The Secret Workshop

A look back at the Natural, Clean & Honest Photography of Nicole Zumaeta

Your name: Nicole Zumaeta
City and State: Naples, FL
Website: www.nicolezphotography.com
Blog: www.nicolez.typepad.com

What was the most important thing you learned at the workshop? It is hard to narrow down one thing that is the most important thing that I learned from the Secret Workshop.  I certainly walked away with a refreshed attitude towards my business and a heightened drive to succeed in my photography business.  I guess if I had to pick one thing that was the most important...it would have to be that I must "preserve my joy".  That one statement that Cheryl uttered over and over again, really stuck with me.  I went into the workshop frustrated and unsure of exactly what direction I was going to take my business, but Cheryl's amazing motivation and her undeniable  love for her family first and photography second, gave me a newfound respect for 'family' and how important it is to always put my family first!

Did you make any changes in your business as a result of attending the workshop?  Yes.  Actually the Secret was at the very beginning stages of my business so I was able to mold my business and business philosophy around what I learned at the workshop.  For example, marketing, style, procedures, policies, etc.

 
If you could give one tip to a new photographer, what would it be?  Take it slow.  There is no need to rush things where your business is concerned.  Take your time, perfect your craft, and learn all you can about the business before rushing into it!!  Set your policies, goals and have a target market in mind before you start your business.

Do you have any new goals you would like to share?  Well, I have just started my Spring 2008 marketing campaign, so my goals are short term at the moment.  I hope to go full force with my business this spring and summer.  It will be a true test for me and my business!

Now, let's look at some before & afters.

Here are the befores:

And now, the afters:

Thanks, Nicole!!! You ROCK!!

Taking a look at the elegant, powerful and compelling photography of MELANIE BATARSEH!!

Your name: Melanie Batarseh

City and State: Baltimore, Maryland (OK it's really Eldersburg, Maryland, but who knows where that is??)

Website: www.melaniebphotography.com

What was the most important thing you learned at the workshop?  Pricing and marketing.  Without really raising my prices, I restructured my price list to follow Cheryl's example, and my sales jumped way up!  Before the workshop, my goal was to get every customer to spend $200, but I wasn't really doing anything to achieve that goal, and it wasn't happening on it's own (big surprise).  Now my goal is to get every customer to spend at least $500, and most are spending $1000!  And this is without actually raising my prices at all!  Imagine what will happen when I decide I'm ready to raise them!  Before the workshop, I was HOPING that someday photography would be a career for me and would actually give me a real income (but I feared that it wouldn't).  After the workshop, I KNEW it could work!  What an incredible feeling!  I can do what I love and make enough money to support myself and my family!  Wow!

Did you make any changes in your business as a result of attending the workshop? Prices, like I said above, and I changed my editing a lot.  I learned about correct skin tone and how to give images pop and life...richness....that's what it feels like to me.  My images are rich now; and they were flat and lifeless before.  I've also added new products to my price list that I didn't know anything about before.

If you could give one tip to a new photographer, what would it be?  There's so much you can learn from the internet.  I had no idea all the resources out there before the workshop.  Now I'm constantly reading forums and articles and blogs and learning so much great information all the time!  Read Read Read!

Do you have any new goals you would like to share? So so many...wanna see my list?  There's so much more I want to learn about photography itself (different lighting, trying out different lenses, perfecting exposure,....), there are still new products I want to look at and maybe sell, I want to expand the type of work I do (right now I'm just newborns and babies)....I could go on and on.

Now let's look at her (incredible!!) befores & afters:

Newborn before:

Newborn after:

Here is another before/after set showing the "curl" in a newborn image.

And just to show how much she learned in photoshop stuff, here is the same image processed both before and after the workshop.  Wow! Such a big difference!

Thanks for sharing with us, Melanie!

