Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.
Ricky Stern of Ricky Stern Photography is a Miami based international wedding photographer. When asked how he manages to book so many weddings since starting his photography business, his philosophy is simple, charge less than you are worth to book more weddings.
I get the impression from his website and online reviews that he's fun, a great photographer and his clients LOVE him! The reason I got in touch though to ask for an interview was an email from listener Frank Gomez who writes…
I'd like to suggest you interview Miami Photographer Ricky Stern.
He's an attorney who quit his law practice to go full time as a Wedding Photographer, and seems to be making a success of it.
Mr Stern is a very loud, funny, and an opinionated character.
Check out his website… he's talented!
Following that recommendation, I got in touch with Ricky and recorded this interview.
Here’s some of what we cover in this 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 episode where you can hear lots more content and we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed for and include:
If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interview with Ricky, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
You have to price what you want to be considered your worth – Ricky Stern
Plus, access to a members only Secret Facebook group where you'll connect with other members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take what you hear in each episode and put it into action. You will not find more friendly, more motivated and caring photographers online.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Ricky 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 result of what you heard in todays episode.
You always have to be significantly better than what you’re charging – Ricky Stern
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Ricky or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them 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.
PLUS: if you let me know the key word or keyword phrase you'd like me to use to link to your page, post or site, let me know via email after leaving a review and I'll do what I can to make that work.
You have to learn to identify what your goals are and why you are doing things – Ricky Stern
For example, If I were linking to my wedding photography page on my photography website ” Impact Images” and want to target the keyword phrase “Central Coast documentary wedding photographer” and left an iTunes review, I'd add something like this:
Thanks for the iTunes review by Andrew Hellmich who specialises in Central Coast wedding photography on September 2, 2016
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.
The NEW Photography Xperiment Podcast is live and available
Following the success and support shown by listeners after the experimental format of the recent interviews, the new Photo Xperiment Podcast has been launched and is available on this site and in iTunes now.
Interviews are underway and I'll be looking for new guests, not restricted to wedding and portrait photographers. If you have someone you think would be a good fit, let me know in the comment area below or email me, andrew@photobizx.com.
The idea behind these interviews is to get into the headspace of the photographer and find what makes them tick, what drives them, their thought process, philosophy on shooting and how they achieve what they do with their photography. So yeah, a little technique type content too.
These interviews will not focus on the business of photography – that'll be preserved solely for the weekly and unchanging format of the PhotoBizX podcast.
To hear these interviews in your podcast app, you will need to subscribe to the podcast – these interviews will not be delivered automatically if you're subscribed to PhotoBizX. Open your favourite podcast app and search “Photography Xperiment Podcast” or enter the feed URL, https://photobizx.com/feed/xperiment/ into the search field of your podcast app.
The last episode featured Parker J Pfister who has the kind of portfolio and reputation to impress any photographer. I find I’m in awe of what he’s produced… his creativity and skill.
Listen in to the interview to hear more about this talented photographer and his views on photography, the wedding photography business and why shooting for yourself is one of the best business decisions you'll make as a photographer – Parker J Pfister Interview on The Photography Xperiment Podcast.
Zach Prez is releasing a new book… Perfect Facebook Ads
I received an email from Zach Prez (the SEO Cookbook guy) and he says…
Hey Andrew, I hope you are doing awesome.
I'm launching a new ebook on Monday September 19 – 30 called Perfect Facebook Ads. It will have a launch price of $79 ($99 after launch).
The book material was written in partnership with an agency that runs ads for medium-sized businesses so the info in this guide is current, comprehensive, and will save readers thousands of dollars.
Your listeners can get a free 10 Page Sampler from the guide here: https://photobizx.com/zach
NOTE: I'm going to try for something special for Premium Members when the ebook is launched so hold off purchasing (if you plan to) till I can get something sorted for you.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Ricky Stern Wedding Wire Reviews
WPPI: Wedding Photography Association
Equipment
Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – Fixed
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras – Fixed
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Fixed Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras – Fixed
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening to the show and thanks to Ricky for coming on and sharing his thoughts, views and ideas for running a fantastic (and successful) wedding photography business.
The no. 1 thing that you have to offer is value – Ricky Stern
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
I loved that interview. I’m intrigued with the idea of charging less than what you’re worth. It’s not a perspective I’ve heard before and it’s always great to hear a different take on things. I loved Ricky Stern’s honesty, confidence and the way he tells it as it is. I could have listened to him for another hour, for sure. What a great conversationalist. Thank you for the interview!
Thanks Melanie – I’ve been chatting about the whole “charging less than you’re worth” with another photographer since this interview and one of the big plusses we both agreed on was the lower pressure and the ability to relax and shoot at your best without the stress of “I must perform because they are spending so much” in the back of your head the whole time.
Still, it’s difficult to see the dollar benefits of charging less and working more.
Definitely an interesting take on the whole business and glad you enjoyed the interview. And how good is Ricky! Love his commitment to the way he sees things and does it his way. Great talker too!
I had mixed feelings about this interview! Clearly Ricky has found something that works for him but it sounds like he is not getting his ideal clients! I have to disagree that the brides who pay more are less cooperative or like my work less. Also, in order to have great life/work balance shooting 50 weddings for less than what you are worth is quite draining. I know Ricky is a ball of energy but some of us like to have some down time haha! I think that if the couple loves the style they will pay if their budget matches your pricing either way:) Also, having associate photographers doesn’t mean the quality has to suffer! Get associates who are as good and the clients want to book them!
Hey Elvira – great to read your comments and thoughts, thanks for adding them.
I too have mixed feelings about Ricky’s approach but it’s surely working for him at the moment. His ideas really fly against everything I’ve learnt about running a photography business BUT, stepping back, it’s difficult not to see how in demand he is, how busy he is and how well it’s working for him.
The biggest problem I see is the ceiling he is bumping into now with pricing and only having one of him to go shoot.
I’m with you on the whole associate thing but in Ricky’s case, I can see his marketing all revolves around him and his personality. If I were him, I would 100% put on associates (plural) and grow the business that way – especially with the number of enquiries he’s getting.
I loved this interview SO MUCH!!!
Thanks Amanda! I don’t feel Ricky’s approach to business and pricing is for everyone (whose is) but I love his energy, focus, commitment and work ethic. It’s no wonder he’s doing so well.
As for interviews… this was a ton of fun for me too.