The Little Things. {Jacksonville NC, Engagement + and Wedding Photographer}

This past week was a REAL EYE OPENER for me. It has really made me feel blessed to even be able to work 2 jobs.
Lately, I have been in a funk. To be honest, I hated working my full time job. And if you didn't know, NO I do not pursue photography FULL TIME. I am actually a server/corporate trainer for a small and up and coming franchise... Cheddars Casual Cafe while enduring the job as a photographer on the days  and hours I am not there.

This week was probably one of the worst weeks I have had in a year. Everything that could go wrong DID.
I won't go into much detail about it because most of it was petty stuff. But I had a conversation with a friend of my who is also a manager and I have a new outlook on the way I will come into work.
Not only did the conversation change my way of thinking, but a very kind couple that left a note on a napkin really made me think that I am in the service industry for the right reasons. I realized that this can carry on into my own business and help improve my way of thinking about the "CLIENT'S PORTION" of photography.

Cheddar's(c) has based their company and their passion on these 4 pillars.
1. REAL RELATIONSHIPS
2. Hand-made Food Quality
3. Polished Atmosphere
4. Explicit Value Pricing.

These Pillars are Set so that we as a whole can SET OUR RESTAURANT apart from any others in town. As a trainer, I take pride in my workplace and give my guests the BEST service they have EVER had at any place.

So I got to thinking...
...
...
...
...


Why can't I set my self apart in my own business based on how I train people at the restaurant.

I want to build real relationships with my clients.  I have seen it so many times in the past where I will receive an email from a prospective client inquiring for session prices and open dates because they hated their previous session with their last photographer. The main answer I receive in asking what made them so unsure about their images that they are asking to shoot again with me as their photographer is:
"My photographer wasn't personable. We didn't feel comfortable in front of the camera because we felt awkward just standing there with no direction or any sort of personality from them."
My main Goal is to build a real relationship with you by getting to know you. Adding you as a friend on Facebook and texting each other... BECOMING YOUR FRIEND. I know it is easier to photograph a friend than a complete stranger. I use the pre-consultation meeting as an initial "lets be friends" situation. I ask questions about your life that most people won't. The more random the question, the better for me to know the real you.

And though I am not working with food in this passion, I still want to give my clients QUALITY IMAGES. I strive EVERYDAY to make the images I produce, something that my clients and fans will enjoy to look at today and for the rest of their lives.  By building a real relationship with my clients, I am producing NATURAL more flattering images BASED solely on YOU as a client. Your images will reflect you, therefore, making them more genuine. The more natural you feel in your photographs, the more inclined you will feel to LOVE your images. The quality will shine through them.

I want to make my business polished in a sense that I am branding myself that is true to my style.
I want you all to see that this is my passion and if you can't, then I have some improving to do.

 I aim to give my clients great images at a great price.


As you can see I take BOTH jobs VERY SERIOUSLY.  I know that God has a plan for me. He used this bad week I have had and turned it into a plan for my business and for my job.
I am thankful to Him for bringing this couple in my life and leaving this note. As a server, I understand WHOLE-HEARTEDLY how hard it is to continue with the job after rough days and long shifts. Notes left on the table like this, however, make my job more enjoyable, bearable, and fun.

It truly is the little things in that make life so much more amazing.

I would like to take this time to inform ALL of you that I will NOT be offering sessions from March 16th- April 3rd. I will be out of town for this period of time and will not have time for any kind of bookings then. I will be Right back at booking that weekend and so on after that point.

happy wednesday friends.

1000 fan GIVE AWAY {Jacksonville NC Engagements + Wedding Photographer}

You have been hearing that i have been planning for a 1000 fan give away since CHRISTMAS.
And if you could believe it, just a little less than 2 months HNP gained a little over 345 fans.
I wanted to make a shout out to all the awesome clients that I have had in 2012 and great clients starting in 2013. I feel so blessed and honored with whom I have had the privilege of working with already and look forward to the clients that I get to work with in the future.

1000 fans of the Facebook fan page marks a HUGE milestone for HNP. The continual support that I see from all the fans and friends NEVER goes un noticed and to show my appreciation toward all of this

So as some... or most of you have been waiting.........