Meet Kristi Larson (Secret San Francisco)

Okay, I am letting everyone in on the secret that Kristi doesn't have any pictures of herself. Somebody has to snap a photo of her in San Francisco!
THE FACTS:
Name: Kristi Larson
City and State you live in: Spruce Grove, Alberta Canada
Workshop you are attending: San Francisco
Your website if you have one: www.blueframe.ca       
Your blog:  http://blueframephotographics.blogspot.com/
How long you've been taking photographs: since I was about 12--professionally since 2003
Married/Single: married
Kids (if yes, names and ages): do kitties count? Honey--5 yrs and Abby--4yrs
The Secrets:
Your [secret] guilty pleasure: Chocolate and reading other photographers blogs.
Your [secret] wish: To be the most requested maternity and baby photographer n the Edmonton area.
What you [secretly] want to know about photography: how to market my specialty, how to get the clients I want, lighting, posing of newborns, how to get kids to give me natural expressions rather than their horrid cheese faces, how to be more successful.
Your[secret] beauty product: Water, lots of sleep and bare essentials bisque
Tell us a [secret] fact or tidbit about you: I believe life is uncertain, eat desert first!
The song you [secretly] sing to in the car: anything by bon jovi
The Truths:
Your favorite place to shop: RW and Co, Ricki's, Pier one, best buy
Your favorite piece of camera equipment or photography tool: I love my 5D. I really like Kubota's black and white actions,and my tablet. I am dying for a 80mm 1.8 lens and maybe a macro lens.
Your favorite subject to shoot Maternity,newborn and children
Your favorite Restaurant: For supper--the keg, for desert--jack's drive in or marble slab.
Your favorite vacation spot: Jasper, Alberta
A photographer you find inspiring (we all know its cheryl, she's excluded):
OMG, where do I begin. For weddings (even though I don't shoot very many. -
I love wedding imagery) Kelsy Neilson, Glen Durrell and  Jeff and Julia
Woods all are so wonderful. For newborn, maternity and kid stuff I love Lori
Nordstrom, Kim Ruff and of course Cheryl.

A little reflection with the fun, simple, fresh photography of Bree Hester

City and State: Sacramento, CA
The Website: www.breehesterphotography.com
The Blog:  www.breehester.typepad.com
The secret workshop you attended: NC, July 2007
Before
Q.How did you hear about the workshop?  I heard about the workshop on ILP.
Q.When you attended the workshop, how long had you been taking photographs? I have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember, but about 6 months professionally.
Q.What was the most memorable part of the weekend?  I loved meeting all of the other photographers and sharing so much great information. The whole weekend was memorable, it is hard to pick one moment.
Q.What was the most important thing you learned at the workshop?The most important thing that I learned at the workshop was that I can do it.  I did not believe before that weekend that my work was good enough for other people to want to buy it.  I can home a new woman with a new attitude.  I also learned to LOVE working in the studio.
(below, one of Bree's before photos)


After:
Q.When you returned home,what was the first thing you did? I raised my prices and updated my policies.
Q. What is a lesson you learned along the way as you were getting your business started?  Don't undercut yourself.  You will work really, really hard, for very little.
Q.How do you feel the workshop impacted your photography/business? It gave me the confidence I needed to know that I could succeed and run a business. 
Q.What product/size print do you sell the most of? Lately, digital files.
Q.How do you keep your blog fun and fresh? I try to update it a lot (sometimes I am better at it than others) I include a lot of personal images and my clients like to see what I do for my own children.  I get a lot of requests for locations and ideas that way.
If you could give one tip to a new photographer what would it be? Shoot a lot and have fun!  I am taking 2 photography classes this semester at the local community college and I love getting new ideas and techniques.  It helps keep it fresh and creative.
(below some of Bree's recent favorites)

Where is She Now? A look at the bright, colorful, and fun photography of Shawna Allen

