How To Get Your Clients To Stop Looking At The Camera | Photography Tips

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How To Get Your Clients To Stop Looking At The Camera | Photography Tips

How to get your clients to stop looking at the camera | Photography tips

 

 

Hey friend,

Are you sick of families who have been trained to look right smack at your lens with the cheesiest grin you have ever seen? Me too. 

But here is the thing... my clients rarely do that anymore and I am going to share with you my secret. 
It's because I have educated them BEFORE they ever get in front of my camera. They know what to do before we ever actually meet in person. 

Here is how I do it. 

1. I don't ever post photos of families looking right at the camera anywhere. Not on my portfolio (especially not on my portfolio,) not on social media, and rarely on my blog (but I will there *sometimes*.) 

Your ideal client doesn't know they need lifestyle photos until you tell them they do.

Clear as mudd? Let me explain...
Take clothing companies. I haven't worn overalls since 1995, but all of the sudden I am seeing overalls all over the place and suddenly I *need* them. Like now. I am not a fashion expert so when I see a trend I trust it 100%.

But I *am* a photography expert. So I put my work out to the world and when a potential client lands on my page and sees an image like the one below they suddenly think "I want that to be my family. I want that." Bam. They aren't expecting to look at the camera. They are expecting to look like my art. 

 

2. I literally educate my clients once they book. In my welcome guide I explain exactly how their session will go and I tell them that I won't be asking them to look at the camera. I explain that I want them to simply interact with their family and that I will guide them how to do so. I position myself as the expert immediately and they trust me 100% because of it. 

So getting your families to stop looking at you starts before your session even begins. Believe in yourself and that you are an expert and your families will too. 

Have a great week! Fee free to share this with a pal who you  know would appreciate the tips. ;) 

Xoxo,
Elena 

 

 

 

 

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Let's Talk About Confidence | Photographer Tips and Education

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Let's Talk About Confidence | Photographer Tips and Education

Photography Tips and Education Elena S Blair Photography Resources

Friend, I had a feeling you were feeling like you were lacking confidence so I wanted to touch base with you. I have a free worksheet you can download at the end of this post so stick with me! 

I get so many emails and messages asking how to gain confidence and I want to help. 

First, I know it seems like those of us who have been in the game longer are confident as hell and that we were born that way. 

But that is not at all true. 

I remember when I was first starting out as a photographer with a newborn in my lap, a toddler at my heels, and a cropped censor camera I felt like I wasn't worthy of calling myself a photographer. I felt like the industry was full of so much talent that there was no way there was room for me. 

I struggled to find my way and quite honestly I nearly called it quits many times. I mean who did I think I was? I already had a great career as a registered nurse, I had two babies, a mountain of debt so new gear was never an option, and I wasn't good.

Yet.

Its the truth. I see some of my earlier stuff that I was including in my portfolio and I giggle. But I also feel proud. Because you know what I was doing? I was faking it until I made it. 

Yup. You heard me right. I was faking it. Every day I would say to myself "who cares if they think you aren't good enough. Who cares if you aren't as good as so and so. You are learning and eventually you will make it." Self talk is powerful, friend. Because you can't ever expect anyone to trust you to take their photos much less pay you to do it if you don't trust yourself. People sense inauthenticity. 

I want to share with you a few things you can do to imporve your confidence right now. 

1. Take a social media and blog stocking time out. When I was starting to feel like I had no idea what my style was and was feeling really down about my work because I thought I wasn't good enough I took a three month break from social media and blog stocking. My work skyrocketed during that period as it forced me to only focus on ME. 

2. Call yourself an artist, not a photographer. Shift your mind, my friend. You are an artist and you will feel more confident calling yourself a photographer once you really grasp the fact that you are an artist. This is an art form just like painting or writing. It is visual expression. 

3. Trust the journey. If you are new you aren't supposed to be good. We all start from nothing and we have to work our way up. There is no reason to rush your come up. In fact, I don't recommend it. I know friends who rose fast and unfortunately most of them suffered major burn out. Slow and steady wins the race. 