Here it is:

My main goal of this contest is to get to know you as fans and for you to get to know me as YOUR photographer.
With that being said, I want to see FULL participation on the blog and Facebook page. The rules to this contest are EASY!
It is as simple as:

1. You, personally, must like The Facebook page. and post on the wall and say: "ENTER ME!" Already a fan? NO WORRIES! post on the wall anyways and SHARE THIS BLOGPOST.
2. Share the page with your friends and family.
3. Tell your friends and family to LIKE THE FACEBOOK PAGE. Then tell them to post on the wall stating "________, Sent me."  and that will add a point or "tally" next to your name.
4. You can enter the contest at any point BEFORE the contest ends. There is NO entry deadline other than when the contest ends.
5. This is for a COUPLES session. This can include an engagement session. The prize is not intended for any other sessions that HNP offers.
6. The contest will end SATURDAY, APRIL 6th, 2013.
7. The Fan with the MOST referrals will win the FREE couples session.


This session DOES NOT include a print release or a print credit. All prints and products must be ordered through HNP.

Sounds legit right?
AWESOME NOW LETS GET STARTED!


xoxo
Hales!

My week in Instagram.

I am hoping to start this at least once a week... If not it will be at least once every two weeks.
A lot can happen in a short period of time and there is NO better way than to document it with photographs. (Even if it is just with my iPhone.)

1. My fish-eye adapter works on my phone.

2. I was perfectly content with working on a beautiful day. (and because I was in such a great mood... my manager let me go home early to enjoy the weather.)

3. I encouraged my good friend to ram an old person like mario cart. (DONT judge me.)

4. I chose an old book of mine to re-read... I chose RADICAL.

5. I founds this awesome knot and HAD to try it out at work. (thanks Candice for helping me... But I can NOT remember the name of this knot to save my life.)

 6. I made Chicken Buffalo ranch quesadillas.... AND I DIDNT BURN THE HOUSE DOWN!

7. I got a SUPER sweet card from my always great husband. I hash tagged this as #myhusbandisbetterthanyours

8. I researched camera bags and found the bag i will be purchasing this week. Cant wait to own this bad boy!

9. It snowed here... and melted... then snowed again... and melted. (All with in 24 hours.)
That is North Carolina weather for ya.

10. Lastly, This little one turned 3. :) I always LOVE spending birthdays with my in-laws. Even if they can't blow out their candles in one try.

Thank you For taking the time to look into my week. I am looking forward to seeing 1000 fans on the Facebook fan-page soon. After that, I will be announcing an awesome contest for a FREE couples session. So tell your friends and family to head on over and "LIKE" the page so we can get this show on the road!

XOXO

Haley

Presley + Shaun: True Love {Jacksonville, NC Engagement + Wedding Photographer}

Shaun + Presley are a couple that I had the opportunity to meet in HIGH SCHOOL.... yes, that is right... HIGH SCHOOL! It was such a great time getting to reconnect with these two love birds and seeing how much they have grown in their relationship.
I can't wait to shoot this awesome couple again in the spring at Shaun's home.
Here is a peek into their session and keep an eye out for them again on the blog VERY SOON.

The Pyle's | Family {Jacksonville, NC Wedding and Engagement Photographer

Everyone knows just how much I LOVE to talk.
Just take a look at my previous posts... I don't think that a single one of them is simple, short, and sweet.  In fact because I like to talk so much, I feel that sometimes I am just to friendly. BUT HEY, this really isn't what this post it about.... EXCEPT... Meet my friend candace and her AWESOME family.
I met candace at my current job. The more we worked together, the more we grew as friends. We talk, text, and hang out and love to have a great time.

She has become one of my really great friends here in town.
BUT all great things don't last long in a military town.
SHE'S MOVING BACK HOME!!!

:(

I met up with candace and her sweet family to shoot some portraits in 40 degree weather and had to call it short because her daughter was FREEZING! I wouldn't blame her. I was wearing a coat and thought my fingers were going to fall off!

