NoBs Digital Dogbowl
The NoBs Digital Dogbowl Newsletter:
Keeping you up to date and informed on the latest, coolest, and outrageous happenings inside the world of NoBS Photo Success.
Loaded with Free photography tips, Photoshop tutorials, photo reviews,
and other totally relevant essentials. Be sure to check out the whole thing!
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NoBS Member of the Month: SarahM
My passion for photography started in high school. I took a photography class thinking it would be an easy class and I wouldn't get much homework. When I saw the images come alive on the paper I knew I was hooked. I started spending all of my extra time in the darkroom and out photographing. My teachers told me that I should pursue a career in photography and they knew someone I could go study with. I thought to myself "you can't make money in photography, it's a hobby." Instead I went to college and got my network administration degree, I worked as a network administrator when I graduated.
I met my husband during my college years and we got married 3 years later. A local photographer photographed our wedding, he was a good photographer but everything was stiff and posed. We got our proofs back and I said tomyself that I could do this. One day for no special reason my husband had a gift for me it was a Canon DSLR. He said "you have talked about doing photography since the day we met, now go do it." So I started doing research on the Internet for marketing ideas and how to photograph weddings. I came across Rob P's wedding system and watched the DVD's multiple times. I went back to his site and then found NoBs. At the time it was a free site and I was amazed at all the free resources and all the members that were sharing their ideas, I was hooked! I started learning a ton from NoBs and applied what I learned. In August 2005 my best friend got married, I was in the wedding so I didn't get a chance to photograph much but I did take her outside while at the bar and took about 4-5 images, that was the start of my portfolio. A couple other friends got married within the next few months and I took more snap shots. My portfolio started with about 15 images.
I never thought my business would grow so quickly. I thought I would work in the IT field for at least five more years and do weddings on the weekends. My first year which was 2006, I had 30 weddings. The way I drew my business was from my website, from day one I created a site and I optimized it to come up near the top for photographers in my area. The only other advertising that I did was a wedding planner book that came out each year. Again no advertising besides the book and my website, I had 40 weddings this year (2007). I decided that I didn't want to do so many so I tripled my pricing and crossed my fingers. So far for 2008, I have 25 weddings and I think that's where I want to keep it.
I'm also remodeling a downtown location, which should be ready by the end of the year. It's about 4,000 sq feet and I want to focus on babies, children and high school seniors. I love weddings but I want some of my weekends back to spend with my family. I have been getting into the children market more and I absolutely love it!
NoBs has been really the only resource I have used to excel in this business. Sure I check out other sites, read books but this place has been the key to my success. I have so many members that I look up to here. It helps push me to become a better photographer. NoBs has really helped with my lighting, posing and Photoshop. The workflow and actions here have saved me so much time!
Who would of thought that in just two years I would be opening a 4,000 sq ft studio and living my dream job! I can't express how much this place has helped me and I want to thank not only James and Rob but all the members here too. We all help each other and that's what so great about this forum!
