Laura Novak Photography Education

wedding education for photographers

WELCOME! After ten years in the business as a wedding photographer, portrait artist, studio owner, employer and entrepreneur I have decided it’s time to begin offering REAL photography education spoken from a place of experience. I know how hard it is to stand out in this industry, and I have learned a lot of lessons along the way.

There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing other people live their dream; whether it's in my own organization or as an independent photographer. I love mentoring the photographers on my team, and would love to spread that circle even wider. My goal is to help you to have the same amazing experience I have had in the industry.

Follow my blog for a peek behind the curtain in my own business, and for lots of great information on how to help your business grow. Want more info? Sign up for my FREE education newsletters designed to help you find success within this challenging field.

6.19.13

block party giveaway

Today I am excited to announce an amazing giveaway brought to you by an even more amazing group of photography businesses! 17 bloggers have teamed up to bring you a GIVEAWAY valued over $1,700!!! What better way to kick off summer than to have the chance of winning a HUGE Giveaway as well as 17 freebies from all the participating bloggers. To receive the freebies follow each of the participants links (don’t forget to leave a comment saying THANK YOU!) To enter the giveaway, follow the rafflecopter link at the bottom of the post or go HERE.

Good luck!

This giveaway was brought to you by…

DSisk Photography | Summerana | For You, With Love | Melissa Davis Designs

Creative Motion Design | SewTamz Design | Prairie Sweet Boutique | Laura Novak Photo Education

Beauty Divine Design | WordSmith for Photographers | 7th Avenue Designs | Oh Snap Boutique

Go4Pro Photos | Chic Critique Forum | My Photo Biz Coach

Nifty Knowledge Rocks | Photography Spark

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Here is my Freebie for the Blog Block Party, which is a wedding template that I have personally used when successfully promoting my wedding business to top venues.

Click here to download my wedding postcard template and be sure to sign up for my newsletter (in the sidebar here ——> ) for a free video teaching you how to use a template like this one when promoting your business.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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6.13.13

How to market yourself from a rural area

Although I currently live in an urban area, that hasn’t always been the case.

Today I received a question from a reader that I felt as though I could really help with:

“I live in a pretty rural area, how I can I build my business when people in my area seem to just want inexpensive photography?”

What has your experience been with living in an area pretty far away from your target market? Do you have any other ideas or suggestions that I didn’t talk about in this video?

+ - 3 comments

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June 13, 2013 - 5:49 pm

Robert Neiszer - Hi Laura, just watched your video "How to market yourself from a rural area" & the tips there sounded great. Just wondering though, getting a 1 800 number, is that expensive to do?

June 14, 2013 - 10:49 am

Laura Novak Meyer - Thanks Robert, I'm not entirely sure – I did have one but it was a long time ago. I would also think that phone companies are more competitive now with VOIP services available, which could be a good option to consider.

June 17, 2013 - 4:51 pm

Jenny Kammeyer - Very helpful, thanks so much!

6.4.13

Turnaround Time

How long should your clients wait to see the photographs you took at their wedding?

What do you think? I would love to hear!

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You can see my answer in this video – why I think you should try to deliver as quickly as possible and some tips if you are struggling.

Also why I I think it’s best to lead with your favorite set of images first, and why I think Sticky Albums is the right partner to do this with.

+ - 5 comments

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June 7, 2013 - 9:50 am

Cory - I am always amazed when I see photographers delivering images and wedding albums 8-9 months after a wedding. That is absolutely insane, no matter how busy you are or claim to be.

I don’t think couples should be getting their wedding images as an anniversary gift! I think anything in the 2-6 week range is pretty standard and totally cool for most people.

June 8, 2013 - 10:33 pm

Leon Bailey - I put 90 days, but the reason behind that is because I do wedding videography as well, so I have to edit both wedding photos and videos. I don’t take 90 days, but use that as a buffer.

June 11, 2013 - 11:15 am

hanna - 1 month – I select ‘keepers’, send to lab for color/ density adjustments, then enhance, retouch shine from their faces (usually on hundreds of faces -Florida beach weddings often result in lots if shine!), straighten horizons (no offense, and I’m not judging and don’t mean to sound critical, but that horizon on the pic above would never, ever be presented to my clients like that), retouch beachgoers out if the background (I try to shoot around them but it isn’t always possible), select B&Ws, and post online. Since I have chosen not to hire employees, this all needs to be done while still caring for phone calls, emails, meetings, album designs, reprint orders, marketing, networking, continuing education. I have outsourced more in the past but prefer the final results this way.

June 16, 2013 - 3:47 am

Megan Schrenk Biggs - Hi, Laura. Thanks for this info! I definitely struggle with editing time and despite valiant efforts, still seem to take much more time than is reasonable and profitable. One quick question from your video, what do you mean to "edit in" instead of "edit out?" Thank you!

June 17, 2013 - 11:42 pm

Laura Novak Meyer - great question Megan! I mean to look at the images that you take, and choose your keepers versus delete the ones you don't want. I find this is a much faster way to edit.

6.3.13

Pricing your photography

Many of you in the past few weeks on how to price your photography for sale. I can see that this is a very popular topic!

The person who you really need to ask is my good friend Joy Vertz, who is an expert on pricing. She has an awesome free video series going on right now that I would highly recommend if you are struggling with how to price your photos. Check them out here!

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June 8, 2013 - 10:38 pm

Leon Bailey - Thanks for the tip. Going to investigate right now

5.31.13

The 95% Rule

You may have heard of the 80/20 rule (where 20% of your revenue comes from 80% of your customers).

Based on my experience, it’s not entirely true. More on that later! But I do have another guideline that I have found to be really true.

You can only make rules for 95% of your customers. If you’re in business long enough you will always have the one person who will find every loophole, try to combine every limited time offer, or push for something that you have never done before.

Your first reaction might be “I need to put that in my contract.” Do me a favor and DON’T! If you try to make a new policy every time that 5% slips through the door, you will end up alienating the other 95%, who will be most likely leave wondering why you have all of these ridiculous terms and conditions.