With over 140 MJ2Day alumni now taking over the globe, I thought it would be fun to do a series on my blog to check in on past attendees and see what they're up to now and how their businesses, lives and photography have been impacted by their experience at the workshop. I've heard so many fun stories from past attendees that leave me beaming with pride at their coolness and I can't wait to share!
Today, I'd like to introduce you to Leslie Savage -- an attendee of the Ohio MJ2Day two years ago this month! Leslie is located in Springboro, Ohio, specializes in senior portraits and couples, and is so ultra-cool and fun to be around. I loved getting to know her at the workshop and could sit and talk with her all day!
This is cute Leslie (photos courtesy of Angela with AMR Photography):
Today, I'd like to introduce you to Leslie Savage -- an attendee of the Ohio MJ2Day two years ago this month! Leslie is located in Springboro, Ohio, specializes in senior portraits and couples, and is so ultra-cool and fun to be around. I loved getting to know her at the workshop and could sit and talk with her all day!
This is cute Leslie (photos courtesy of Angela with AMR Photography):
We get photographers at all stages of their businesses at the MJ2Day and Leslie was about 3 years into her business when she attended. Like many photographers, she somewhat "fell" into photography as a result of others noticing her personal and travel photography she posted on Facebook and asking her to photograph them. She works in youth ministry and is super well-networked, so she found herself with a good deal of work -- loving the creative aspect, but a bit floundering when it came to the business side of things.
I interviewed Leslie for this post and I love what she shared in answer to my first question:
Q: What is the biggest difference in your photography since attending the MJ2Day?
A: One huge thing that I have learned since the workshop is the importance of specializing and only photographing the type of sessions that make me come alive as an artist. Before the workshop I was trying to photograph anything I could book, and as a result, found myself frustrated with the quality of some of the sessions. When I realized that I fell in love with photography because it allowed me to connect with high school girls, and I enjoyed styling and posing, I knew that I needed to focus on doing THAT one thing well, and not all try to tackle all genres with mediocrity. I now have great opportunities to influence students and give them an incredible experience while also living out my passion artistically.
Another huge eye opener for me was how to go about editing. Since I had stumbled into doing this as a business, I hadn't yet found my style and thus tried a little of everything and got lost with trying out different Photoshop actions. When I saw how minimally Melissa edits and the stunning quality of her images, I realized a.) the necessity of getting the images right IN camera and properly utilizing light and b.) that less is more when it comes to editing, and that it can be done in so very little time in comparison to all the silly Photoshopping I was doing. The more I edited, the more it was making the images look fake and unnatural.
SO TRUE! Here are some examples of Leslie's work before the workshop:
I interviewed Leslie for this post and I love what she shared in answer to my first question:
Q: What is the biggest difference in your photography since attending the MJ2Day?
A: One huge thing that I have learned since the workshop is the importance of specializing and only photographing the type of sessions that make me come alive as an artist. Before the workshop I was trying to photograph anything I could book, and as a result, found myself frustrated with the quality of some of the sessions. When I realized that I fell in love with photography because it allowed me to connect with high school girls, and I enjoyed styling and posing, I knew that I needed to focus on doing THAT one thing well, and not all try to tackle all genres with mediocrity. I now have great opportunities to influence students and give them an incredible experience while also living out my passion artistically.
Another huge eye opener for me was how to go about editing. Since I had stumbled into doing this as a business, I hadn't yet found my style and thus tried a little of everything and got lost with trying out different Photoshop actions. When I saw how minimally Melissa edits and the stunning quality of her images, I realized a.) the necessity of getting the images right IN camera and properly utilizing light and b.) that less is more when it comes to editing, and that it can be done in so very little time in comparison to all the silly Photoshopping I was doing. The more I edited, the more it was making the images look fake and unnatural.
SO TRUE! Here are some examples of Leslie's work before the workshop:
And here are some examples of her work since attending:
SO impressive!!
Q: What is the biggest difference in your business since attending the MJ2Day?
A: Workflow, value of my work, and confidence in my ability! Melissa helped me to get organized and put together a workflow for staying on top of what needs to be done for each client. I can't keep my head on straight without a list anyway, so it's a great feeling to mark things off as completed and to advance my clients through the workflow process.
I also went into the workshop feeling very inadequate as I was always comparing myself to others and felt lesser than. However at the workshop, all of the participants came in with varying experience levels -- some still determining if they wanted to make it a full-time career, another just beginning, and others who were already running successful businesses but wanting that push to perform and operate better. I probably fell right in the middle and definitely left with motivation to grow. I realized that I did have enough skill and determination to continue on this journey and eventually to pursue it full-time (a few months after the workshop I DID quit my part-time job and jumped in head first, and business has more than doubled since then!).
Q: Have you made any changes to your website/branding?
A: Oh, it's completely different! I actually HAVE a brand now! I only show what I want to show, in order to attract the types of clients that fit me and my brand. To create a brand I just forced myself to think of about what is ME -- what do I naturally gravitate towards, what is my personal style and my photographic style. Before I was always either looking at what others were doing or doing what I knew was people pleasing. Instead I decided to shoot WHAT I want to shoot (Seniors and some Couples), WHO I want to shoot (primarily Senior girls), and WHEN (which meant learning to say "no" and set personal boundaries). If they look at my website and want what they see, the only way to get that look is to adhere to my limitations, and business has greatly increased since! It upped the quality of my work tremendously, and I then valued my time and my work that much more.
Q: Have you changed or raised your prices since the workshop?
A: Yes! Unfortunately I am the queen of selling myself short. Since I got into business via personal relationships, I always felt bad "asking" for money from people that I knew. I still struggle with pricing sometimes, but I definitely do now value myself and know that I need to charge appropriately. They hired a professional and are thus prepared to pay professional prices. I know all the time and heart that I put into my work, and I stand by the quality of it. And all of that is worthy and carries a high value.
