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 Jeremy Chou -- an attendee of the Orange County MJ2Day just last August! Jeremy is located in Los Angeles and specializes in weddings. He has done a slew of destination weddings and loves to travel and incorporate architecture into his photographs. He also does some lifestyle portraits in addition to his wedding work. It's impossible to be unhappy around Jeremy -- he is always smiling and has such a great energy about him. He is SUCH a go-getter and I'm so excited to celebrate him and the amazing strides he has made this past year in his life and business.
This is Jeremy (photos courtesy of Erin Saldana Photography):
Today, I'd like to introduce you to Jeremy Chou -- an attendee of the Orange County MJ2Day just last August! Jeremy is located in Los Angeles and specializes in weddings. He has done a slew of destination weddings and loves to travel and incorporate architecture into his photographs. He also does some lifestyle portraits in addition to his wedding work. It's impossible to be unhappy around Jeremy -- he is always smiling and has such a great energy about him. He is SUCH a go-getter and I'm so excited to celebrate him and the amazing strides he has made this past year in his life and business.
This is Jeremy (photos courtesy of Erin Saldana Photography):
We get photographers at all stages of their businesses at the MJ2Day and Jeremy was a little further along in his journey when he came to the workshop. He had been in business for 3 years, was shooting 30+ weddings/year and working full-time as an architect, in addition to being a husband and father of two. Crazy!! At the time of the workshop, Jeremy was looking to make the leap to leave his architect job and do photography full-time. He was happy with the volume of photography work he was doing, but felt he needed some additional help in order to turn what he had going into a long-term career.
I interviewed Jeremy for this post and it was so great to get his perspective on how the workshop has impacted his business even though he came into it fairly established and with good momentum. Here are Jeremy's thoughts:
Q: What is the biggest difference in your photography since attending the MJ2Day?
A: Prior to attending the MJ2Day, I have already established an unique shooting style. I love to infuse my background in architecture into my images. Despite feeling fairly confident in my photography, it was still an awesome opportunity to watch Melissa Jill in action during the mock engagement shoot! She has such a relaxed personality that can put any couple at ease right away. And she's a master at finding the most flattering light!
Jeremy is SO talented. Here is a sample of some of his amazing work:
I interviewed Jeremy for this post and it was so great to get his perspective on how the workshop has impacted his business even though he came into it fairly established and with good momentum. Here are Jeremy's thoughts:
Q: What is the biggest difference in your photography since attending the MJ2Day?
A: Prior to attending the MJ2Day, I have already established an unique shooting style. I love to infuse my background in architecture into my images. Despite feeling fairly confident in my photography, it was still an awesome opportunity to watch Melissa Jill in action during the mock engagement shoot! She has such a relaxed personality that can put any couple at ease right away. And she's a master at finding the most flattering light!
Jeremy is SO talented. Here is a sample of some of his amazing work:
Incredible stuff! Jeremy's work is so fun to look at.
Q: What is the biggest difference in your business since attending the MJ2Day?
A: The biggest difference in my business since attending the MJ2Day has been my pricing and album presentation strategies. Although I've been running a fairly successful wedding photography business, it has been a lot of trial and error on my end. So instead of expanding my business, I was actually 'fixing' my business most of the time. The workshop provided me with a new pricing strategy that has helped me tremendously in increasing my booking volume and booking rate. By utilizing the methods I learned from the workshop, I've been able to craft better packages that are more attractive to my clients. I've also been able to demonstrate the value of a dream wedding album to my clients a lot more effectively. Melissa Jill shared her workflow and it was truly an eye opening experience!
Q: What are some of your goals that you set after attending the workshop that you have since completed?
A: My biggest goal was going full-time and finally quitting my previous job as an architect! Which I accomplished a few months after I attended the workshop. And it has been the best decision I've ever made! Being a full-time wedding photographer has allowed me to really pursue what I love, and live my dream. I'm able to spend more time with my wife and my two girls, and go to bed at a decent hour! Because I have more time to focus on my business now, I'm also expanding into other business ventures. I'm starting a new wedding blog specifically aimed at grooms called "Wedding Bros". It will be ready to launch in a few months and I'm sooooo excited about it!
Q: Have your prices, booking rate and/or the type of clients you book changed since the workshop?
A: Yes, I've changed my pricing from an a la carte approach to packages. I've also raised my pricing by about 10-20% across the board. After I increased my pricing, there was a period of time where I was loosing out on my original referral base. However, I stuck to my new pricing and the strategies I learned from the MJ2Day and it paid off (literally and figuratively). Currently, for 2013, I've booked about 25 weddings and am still meeting with new clients weekly. I noticed by implementing the strategies I learned from the workshop, it made me more confident in what I have to offer my clients.
Q: Talk about the relationships you made as a result of the workshop. What relevance do they have for your business today?
