clients to grow your business?

This marketing calendar tool will help you uniquely market your business year round. The calendar provides 12 months of unique holidays that lend themselves to GREAT excuses to book a portrait session with YOU!

The beauty of all of these marketing ideas is that this calendar will enable you to market year round (especially during your usually slow months). Slow months will become a thing of the past for your business once you learn how to use the calendar to your business’ advantage.

this product is an immediate downloadable product presented in a pdf format.

it includes:

over 100 holidays to market around (including some lesser known holidays)
a step by step marketing calendar plan
a marketing timeline
unique ways to market each holiday.

***

Are you ready to win one? Kelly is giving two very lucky readers a Marketing Calendar!

Value of $135 each.

Kelly would also like to offer all the Savvy readers 10% off orders over $40.

Use coupon code: JULY10

Here's how to win...

check out Kelly's site and let us know your favorite "Willette" product!

Come back here to leave your comment to enter.

Also tweet about the contest and gossip all about us on facebook

and your favorite photography forums. we just love gossip...then head back here to leave a comment telling us each thing you have done...limit four entries per person.

You must leave a comment to be entered

and please make sure your first and last name are on your comment.

This contest ends tonight at 8pm eastern {June 22, 2010}...hurry!

Get your marketing plan for the rest of 2010 and for 2011 in place now,

and be prepared to watch the clients roll in!

and the winner is...

Congratulations to comment number #329...Kate from KOPhotography!

She is the winner of the giveaway from Kelly Willette...and sweet Kelly is giving all the Savvy Readers 10% off the guide if you use the code savvyphotographer...thanks Kelly!

{It's a giveaway}

Are you searching for a way to rev up your spring sessions, attract new clients, rephotograph previous clients and just be an all-around photo rock star????

Then you MUST check out this new product. All mommas want photos of themselves with their children, yet, sadly, the reality is that it is usually the momma who is taking the photos of the child. End the “always behind the camera never in front of the camera” blues for your clients…..embark on a Mommy and Me Mini Portrait Session marketing campaign. Kelly Willette has designed two new products to assist you on this great journey….if you follow all the instructions, Kelly says you truly could gross your usual photography income in just one day of mini sessions.

The two products are the Mommy and Me Portrait Session Marketing Set and the newest portrait cookbook: the Mommy and Me Posing Guide. Both are available for purchase together at a $30 discount here.

The marketing set includes: layered, fully editable psd file templates for: gift certificate, postcard mailer, 10×20 storyboard, 16×20 traditionally designed collage with 12 photo openings, and referral card templates. It also includes a complete marketing plan, verbage (and psd and pdf files) for letters to clients, boutiques and charitable organizations who may want to partner with you on this.
The posing guide includes 32 posing cards sized on

4×6 cards complete with instructions on how to vary

the poses and a checklist to help keep you

organized at the mommy and me session.
Both products are downloadable products that will be

emailed to you upon payment in a zip folder.
Step up your sessions this spring….and give clients something they will LOVE and cherish for the rest of their lives. These sessions make great Mother’s Day gifts.

HOW TO WIN~

to enter, do one of the following {or ALL}

{1} follow us on twitter and tweet "sweet giveaway at The Savvy Photographer!"

{2} become a fan on Facebook and update your status with "I'm getting Savvy with the Savvy Photographer!"

{3} blog about us...tell your forum buddies about the giveaway...spread the word about the giveaway...

and then come back here to leave a comment! Each comment is an entry!

We will announce the winner on Wednesday, March 17th at 5pm eastern...GOOD LUCK!!!

{that's life...}

Head on over to Willette Designs to check out the new blog...

{words from Willette}

What makes a good photographer a great children’s photographer?

