In setting up this interview, I worked harder to get Helena on the show than any other previous guest. While trying to reach out, for the first time in my life I wasn't sure if I felt like I was a spammer or a stalker… or a combination of both! You'll hear in the interview this is the exact strategy that is getting Helena work all round the world.
Here's some more of what we cover:
Following this episode of the photography podcast, if you're not feeling inspired to shoot for the love of it, to chase your dreams and follow your passion, I'm afraid nothing will get you going. To think that Helena's clients now include the likes of Dropbox, Google, Microsoft, Nike, and Samsung and she wasn't shooting professionally 18 months ago… simply blows me away!
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 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 Helena 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
Send in your questions for Matt and Steve
In the last couple of episodes I mentioned I'll be having both Steve Saporito and Matt Ebenezer (of Matt and Katie Photographers) back on the podcast to answer YOUR questions.
I've receive some questions but am looking for more. This is your chance to ask a photography business related question that specifically applies to you and your business. Do not miss this opportunity to hear two different points of view from two different experts in the field of photography.
Steve, better known as the Portrait Doctor is a working studio transformer who knows his stuff when it comes to turning a studio into a profit making machine.
Matt and Katie have been one of the most popular interviews I've done on the show and are working photographers and workshop hosts.
I'll collate the questions and ask both Matt and Steve the same questions on different episodes to get a different perspective from both. Neither of them will have heard the others answers. It should be fun.
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.
A voicemail message from Anais
You know that nothing makes me happier than hearing about your success and especially so if some of that success or progress has come from what you've heard on the podcast.
This week you'll hear a wonderful voicemail message from French photographer Anais Chain, living and working in New Zealand who has been implementing and seeing real results following what she's been hearing in the interviews.
You can see some of the changes that Anais has made and talks about in her message on her website: http://anaischaine.com
New Transcription service for your Video and Audio
Following some enquiries about the new audio and video transcription service I mentioned on the show last week, you'll find a new page on the website where you can order and get started with your own videos and easily have them transcribed to help with your SEO.
If you’ve been listening to the podcast for any length of time, you’ll understand the value of producing video for your website or blog to help separate yourself from other local photographers. It’s your chance to offer helpful and real advice to your potential clients and it’s the number one way for clients to see and hear the real you and for you to start building a connection not as easily built with words on a page.
You will also know that it’s much easier to rank for competitive keywords by using video if the search engines know exactly what your video content is about. For this to happen, you need the written words on your page and that’s where transcribing your video plays a big role.
If you’re unsure where to start with your videos, what topics to cover or equipment you’ll need (and it can be as basic as your smart phone) check out the following episodes of the podcast:
To find out more about the transcribing service, head to photobizx.com/transcribe which is also accessible using the menu at the top of the page under the resources tab.
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:
Noel de Christian from Fort Lauderdale in the USA of http://www.noeldechristian.com who shoots head shots, male physique and dudoir photography.
DJ Paine from the BM Network of podcasts in Australia which is a series of podcast for photographers that features interviews, social media and business strategies.
Claire Marika, a wedding photographer from Utah in the USA of http://www.clairemarika.com
Om-Wa from Seattle in the USA – you'll have to get in touch and let me know your real name and business URL so I can put a face to a name.
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.
Get in Touch or Leave a Voicemail Message
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!
Helena Price's Website: http://helenaprice.com/
Helena Price on Tumblr: http://blog.helenaprice.com/
Helena on Twitter: http://twitter.com/helena
Helena on Instagram: http://instagram.com/helenadagmar
Helena on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/helenadagmar/
The Exposure article that inspired me to get Helena on the podcast: https://helena.exposure.co/2013
Dropbox: http://dropbox.com
Rdio: no longer exists
Square: https://squareup.com/
Path: https://path.com/
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle 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.
The easiest way to share this episode is click one of the share buttons below – you can post to your Facebook profile or page, twitter or email a friend.
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
Thank you Andrew & Helena for another fantastic interview. It was intrestering to read about Helena (on http://thegreatdiscontent.com/helena-price) prior to listening to this interview.
After taking a bunch of notes, I’ll have a small break and start my second listen this afternoon.
Cheers folks – keep up the beautiful portraits Helena!
Hey Mike – good to hear you enjoyed the interview.
I’m still blown away by the speed of success Helena has found and love her story.
absolutely Andrew, Helena nailed it when she spoke about networking – even a brief mention of a Drinks with Helena party – regardless of industry its something we need to do more of (instead of being little solo operators hiding in our studios & behind our computers).
So true Mike. When are we having a “Drinks with Mike” party – I’ll be there.
I guess it’s a good reason to get involved with the different photography organisations. And if that’s not your thing, organise your own get together, coffee, lunch etc with other… People
Hey Andrew,
That was another great interview, and it was really interesting to hear how she went from zero to hero in pretty much a year’s time! There is hope for us all! 😉
Anyway, why do our comments need to be moderated each time? Can’t you set it up that if we have X number of approved comments, that we no longer require moderation?
Chris
“Zero to hero” – love it Chris. Glad you enjoyed the interview.
