Mat has been shooting professionally since 2009 after leaving his full time graphic design job and is consistently photographing 60 plus weddings each year – all this as a 100% sole operator, the main income earner for his family and a super saturated part of the country when it comes to wedding photographers.
Looking around online before this interview, interestingly, there was very little I could find about Mat which just ma be part of his grand plans. Here's all I could find about Mat, and this was from his website: Specialising in wedding and portrait photography as well as flowers and styling. I can't wait to share this interview with a down to earth and genuinely lovely bloke.
Here's some more of what we cover:
No matter where you are in your business growth, following this interview with Mat, it should be obvious that you can build a successful wedding photography business no matter the competition, the area your'e drawing from and the style of photography you like to shoot. Following a marketing and social media strategy that suits you and just repeating over and over looks to be the perfect approach.
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 or have seen it pop up in your podcast app, where you can hear lots more implementable content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:
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 or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
If you'd like an easy way to show Mat your thanks, and support for the show at the same time, click the link to create a tweet and automatically let him know you're listening: https://photobizx.com/tweet
The Resources Page
Remember the ever expanding resources page that has a listing of products, programs, hardware, books and directories mentioned in each episode of the show. If you’re looking for something that a guest has mentioned on a previous episode but just can’t remember who or what it was – you’ll find it listed in order on the resources page.
iTunes ratings, reviews and Shout-Outs
Each week before recording the podcast I check iTunes for any reviews and each week I'm excited to see what you've had to say about the podcast. This week I was blown away to see five fantastic reviews! Thanks you so much to:
Tracy Lee of Tracy Lee Photography in Canberra Australia who has a beautiful website and a blog post just published and definitely worth a read and look if you've never entered any photography awards or not part of a photography association. Here's the link: http://tracyleephotography.net/Blog/?p=1726
Also, a big shout out to Dawn Dixon from I believe the USA. Dawn is a premium member and has had some difficulty getting the premium episodes that we've worked through.
Sincerely, thanks so much for your ratings and reviews, I appreciate the time you've taken and it's a big help for the show. It's these iTunes reviews that make a big difference to the podcast being ranked well and found in the iTunes store. If you have the time and are happy to leave an honest rating and review, head over to iTunes.
Don't feel your comments have to be long, involved or gushy, an honest opinion is all I ask. Don't be shy about leaving your business name in the review either – that way I can add a link in the show-notes and show my appreciation with a proper thanks and a Google loving back-link to your website.
Last Weeks for Super Cheap PremiumMemberships
A quick reminder about the price of the premium memberships doubling to $20 per month at the end of the month. If you'd like to beat the price rise and lock your membership in at the current price of $10, you'll have to get onboard before October 2014.
If you'd prefer the 6 month ($60.00) or 12 month ($100.00) options instead of the monthly payments. Let me know and I can organise an invoice and get you going right away.
Remember, your premium membership gets you access to ALL existing premium content plus the new episodes as they are released. That means you get access right back to week one of the premium content when you sign up.
Get in Touch or Leave a Voicemail Message
A big thanks to Andrea Riofrio from Andrea Riofrio Photography for her two voicemail messages this week. Although I love to hear about listener takeaways, I was particularly taken with Andrea's reason for becoming a photographer and feel that her success is almost guaranteed if she keeps those reasons as a focus in her photography.
Do you know why you are a photographer? have you ever lost sight of your reasons? Leave a voicemail or get in touch and let me and other listeners know about your circumstances and how you stay focussed, on track and true to your vision. Maybe you haven't and you ‘d like to share your thoughts about that… I'd love to hear from you.
If you'd like to get in touch, ask a question or make a suggestion for the show, you can email me andrew@photobizx.com, find me on Twitter https://twitter.com/andrewhellmich or on Facebook at https://photobizx.com/facebook – I'd love to hear from you!
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Photo Mechanic – http://www.camerabits.com/products/
Equipment
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens
That's it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
If you've been enjoying the podcast, I'd love for you to tell another photographer about it – it could be in a Facebook Group you're a part of, a photography forum, with a photographer friend or on twitter.
If you do have a twitter account, simply click here: https://photobizx.com/tweet or use the share buttons below.
Thanks and speak soon Andrew
Great interview Andrew 🙂 Matthew is a really nice guy, I met him a number of years ago now.
Thanks Jack.
I met a couple of other photographers at the APPAS on the weekend and they said exactly the same thing as you, Mathew is a really nice guy.
I’m sure that alone plays a large role in his success, not to mention his terrific photography.