The beauty of the digital camera revolution is that nearly anyone can become a photographer. I firmly believe that anyone can become a decent photographer with just a bit of practice. Now, becoming a great children’s photographer takes a few more skills besides knowing about aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Being a great children’s photographer involves something REALLY important…..being able to relate to children and engage their attention. If you can’t engage a child, then forget it…your photos will look forced and unnatural. I find that the biggest joy in photographing children is capturing their energy and life – and showing these emotions to the children’s parents and seeing them ooze with love for their precious, happy angels. Most of my images capture the joy of childhood…that is part of my style and part of how I interact with them. Even though I am “behind” the camera at a session, I am still TOTALLY consumed with my child subject. That is the key to capturing and engaging the child.

To start, I use a lens with a focal length that allows me to be an arm’s length away from the child (especially when they’re just wee little bits). Being this close allows me to engage physically with them: tickles, touching their toes, etc. On my full frame camera, my lens of choice is a 50mm 1.4. When I used a digital crop sensor camera, I used a 35mm 2.0 lens. I have found that the further away I am from the child…the harder it is to engage and keep their attention.

I’d LOVE to share a couple of games I play with the kiddos to keep them 100% on board. I’ll break the games up by ages just to help you understand children’s developmental stages. Please note that I am not including tips for new babies in this blog article.

6 months – one year:

I LOVE to photograph babies at this stage when they are just sitting up. Their personalities shine through, they’re super happy and smiley, and life is good. For little babies such as this, it is fun to do things like try to kiss their toes. I call this “giving them the yum yums” – I have NO idea where I got the name for this, but basically I will just lunge in, and pretend to eat their toes. Makes them smile. Another great game for this state is peek-a-boo (this will work for kiddos up to about age three as well). You can NEVER go wrong with this game. If the child is NOT digging you, have mom get RIGHT behind you and play peek-a-boo.

12 months – 2 years:

Watch out and get ready to be fast for these guys! Keep those shutter speeds up HIGH! For these moving and shakin’ kiddos, you have to be fast!

Some tricks for this age….in order to capture them still (at least for a split second), use a tricycle or a chair to set them on. You can also sit on the ground across from them and just roll a ball back and forth with them. As you’re about to roll (or gently toss to them)…say funny things or make animal sounds (while holding your camera) and click as you’re about to roll or toss. You’ll get great, adorable facial expressions.

To engage them, high fives are a wonderful thing! This is a trick they have mastered by this age. Hold the camera in one hand, and high five with the other. They’ll clap for themselves out of sheer joy over the interaction with you. Ask them about the animal sounds they know. You can even sing songs they know (and substitute silly lyrics)….wait until you see the hysterics when you try to sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Square.”

If the child is slow to warm up…take a photo of them and show it to them, or take one of mom and show them. That way they will realize WHAT it is that you’re doing with that big black thing you’re holding.

3 years – 5 years

These kiddos are ready to be your friend….you just have to know how to interact with them! I highly recommend the animal sound game, but take it one step further…try to trick them. For this game, you ask the child if an animal makes a certain sound, but you change what sound the animal actually makes. Example: Hey Johnny, does the elephant go MOOOO???? Or, did you know that dogs go MEOW? The kids will crack up at how silly you are and try to correct you. You can get a good five minutes out of this game…seriously! I also LOVE to ask kids what color their eyes are (and guess some totally off the wall color, like orange). They will think you are insane and will laugh at how silly you are.

Just talk to them… ask names of characters from cartoons that they watch. I highly recommend being up on your cartoons (and you best learn the lyrics to all the hip cartoon show theme songs…you NEVER know when you’ll have to break out in song to entertain a child). When talking to a kid about his or her favorite show, you can be silly. Ask who Diego’s sidekick is (you can ask if Diego has a baby elephant as a pet…or if Dora the Explorer’s friend Boots is a dog?).

5 years – 7 years

Be prepared to interrogate these kids. Ask them EVERYTHING about their day…get the scoop from the playground, from the lunch table, ask them about their boyfriend or girlfriend….you’ll get a GREAT embarrassed smile from this question. I also love to be educated on what they are playing…video games, iPods, etc. They’ll talk to you…I promise. It is also at this age that potty humor is truly an amazing tool….TRUST me on this. If you pretend to fart or if you ask if someone just farted, watch out and be prepared for the laughs. I would clear this with mom prior to launching into a symphony of passing gas sounds. There are even some iPhone free applications for farting machines. I highly encourage you to familiarize yourself with Nintendo DS games and anything on Disney or Cartoon Network that these “older” kiddos would watch. If you don’t know, ask them. They’ll light up to have a one on one conversation with you.