A: After blog stalking Melissa for years, it was great to FINALLY meet her in person. I've always admired her work ethic and the way she grew her business through the years. Since the workshop, I am glad to be able to call MJ a friend! It has also been great to meet new friends from the workshop and follow each other's work.
Q: Are there any cool connections or events that happened as a result of you attending the MJ2Day?
A: MJ & her super-cool workshop sponsors gave away some AMAZING prizes at the workshop. I received a full page advertisement, yes, you read that right, a FULL page ad in the Spring 2013 issue of Destination I Do Magazine! Destination weddings have been a pretty successful market sector for me, and it was great to be able to win a free advertisement on one of the most well-known magazines out there! Thanks MJ!
Q: What is the biggest difference in your business since attending the MJ2Day?
A: The biggest difference in my business since attending the MJ2Day has been my pricing and album presentation strategies. Although I've been running a fairly successful wedding photography business, it has been a lot of trial and error on my end. So instead of expanding my business, I was actually 'fixing' my business most of the time. The workshop provided me with a new pricing strategy that has helped me tremendously in increasing my booking volume and booking rate. By utilizing the methods I learned from the workshop, I've been able to craft better packages that are more attractive to my clients. I've also been able to demonstrate the value of a dream wedding album to my clients a lot more effectively. Melissa Jill shared her workflow and it was truly an eye opening experience!
Q: What are some of your goals that you set after attending the workshop that you have since completed?
A: My biggest goal was going full-time and finally quitting my previous job as an architect! Which I accomplished a few months after I attended the workshop. And it has been the best decision I've ever made! Being a full-time wedding photographer has allowed me to really pursue what I love, and live my dream. I'm able to spend more time with my wife and my two girls, and go to bed at a decent hour! Because I have more time to focus on my business now, I'm also expanding into other business ventures. I'm starting a new wedding blog specifically aimed at grooms called "Wedding Bros". It will be ready to launch in a few months and I'm sooooo excited about it!
Q: Have your prices, booking rate and/or the type of clients you book changed since the workshop?
A: Yes, I've changed my pricing from an a la carte approach to packages. I've also raised my pricing by about 10-20% across the board. After I increased my pricing, there was a period of time where I was loosing out on my original referral base. However, I stuck to my new pricing and the strategies I learned from the MJ2Day and it paid off (literally and figuratively). Currently, for 2013, I've booked about 25 weddings and am still meeting with new clients weekly. I noticed by implementing the strategies I learned from the workshop, it made me more confident in what I have to offer my clients.
Q: Talk about the relationships you made as a result of the workshop. What relevance do they have for your business today?
A: After blog stalking Melissa for years, it was great to FINALLY meet her in person. I've always admired her work ethic and the way she grew her business through the years. Since the workshop, I am glad to be able to call MJ a friend! It has also been great to meet new friends from the workshop and follow each other's work.
Q: Are there any cool connections or events that happened as a result of you attending the MJ2Day?
A: MJ & her super-cool workshop sponsors gave away some AMAZING prizes at the workshop. I received a full page advertisement, yes, you read that right, a FULL page ad in the Spring 2013 issue of Destination I Do Magazine! Destination weddings have been a pretty successful market sector for me, and it was great to be able to win a free advertisement on one of the most well-known magazines out there! Thanks MJ!
Q: Are there any other changes or exciting developments you'd like to share?
A: Since the MJ2Day, I've been extremely busy! I held my third workshop at the beginning of this year, shot multiple destination weddings -- in New York, Palm Springs, and Napa Valley. By implementing what I've learned from the workshop, I've also been able to decrease my delivery time for wedding images to approximately 1 week for most clients! And I was also recently published in the following blogs: Moment Junkie, Ceremony Blog, DIY Bride, Le Magnifique, and once again on Ceremony Blog.
Wow Jeremy -- SO MANY things to celebrate!! I'm so happy for you and so proud of you for working so hard and accomplishing so much in one year's time! Thank you for sharing with us!
If you're a photographer and would like to take your photography and business to the next level like Jeremy has, join us for an upcoming MJ2Day!
A: Since the MJ2Day, I've been extremely busy! I held my third workshop at the beginning of this year, shot multiple destination weddings -- in New York, Palm Springs, and Napa Valley. By implementing what I've learned from the workshop, I've also been able to decrease my delivery time for wedding images to approximately 1 week for most clients! And I was also recently published in the following blogs: Moment Junkie, Ceremony Blog, DIY Bride, Le Magnifique, and once again on Ceremony Blog.
Wow Jeremy -- SO MANY things to celebrate!! I'm so happy for you and so proud of you for working so hard and accomplishing so much in one year's time! Thank you for sharing with us!
If you're a photographer and would like to take your photography and business to the next level like Jeremy has, join us for an upcoming MJ2Day!
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