Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Hart Tan of Tomato Photo is a Singapore based newborn, children and family photographer who is running two successful photography businesses targeting separate demographics and serving both successfully and profitably. His advanced approach to a photography business will be an eye opener to most photography business owners.
Tomato Photo is the name of the main photography business and Hart also runs a subsidiary company called Bambini Photography – run entirely by contractors and employees. In addition to photography, Hart is involved with business coaching.
Tomato Photo started nine years ago and they average 250 sessions per year – all of which Hart shoots! While Bambini Photography is made up of photographers that Hart mentors. Their combined turnover is just over one million dollars. In addition to all the work Hart is putting out, he has accrued over 130 5 star Facebook reviews… His clients love him and his low pressure sales techniques.
If you thought what you were doing with photography marketing is advanced and working well, I think you'll be delighted to hear what Hart is doing in his business and about the success he is having.
Here’s some more of what we cover in the interview:
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.
Tomato photos I kept to myself because it's my avenue to let out my creative juice. I love shooting, I love playing with kids, I just love seeing people happy really. – Hart Tan
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.
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.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Hart 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 todays episode.
I think having a catchy name does leave an impression, basically but it's not as important as the consistency that you put out in terms of customer service as well as the consistency on the work that you do and consistency with everything you do. – Hart Tan
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Hart or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.
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 means 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 key words or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.
Here's the latest rating and review…
Inspired listening
In iTunes by Siobhan Hennessy from the UK on January 2nd 2018 who shoots modern London wedding photography.
I’ve been listening to these podcasts for a few months now, and have gained so much insight and inspiration from them. There are so many experts from the photography industry offering words of wisdom as well as simple business tips that it has enhanced my business already.
Keep them coming!
About Me – page generator by Anna Pumer
Most photography websites I see have a terrible “about me” page and if your clients are ANYTHING like me, it's one of the first pages they check out.
You've heard from countless interview guests, how important it is to connect with your perfect target clients and your about page is the perfect place to start building that connection. You need to have a page that shows the real you in a way your prospective clients can relate to and in a way that lets clients imagine working with you and having you be their photographers.
If you're stuck on how to go about this, your life just got a whole lot easier! No need to start at a blank page wondering what the hell to write about yourself without sounding dull, boring or like a complete tosser.
Anna Pumer has created The About Me Page Generator and it works amazingly well – see my test run below…
You can get it here: http://kickassphotographers.com/product/about-me/
The cost is $15 (UK Pounds) and if you're stuck or suck at writing – this is a massive help.
Nothing in this for me – I just think it's GREAT!
NOTE: If you are a Premium Member, there is also an “About Me Page” PDF available in the members resource area (also by Anna). Basically, it gives you a guideline to write a good, sorry, Kick Ass, about page for your website.
I just created the blurb below from the generator! See if you think it sounds like me?
This took me 10 minutes (max) and I haven't added the extra things Anna suggests in the “bonus” part of the generator. I also skipped the questionnaire on my ideal client avatar to just give the generator a quick try…
Hey! I’m Andrew and I’m a fun wedding photographer in the beach suburb of Terrigal, but I shoot weddings all over Central Coast.
I live in a busy home with two teenagers (one always on the go) another glued to his computer and raging war on PUBG with his mates. Then there's Roxy our miniature schnauzer and seemingly head of the household – assigned by the real boss around here – Linda, my wife and studio manager at Impact.
My favourite things in the world are travelling and cycling, and when I’m not shooting weddings you’ll find me out riding, racing or drinking coffee in Terrigal, people watching and snapping photos.
I couldn’t live without books, my laptop or my bikes (at least one of the 6 – it's an addiction!) and Linda. I spend a lot of time out taking photos and nothing makes me happier than meeting new people and learning what makes them tick – it's probably why I started a podcast and my 100 strangers project… which I need to finish!
My love of fishing (which I don't really do anymore) is what got me into wedding photography – I used to write and shoot for fishing magazines and made the cover a few times.
I’ve been a photographer for over 20 years and I’m still having such a blast. The best thing about being a wedding photographer is I get to create something special by recording what I see – which is often different to what someone else with a camera will. Plus, I get to make my friends jealous who think I only work one or two days a week. Not true BTW.