Another useful trick I do is to have someone else (preferable the funnier of the parents) get RIGHT behind me (ALL up in my personal space) and mess with my hair or pretend to do things to my head. The kids will laugh. Play this up…act like a clown!!!!

7 years and up

Just do a little of above with the conversations…..talk about cell phones with the older ones. Ask if they have one, and if they know how to text, etc. Another great ice breaker with older kiddos is talking to them about the iMixes on their iPod if they have them. Pretend like you’re totally uncool and don’t know what songs kids are listening to…OR, WOW them with your knowledge of Lady Gaga’s latest single. I have been known to do a horrible imitation of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” Dance routine for a kiddo before….thank goodness no one was recording me. If they see that you are not afraid to open up, then they, too, will open up to you.

The bottom line for you as a children’s photographer is to just have fun with it. show up to a session to work….get down on the ground on the child’s physical level…and you may even want to bring your intellect down to their level as well! Have fun!

Visit her website for more details: http://www.willettedesigns.com/portraitcookbook/.

You can follow Kelly on Twitter under “mommairish” for more random photography tips or on facebook under: www.facebook.com/willettedesigns

Kelly’s portrait website is www.willettedesigns.com

{happy Friday}

We are so excited about the Savvy Sisterhood "Workshop on the Waterfront". We will give more details soon...{tell who the guest speakers are!!} but for now...here's what we know for sure...it will be an incredible three days and two nights of inspiration and learning...{and FUN!!!}. If you are interested in being on the "list", email me and in the subject line put "workshop on the waterfront". I will give everyone on the email list a chance to sign up first once the registration is open...so let me know if you want on the list. Don't you LOVE the location...the Inn at Perry Cabin...heavenly!!

Here's a special "weekend giveaway"...i love these!!

What a fabulous giveaway!!! Thank you Kelly for offering the great discount to our readers~ $50 off the Keepin It Real Workshop workbook...until September 22nd. Use code: FALL09

You can purchase it here...

and one lucky reader who leaves a comment will win the workbook {$350 value}...leave you comments on this post...

Every comment is an entry! {you have to leave a comment...otherwise you aren't entered}

Here's how to enter:

spread the word about The Savvy Photographer

~become a fan on Facebook and tell your friends to join us

~follow us on Twitter and tweet about us

~tell all your blog readers about us and post a working link {make sure it works}...that's three entries but you must three comments to get all three entries...don't forget to leave all three

~brag about us {and the giveaway} on any photography forums you visit

***Want an extra entry...I'll give you three extra entries if you email us pictures of your favorite {photography related} product...must be your own picture {don't copy it from anyone's website}...take a picture~ email to us and I'll tell you to make your three comments {after I see the images}...you can get creative with this...it can be your wall displays~ your packaging~ your albums~ your holiday cards...send it in. Put in the subject line..."giveaway entry".

{And the winner for Fridays giveaway}

The winner for the templates from Beyond Red and Green is...#20 Jenny

Congratulations!! Thank you all so much for entering! I love reading all the comments...it's makes me smile to hear such sweet things about our site! {and I loved the poem...thank you}

{here's more from Mika Beth Edwards}

Thank you Mika Beth Edwards for a wonderful week!

To see more of Mika Beth's work...check out her site.

And to shop for some fabulous clothing, check out bebe and beau boutique

Thanks Mika...hope to see you in Maryland!

{savvy sponsors}...

Thank you Lindsay for sharing with us {and inspiring us!}.

If you'd like to see more of Lindsay's work,

check out her website and blog.

Also check out Hamelin Designs to purchase some of her fun textures, templates and actions.

