Today's guest is landscape and wedding photographer Owen Hughes who describes himself as “your average bloke.” Owen established a photography business in 1969 right after the rural depression but was forced to photograph weddings in natural surroundings because he could not afford a photography studio.

He didn't know it at the time but it was a true blessing in disguise.

Here’s some of what we cover:

  • Running a photography business in the 1970's compared to now
  • What drove Owen to setup a photography business when he did
  • From farmer to photographer
  • Generating enough business to have clients knocking at his door
  • Relying on word of mouth to bring in clients
  • How wedding photography was mostly done in the 70's
  • How to stand out and be different from the competition was as important then as now
  • Multiple income sources and why you should be working on it too
  • Owen's sales pitch when selling his photo books
  • Who are the amateurs in the photography industry?
  • Owen's style of photography
  • Owen's average number of wedding sessions

Owen Hughes 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 episode where you can hear lots more content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:

  • Shooting two wedding in a single day – it can be done
  • Making the switch from film to digital
  • Running a photography business without relying too much on computers
  • Should wedding photographers look for other income streams to secure their future?
  • Why Owen's book about Tasmania sold like hot-cakes
  • Why Owen believes the younger generation should not go full time with their photography business
  • Is it better to adapt to the changing times or simply fade away?
  • The best thing Owen has done for his business
  • How society perceived Owen's different style of wedding photography
  • Leading a good and adventurous life out of your photography business
  • How Owen handled unhappy clients

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 Bryan Caporicci, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, access to a members only 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 cooler, more motivated and caring photographers online.

Owen Hughes Photography Podcast

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you’d like to implement or learnt from what was shared? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.

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

Owen Hughes Photography Podcast

Competition Time with The Image Salon – we have a winner!

Congratulations to Natalie Hosmer of Jamie and Natalie Photography in Colorado Springs USA – you are the winer of the Image Salon competition!

I'll be in touch and get the ball rolling to have a wedding or portrait session edited by The Image Salon where you'll be working closely with Jean Michael on the look and feel you're after with your photos.

Here's what's included with your win:

For wedding photographers, we’d offer the following:

  • A test run process with one of our editors in order to lock into the winning photographer’s editing style
  • A gallery of up to 500 images edited at our BASIC+ level, along with 25 images edited at our BEST level
  • A three to five business day turnaround for the job

For portrait photographers, we’d offer the following:

  • A gallery of any size edited at our PORTRAIT level
  • Three to five business day turnaround for the job

Every one of our clients is assigned their own editor, with whom they can develop a close working relationship. Photographers can provide direct feedback to their editor, in a way that guarantees consistent growth over multiple jobs.

Jean-Michel www.theimagesalon.com

Following your experience with Jean-Michel, then Natalie and/or Jamie will be interviewed on the podcast to hear about their experience and talk a little business if they're up for that too.

Owen Hughes Photography Podcast

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.

We define the policies and the boundaries that we operate under – Bryan Caporicci

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 and your name just like Brendan Samuels did below:

Worth every penny

In iTunes by Brendan Samuels from Australia on February 11, 2016

I was first introduced to the podcast through a photography friend of mine. I’ll be totally honest (& I hope I don’t sound cheesy) that my mind was blown away by the wealth of info shared when listening to the first podcast that I listened to which was with Matt + Katie.

After that podcast I went and listened to Jerry Ghionis’ podcast and from that point on I have been allocating time to ensure that I listened to the “free” podcasts. I thought “who needs to pay…” lol

I recently became a premium member and have really enjoyed going back and listening to older podcasts in their entirety as well as the new ones.

I really value Andrew’s questions and you can hear that he is genuinely asking questions that will better the listener. I also respect how he values what is preached and it’s a real encouragement to hear him say how he’s tried something that the guests has talked about during the interview.

I’d very highly recommend this podcast to anyone who is serious about wanting to the further their photography career and wants to be inspired.

You’ve just saved yourself months of youTubing or google searching. Listen and implement.

It’s worth every penny. 🙂

Owen Hughes Photography Podcast

Promo Code for Sprout Studio

Last week I interviewed Bryan Capriccio from Sprout Studio and the question was asked about a promo code by listeners. There wasn't one available at the time of recording but premium member Owen Mathias went searching and found one – thanks Owen!

Use freshstartmonthly and save 20% off for 3 months!

Here's the link: https://photobizx.com/sproutstudio

The trial is 14 days and you won't be billed until after that 14 days. You will  be required to enter your credit card details up front to get started.

Bryan Caporicci Photography Podcast

Spencer Lum's Momentum Sales Course is Opening again

I'm a big fan of Spencer's approach to sales, marketing and branding, it's no surprise he's been on the show a couple times. If you're not already reading his blog, you absolutely should be – he has a knack of simplifying the complicated and making the whole wedding photography thing makes more sense.

If it's sales you're struggling with, I can't recommend his sales course more highly. The new release has been refined, updated and is ready to go. Spencer has a series of helpful videos to give you a better idea of the course content which are a big help on their own.

Spencer's big claim is he can help you 1.5x your revenue in 12 months.

You can find out more here: Momentum Sales Course for Wedding Photographers

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

Owen Hughes Website

For the Love of Tasmania by Owen Hughes

Equipment

Nikon D7000 16.2 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 18-105mm Lens (Black)

Nikon D700 12.1MP FX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Body Only)

Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DX-Format Digital SLR Cameras

Rolleiflex

Kowa Six

Hasselblad

Mamiya RB67

Owen Hughes Photography Podcast

Thank you!

Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Owen for coming on and sharing so much.

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