My couples are relaxed, and the last thing they want is a photographer who is super cheesy and makes them pose all day.
My wedding photography style is happy and chilled. I capture all the romantic and little moments, and let you get on with having an awesome day. For me the best part of a wedding day is the chilled time between the ceremony and reception, because it’s a chance for you to have a breather and for me to get more creative.
Your wedding is all about having a top time with your favourite people. You don’t want to be worrying about the little things that don’t matter or fancy limos and expensive chair covers – you just want to have an amazing time with your favourite people.
If this sounds like you, and you don’t think I’m a total weirdo (or maybe you do and you like it!) then get in touch!
NOTE: The About Me Page Generator is currently aimed at wedding photographers but Anna is releasing a version for portrait photographers shortly.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Tomato Photography on Facebook
Bambini Photography on Facebook
Bambini Photography on Instagram
About Me Page Generator by Anna Pumer
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Hart for coming on and sharing so much about her business, thoughts and tips on copywriting for todays episode.
If I can let people be happier and let them choose what they want to buy rather than dictating what they want to buy, then they tend to come back more often and then they tend to refer people more often. – Hart Tan
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
Hi Andrew,
Thank you so much for the shout-out, it’s made my day!
I know exactly how hard it is to get through a shoot like the one you mention in your opening segment. I did one last summer and it has had a profound effect on me too. The only advice I can give is make the shoot an amazing memory in itself. I had the most wonderful morning with Ana, her husband and daughter and seeing her tears of joy when she received her pictures has made me happier than any job before. Here is a link to the blog post: http://siobhanhphotography.com/summer-family-photo-session-bushy-park/
I was advised to treat it like any other shoot and let the emotions out afterwards which really helped. I found it tough to edit as I struggled to omit any of the ‘moments’ and cried the whole way through it. But it was such an incredible experience and like you said, it makes you realise what a wonderful gift we can give to others.
Siobhan H
Hey Siobhan – you heard your shout out already, cool! Did I get your name correct?
Thanks so much for your reassurance and tips for my upcoming shoot. Really does sound like a life affecting shoot for you.
Your photos are amazing, no wonder Ana was lost for words. I love every photo but it’s funny the airplane one is stuck the biggest chord – I’m not sure if it was meant this way but it seems like this little girl and her father will think of their mum every time a plane flies overhead.
Beautiful, beautiful work – no wonder you found it so difficult. So sad. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, thank you for those lovely words – they mean a lot. And you got my name spot on! I love the airplane too, with the light coming through the tree. I shared the images with a photography group I’m a member of, and was really surprised to hear how many of them had lost a parent when they were young. The sadness they felt at having very few photographs of their loved one was one of the reasons they decided to make it their profession. It is such a privilege to do this job, isn’t it?
I meant every word. 🙂
Oh wow, that’s interesting about photographers making it a career after losing a loved one. I agree, we’re very lucky.
I know you already had your family shoot with the terminally ill mother (I’m behind on my podcast listening!) but I recently had this scenario as well. Wondering how your shoot went Andrew??
My shoot was with an older couple, the husband is terminally ill.
I treated it like a date night. And I made sure to get some solo shots of him too. After the shoot, the wife told me she couldn’t remember the last time they looked that deeply into each other’s eyes. It was so meaningful for them … and it was FUN! We made sure to treat it like a romantic evening together and not a somber event.
Here’s the blog: http://www.marcybrowe.com/family-photos-escondido-kris-kurt/
Hi Marcy – my shoot went really well. The mother was totally open about talking about her illness although she never once mentioned the word ‘terminal’ and gave me every impression she was going to survive the disease. Not sure if this was simply in front of her children or this was a possibility. From my understanding, the prognosis wasn’t good.
Love how you approached your shoot and sounds like you had the perfect outcome too.
I just had a look at your blog post and wow, beautiful photos Marcy! I can see how these will be passed down for generations and truly treasured by the families. I love what Erika posted too –
if you ever need reassurance you’ve created something special, it’s in her words right there. Thanks for sharing.