The Facts
City and State:  Charlotte, NC
Your Website:www.BellaTristanoPhotography.com
Your Blog: www.bellatristano.typepad.com
The secret workshop you attended: Greensboro, NC in July 2007
Before the workshop:
Q.When you attended the workshop, how long had you been taking photographs? 
Like most photographers I'd been taking pics for fun pretty much forever but getting paid to do it for about 2 years.
Q.What was the most memorable part of the weekend?
All of it!  I can't possibly pick one thing!  I didn't want it to end.
Q.What was the most important thing you learned at the workshop 
That I'm worth it!  I learned sooooo many things that I now use all the time, but most important was realizing that I don't have to settle.  I always used to second guess my skills and this workshop made me realize that I don't have to.
(Below are some of Shawna's favorite photos before the workshop)


After the workshop:
Q.When you returned home,  what was the first thing you did? 
Raised my prices!
Q. What is a lesson you learned along the way as you were getting your business started? 
That its better to work smart, not hard ;)
Q.How do you feel the workshop impacted your photography/business?
It made it so much better!  From editing to pricing to style, it has changed everything.
Q.What product/size print do you sell the most of? 
Storyboards.  People always ask about them.
Q.If you could give one tip to a new photographer what would it be?
Relax.  It makes everything so much easier.
Q.where do you see your business in five years?
Hopefully bigger and better so I can quit my day job!
(below, check out shawna's awesome recent favorites!)

A look back with the fresh, spirited and playful photography of Heather Crowder

Happy Friday! What a fun weekend this will be as we meet a few of the "original" secret workshop attendees and see where they are now, just a little over 6 months later!
First up, is the fabulous Heather Crowder. Heather attended the workshop only to learn to take better pictures of her sweet baby girl, and came home, transformed and ready to start a business. As soon as she launched her website, she was flooded with emails and sessions. Hearing awesome stories like that make me all warm and fuzzy inside. But enough about me..
.
The Website:  www.heathercrowder.com
The Blog: www.heathercrowder.com/blog
The Facts:

City and State:  Annapolis, MD
Married? Happily.
Kids: sweet Caroline, 20 months & Buster the wonder dog - 10 y.o. Jack Russell Terrier

The secret workshop you attended: (location and month and year)  NC summer 2007
A pre workshop photo below. (Heather could barely send it. The color cast was driving her crazy)

Then:
Q.How did you hear about the workshop? what made you decide to attend?  I stumbled across Cheryl's website, and I wanted to learn more about how to make my pictures look LIKE THAT!
Q.What was the most important thing you learned at the workshop? That it was possible that my photos could look LIKE THAT, and with some time and practice, they are getting there.
Q. How did you feel when you left the workshop?   I was afraid I would get a speeding ticket on the way home, eager and excited to practice all that I had learned.
(photo below taken at the workshop)

The Middle:
Q.When you returned home, what was the first thing you did? (i.e. upgrade cameras, practice photoshop, raise prices, etc) Ha.  Spent a fortune on all of the above. The B & H truck pulled up out front about a couple of days later and unloaded.
Q. What is the best photography purchase you made since the workshop: 5D with a big fat lens & a website.
Q. What is a lesson you learned along the way as you were getting your business started? Treat it like a business, and price accordingly.  While it still seems like a dream that people pay me to do this thing I love, I know what my time is worth.
(below, a favorite recent image)

Now:
Q.You've got such great branding. How did you decide to brand yourself?  I thought really hard about what would represent me as a person, and as a photographer, something professional yet playful.  The starfish symbol is a carry-over from my "old life" and the blue and green colors have always been my signature.   My wedding invitations, favorite outfit, bathroom paint, you name it, I can't get enough of those colors :-)  I worked closely with a logo designer and we were instantly on the same page.  My logo and branding feels like "me"
Q.How do you feel the workshop impacted your photography/business?  It is the reason I have one.
Q.What product/size print do you sell the most of? This fall I sold a ton of 11 x 14's, but working hard to sell more big stuff!  There is nothing like the impact of a large wall portrait in someone's home when their referrals, I mean friends, visit :-)
Q.What is your favorite age to shoot? 1 - 3  I love the challenge of the chase.
Q.If you could give one tip to a new photographer what would it be? Practice, Practice, Practice.  (Is that one, or three?)  One more, for someone wanting to start a photography business, remember that it is ALL about the images.  It's important to have a nice logo, tri-fold brochure, marketing materials, to represent yourself well, etc. but ultimately you have to deliver a product that clients want.  They are not going to hang your business card (fabulous as it may be) on their wall.  Oh, and buy a NAPP membership - what you save in shipping from B & H is worth the fee.
Q.What was the most memorable part of the weekend?  My gosh - too many to mention, but most importantly, sitting with Cheryl and hearing her say 
You. Can. Do. This. :-)  I really should have tape recorded that.