4. Tackle one goal at a time. If you are trying to learn how to use your camera, how to edit, how to capture connection, light, and everything else all at once you will get overwhelmed and of course you will lack confidence. I tackled photography in this order: shooting/using camera > light > connection > style > editing
Editing remains the least important part of my process. It may be something you enjoy, which is great. 

5. Take care in who you are finding support and inspiration from. There is not room for drama or negativity in your life. Anyone who brings you down is only doing so to lift themselves up. So ditch them! Make sure to only surround yourself with friends who support your dreams and mentors and teachers who advise you to be you and not them. 

Friend, I have a sincere desire to rise up leaders in this community. I believe in you. Find confidence from within to keep on pushing on!! 

Xoxo,
Elena

P.S. Share this email with any pals who you know need some help with confidence. <3

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Baby Daniel | Seattle Newborn Photography

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Baby Daniel | Seattle Newborn Photography

I have had the pleasure of working this family multiple times over the past few years. In that time they have welcomed two sweet boys into the world. Their love comes easy and their presence is warm and accepting. Every time I get to photograph them I feel lucky. 

Enjoy this sweet baby and his family. 

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Hall Family | Seattle Family Photography

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Hall Family | Seattle Family Photography

I will admit, when a friend asks me to capture their family I get a little more nervous then when it is a new family. I know that sounds silly, but family photography is so much more than a family photo to me. It is a true capture of who the family is. And when I already know the family and I know how amazing the family is, I get anxious because I have really high standards in capturing the awesomeness that I know they are. Does that make sense?

This family lives in our hood and our kiddos go to school together. In fact, their youngest is one of my youngest best pals. 

We met at a local beach that also has a forrest. It was a lovely evening with a gorgeous sunset. I hope you can feel the love and connection that is present in this very special family. 

Enjoy! 

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The Art Of Family Lifestyle Photography | Online Photography Workshp

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The Art Of Family Lifestyle Photography | Online Photography Workshp

The most rewarding part of becoming a teacher has been seeing the success and growth in my students.

After each run of my online workshop, The Art Of Family Lifestyle Photography, each student is invited to join our very active Facebook group. In this private group we do a monthly challenge each month for our cover photo. This is a positive challenge where we champion our peers and grow as a group!

The submissions continue to blow my mind and inspire me to be a better photographer! I am so proud of these ladies and the progress that they continue to make on their journey.

Online photography workshops can really connect you to thriving communities! I am so grateful for mine!

Enjoy this month's cover contest submissions! I encourage you to head to their Facebook and Instagram pages for daily inspiration!

Amber Walder was this month's winner and her gorgeous image now graces our cover!

family children summer photography workshop amber walder
children family photography pose workshop lyndsay mills mcniff
beyond the pose workshop seattle family photography amy mehlos
black and white child portrait photography pose tasha boin
family pose photographer workshop brother and sister sweet liv photography
family children photography pose workshop amy wright photo
family pose workshop engagement surprise laurie hatfield photography
going beyond the pose family workshop seagulls beach wendy bickis photographer
black and white child going beyond the pose everyday artistry photography
black and white mother and daughter pose family photography workshop angie wynne
family pose photography workshop happy sisters tracy woods photographer
going beyond the pose seattle family workshop karra cappelli
black and white mother and daughter family pose workshop brittany gunter
child pose beach sunset photography workshop seattle nancy elizabeth
father and daughter toss family pose workshop kellie pecoraro photography
black and white mother and newborn family pose workshop agnes szlapka photography
family and newborn pose photography workshop vanessa welch photographer
blue hands happy boy family pose photographer workshop candid you photography
black and white happy girl bubbles family pose workshop murielle cascone photography
happy couple field seattle family pose photography workshop marti austin
sweet girl baby toy family child pose workshop class erin aasland photography
black and white family pose workshop tracy lynn photography
outdoors family pose photography workshop class yellow room
father and son going beyond the pose workshop katrina arundel photography
black and white baby and family pose workshop jeanette baysinger photographer
family pose workshop seattle outdoors sharon kenney photography
black and white family children pose workshop emily dowell photography
australia newborn baby pose workshop elena blair capture by karen webb
black and white portrait pose workshop class sisters natalie marotta photography
family pose workshop sunset maternity beach jenny grimm photography
black and white portrait girl tutu pose workshop karen holden photography

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