You still have time to enter for the giveaway of the Vintage Frames Pack...enter here.

I think we have some really great sponsors...don't you?
Have you checked out the fun things they offer...if you haven't, you should. Check out two of our sponsors.

The Portrait Cookbook {recipes for success}is a great posing guide developed by Kelly McMahon Willette. Check it out here.

Firefly Frames and Design has a line of wonderful whimsical frames. The finishes created for their frames range from a distressed shabby chic to metallic glazes elegant enough for the finest of homes. They believe frames shouldn't distract from the artwork it surrounds but should rather be an accent that enhances it's beauty.

Tomorrow will be more fun things that our sponsors offer.

And we will announce our giveaway winner...

Make sure you check back because we have a surprise giveaway just for the weekend!! {need a hint...how about something fabulous from Jamie Schultz Designs!!}

Traditions by willette...

"The reason I started doing the silhouettes was that no one in our area was doing them when my son, Max, was three, and I wanted to get his done, SO, I figured out how to do them and began offering them as an option.

I really haven’t begun to fully market this side of my biz yet,

but that is coming (very soon!).

The other reason I started them was to set my photo business apart…I found that silhouettes were a perfect fit to my

whole classic theme with my business .

I have the silhouettes printed on heavy fine art paper using archival ink and each one is signed. I have even partnered with a jewelry designer to offer silhouette lockets. I’m so sorry that I don’t have a photo to share of these!

Another fun thing that I’m starting is silhouette parties….this info is listed on my traditions by Willette website. This is a great way to knock out several silhouettes at one time (and I typically only schedule several silhouettes at a time rather than one at a time….that way I only have to set up the studio for them about once a month).
Here is a link for my silhouette party ."

Thank you so much Kelly for sharing so much

fabulous information with us!

It's been a delight!

Check out Kelly's website to see more of her beautiful work.

and here's more of Max...Kelly's adorable son.

more Savvy ideas from Kelly Willette

Kelly shares more fabulous marketing ideas with us...here's her advice on how to build up your business.

"I just wanted to share a few ideas I had that worked for me as I built my photo biz....thought they would help some of you.

First of all, I invested in one light from alien bees, a medium softbox, a reflector, a cheap backdrop stand and one roll of savage paper. This allowed me to make some quick cash with the following ideas. This is not super creative work, but if you need cash to purchase equipment, it is a GREAT business tool. Also, you include a card with your photo biz info in the photo order, and by collecting the parents’ email addresses

on the ordering form, you have an instant mailing list (if they request) and free advertizing for you.
1. Dance recital photos: I partnered

with a friend who started a small dance studio and offered to

do the dance photos for her studio.

I had a total of 50 girls sign up for photos....

which was awesome.

I went to the dress rehearsal, set up my mini studio with the backdrop and light, and had each girl do a little ballet pose, snapped the photo, batch processed them in lightroom and ordered them

(with consistent light settings, the processing is very easy).

Easy peasy. I created two packages, and earned a really solid amount of money for about 3 hours of shooting and one hour of editing/ordering.

I hired a college kid to help me get the parents to

fill out the order form and take the money.

Parents had to pay in advance, and the dance teacher emailed

out the pdf ahead of time.

It was great. I also run off several copies of the ordering

form to have with me with a clipboard for the dance parents

to fill out there if they did not do so at home (most parents print it from the email that was sent to them).

2. Photos with Santa: we are members of a club here that has breakfast with Santa photos every year.

They have a breakfast with Santa every year,

so I offered to do the photos for them.

I had the same set up as above, except this time

I just used the club as the backdrop

(used a leather chair for Santa in the club...

which is very pretty).

Same packages as above...had about 60 or 70 kids at this, just set up one light, snapped, then processed the photos

and ordered the prints.

For this, I mailed all the photos via

us mail priority mail from my house and

included the shipping charge in the cost of the photos.

Another GREAT way to make that holiday spending money.

You can't beat it. Once again, I had a high school kid help me

with taking the money and order form.