A very important interview....

...with our secret guest for the studio portion of the Flint workshop. 

Cheryl:  What is your favorite part about being a photographer?

Secret Guest:  my love of creating...I love challenging myself to create something new.

Cheryl:  What is one photography product that you couldn't live without?

Secret Guest:  my huge ass Apple 30" monitor and my Wacom tablet (giggle)

Cheryl:  If you could give one piece of advice to a new photographer, what would it be?

Secret Guest:  that success is 95% failure - hands down

Cheryl:  What is your favorite lens to use outside?

Secret Guest:  135/f2.0

Cheryl:  What is your biggest challenge in photography?

Secret Guest:  employees...always has been...

Cheryl:  What is one thing in photography that is overrated?

Secret Guest:  reflectors.  I have never used one.

And now...the very important questions begin.

Cheryl:  What did you have for breakfast?

Secret Guest:  a stuffed ancho pepper

Cheryl:  Paper or plastic?

Secret Guest:  paper

Cheryl:  Tell me a secret.

Secret Guest:  I was afraid to fly for 10 years...like, I would drive to England afraid.   

Cheryl:  What's your most embarassing moment?

Secret Guest:  My button on my pants broke and my zipper wouldn't stay up and I had to photograph the whole session with one hand basically because I couldn't tell them that my pants were falling off.

Cheryl:  Thank you Secret Guest.  You rock.

Secret Guest:  No.  You do.

Cheryl:  Muah.  Muah.  You are beautiful.

And here are two fabulous recent studio images from our fabulous guest.

Meet Anna ( The Secret San Francisco)

THE FACTS:
Name: Anna Mayer
City and State you live in: San Jose, CA
Workshop you are attending: San Francisco
Your website if you have one: http://www.annamayer.com
Your blog: http://www.annamayer.com/news
How long you've been taking photographs: Since I was eight years old.
Professionally, four years
Married/Single: Married 9 years- yippee!
Kids (if yes, names and ages): Ty, 14, Isaiah "Z", 8, Alayna, 7 and Lydia, 2
The Secrets:
Your [secret] guilty pleasure: Taking naps
Your [secret] wish: To be a stay-at-home mom (with a few days off LOL)
What you [secretly] want to know about photography: How to do it all-F.A.S.T.E.R.
Your[secret] beauty product: um...soap?
Tell us a [secret] fact or tidbit about you: I played Ice Hockey in college:-) (I am from Minnesota) and in high school my team won the state championships 4 times.
The song you [secretly] sing to in the car: This Old Man...He PlayedOne...etc. Those kid-songs are so darn catchy!
The Truths:
Your favorite place to shop: B & H photovideo :-)
Your favorite piece of camera equipment or photography tool ): 70-200L 2.8
Your favorite subject to shoot (general age range or person): Twins, twins,twins!
Your favorite Restaurant: Aquis (fabulous cal-mex)
Your favorite vacation spot: on a lake in northern Minnesota
A photographer you find inspiring (we all know its cheryl, she's excluded):my dad, my grandfather and great-grandfather

Meet Kirstie Tweed!

