Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.

Gustavo Fernández of www.gustavofernandez.com is a corporate headshot and event photographer based in San Francisco.

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, he has lived in Italy, Spain and now the US where Gustavo was one of the top sales reps in the country in his previous pharmaceutical sales job.

He's had his photography work displayed in Times Square, presented at WPPI – the largest photography conference in the USA and recently had the chance to photograph Bill Gates.

None of this is why I contacted him for this interview.

I received an email introduction from previous podcast guest Vincent Pugliese who said…

Andrew – I want you to meet Gustavo Fernández. Gustavo is based out of San Francisco and has an incredible photography business shooting corporate events and corporate headshots.

He is a true innovator in the field in that he barely uses any social media. He is a master connector, giver, and someone who does business the right way.

In our group, we have even given him the nickname of “Giftavo”, because of the thoughtful and creative ways he gives gifts to his clients and others.

That was enough for me and here is the interview I recorded with corporate headshot and event photographer, Gustavo Fernández.

Here’s some more of what we cover in the interview:

  • What is corporate and event photography?
  • How Gustavo transitioned from wedding to event photography
  • The type of events Gustavo shoots and what's available to event photographers
  • How and who hires Gustavo to photograph events?
  • What to supply your corporate and event photography clients after the shoot
  • Where and what event photography images will be used by clients?
  • How to price your event photography
  • Usage and copyright for corporate and event photography and how it affects the photographer
  • The importance of picking up the phone and answering emails in a timely manner
  • Bringing up rates and add-ons in the initial conversation to increase upfront sales easily
  • Hiring a VA and outsourcing tasks you don't need to be focussing on
  • How Gustavo sees his photography business growing
  • How does Gustavo hire and work with second shooters
  • How to attract corporate photography clients and how clients find/search for event photographers
  • How to be a resource and not just someone with a camera in the corporate world of event photography
  • Making a difference by supplying free shoots and giving back to your clients
  • Is event photography a genre worth pursuing for more photographers?
  • Why does Gustavo think of himself as a businessman rather than a photographer today?

Gustavo Fernandez Photography Podcast

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest.

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Two big things I tell people is… first of all pick up the phone, then second, return emails in a timely manner. – Gustavo Fernández

Plus special member-only interviews.

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group.

You will not find more friendly, more motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Joining a Mastermind Group (encouraged by Andrew) has been incredibly valuable and fun, I look forward to connecting with my group members every week. Jina Zheng, Premium Member and Melbourne Children photographer.

And that's not all… you get a set of steak knives… I'm kidding!

Seriously though, that's not all. In addition to everything above, you'll get access to and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.

Gustavo Fernandez Photography Podcast

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Gustavo shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below, let me know what your takeaways were, what you plan to implement in your business as a result of what you heard in today's episode.

It's all about relationships, make sure you take care of your clients. – Gustavo Fernández

If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Gustavo or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

PhotoBizX Premium Membership Special – THIS WEEK ONLY!

It's rare to see a special price for the Premium membership but there's one available to you until midnight June 30th.

Why the special?

Because it's holiday time (I'm off to France in July) and there's no better reason to celebrate!

The 12 Month Premium Membership – normally $200… NOW $120… https://photobizx.com/junespecial

This is the cheapest you'll ever see the 12-month membership.

SPECIAL BONUS FOR EXISTING MEMBERS

If you've made a membership payment this month already and want this deal, I'll refund this months payment for you.

For me to process the refund, you'll need to email me your Paypal email address which may be different to your regular email address.

Make sure you join first, then cancel your existing payments. This way your Premium RSS Feed URL stays the same.

NOTE: If you are already on the special price from last year, there's no need for you to do anything. Your existing membership will automatically renew at the special price.

Here's what New Zealand animal photographer, Cate Thomas said about her membership when I asked…

Hey Andrew,

Here’s my list of things I’ve received through my membership;
  • I’ve used Nick Peel’s strategy with much success and still do now! Don’t foresee I will be changing anytime soon.
  • I’ve used the promo code for Mark Rosetta’s MYM course – loving the course so far!
  • I have purchased your FB ads course and implemented with success. Fantastic step by step for idiots like me!
  • Now in a fantastic Mastermind Group (ideas came from your instruction through our membership). Brilliant, supportive and fun group.
  • Marriage support LOL ? 
  • I usually take at minimum 2 things from each interview – and I either implement these OR they become wish list items that I would like to implement. These are just too many to list!
  • I learnt about LOOM videos and have now implemented this with great feedback from clients. I use it instead of emails and make a little slideshow in Canva to emphasise important points. I flick through these during the video. 

A-MAZING subscription. I don’t have many but this one is my absolute favourite.

I know I may have missed some but these are my big takeaways ?
Cheers,
Cate

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

Each week I check for any new iTunes reviews and it's always a buzz to receive these… for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes is the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and ultimately a better show.

If you have left a review in the past, thank you!

If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast and email me your keywords or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has made a difference to you and your photography business.

Here are the latest reviews:

Best Podcast Ever!

★★★★★ In Apple Podcasts by Walnut Creek Boudoir Photographer, Missy Goldwyn from the United States of America on June 22, 2019

I stumbled across PhotoBizX about a month ago and immediately did the trial. During that time, I was so impressed, that I called my fellow photographer friend Hector and told him about it, and we both ended up joining the year-long membership!

It has truly changed my business.

I like to listen while I drive, and I have to now keep a pencil and paper in my car b/c I get so many ideas from every podcast I have listened to!

I even contacted Kylie Garner after hearing her podcast about marketing, signed up with her, and am already seeing positive results.

PhotoBizX has truly changed my business! I will keep recommending it to all my photographer friends, and I now look forward to getting in the car so I can listen to PhotoBizX!

Without doubt a gold mine of resource

★★★★★ In Apple Podcasts by South Wales Wedding photographer, Lewis Fackrell from the United Kingdom on June 20, 2019

I was introduced to this podcast channel by a local wedding photographer competitor friend. Initially, I was a little apprehensive about subscribing but once I began exploring and listening to the podcasts I then set myself onto a yearly subscription.

I have now listened to over 20 podcasts and I have implemented some fantastic advice, tricks and developed my marketing strategy further.

Without doubt, one of my finest business investments.

Plus it counts as education… Learning while editing or travelling – ideal!

Thanks once again for the quality content and valuable knowledge shared by yourself Andrew and the speakers.

Gustavo Fernandez Photography Podcast

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Top 10 Event Photography Tips by Gustavo (downloadable PDF)

Gustavo Fernández Website

Gustavo Fernández on Facebook

Gustavo Fernández on LinkedIn

Gustavo Fernández on Twitter

Gustavo Fernández on Instagram

Episode 255: Vincent Pugliese – How to Move to a Life of Zero Debt with Your Photography Business

Episode 012: Jerry Ghionis – Cooking Up Wedding Photography Success, Don’t Get Caught in the Fire

Episode 140: Craig George – Wedding Photography Success, It Takes More Than You Think

Táve

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Thank you!

Thanks again for listening and big thanks to Gustavo for sharing his valuable thoughts and ideas on creating and building a successful corporate and event photography business based on providing outstanding service, building relationships and genuinely treating every enquiry and client the way you'd like to be treated.

It's the little things and just making it personal. You know, thinking about them as an individual versus just a client, setting yourself apart from what everybody else is doing. – Gustavo Fernández

If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!

That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks and speak soon
Andrew