How to double your income

So let's say you're currently bringing in $60,000 a year from your awesome wedding photography skills alone, with an average price of $3,000 per package and 20 weddings annually. But what if you want to double that income and make $120,000 a year?

Here are a few potential ideas to help you achieve that goal:

• Create High-End Packages: Offer premium packages that cater to clients who are willing to pay more for your services. These packages could include additional services and products, such as custom-designed albums, an extra shooter, and more. Selling three premium packages at $6,000 each would earn you an extra $18,000 a year.

• Increase Your Prices: If you're consistently booking clients, it might be time to increase your prices. By raising your average package to $4,000, you could make an extra $20,000 a year!

• Offer Destination Wedding Packages: If you're down for some travel, why not offer wedding packages for clients who want to get married in exotic locations? These packages should include travel and accommodation expenses and come with a premium price tag. Book two more of these weddings per year at $8,000 each, and you could bring in an extra $16,000.

• Expand Your Offerings: Consider offering additional products and services, such as drone footage, or fine art prints, or even beautiful handcrafted boxes to store the prints. Just upsell each wedding package by $500, and assuming you book the same number of weddings, you could increase your annual income by $10,000.

All of these strategies combined could potentially bring in an extra $64,000 for a total of $124,000 a year. Think about it, crunch some numbers, and see what feels realistic for you this year. Remember, setting a goal is just the beginning – it's all about taking action to achieve it.

Remember to stay focused, be persistent, and always strive to improve your craft. Good luck!

For the Love of Film.

For decades, film photography was all that was available. From 1913 to 1986, film was the industry standard for photographers worldwide.

Jump forward nearly 4 decades, and the options for photographers is endless. From the workhorse DSLRs to the latest and greatest mirrorless options, one would think that film is going to the wayside. And if you ask some, it may be yet. However, there are photographers across the globe working to keep film not only alive, but also relevant within the vast options of mediums available today.

From the one and done Kodak disposables that we all know, to the popular beginner SLRs such as the Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000, all the way to the big guns like the Contax 645 - while film cameras may be no longer made, the options of ways to shoot film has not yet disappeared.

But many of us didn’t get the privilege of beginning our photography journeys with film - most of today’s modern shooters began on DSLR’s or point and shoot cameras. Working in reverse almost, to emulate our own styles to that of a revived but still small group of film photographers. Because let’s face it - there is something absolutely unmistakable about the magic of film imagery.

All of that said - learning a lost art can be a daunting task, and one of the first questions many new film shooters ask is regarding film stocks. Let’s take a look at a few various film stocks - from the warm, familiar Kodak tones to the brilliant cool tones of Fuji! Here at The Ginger Lab, your images can not only be edited to emulate film, but can be matched to your film scans too. So if you see something you love, don’t be afraid to try out a new film stock, ask for a specific look in your edits, or even begin your own film journey - the options are endless, the journey is yours.

So, for the love of film, don’t let the thought of film be too daunting for you.

Below are examples of Kodak Portra 400.

Below are examples of Fuji 400H.

Preparing for Next Year

The approach of a new year is an exciting time. Filled with all the hopes and dreams of the days to come, it can also be a little overwhelming when it comes to knowing how to prepare. "Chance favors the prepared mind," so today, we're sharing our best advice on preparing for next year to help you have a happy + strong start!

Set goals and plan out the steps to achieve them. You can't accomplish a goal without first knowing what actions to take. Before this year closes, decide which steps you can take now to move closer to your goals. Start building the momentum and get that ball rolling in advance.

Reflect on what worked and what didn't. Did attending a retreat broaden your network and create connections that have led to partnerships? Did a particular marketing campaign fall short of expectations? This year alone, there have probably been dozens of experiences that offered insights into what areas you're excelling in and where you could improve. Take time to reflect and study the lessons you've learned.

Check-in with yourself. The winter is a great time to rest and recover from the intense wedding season. If the pace you were running at this past year isn't how you want to continue, it's vital to be honest with yourself for your overall well-being. Burnout does not lead to longevity.

Share engaging and incredible content to get you in front of your ideal clients during engagement season. Most likely, you're sitting on tons of amazing photos from summer and fall weddings. Engagement season is the prime time to post and ensure newly engaged couples see your work. Create reels, be active on stories, and post gorgeous photos. Don't forget to tag all the vendors to grow your reach!

Update pricing guides, portfolio, and website. Now is the time to refresh your collection information, website copy, and other essential elements that deal with booking clients and inquiries! If you've started implementing new offerings, make sure they're known. 

