You Must Have A Really Nice Camera!

So I have heard this statement over and over again this Summer & Fall. WOW! You must have a really nice, expensive, a lot of Megapixels, or a my favorite a great autofocus. What I want to say, and what I say are entirely different. I just nod smile and continue shooting the events as they unfold before me.

I do have a nice camera a Canon 5D (not a II) and a bunch of Canon L-Series lenses which help me work and photograph the way I want to. What the average photo enthusiast or point & shooter doesn't happen to understand is that I don't merely take a "Snap Shot", I am looking to create a certain look and feel to the images I make. I am not simply pressing the shutter in hopes that I might have a good image, I know when I will have a good image.

So the next time you are at a function where there is a professional photographer at a event that you are attending, please just know that they are there to work.  Everyone's view and perspectives are different. But just knowing a photographer or any artist for that matter is working out their creative vision. Their real focus is going to be on how this will look like to them, the client, and the general population.

Remember This:

Before you take a photo, ask yourself is this something I would want to look at, or better yet hang on my wall for others to see.

Keep Living Your Dreams.

Brian Farnum

B. Farnum Photography

Photography Editing we use at B. Farnum Photography

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Software for Mac Apple 
Aperture 3 Software
Nik¤Software Silver Efex Pro 2 Software

Bomoseen Vermont Wedding: Jessica & Adam

Mr. & Mrs 

Details from the reception 

Bride striking a pose

Bride's Bouquet Details

Sunset on Lake Bomoseen with the Newlyweds 

Flower for Groomsmen

Wedding Photography Tips

B & H Photo Videos provide some fantastic tips to Wedding Photographers who are just starting out.

A Recession Is Not An Excuse To Be Lazy

I keep hearing on the news that we are in a recession or the next recession will be far worse than one we are currently in. You can make your photography business recession proof, don't just sit on the couch with the mindset that everyone is experiencing a down turn in their business. Get off your ass, and start something. Nothing is going to happen if all you do is watch re-runs.

Instead take a pro-active approach to start craving out your place in photographic market. When many of your fellow photographers are feeling the same pain that you are. What you have to do is increase your hustle. Start making sure you are consistently posting on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, Flickr and Tumblr to make sure that your name is fresh in the minds of all the potential clients out there.

You really need to increase you hustle on your social media streams, be active in the community where you work and play. Instead of thinking and sitting, take action. I have been increasing my business when everyone is complaining about not having enough clients, how things are only going up in price.

These are the FREE powerhouses that you can harness to increase the number of people who see your name on a daily basis. You might not be able to compete with a higher end photographer in your area dollar for dollar when it comes to revenue. But you do have time, the ability to type and a hunger that many photographers have lost.

I use Facebook because I have to reach a number of my Senior Portrait clients, they are a captive audience. They love to comment, like and share content that I post on my wall. It's easy to start gaining the "likes" needed to really start drawing in clients.

Another way to use Facebook is to go after newlyweds and their friends. Brides are a marketers dream, you become friends with the Bride and her Bridemaids this will insure that you will get referrals. Make sure to tag them in some of the photos that you post from their wedding.

You need quality of quantity ALWAYS, when you are trying to sell someone a look or feel.
When posting an image, remember this: "Well this make the person post a comment, like it, or share it with others." If the answer is no, then move to another image that will capture the attention of the audience that you are going after.

Hope this helps.

B. Farnum Photography
Brian Farnum
Facebook

Google+ & Photography Community

So many people have expressed worries about posting images on Google +, I for one don't sell my images that I place on any social networking site. I am after exposure for my wedding and portrait photography business, if you are in the business of showing images then why not show them to everyone.

But one reason to post photos on Google + is to let other photographers see your work, critique your images, give you tips, and talk about what's new in the photography industry. I love Google + and will keep using it to help my photography business grow.

B. Farnum Photography

Google+

My Love of Photographing Weddings

I have been photographing Weddings for over 6 years now throughout the state of Vermont and all over New England. I cannot say how many valuable connections that I have made through the years. Countless I am sure.

The most important aspect of any business are the clients you are serving, all of the couples I have photographed over the years, I know call my friends. If I have learned one thing about Weddings, Civil Unions or Celebrations is that no matter who I am photographing Love is the most important factor in creating images. I love photography!

When you photograph a milestone in someone's life, an instant bond is formed. You create some of the most important images of the beginning of a couples new life together.

Thank You Everyone!

Gear Used: Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital Camera (Body Only) Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens Canon 85mm f/1.8 EF USM Autofocus Lens

Wedding July 9th

Mr. Peter Roach & Mrs. Christina Holzmacher 
Wedding & Reception took place at Hawk Mountain Inn & Resort
in Plymouth Vermont

Married July 9th 2011

Congratulations!

Wedding Photography by: B. Farnum Photography

Wedding at Elfin Lake in Wallingford, Vermont

Wedding Photography: May 21st, 2011

Wedding of Mr. & Mrs. Roger Corey. Wedding took place at Elfin Lake in Wallingford, Vermont the reception was held at the same venue. 

A Wedding in Manchester, Vermont

A beautiful wedding took place at the First Congregational  Church in Manchester, Vermont on June 11th, 2011. The reception was held at the Equinox Nursery also in Manchester Vermont. 

Wedding Photographer Marketing-Facebook Fan Pages

Marketing Your Wedding Photography-Facebook

I have spent money on radio ads, websites that promise a lot yet under deliver every time. But one avenue that has been successful for me is the social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
To get started in the vast arena of social media start small and stick to one path. I started with a Facebook fan page. Start by going to the   Create a Page for a celebrity, band or business. Fill out all of the information that applies to your business, such as hours of operation, your contact info, and make sure to provide some type of photo or graphic for your profile picture. You should have some examples of your work to show off. But make the images small so that it cannot be pirated, yet big enough to show the detail in the photo. I tend to water mark all of the images that I post to facebook.
After you have all of the information that you would like to share with your potential clients, then you should start focusing on who you want to reach, how you are going to draw more people to your fan page. I focus on trying to get as many 18-35 year old females to "like" my fan page. I have found that more often than not the bride or wife will make the decision on whether or not to hire you as a photographer.
One place to start gaining "likes" from is your own friends list, when someone "likes" your page it will then show up on their profile page, as Brian likes B. Farnum Photography (Professional Service). Which could turn into more likes, and helps build your presence on Facebook.
Facebook will help you grow your business, you just need to be patient, it does take time to start building a following.
Hope this helps.
Brian Farnum
B. Farnum Photography