Here is a sample of their session on a cold wintery day:

Valued Memories. {Jacksonville NC Engagement + Wedding Photographer}

This post might come as a shocker for most. This may offend others. Ill be the first to admit that I AM SORRY BECAUSE IT IS MY FAULT.
As a photographer, my job is to teach and educate my clients on the importance of this matter.

In the past 3 days I think that this subject has come up in my life and in other photographers life.  How do I know?  Well, I have seen a TON of blog posts and personal experiences.

What on earth am I talking about?
MAKING THE INVESTMENT.

DO I think that Everyone should go out and spend 1000 dollars on a portrait session?
Absolutely NOT.
But if you value your photographers style and work, then spending a little bit of cash to create and freeze memories wouldn't be an issue AT ALL!

In the past week, I have had 2 clients come to me and inquire about sessions.
One was asking about any kind of discounts that I offer.
I do offer discounts and lower prices during the year. Some that I offer are ANNUAL.  I am very professional with telling my clients that at times I DO NOT offer discounts and am never rude about it.
I also charge what I do bc it is necessary to pay bills and run a household on something that is MORE than just a hobby for me.  I have been in Business "officially" for a little over 3 years but have been shooting for a while. I shot my first senior my JUNIOR year in high school... and if you believe it, she was so kind to pay me for it, knowing that I knew almost absolutely nothing. However, what she did know, is that I LOVED photography and wanted to peruse it as a career.
The second lady that contacted me was asking me to lower my prices "just for her." I couldn't find myself to do that because I value my work too much and feel I work too hard to sell myself short.

I do understand that some people go through things in life and I promise I DO IN FACT have a heart.

But I wanted to share some reasons it is important to MAKE the investment in your photographer; whether it be your wedding day, family portraits, Engagement photos, and Senior photos.  It all falls under the same underlying details.

1. HIRE A PROFESSIONAL:

I know most of you have seen this photo floating around Pinterest or Facebook... some even twitter and to be honest, this photo pretty much sums it up on why it is JUST SO IMPORTANT to invest. 

Although strangely enough this woman's pillow cases match the background of the top image, her photo does not.  

A professional will ALWAYS look out for the safety of the client, no matter the age or gender. 

In this specific image, I guarantee the the photographer made it a point to have a parent stand with their hands on the baby's back to secure their spot on BIG SISTERS back. Not for ONE SECOND should the photographer EVER leave a newborn in the air BY THEMSELVES. The snapshot however tells different. 

Photographers that specialize in your genre of interest will know how to pose and shoot in a specific location.  Knowing they have the experience will show in their previous WORK.

2. LOOK INTO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WORK.

I believe in getting to know a photographer before shooting with them. So I will spend hours looking through their work and really seeing their creative side. When looking through their images I am looking for 2 things. Crisp, engaging photographs and consistency. 

I always am looking for images that tell a story. Especially in engagement photos. (or couples as well.) I want to see the love between the two. I want to see the innocence in a newborn or child. I am always looking to see the pride in a seniors eyes for completing one of the biggest achievements in life.  I want to see CONSISTENCY in a photographers photographs.  If one day everything looks great and the next its really grainy, or the next session is very under exposed, its not consistent work. This factor can really make or break a client in booking with a photographer.  

3.GET TO KNOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER.

When looking for a photographer, looking into their lives. Im not saying go out and stalk them and get up into their business. But read every post they blog about, check out their about me section, and if you are brave enough, ADD THEM AS A FRIEND.  There is NOTHING that I love more is hitting that ADD button on Facebook from a client. I also love meeting my clients for coffee or tea at starbucks. This is where I feel comfortable and am able to relax and show my clients the real me. I, as a photographer get to know the real person that my clients are and the more we talk and the closer we become makes it easier on our session day to shoot. Which would you prefer to take your pictures. A friend or someone you barely know?  

ITS QUITE OBVIOUS WHAT I WOULD CHOOSE.  

In return for AWESOME clients, most photographers give incentives to make them want to return or just because moments of their career. :)

Here are some ways I make it easier for my clients to MAKE THE INVESTMENT and book their session with HNP:

1. I like to blog about important things in my life. This helps my clients get to know me better. I ALWAYS post photos and my clients can see my style. I ALSO said before I LOVE getting to meet for coffee or tea to hear about YOUR story. By listening, I am creating a real friendship with my clients and its makes for MORE natural photographs hanging on your walls. 