There are several local venues here that have the breakfast or tea with Santa every year, and most of them do not offer photos.

What a GREAT way to get “in” and gain more clients!
It is important to note that they must have cash or check

and that this is made clear to them prior to the photo date.

Haven't had a problem yet. no money, no photo. you must be firm on this.

or you will get cheated at some point.

I’m sure if you think, you can find several other ways to do this...you must invest in one light with a softbox, then your possibilities are endless.

Other ideas for situations where you could do group photos include: soccer/team photos, swim team photos, (for the sports team stuff, I create a bag tag for each kid for his soccer

or sports bag and include this as a thank you)

Another way you could use the concept is for father-daughter dance photos at your school, prom photos, gymnastic studio photos, just think of ANY activities your child does that could use a photo. since you're already a parent at the school/activity, you have an in!!!!!"

BIG willette show

What a fabulous idea!

We ask Kelly to tell us more about this great marketing event...

"One of my favorite clients ordered a gorgeous 20x30 portrait of her child, and after having it framed, she called me. She was nearly in tears over how beautiful the portrait was – it truly was stunning! As she was thanking me and telling me how amazing it looked in her home, she had an aha moment. She told me how fun it would be to see all the large portraits that clients had ordered over the past year in one place….a “viewing” of sorts for all to see the large portraits in one place.

Around the same time, my husband and I were trying to formulate a way to thank our clients for the most amazing year in business. We wanted to show our clients and the community just how appreciative we were for their business and support for our first official year in business.

Thus, the BIG Willette Show was born. We combined the two ideas into one fun event for clients to gather, view several large-scale Willette portraits from the past year, and feel appreciated.

The event was held at a private arts center in historic Downtown Norfolk in a beautiful artist gallery. We invited the previous year’s clients and clients who were on our calendar to be photographed this coming year, as well as community members who had been supportive of all of our efforts to be the premier children’s portrait studio in our town.

A few clients and friends helped with the planning of the event…..it was set up as an evening wine and cheese social. By keeping the event simple: simple food and wine, we were able to enjoy the evening and keep our costs down. We also limited the event to 1.5 hours…this gave attendees enough time to view the art, socialize, and then head out to a dinner downtown. A local florist donated floral arrangements as a congratulation to us, two local musicians offered to play music (at no charge as a thank you for our previous support of their efforts), we purchased the food and wine at local markets, and included items framed by our local framer. Another way we kept the costs down was by bartering services to secure the space at a discounted price. I have been offering volunteer graphic design services to the d’Art Center, which is where the event was held, for four years, without asking for anything in return (except recognition). When it came time to host this event, it was a no-brainer for us to host it here. They were ecstatic to help our business, and we were ecstatic to have it at such a swank venue.

We were very careful in our phrasing on the invite to indicate that this was an event for the parents. The art gallery was open for the entire weekend, so parents were able to take their children to the art gallery so their child could see his or her portrait up on the wall in a REAL art show/gallery. We even had three portraits that were painted by local artists from some of my photos taken that year.

We hung all the art in the gallery, set up the food tables, had postcards advertizing our new additions to our services for this year, and had a table for registration. On the invites, we advertized that one lucky client (in attendance) would leave winning a session and a 20x30 print. Just to say thanks! Also at the registration table were cards of our local supporters: florist, framer, musicians, children’s art camps, etc. The registration table had cards printed up that had space for the client to fill in her or her contact info. This info was later added to our mailing list. We had several prospective clients attend the event, and this was a great way to track who was there – and a quick way to secure their contact info for our database.

The response to this event was incredible! We were hoping for 50 attendees….well, we had over 125 in attendance! And it was a FUN party and celebration. Our clients felt appreciated, and this event created a HUGE buzz for our business. Our blog hits surged after the event, I was asked by two new businesses to set up displays in their shops, and I’ve been selling even more large prints and canvases. All because of this event. AND on top of all of this, I am fully booked for the rest of the year. Yes, you read that right. FULLY booked.

