the person behind the camera
you often hear the ratio "80/20" when people talk about dieting (80% what you eat and 20% the physical exercise). my branding model is similar to that ratio. as photographers, we're always growing in our skills and style. this is true for those who make 300k annually, and those who make 10k. we're all business owners trying to be more and more successful. this is the key 20% that is consistent amongst all creative and business minded people. BUT - 80% of the success we have stems from factors like how connected we are, who we are, and how we present that to our target market(s) or consumer(s). that 80% is what i like to call your differentiator - what makes you different from everyone else with the same style, skill, and/or pricing as you.
as someone who graduated with a degree in marketing and entrepreneurial studies, i have spent years and even worked with fortune 500 organizations, analyzing the way they connect with their target consumer. since 2024, I have been offering mentor sessions to photographers and creatives eager to grow their business. what's stopping you from creating a brand that attracts your target market? are you pouring into that 80%, where real growth is found? how do you differentiate your services (whether it's through personality, personal connection, relationship management, etc.) with your clients? see below for more information on my branding sessions, headshot sessions, and mentorship opportunities. these sessions are intentionally cheaper than my regular sessions, because I believe all creatives should have access to mentorship opportunities. if you have any pricing concerns, shoot me an email!
20 minutes of branding
this $100 session is perfect for creatives, business professionals needing an updated headshot, photographers, and more because it's just enough time to get the shots you can incorporate in your social media, website, LinkedIn, etc. these can take place outdoors or in studio.
40 minutes of branding
this $175 session is perfect for creatives, business professionals needing an updated headshot, photographers, and more because it's a flexible period of time that allows for basic headshots as well as creative shots unique to your brand. these can take place outdoors or in studio. longer sessions/multiple locations may be requested via email!
30 minute mentor session
this $75 (in person or zoom) session is perfect for any entrepreneur who is looking for target consumer insights, how to get their attention, branding tips, closing sales, marketing and social media tips, market research, generating passive income, and overall brand guidance. each mentee that I meet with is provided with a guide of tangible next steps specifically catered to their business directly after the session. follow up sessions are NOT required, but encouraged and i plan to stay connected with mentees for as long as they'll let me :)
1 hour mentor session
this $100 (in person or zoom) session is perfect for any entrepreneur who is looking for everything my 30 min session offers, and more. because this session is longer, it allows me to get to know more about what the mentor wants to achieve and their career path so far. brainstorming together is one of my favorite ways to find inspiration unique to your brand. each mentee that I meet with is provided with a guide of tangible next steps specifically catered to their business directly after the session. follow up sessions are NOT required, but encouraged and i plan to stay connected with mentees for as long as they'll let me :)
"people don't always buy what you do, they buy why you do it."
and like my mom always reminds me, "if you want money, ask for advice."
e
deborah & i
mentorship experience
deborah and i met randomly when I first started promoting mentor sessions. she's one of my first mentees who helped me to realize that all of the advice i give others should continually be applied to my own business as well. it really is a two way relationship. deborah wanted to create a one-liner that represented her brand, create a more blended instagram feed, work on her personal brand, increase referrals, and really just define her business more clearly to consumers, as she was transitioning from wildlife photography to families and weddings. we met for a 30 minute coffee session in person and since then, she's continued to grow. after the session, i sent her a guide that I created with tangible steps she can take to begin reaching her business goals and inducing growth. she updated her website, revamped her logo, ordered new business cards, got new backdrops, and ended up deciding that she wanted to pursue families and headshots instead of weddings - something she might not have realized so soon if she hadn't been thinking about what her target market looked like. i'm so proud of her and continue to check in on her growth and am always available if she'd like to meet again. we text often, and i love seeing her realize where her true passions lie.
"I first connected with Emma when I was looking for opportunities to grow my business experience. I have been a photographer for many years, but had never worked professionally and was new to the business role. I was interested in shadowing to learn, gain experience, and build a portfolio. I put an inquiry on social media and Emma responded with an offer to help through mentorship. Our first conversation proved to me that she knows the business side of photography and that I would truly learn a lot form her. We had our first meeting at a quaint coffee shop, which was very comfortable. She was very prepared for our meeting and provided opportunities for me to express my needs, goals, and current progress. From that information, she gave me "homework" that provoked a lot of self-analysis, helping with the development of my plans. After our meeting, she sent a detailed plan that included how to structure my social media - making it goal focused. In addition, tips for developing a mood board, and other marketing strategies focused on the direction I intended to pursue. As I progressed, I shared samples and received detailed feedback on how to improve and the benefits I would see. Our next "meeting", was when I shadowed her at a shoot. During the shoot, she took time to mentor me with instruction on decision making, getting the best shots, and client communication. I began to feel confident in my abilities to plan and direct a session with a client, and actively promote my services as a pro! Now, with Emma's help, I am a professional. I'm able to promote my business in new ways, and a have a strong + happy customer base. Emma is the person to work with. I highly recommended Emma and truly appreciate everything she has shared with me. I look forward to our continued mentorship!" - Deb