In regard to the comments, I hadn’t given it a thought till you mentioned it. Just googled how to let the previously approved commenters comment without moderation and flicked the switch.
You can now officially go for it… say what you want, when you want 🙂
It was pretty obvious from the beginning of the interview that Helena is like a very well-spoken, likable and extremely intelligent lady. She seems to be very well connected in the Tech Industry in Silicon Valley and to top it off has a PR degree and completely understands the value of networking and developing and maintaining relationships. Kudos.
I truly think absolutely ANYONE could sit down and have a cup of coffee with her and totally be sold on whatever it is she was selling. She’s just that likable!
I think Helena was the right person, at the right time, at the right place, with the right network.
With that said I do have some questions…
How does she only use a 35mm lens? That’s like Tiger Woods saying he only uses he’s 7 iron.
And she had a lot of “Well, I don’t know…” answers which threw up a lot of red flags for me and left me with doubts as far as photography (outside of Silicon Valley) is concerned.
I think her real strengths are those I mentioned above…people person…networking…well-spoken…likable, etc. After all she has a PR degree so she is an expert when it comes to how to leverage a network.
As long as she’s enjoying her life and making that money nothing else matters. Right? Who cares if I can’t understand why she crops below the knees or cuts off hands? And who cares I don’t understand the photo of the guy in the corner drinking a beverage or the couple next to the green foliage where the woman is wearing a tank top? Perhaps all those static looking hipsters in her photos are the reason why I have Google and why I have the Uber app on my iPhone. Right? Maybe they’re all super important people who have a story to tell and maybe Helena is that conduit. All that matters is that she and her clients are happy and the bills are paid and life is enjoyed. Right?
In other words, I was VERY impressed with WHO she is as a person. Who wouldn’t be? I just think her success in the photo industry is due more in part to her outstanding personal qualities and connections than anything else…in my opinion.
But even with that said I absolutely would like to see some more of her work and possibly hear back from Helena to help me to understand why she crops the ways she does and why the hipsters and their off-camera glances feel static and sometimes like a snap shot. But I feel pretty confident that she won’t give 2 sh*ts about who the hell I am or what the hell I have to say. And that’s ok. She’s out there making money in her own way and her clients are happy. What else matters?
And before everyone gets all pissed off at me for not leaving a sugar-coated comment, I will say that I LOVED the image of the guy sitting on the blue chair with the wall of pictures in the back ground. Such a STRONG image. And the lady in the big jacket standing in the field…that was a powerful image.
So thanks Andrew and Helena for taking time to make this interview happen. It is appreciated, whether anyone believes me or not : )
Joey Joiner
Hey Joey,
Ok, I’m not the only one that picked up on the “But I feel pretty confident that she won’t give 2 sh*ts about who the hell I am or what the hell I have to say.” thing. She did come across as not caring what anyone else thinks, and slightly arrogant, but then again when you look back at how well spoken she is, her connections, and her monetary success… does it really matter if she comes across that way?
Chris
@Chris Anderson. You’re exactly right, Chris. It doesn’t matter one single bit. If she’s making bank and her clients are happy with her she can come across any way she wants, That is until the clients start to drop off when they’ve had enough (if that were to happen).
Joey Joiner
@Joey, totally agree however I think the photographer Sue Bryce mentioned it regarding crops – it’s only us photographers who get hung up on that stuff. If our clients love the image does it matter if its technically correct?
** Sorry Sue if I totally butchered your quote 🙂
@ Mike Constantinuo You are 100% spot on. If those trendy SV hipsters love the awkwardness they feel inside when seeing themselves cropped below the knees and with 7 feet (2.134m) of dead space above them, then more power to them. Truth is, they’re probably more focused on how their Pompadour Hair looks in the photo anyway.
Joey Joiner
@Joey Joiner you took the words right out of my mouth! Such a good analysis of the character and her journey.
@Andrew Hellmich : I was a bit traumatized about the experience of leaving a voicemail and had the hope that this wouldn’t be part of the podcast, but your editing makes it look so much better than what I actually send!
@Helena : Thank you so much for sharing your experience. May I ask you one more question? How do you see your progession as a photographer? Do you precised plans/target/will for the future in your career?
Thanks everyone!
Anais I keep expecting someone to lash out at me because of what all I said, but all I keep hearing is how much people agree with me. I wonder if Helena will respond to any of us? Heck, I wonder if she will even read any of this. Probably not, she’s probably on the phone with a SV hipster planning her next $5,000 “scrappy” photo shoot.
Joey Joiner
Hi Anais – your voicemail was great and and I barely edited a thing.
With your question to Helena, I’m not sure what you mean by “precised” – let me know and I can see if I can let Helena know about your question.
Really cool to see the comments and different views here.
Although I do agree, Helena had a massive kickstart with her existing contacts but I feel something is being overlooked about Helena’s style of photography and style in general.
Style is a personal thing and the very fact that we can see that Helena has a style is testament to her work… style is one thing MANY photographers are trying to work out for themselves.