Jack Chauvel. Thanks Brother 😉 We do need a catch up one day with the crew that did the workshop
Great interview, very honest, i can completely get where he is coming from with two young kids of my own. Its a discipline to map out your time and balance work/family life. I’m lucky enough to have a wife who looks after all the marketing and social media side. Biggest impression from the interview (and its a common theme) is really look after your couples, treat them well and do it sincerely.
Thanks Paul – I loved how open and candid Mat was in this interview too.
I agree, since moving my business back home again, it’s tough to carve out that time away from work when it’s so close at hand. I go to check or reply to one email and two hours later the family are saying goodnight and I’ve missed an evening with them.
You’re lucky to have your wife involved and helping out (as I am) – I couldn’t imagine doing it all on my own. I think I’d be looking at a lot of outsourcing where possible if that were the case. Although, I think when starting out, it’s a lot easier to sink your life and all your hours into building your business.
What a down-to-earth guy Mathew is! I really enjoyed this interview. I have a feeling a ton of the listeners are going to really relate to him and for a lot of reasons. What I liked most about this interview was the simple flow of it. I never felt lost or off track at all. I checked out his work and really love his style. A big thanks to Paul Pennell for reaching out and telling you about Mat. Sort of like I did with Joey Wright (ep.52)
Cheers,
Joey
Thanks Joey, good to read your comments.
I have a feeling Mat’s easy going approach is one of the big appeals for his clients.
Great to hear the ideas and how Matt uses facebook really well – I couldnt be friends with my clients on my personal account but hey if works for him all good.
I found that having a personal and business page and trying to keep a business presence on both just taxing.
I made the decision a while ago to remove clients as friends from Facebook but the downside is the lack of ability to tag them in posts.
We usually email or text them if we post any of their photos on FB and I really only use my personal FB account to participate in FB Groups and for personal/family content.
What Mat is doing though, seems to be working really well for him – as you say. I guess the lesson is, horses for courses.
Thanks for the great podcasts, Andrew! Wow, is Mathew a superhero?? I am amazed that a one-man show is accomplishing all of the things he is from shooting that many weddings, to post-production, emails, personal interactions with clients, blogging… I’m doing a similar volume right now, with a similar interface with my clients in terms of really spending time talking and planning with each one. With all of that, I can’t think straight, I have no time for blogging or marketing of any kind, and I’m feeling that if I don’t outsource my post-production soon that I’m going to drown. I can see from Mathew’s photos that he puts some post-production love into them as well. That part of things is a huge time-eater for me. I’m so curious about the specifics of his workflow and how he juggles all of those things successfully! Again, thanks for all of the great info! – M
Hi Megan – love knowing that you’re out there and listening to the podcast!
I’ll see if I can get Mat to pop back and answer your question specifically and you might also be happy to hear, I have an episode coming up on outsourcing post production. It’ll be one part with a listener who has just started outsourcing and the 2nd part with lab owner Jarred from Raw Digital and Film lab who specialise in handling outsourcing for photographers around the world.
You may have heard James Day ‘raving’ about how good they are and how much time he has saved with outsourcing in his interview – see link below.
In regard to your feelings of being overwhelmed… I hear you! So do most most small business owners. If you’re not out sourcing yet and do have a massive list of “to-do’s” the key is to write them all down and prioritise. Do the things that will give you the best results for your business first. Which ones will see you increase bookings, increase sales? Move them to the top of your list.
Oh yeah, then turn off social media and email auntie you finish one task. No distractions till you finish. 🙂
Hey Megan,
Just another photographer working his butt off.
It took some time to get where I am at with editing and everything else.
But I can knock out a wedding in 1 -2 days now so helps clear the backlog pretty easily.
Just early mornings and long night when needed.
Workflow is probably the same as most but I’ll put it sort point for below.
Monday – Emails / Sneak Peaks / Album Designs / Contracts / Paperwork / And marketing if I get to it.
Tuesday – Emails morning / Editing / Emails before I finish work at 4.30pm
Wednesday – Emails morning / Editing / Emails before I finish work at 4.30pm
Thursday – Emails morning / Editing / Emails before I finish work at 4.30pm
Friday – Was like above but now its my day off with the kids.
Saturday – Wedding
Sunday – Work or hopefully day off
I do Instagram at night when Im hanging on the couch or in between things.
Otherwise thats about it. Nothing fancy just knuckle down and work hard.
I try avoid distractions like facebook / instagram / pinterest and emails.
Sometimes I slip a little but thats my cue to get up and get a drink and refocus.
There is no right or wrong just what suits you and your schedule.
I know there is a million things I want to do but I know I dont have the time.
Just prioritize what is important and work out what will best serve your business and time.
Shot anymore questions over if you have them 🙂
Cheers Matty
Awesome answer/reply Mat – thanks mate for taking the time in what I can see and know is a hectic schedule… Especially at this time of year!