Urban Trend: Featured Photographer, week 3

Urban Trend

::Hugghin's Photography Senior Division::
Studio and Location Photographer
Online: Facebook and Website
Serves: Gwinnett and Athens, GA areas
Market: Seniors
Go to gear: Canon! I shoot with a 5D and LOVE my 85 1.8. I'm working on upgrading my current 50mm.

I decided to start my senior division last year after a few family friends asked me about doing them. I got so busy with kids and babies that it got pushed to the backburner. 

This year, I started planning in January, knowing I wanted to launch it in the summer. I made a list of everything I wanted to do- branding, names, colors, blog posts, even picking potential models. 

I wanted it to look similar to my main brand, but still be able to stand on its own. I was lucky enough to find an amazing make-up artist who set me up with some lovely teens to help me build my style and portfolio. It all went really well and we have had a ton of interest since its launch in July!

Our main focus is to make these high schoolers feel like they too can look like the girls they see in their favorite magazines. I love to show them that no matter what their size or style, they will love their portraits! I struggled a bit with my own self-esteem as a teen, always being the tall and lanky girl, but now it really helps me demonstate poses! My favorite part is during the shoot when I show them a really great shot on my camera and they say "What? Is that how hot I look? I didn't think I could look like that!" It's just the best!

We continue to work on styled and themed shoots to help set ourselves apart from every other senior photog around. I want girls to know that their senior portraits can be so much more! We just finished up a super fun "Back To School" shoot with a junior from a local private school.

We designed the wardrobe, and with the help of my fantastic make up artist and an amazing location, we created an editorial type feel to the shoot. We were able to experiment with posing and makeup, so it was very helpful as well as fun! As with the last few of our styled shoots, we give the models a bunch of Facebook photos to show off and their friends have been raving over them!

We gained a majority of our fans through them and have received several inquiries. We will even be doing a "Sweet 16" shoot in a few weeks! I have been loving how dynamic this division has become! We hope to do so much more in the coming months with the new brand! I can't wait to begin our new Rep Program this Spring! I am loving these girls and hope to do seniors as a majority of my business in 2012!

Lovin' that Urban Trend feel? 

Visit them on Facebook! 

and Check out their Website!

Personal Standards Commitment

One of the most important things that has helped me maintain my sanity and assisted in my decision making about my business is my Personal Standards Commitment. 

This is basically my "mission" statement between my business, my values and myself. It affects both the business and my personal life. 

It can help me put emotionally charged situations into perspective and give me permission to put my personal life first without guilt. 

If you work for yourself, and especially if you work from home, I highly recommend creating your own Personal Standards Commitment. Need some inspiration? Here's mine:

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Personal Standards Commitment

of KMS

in regards to The Studio Trainer

I will trust , respect and value my own judgment, but I will also test my work by inviting the judgment of others.

I will trust, respect and value my own talent, and continually engage in education and skill building – for my clients benefits, and my own.

I will do everything in relation to my brand at 200%. I will not compromise, shortcut, quick fix or take an easy solution to create a problem later.

I will run my business today for the business I plan on having in 10 years.

Every decision I make, I will keep my brand in mind. I will also step back and take the personal out of my business, so that my choices may be clear and unaffected by emotion.

I will consistently offer my work and services for sale without bashfulness, sloth or false pride.

I won't compare myself to those who pose as my competitors, and I won't worry about the state of their business because it doesn't affect mine. I try to remember their target market is not my own.

I will strive to maintain professionalism in posts, status, notes, and messages on Facebook, Twitter, and on my Blog (or any other social media that I use).

I will work as close to a regular business schedule every week, to keep a balance between work and family life. I will not choose my business before my family. 

I will be involved in business no more than 5 hours every weekend. 

I will keep my business and personal life as separate as possible online and through social media. 

I won't partner with a business for the sake of partnering. I will only partner with a business out of mutual respect, value and understanding.

I will believe in myself enough to say no … and to say yes. Without excuses or explanation.

I will try to recognize that not every prospect is a good client. If they question my value, then they won't understand it.

I will explore the work of a variety of photographers at every level, and strive to serve the photography community with an open mind and heart.

I will always speak my mind to better the industry and the business, and share my opinions and thoughts without filter, but with professionalism as my standard.

I will advocate for and respect those less experienced, and speak without fear to those who are influential and strong in reach.

I will embrace rejection, criticism, failure and mistakes and openly admit to them. I recognize that I can use all opportunities to grow.

I will listen earnestly, ask questions, and uphold respect in all that I do.

I will take at least one vacation a year, and not feel guilty about doing so.

I will take off birthdays, holidays and at least one weekend every month, without guilt.

I will be authentic and open about my experiences, life and values – both publicly and privately.

I will recognize my own strengths and weaknesses, and I will delegate to those who have greater experience, knowledge and value than I, when it behooves me to do so – and without shame.

I will always maintain helpfulness, resourcefulness, and selflessness as guiding forces in my business.

I will strive to be approachable, understanding, and trustworthy in all things.

Hugghins Photography: Featured Photographer, week 2

Studio and Location Photographer

Serves: Gwinnett and Athens, GA areas

Online: Website, Blog, and Facebook

Market: Maternity, Newborns, Children

Go to gear: Canon! I shoot with a 5D and LOVE my 85 1.8. I'm working on upgrading my current 50mm.

Business Story: After college, I knew there was nothing else I was meant to do. I didn't want to work full-time and luckily I had a husband to do that for me! After the recession, I was forced to get serious about owning my own business. I designed my own logo, business materials, and joined a few online groups to continue my education. 

My advice if you're new in the industry: I love helping out new pros because I feel like we are all one big family in the photo world! I have a few blog posts specifically geared towards those wanting to learn more about their craft. I still have so much more to learn, but if my little bit of knowledge can help a struggling photog, then I am a happy girl!

One big mistake I see new pros make is not taking the time to learn about light. It is the essence of photography and still people think they'll just "wing it". It doesn't work that way. Research, research, research, then practice, practice, practice!

I think the biggest thing you learn from those who have been around the block a few times is to learn from their mistakes. See what they aren't doing, because there is probably a reason for it! Don't copy, but be inspired by their work. Try out new techniques and see how they work for you.

It took me quite a while and many trials and errors to find my shooting style, so don't expect it to come overnight! You don't necessarily have to be trendy- just shoot what feels right to you. Oh, and don't "specialize' in EVERYTHING! Pick what you love best and study the crap out of it!

Visit Hugghins Photography on Facebook 

Visit Hugghins Photography Blog

Check out Hugghins Photography Portfolio