Celebrate this year's wins. It's easy to get so focused on achieving the next thing on the list that you don't take the time to rejoice and applaud yourself for the goals you have reached. The place you dreamed about being years ago is where you are now. Recognize where your continued hard work has brought you, and pop some champagne! 

Every year is full of highs and lows, and it's incredible how much can happen in a single year. Even if you didn't accomplish everything you hoped for this year, know that you're closer than ever. You never know if your best year yet could be right around the corner. We're sending you all the good vibes as this year ends and can't wait to continue to support you in the next one!

How do you prepare for a new year?

Establishing Your Photography Philosophy

If someone asked you about your photography philosophy, would you be able to answer? Sure, you could say you love taking pretty pictures or are obsessed with weddings, but those answers won't make you stand out in the industry.

Knowing why you do something is equally as important as the thing you do. Discovering your motivations will bring more meaning to your work, and establishing your philosophy behind your passion for photography will help clarify your artistic voice.

A photographer who is intentional and values the power of imagery commands notice. Breathing your philosophy into every area of business goes far beyond typical branding. When everything aligns with your philosophy, your brand takes on a new form of life that will deeply resonate with others. 

If you've been struggling with identifying the "why" behind your business, it's time to clear your mind of distractions and keep reading! Below, we have four thought-provoking questions to help you establish your photography philosophy. 

1. What about photographs is significant to you? Do you love how photos are tangible memories? Do you treasure photos because of the legacy they leave and how they live on long after the people in them have passed? Expound from there. Perhaps you remember the moment you realized how important photos are.

2. What makes you cherish a particular photograph? Do you have a favorite photo that always brings a smile to your face? Is it of a loved one who has passed, and you treasure it because a single picture captured their whole personality? Express those feelings with words.

3. What do you hope your photos accomplish? Do you want your photographs to become family heirlooms? Is it your goal to capture images that embody the emotions of a wedding day? Convey why you believe it's important to capture moments to last forever.

4. What feelings or emotions do you want to be associated with your work? Do you want people to feel your subject's joy and energy so strongly they feel like they were there? Do you want them to feel the immense love and tenderness captured in an embrace? Share how a photo can transport you back in time and enables you to relive all of those emotions.

Whenever you feel burnt out or discouraged, reflect on your philosophy to bring everything back into perspective. It's the reason you chose photography and continue to choose it. Your philosophy is a beautiful reminder of your purpose every time you pick up your camera.

Creating Opportunities

Opportunities rarely drop onto our lap. They usually come after a series of steps we first had to take before reaching their threshold. Their beginnings may appear humble and small, but embrace each one you can get and see where you can take them.

If you want to be pursued by new opportunities, you have to be proactive and intentional. You can't just wait for them to come to you. Create and nurture relationships, do your research, and always put yourself out there.

The fantastic thing about opportunities is they're often a snowball effect. Once you have the ball rolling, momentum helps to keep it going. Every opportunity is a catalyst to something greater, so give each one your all and truly make the most of it. 

The potential to create an opportunity is everywhere. You'll never regret trying, but you could regret missing your window. It can be wearisome when it feels like nothing is working out or coming together but don't lose heart. Keep knocking on those doors! It may take a lot of hard work and patience before it comes to fruition.

Just as a plant starts with a seed, so does an opportunity. A tiny seed of action you planted a season ago could blossom into a dream chance. A connection you established and didn't think would ever go anywhere could eventually take off. Continue nurturing your seeds and watch your harvest grow.

It's not by luck, chance, or magic that incredible opportunities come to be. Hard work, ingenuity, and persistence usher them in. You're capable of accomplishing your goals and making your dreams come true. Why wait for an opportunity to come by when you can go out and make one?

When the opportunity finally comes, don't doubt yourself. It's your moment to utilize all of your talents and expertise that led you there in the first place. It'll be the long-awaited moment you've been wishing for and working toward for years. Be fully present and take the time to enjoy it and reflect. 

The life-changing, career-elevating opportunities are the ones we look for, but there are hundreds of other opportunities we might miss by only focusing on those. There are always opportunities to build relationships, learn, grow, inspire others, and spread kindness.

What's an opportunity that's changed your career?

Risk & Reward

Rejection and failure are a risk, but so is doing nothing. With every success, you must first take the risk of uncertainty. Some dreams require you to take a chance before they can become a reality. Risks often reap a reward. 

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Winston Churchill

It's astonishing how many more risks we would take if we weren't afraid. Playing not to lose isn't the same as playing to win. It's necessary to know the risks involved with a new venture, but it's equally important to understand what not taking the chance could cost you.