Q: What relationships did you build as a result of the workshop?
A: I met some great fellow photographers at the workshop and a handful of them I still keep up with on social media. The year after the MJ2Day, I was contacted by fellow attendee Meredith Melody about rooming with her at WPPI, so we had a great reunion in Vegas and ran into another fellow MJ-er at the conference as well! Unfortunately, we don't ever get to see each other otherwise since we live 10 hours apart, but we still text and rely on one another for help, encouragement, or to celebrate new and exciting ventures!
Q: Are there any other changes or exciting developments you'd like to share?
A: Funny you should ask... I just signed on a studio space last week! After being in business about 5 years now I will FINALLY have a space to meet clients in! It's a beautiful room with 2 full walls of windows, beautiful old hardwood floors, and rent is cheap so it was a no-brainer! By having a space dedicated solely to my work, it legitimizes my business in clients' eyes, and I no longer have to meet in public spaces where I am lacking in presentation, or meet in the dining room of my small home where I juggle a skiddish dog, an attention-hungry cat, and my 3-month old son. I cannot wait to have a room where I feel like a professional (rather than a mom in my sweat pants), and that allows me to give my clients an incredible experience from start to finish. I have also hired on a part-time employee to help with culling sessions and album design (and, let's be honest, helping to keep this new mama sane! -- I'm still trying to find the balance of full-time mom, wife, and entrepreneur!). I also have developed a strong Senior Model program and I selected 12 girls for this next school year who are representing me to their peers, and I am ready for my biggest year yet!
Q: What is the biggest difference in your business since attending the MJ2Day?
A: Workflow, value of my work, and confidence in my ability! Melissa helped me to get organized and put together a workflow for staying on top of what needs to be done for each client. I can't keep my head on straight without a list anyway, so it's a great feeling to mark things off as completed and to advance my clients through the workflow process.
I also went into the workshop feeling very inadequate as I was always comparing myself to others and felt lesser than. However at the workshop, all of the participants came in with varying experience levels -- some still determining if they wanted to make it a full-time career, another just beginning, and others who were already running successful businesses but wanting that push to perform and operate better. I probably fell right in the middle and definitely left with motivation to grow. I realized that I did have enough skill and determination to continue on this journey and eventually to pursue it full-time (a few months after the workshop I DID quit my part-time job and jumped in head first, and business has more than doubled since then!).
Q: Have you made any changes to your website/branding?
A: Oh, it's completely different! I actually HAVE a brand now! I only show what I want to show, in order to attract the types of clients that fit me and my brand. To create a brand I just forced myself to think of about what is ME -- what do I naturally gravitate towards, what is my personal style and my photographic style. Before I was always either looking at what others were doing or doing what I knew was people pleasing. Instead I decided to shoot WHAT I want to shoot (Seniors and some Couples), WHO I want to shoot (primarily Senior girls), and WHEN (which meant learning to say "no" and set personal boundaries). If they look at my website and want what they see, the only way to get that look is to adhere to my limitations, and business has greatly increased since! It upped the quality of my work tremendously, and I then valued my time and my work that much more.
Q: Have you changed or raised your prices since the workshop?
A: Yes! Unfortunately I am the queen of selling myself short. Since I got into business via personal relationships, I always felt bad "asking" for money from people that I knew. I still struggle with pricing sometimes, but I definitely do now value myself and know that I need to charge appropriately. They hired a professional and are thus prepared to pay professional prices. I know all the time and heart that I put into my work, and I stand by the quality of it. And all of that is worthy and carries a high value.
Q: What relationships did you build as a result of the workshop?
A: I met some great fellow photographers at the workshop and a handful of them I still keep up with on social media. The year after the MJ2Day, I was contacted by fellow attendee Meredith Melody about rooming with her at WPPI, so we had a great reunion in Vegas and ran into another fellow MJ-er at the conference as well! Unfortunately, we don't ever get to see each other otherwise since we live 10 hours apart, but we still text and rely on one another for help, encouragement, or to celebrate new and exciting ventures!
Q: Are there any other changes or exciting developments you'd like to share?
A: Funny you should ask... I just signed on a studio space last week! After being in business about 5 years now I will FINALLY have a space to meet clients in! It's a beautiful room with 2 full walls of windows, beautiful old hardwood floors, and rent is cheap so it was a no-brainer! By having a space dedicated solely to my work, it legitimizes my business in clients' eyes, and I no longer have to meet in public spaces where I am lacking in presentation, or meet in the dining room of my small home where I juggle a skiddish dog, an attention-hungry cat, and my 3-month old son. I cannot wait to have a room where I feel like a professional (rather than a mom in my sweat pants), and that allows me to give my clients an incredible experience from start to finish. I have also hired on a part-time employee to help with culling sessions and album design (and, let's be honest, helping to keep this new mama sane! -- I'm still trying to find the balance of full-time mom, wife, and entrepreneur!). I also have developed a strong Senior Model program and I selected 12 girls for this next school year who are representing me to their peers, and I am ready for my biggest year yet!
Wow Leslie! SO MANY exciting things to celebrate!! I'm so proud of you and blown away by your growth!! I can't wait to see where this next year takes you! Thank you for sharing so openly with us.
If you're a photographer and would love to take your photography and business to the next level like Leslie has, join us at an upcoming MJ2Day! The Phoenix workshop coming up in Arizona only has a handful of spots left! Can't wait to see who gets them!
If you're a photographer and would love to take your photography and business to the next level like Leslie has, join us at an upcoming MJ2Day! The Phoenix workshop coming up in Arizona only has a handful of spots left! Can't wait to see who gets them!
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