Mentoring ~Workshops~ Excursions

Photography Gear

Everything I use for my business

 My Favorite Business Tools and Services

Asana

I use the free version of Asana to work on business and personal projects. Asana allows me to seamlessly work with multiple contractors, as each one has his/her own section with tasks and sub-tasks. I love Asana! It truly helps keep me organized in all aspects of my life.

HoneyBook

This all-in-one client platform was created for independent business owners like myself. In addition to basic CRM features such as sales pipeline management, you can use HoneyBook as an end-to-end client management tool to handle all sorts of tasks, including invoices, proposals, contracts, scheduling and more.

Tailwind

This is a Pinterest/Facebook/Instagram scheduling tool. It allows me to effortlessly and efficiently plan and schedule multiple social media posts, up to a month in advance. This frees up so much of my time to focus on what’s really important– interfacing with my couples!

Fuel Your Photos

I love this internet marketing service. They are one of the reasons I am currently running a thriving independent business. I really value and respect their education services. With their diverse and engaging videos, blogs, and podcasts, they make learning both easy and fun.

 Other Favorites

I am a consummate learner– always eager to learn more about my craft (photography), my business (adventure elopement photography), marketing, etc.

Here are some favorite books and podcasts:

Best Books for Creatives and Achieving Goals

Inspiration and Purpose

• Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team by Simon Sinek

• Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

• Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert 

• The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World by Chris Guillebeau

• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

• The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin

Habit Building and Personal Development

• High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way by Brendon Burchard

• Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K Glei

• Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Finances and Business

• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

• Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller

• Marketing Made Simple: A Step-by-Step StoryBrand Guide for Any Business (Made Simple Series) by Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. Peterson

• You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

• Love Your Life, Not Theirs: 7 Money Habits for Living the Life You Want by Rachel Cruze

 Podcasts for Photographers

• The Legal Paige Podcast by Paige Griffith — Tune in to hear legal, financial, and business tips specifically for creatives and online businesses. If you want to sign up for a course, click here.

• Fuel Your Photos by Corey Potter and Dylan Howell — Check out their numerous discussions on SEO tactics, organic marketing, and so much more.

• Shine and Thrive Photography Podcast by Sara Monika — Join Sara as she focuses on helping you create the life you’ve always dreamed of as a business owner!

• Passive Income For Photographers Podcast by Nicola Dixon — Nicola provides amazing digital products, coaching programs, and workshops to help photographers scale their business!

 Courses/Education

The Mentor Call

I am, and have always been, passionate about education. One of the most important parts of my calling and my ‘job’ is actually sharing with other creatives any and all of the things that I have learned along my journey.

When I first started on my career path decades ago, I was oftentimes overcome by feelings of frustration and loneliness. I was new to the profession and new to the States (and, of course, I was not a native speaker). I was casting about for guidance and information, and many times I ended up paying for courses and workshops that did not help and led nowhere. You can probably relate!

What I yearned for was a mentor– someone knowledgeable and trustworthy; someone who was going to care about and be invested in my progress and my success as much as I was.  Luckily, I eventually crossed paths with a multitude of people who helped me along the way in one way or another.

Now, I want to give back. I have been crafting my business for over ten years and have learned so many invaluable lessons and tips and insights in the process.  I firmly believe with all of my heart that each person has a path, specifically carved for him or her, that he or she must take to get to the exact place where they belong. My path was full of stumbling blocks and twists and turns (which of course were learning opportunities). But I am here to lend a hand and guide the way and try to help make YOUR journey as smooth and straightforward as possible.

I will happily take the time to speak with you one-on-one and be the mentor that you are looking for. You can ask all the questions that I am sure are swarming around in your mind.

Think of me as just one of the many helpers in your toolkit. Someone who is eager to share what I have learned and someone eager to lift you up.

As a mentor, I am open, forthcoming, and honest, and I will do whatever I can to help you along your journey.

Overview of Possible Mentoring Points:

• How to establish yourself as a trusted expert in the industry

• How to elevate your client experience

• How to create content that your clients (and Google) really love

• How to best scout locations for your clients and sift through and understand permits and laws regarding those areas

• How to price your offerings so that you are making good money (and not overworking and/or undervaluing yourself)

• How to maximize your time and impact by minimizing your effort through streamlined processes and automations

• How to set up, manage, and nurture your CRM

• How to optimize your website

• How to set boundaries 

• How to be inclusive

*This is a cursory list. You can come to me with any questions you have!