Another advantage to this show was that it showed clients what other clients ordered and how they had it framed. We had many beautifully framed pieces, and I’ve noticed new clients who attended the event ordering larger prints. It has almost become a Who’s Who game here – “Well, what size did Susy Jones order? I’d like to order two, and make them larger, please.” Having clients see what others have ordered has inspired them to order more (and bigger).

We began our business by supporting other local businesses, and it became evident to us when we decided to have this show just how important this has been to our success. We gave away services and volunteered for so many years, so that now we have established our stake in the community, and our business has been embraced.

Clients have already begun asking about next year’s event, which we’ve decided will be called “The BIGGER Willette Show.”

On the agenda for next year’s show includes swag bags (the woven recycled grocery bags with our logo on it) full of local business giveaways for all attendees and tons more BIG Willette portraits on the walls."

(The BIG willette show was the Grand Prize winner for Best Marketing idea in Design Aglow last summer)

Kelly gives credit to Susan Lowe, who inspired the idea for the BIG Willette show...her website is http://www.sflphotography.com/

walls of willette

While visiting the home of Kelly McMahon Willette, I had to show this canvas...i love it!

We love it when clients go big...this is BIG...and fabulous!

We also love that Kelly gets in front of the camera for family portraits!

As photographers, we sometimes neglect to have our own family captured.

The family photographer is Charlie Gunter Photography

http://www.charliegunterphotography.com/

Tomorrow Kelly will tell us all about the BIG willette show!

see you tomorrow...

Meet {and greet} Kelly McMahon Willette

I had the pleasure of meeting Kelly McMahon Willette {and her lovely family} in her home this week. Kelly is from Norfolk's Historic Ghent area, in Virginia.

She's a master at marketing...ideas that are genius...

and she will share them with us this week!

She is expecting her second child in December and maintains a busy schedule while being a full time mommy.

She's also the creator of The Portrait Cookbook {recipes for success}...which is fabulous!

Tell us about your style of photography?

I like to refer to it as “classic children’s portraiture…with a twist.” My processing style is very clean (I don’t do a ton to my photos in photoshop or lightroom…just a couple little things), and the children are typically dressed in classic children’s clothing (smocking, etc). If a client wants more casual clothes, I usually refer to another photographer who better fits the client’s needs. Kiddos are also typically super happy in my photos….i’m a complete clown while at a photo shoot, and I think this is conveyed in the facial expressions that come out!

How long have been a photographer?

4 years. 3 years in full-fledged business. Prior to this, I was a graphic designer and a high school English teacher (totally random, but WAY fun) and a momma.

When you're not photographing, where can we find you?

ALL over the west side of Norfolk…LOL! I hit Starbucks just about every morning, and during the school year, I do a lot of volunteering at my son’s school. Summers are typically spent at the pool (and on vacation). I also spend a ton of time on iTunes setting up my precious iMixes (this is one of my fav and only hobbies).

What inspires you as a photographer?

Being around town (at starbucks or the grocery store) and seeing the kiddos I have photographed and have them give me a “pound, dawg,” or have them smile at me with a HUGE grin

and point to me as I’m in the store, or to hear them repeat something silly I taught them while at a shoot.

Or hearing the parents rave about how “Sally couldn’t stop talking about how much fun she had with you.” THIS is what keeps me going. I also LOVE to have a parent tell me that they aren’t sure their child will cooperate…they’ve never gotten a good photo of him or her, so they don’t have their hopes up…..because I usually get the shot (and make a photo session FUN for a kid…isn’t that what it is all about?).

Any books that inspired you {or helped you} in your business?

I don’t think any book in actual print helped me, but I get a ton of inspiration from catalogs and magazines.
I love to check out the graphic design ideas I see and the composition ideas I see in magazines and catalogs.
I’m also the type that reads the camera manual cover to cover…yes….tis true! You should try it if you haven’t!

I did learn a lot from various workshops
(Audrey Woulard’s, The Secret Workshop, Skye Hardwick’s, etc.).