Is the business idea in your head that you're scared to execute the doorway to the lifestyle of your dreams? Do you try to push it to the back of your mind, but you can't stop thinking about what it could mean for your life and business? Can you accept your lifestyle conditions if you never take the risk?

Perceive the risks from all angles. How would defeat in this endeavor look? Monetary loss or "wasted" time? How would success look? Thriving instead of merely surviving? Is the reward greater than the risks?

If you can handle the risk of failure, you're already a step closer to the reward. Sometimes we give fear of the unknown more power than it actually holds. We tend to act like it's this severe thunderstorm looming overhead, but it's only a gray cloud with a chance of rain. It's only as intimidating and scary as you make it.

Even the word "risk" can make some nervous. Thinking about everything you have to lose can keep you from making that leap. But don't let it overshadow everything you have to gain. There's always a chance it won't work out, but there's always a chance it will.

Let both risks and rewards teach you their lessons. Calculating risks can help you reevaluate your priorities. Taking risks cultivates resilience and perseverance. Risk shows us what we're prepared to lose in pursuit of reward. 

Take risks and grow from failures. Take risks and inspire others by what is possible to achieve. Whatever you do, don't sit on the sidelines of your life. It's never too late to start something new or change your life's direction.

If success was a guarantee, how many more chances would you take? 

Don't Post for Your Peers

It's always exciting when another photographer starts following you, especially if it's someone you admire. Often, many of a photographer's social media followers are also photographers. Because of this, it's easy to start posting for your peers without even realizing it. Why is this something to avoid?

You can get so in your head and think, "So and so follows me, and I want them to be impressed by this photo." When you post with your peers in mind, you inadvertently play the comparison game and lose focus of the goal behind your account. Although it could be subtle, potential clients may still be able to feel that you're not speaking directly to them.

If you're posting with your peers in mind instead of your dream clients, the traits that set you apart can easily be lost. Your photographer followers are not your target audience, so don't let them dictate what you think you should post. Stay in your lane, and don't be distracted by others.

The purpose of every post is to grow your brand awareness and attract new clients. Validation from fellow photographers is terrific, but it doesn't necessarily translate to clients. Share what's authentic to your artist's heart, and don't think about if your photographer following will "approve."

Posting with your peers in mind is also limiting to you. Every photographer has some images they love that may not be technically perfect, but they deeply resonate with them. Avoiding sharing them because you worry your photography community will think less of you as a photographer is a disservice to yourself.

It's 100% ok to repost the same photo. Shocking, right? During engagement season, it's crucial to post frequently and share your best and favorite work. If that means reposting a photo from last year that may even be far down your feed, don't hesitate to do so! Strategically use those hero shots to book new clients. Who cares if your friends have already seen the image if it brings in leads?

Leave behind the self-doubts and worries about what other photographers may think about you when posting. Don't be afraid to be yourself through your posts! Show up as the best authentic version of yourself and see the deeper and more genuine connections you'll be able to make.

Have you ever caught yourself posting for your peers?

Capitalizing on Your Strengths

We can be so hard on ourselves that we neglect to notice the areas where we excel. We tend to get so caught up in our flaws that we forget to nurture our strengths. Everybody has weaknesses because we're only human, so today, we're talking about maximizing your strengths and talents and capitalizing on them!

Truly capitalizing on your photography and business powers is how you'll be able to grow a strong business and increase income. Tap into those areas of expertise and share them with the world!

What would you say your strengths are? Are you spectacular at marketing? Can you make your subjects comfortable in front of the camera? Do you enjoy bookkeeping, and you're fantastic at it as well? If you don't know where to begin to identify them, what did your clients say in their raving reviews?

Create a list of all of your skills. It'll be a great encouragement whenever you're feeling imposter syndrome or being extra hard on yourself. With all of those talents on your list, there's at least one you could use to create educational content, raise your prices, or diversify your income. What are the other avenues you could take your business down?

How can you play on your strengths to attract your ideal clients? Discover a way your talents can speak even louder to your market, so there's no hesitation whether or not you understand their concerns and needs. Are you great at planning and can provide a seamless elopement experience for your couples? Do you live in a high tourist area and know the best photo spots and things to do? Think about what potential clients are searching for so that you can create content that solves their dilemmas. They'll find your name everywhere and see you're an expert in the field.

Share about your areas of expertise often and include photo examples or BTS footage. Show yourself in action and give viewers a peek into the experience you offer. Communicate your strong points and focus on finding ways to improve those areas to make them shine even more.

Yes, every person has weaknesses, but they also have their strengths! We love to hear your feedback, so drop us a line if you enjoyed reading this topic and found it uplifting