THE FACTS:
Name: Kirstie Tweed
City and State you live in: Banff, Alberta, Canada
Workshop you are attending: Northern California
Your website if you have one: www.orangegirlphotographs.com
Your blog: http://orangegirlphotographs.blogspot.com/
How long you've been taking photographs: I was given my first camera at age 12.
Married/Single: Happily married!
Kids (if yes, names and ages): Do dogs count? An 11 year old beautiful black lab named
Edith.
The Secrets:
Your [secret] guilty pleasure: People watching, I always get busted for staring.
Your [secret] wish: To one day have a studio with my husband's pottery and my photography together.
What you [secretly] want to know about photography: How to pose tiny newborn babies sweetly.
Your[secret] beauty product: "Rocky Mountain Soap Company" handmade soaps
Tell us a [secret] fact or tidbit about you: People starting calling me orange girl in art school. At the time I drove a beautiful 1973 (same year as me!) orange superbeetle, had bright orange hair and wore
orange everyday. Orange makes me happy.
The song you [secretly] sing to in the car: "Two Little Feet" by Greg Brown, I don't know all the words but that doesn't stop me from singing it.
The Truths:
Your favorite place to shop: "Arch" www.archsupplies.com , "FLAX Art & Design" www.flaxart.com, "Prize" 1415 Green Street SF (no website)
Your favorite piece of camera equipment or photography tool : Canon 5D, 85mm 1.8
Your favorite subject to shoot (general age range or person) people in love, pregnant
women, silly kids and babies that are learning to smile
Your favorite Restaurant: Mustards Grill in Yountville, California. The best BBQ ribs
you will ever have, I've had them every time I go there since I was 12.
Your favorite vacation spot: I haven't been on a vacation in years. I'd love to see
Kauai, I've never been anywhere where the water is warm enough to swim in.

Help Needed And Meet Jennifer Chaney (San Francisco)

NEEDED FOR UPCOMING BLOG ENTRIES....

• Is there anyone out there who is still looking for a roommate for ANY of the upcoming workshops? Friday will be "roomie" day on the blog. So if you are looking for one email me immediately!
• Also if you were one of the ORIGINAL secret workshop attendees, please email me right away. I need to hear from 4 of you ASAP.

Any of these items will be greatly appreciated and can be emailed to Isabel@thesecretphotographyworkshop.com
On another note, I messed up two days ago and posted a picture of Alex's sister rather than Alex herself. oops! I am going to change that right now. While I am doing that, you can meet another of our attendees who is so "secret" she didn't include a picture. Maybe you'll be able to pick her out in San Francisco just from her answers ;)
Name:  Jennifer Chaney
City and State you live in: Walnut Creek, CA
Workshop you are attending:  SF
Your website if you have one: jchaney.com
Your blog: haven't gotten there yet.  Plan to this year.
How long you've been taking photographs: 18 months
Married/Single:  Married
Kids (if yes, names and ages):  Ellia (3)  Reier (4 months)

The Secrets:
Your [secret] guilty pleasure: online shopping
Your [secret] wish:  to stop aging!  having little ones makes me realize how old I'm getting!
What you [secretly] want to know about photography: everything I possibly can. 
Your[secret] beauty product: photoshop!
Tell us a [secret] fact or tidbit about you: Oh wow,
The song you [secretly] sing to in the car:  "I think I love you"  yes, the partridge family. 
The Truths:
Your favorite place to shop:  Amazon
Your favorite piece of camera equipment or photography tool:Just ordered the 5d, so I'm sure that will be it.  Otherwise the 85mm
Your favorite subject to shoot (general age range or person) Honestly, I'm not sure.  Every time I have a shoot, I think, oh I like that age. I'm loving couples right now.  They actually stand where you ask them too!
Your favorite Restaurant:  mmm... not really sure.  I could tell you my favorite coffee house! Pacific Bay.
Your favorite vacation spot:  Any place near water - a lake or the ocean.
A photographer you find inspiring (we all know its cheryl, she's excluded): Sooo many.  But I'm really inspired by Carrie Sandoval.  I don't really do newborns, but I find her story inspiring.