I’m super excited to teach a workshop next month here in Norfolk, VA…
the response to the workshop has been overwhelming, so we’ll have one in the spring as well.

I LOVE what I do, and I love teaching what I do even more.
I see so many wonderful, talented photographers who just need a little push in the business department – I’m happy to inspire others to do what I do….just do it is what I say!

Best marketing idea?

I don’t think it is a secret that I’m not the best photographer around town, I just have a knack for marketing and networking! Being involved with several organizations helped me grow my business and expand my network.

I joined the Junior League several years ago before having my son, and this was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I literally volunteered and worked for free for several non-profits for years prior to launching a biz.

This helped me grow my network and show people that I had a great work ethic and that I was involved (and wanted to give back to the community).

You have to give a lot to get a little is my motto.

Another thing that was huge for me was hosting a show (thanks to the inspiration from my photographer friend, Susan Lowe) called the BIG willette Show…..she inspired me with the idea you have to show it to sell it, so we had a large showing in an art gallery featuring all the large portraits clients had ordered from me since my business’ inception.
The buzz this generated was awesome…I highly recommend doing this once you’ve been in biz for a bit.
I actually won the Design Aglow Best Marketing Idea Grand Prize for the BIG Willette show (it was featured in their summer 2008 issue). I’ll share more of my marketing ideas throughout the week for you.

Why do you feel you are so successful?

I think the answer to this is three-fold….i have the unique and awesome situation where I photograph in the same neighborhood that I grew up in (and the same area in which my parents and fraternal grandparents grew up).

This helps a lot because I really never had to do a ton of marketing or networking…..it was all done just by living here (high school friends/college friends).

I also only work in about 4 neighborhoods here on the west side of Norfolk….if I get a client inquiry from another neighborhood or area, I literally will refer the work out.

This may seem bizarre to photographers who want business, but it was one of the smartest things I did.

I’m kinda the “neighborhood” photographer.
I love this. I also love being out and about…being involved in the community is SUPER important.

I hear so many new photographers talking about

how to get “into their target market,” and I cringe at this.

Your target market is probably right around you…

you just need to open your eyes and get out there.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there…

and don’t skip over your neighbors for
what you think may be a better client base.

I think the other factor that has been huge for me is

that I am a total clown with the kids.

I have NO problem acting silly – I’ve been known

to lay my head/hair in a fountain (while photographing)

JUST to get the kiddos to laugh.

I get a ton of bizarre looks from bystanders, but I seriously do not care what anyone says or thinks about me while I’m photographing. I pretend to fart for the kids, I use potty humor, WHATEVER it takes to get that laugh.

My silliness works best with kids before they hit the preteens, so I tend to photograph children under the age of 12.

Once again, if I get inquiries for older kids,
I will refer the work to someone else.

And lastly, don’t be afraid to specialize.

Don’t be afraid to turn away clients that aren’t a good fit for your biz vision…if you don’t want to do seniors, then don’t.

And if you don’t want to photograph kiddos with large hairbows or smocking, then don’t.
You have to be clear with what you want to do….

your clients will appreciate to see a photographer who has a style rather than seeing several different styles represented in your portfolio. And I think this applies to post processing as well….pick a style…keep your work consistent in your portfolio. Use your portfolio building phase to experiment (or experiment with your family photos…NOT on client photos).

What’s your weakness in this business?

Hands down the SEO (search engine optimization) category. I have NO idea what I’m doing with this, and I have never explored how to do it. Business has been going strong without it, so I guess it is okay. I also haven’t jumped on the custom blog site bandwagon yet, but it is something I’m interested in exploring while on maternity leave.

Do you twitter? Facebook?

Ummmm…..kinda ;) I’m actually all over facebook (Kelly McMahon Willette is my user name), and my twitter user name is mommairish (I’m still learning what twitter is all about)

WHAT’S YOUR…
Savvy indulgence?