2. I offer an AL LA CARTE portion to EVERY SESSION. This is just simply, if you don't see something attached to your session that you really would LOVE to add, take a look at the AL LA CARTE menu and add what ever you like. This is great because people will see things that they have never seen before and purchase it for their homes or cars, and it makes for a more delightful client seeing their images everywhere than just on the walls. 

3.  PAYMENT PLANS! As a photographer who LIVES off of budgeting, I wouldn't be anywhere if I didn't get to pay with a payment plan. ALL of my sessions have a payment plan included. When we meet for for the first time, I get to know your over all budget and we work from there paying a certain amount each week until your session is paid off. This helps your clients from breaking the bank. This way they can set aside as much as they want instead of splurging all in one place. 

4. With cash being harder and harder to keep on hand, one way I make it easier for my clients to make the investment is ACCEPTING ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS! It was quick and painless to set up my very own card swiper. It takes a small charge for each swipe and it hooks right up to my phone, making payments mobile.  

As an artist in a see of photographers in my area, I take the time to really create your images. for every stylized session comes about 5 hours of planning the session. Then I will spend a good 16 hours editing and culling. I have noticed that a lot of photogs in my area just starting out think all you have to do is buy a camera and GO FOR IT! Even though that is how I started, I will be the first to tell you, IT WASNT THE BEST DECISION I COULD MAKE FOR MYSELF. With that being said, do your research on cameras, lenses, modes, editing software, and styles + genres. Really delve into your work. Let me tell you this... being a photographer isn't easy, there are UPS and there are DOWNS but if I could go back and change anything about my job................................ I wouldn't change a THING. 

xo

-Haley.

A Whole Month's Worth. {Jacksonville NC, Engagement + Wedding Photographer}

For and entire month now, (and a couple of days) I haven't had a SINGLE soda. I am SUPER proud of myself. I have caught myself ordering a soda and had to stop myself because I was just so used to drinking it... even now i have to stop myself and tell myself to slow down and order a water. 

Now that January has come to a close, I wanted to share some AWESOME things that happened just this month alone and even write out my goals for the month of February. 

January was spent shooting PORTFOLIO BUILDS! I recommend this to any photographer during the "SLOW MONTHS" of your year to continue your creativity when no one is really asking for photos. Normally, my slow months are in the winter months of the new year. So I always for the month of January offer discounted sessions at an affordable price. I wanted to gain a bigger broader clientele. 

I also took the time during January to really think about why I am a photographer and what my style is. I really enjoy shooting all genres of photography but have a passion for weddings and engagements. (couples too) So I have narrowed my specialization to strictly families, seniors, couples/engagements and weddings.

Here is a photograph from each of my favorite couples session this month:

I have been working DILIGENTLY this past month to really stay true to who I am as an artist!

I have also been able to meet some AWESOME young ladies in the photography industry and have made some great friends this month that do nothing but encourage me and build me up! after a rough 2012 with some crazy things that had happened, I am so glad to be at ease and at rest with people who only push me to DO BETTER. 

So as February makes its debut, I would like to make some more goals for my health and for HNP:

This month will be for ORGANIZATION!!  I will be UPDATING contracts and getting my binder filled with my business info and forms FILED and ready for the rest of the year! As for my health, along with giving up soda, I will now be going back to the gym OR running 2 times a week.  I will need a workout partner so if you are in the Jacksonville area and is looking to getting fit, lets work out together. 

If you know me well enough, you know I LOVE THRIFTING and you won't believe what i found today for a whole total of 6 dollars!

Still don't know what this is?  Here is a better look!

That is right! I snagged up a super fish-eye lens! :) 

I am just over the moon excited that I found such a great deal on this too. I have been messing with it since I bought it this morning and I will be using this in future sessions.

I look forward to getting to know all the new fans following the blog and the Facebook page.  If you haven't already, go on over to the top right hand side of this page and SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL! This way, you never will have to search if I have posted something new. I will notify you. 

Happy Monday friends. Enjoy the rest of your week. 

Haley