Lamps…..REALLY good lamps from serendip in Norfolk, Virginia. This is actually my savvy ILLNESS!!! I have to stay away from this place usually because I know I’ll be coming home with a new fabulous piece of lighting (and a smaller checking account balance).

Ideal getaway?

Getting a massage. Do you think it is over the top to have two in one week??? Hmmm…..now that I’m typing this, I am DYING for another one.

Favorite thing in your closet?

Turtlenecks…if it were socially acceptable (and not so darn hot) I’d be rocking a turtleneck EVERYDAY! I’ve even been known to sleep in turtlenecks. I’m not sure what this says about me…..but I LOVE them! I also LOVE my Hunter bright yellow rain boots. I may have to wear them tomorrow if it rains!

Favorite family ritual?

I don’t know that we are cool (or organized)

enough to have rituals.

We LOVE to have brinner (breakfast for dinner) often,

and we’re known to sneak over to Doumar’s for

milkshakes on a whim.

I think that “family whims” are a better description

of how we roll. I’m not the most disciplined

person around the house….
so we do a lot of things by the seat of our pants around here.
Max and I do LOVE to have dance parties in the kitchen….

that is actually hysterical...my dance moves have been likened to Ellen DeGeneres’ dance moves…LOL

(would LOVE to dance with her on her show before I die).

We LOVE to set up a kitchen disco with my iPod playlist.
Also, Willette (this is what I call my husband) and I are committed to attending all of max’s sports practices and games together….so after practice or a game we all go out to eat together….this is so nice!

Current reading material?

All the fall/winter children’s clothing catalogs.

I’m such a dork, I keep them all in a special folder and practically memorize all the clothing lines!

Most of the time, I see kids walking down the street and

I can tell you where the clothes came from.
I also just read The Happiest Baby on the Block
(getting ready for baby #2, Bridget, to make her debut in December…I think I’m a bit rusty at being a baby momma!

favorite drink? cocktail?

You can usually find me with a glass of chocolate milk at any given time of the day. And when I’m not pregnant, I LOVE a glass of pinot noir.

Do you blog stalk?

Of course! I love ali edwards’ blog
(www.aliedwards.typepad.com) ,

the Savvy Photographer,

Audrey Woulard (http://www.audreywoulardblog.com/),

Jinky Art (http://jinkyart.com.au/blog/)

Ask your son to describe you…and tell us what he really says?

She’s a good mom…she makes silly faces. (thanks….i think….)

What are doing on a typical Sunday afternoon?

Usually, nothing! We don’t do much on the weekends. We have the occasional birthday party for my son’s pals, but usually the weekends are spent chillin’ chez Willette. My family tries to get together for family dinner on Sundays; this is a great way to start the week together.

Where did you meet your husband?

Through mutual friends…..we met at a baseball game (I was still in college…he was older and already in the “real” world). I believe my pick up line was “I like your shirt.” Apparently it worked! We were married three summers later, and we just celebrated 10 years of marriage!

As a parent, what do you wish you had more time for?

I wish I had the patience to take my son on a bike ride. We live in a pretty urban section, and having him on a bike with all the cars and busy streets literally stresses me right out. Perhaps I should take a valium or something so I can actually relax and take the poor kiddo out on his bike!

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

I would be annoying EVERYONE around me….i tend to have a lot of time on my hands most of the time (and I have incredible amounts of energy)…so my business keeps me busy and from stalking my family members and friends. The workload is enough to occupy my mind and keep me from bugging everyone!!!! I’m just the type of person who LOVES to know what is going on with my peeps and kin!

Tell us your proudest moment of your career~

Making the Hampton Roads, Virginia, Inside Business 2008’s “Top 40 under 40” list at age 32 {as a children’s photographer}! Practically unheard of, and I was super excited to be honored with this designation. It validated for me that I AM a business woman and that people take me (and what I do) seriously.

Along with her portrait business, she creates beautiful silhouettes. Check out her work here traditions by willette .

Will we see lots more from kelly during the week...stayed tuned for a great week!