In my opinion and something I have been thinking about quite a lot is that to have a style means you have to be creating work that some people don’t like. That’s the whole point of having a style. We seem so self obsessed with attracting “likes” for our work that we let it dictate what and how we shoot. How sad is that (and I’m guilty)!
I salute someone that is happy to crop off feet, leave dead space, break the rules, experiment and produce work I don’t like and not only stick by and share it because they love it but charge for it too. Isn’t that an artist?
One other thing that hasn’t been mentioned is these big companies would not be hiring Helena to shoot the way she does if that wasn’t what they want. They have the money to hire and produce the photos and look they want and I doubt anyone is bullying them into one photographer or style over another.
The very fact that these companies are huge is probably the exact reason they are going for a style like Helena’s. These companies and their directors are looking to appear just like you and me. What better way to do that than be photographed in normal every day situations.
I applaud Helena for shooting the way she does.
@ Andrew Yeah, but I think there is definitely a difference between breaking the rules and making visually pleasing images. I guess it really doesn’t matter if me or you don’t like her images. If she’s raking in the cash, and her clients are happy, that’s all that matters. And if I keep making posts about it, then the joke’s on me : )
Joey Joiner
It is so,so refreshing to hear from a woman who has such ambition, and confidence. Too often we hear from those who state that they, “fell” into success; yet here is a woman who recognizes where her strength and her success lies. Not only that, she has the foresight and ambition to her strengths and successes to her advantage. I wish more women were as passionate, ambitious and awesome as Helena.
I know I am inspired!
Love your take on this interview and successful photographer Amanda.
Loved this interview! Helena obviously works very hard, but she manages to sound so low-key about everything.
I was especially interested to hear that she based her pricing model on what clients like hers would expect from an hourly rate contractor and not based on anything specific to photography. Fascinating! It makes me wonder if this is something that could be applied to wedding photography as well, or if weddings are such a specific niche with individuals rather than companies for clients that this isn’t applicable…
Hi Liz – love that you loved this interview and great to read your comments.
I too thought Helena’s pricing model was interesting and obviously effective. Not sure how it could work for weddings though – I’m sure it could if you had something unique to offer each client.
I think Helena’s photos are stunning!!! Looking through her website I kept think how striking and well composed they are. She obviously has a natural talent, amazing work x
I agree Johanna – I found the same thing looking through her photography. Have you seen both her Exposure posts, they look and read great?
I had a look now, beautiful! 🙂
Not very helpful to the average photographer who hasn’t a great network of successful friends and former co-workers that they can lobby for work. Business-wise it certainly reinforces the old saying.. “it is not what you know but who you know”
However, I think there is a simpleness and intellectual pureness to her photos that I appreciate… an anti-glamour, anti-sex, so unpretentious that it almost contradicts that very term… Where brains over beauty and design come together in an awkwardly inviting relationship. I think the “art world” and new beat generation probably embraces her work and it is probably more influential to the future than we might realize.
Hey John, some great takeaways there and I agree – what a tough niche that Joey has not only chosen but is making it work.
Nice to know I’m there helping to keep you fit and working out 🙂
I agree with everything you just said there! 🙂 wonderfully put!
What an inspiring interview! It reminds me that all your various experiences in life help shape who you are as a person and photographer. Such an act of faith to leave a lucrative career to pursue your passion. I find her work hypnotic and refreshingly beautiful, such a talent!
Yes! That’s exactly how I feel Jerome.
I’ve been surprised that some listeners feel Helena’s success is purely from her contact list. Even with an amazing list of contacts, what GUTS to chase her dreams! I applaud her and her success.
And, I love her photography too.
I hadn’t left a comment yet because I didn’t want to sound rude or anything, but I 100% agree the only reason she is ‘at the top’ so quickly is because of her contacts. I did not listen to the whole interview as she kept referring back to the exact same things “I knew so and so” or “I just called up this person” ect. ect. Well that must be really nice lol Of course she must have skill and creativity to take on these big jobs but I do not see how this interview helps the average photographer like me, GROW my business at all by listening to how she GREW by her connections she has in a huge city. Just not the interview for me 🙂
Good to read your thoughts Tara – thanks for adding them. It’s nice to have an episode that polarises.
Just catching up with a few interviews I’ve missed, so apologies for the late comment here.
Firstly, I loved Helena’s enthusiasm and passion for her photography – it was really infectious. I’m not sure we can grumble because she had some fantastic contacts and networks to help her get her photography business up and running so quickly – fair play to her for taking advantage of that. Maybe the problem some people have is that the interview was dressed up as a from “zero to hero” kind of path when, in all reality, it wasn’t. But again, no one can blame Helena for that.
It would be nice in future to hear an interview from someone (not so cute, funky and young) who ditched a mundane “non creative/cool” business to pursue a successful photography from absolute scratch. As a grizzled old civil servant by day, dreaming of one day being able to do that too, I certainly love it for sure. 🙂
But great interview as always Andrew
No worries with the late comments Darren – good to read what you had to say.
This interview definitely divided the listeners but I have nothing for respect for Helena. Her contacts list, her photography style and her business sense… She deserves every bit of success that comes her way.
BTW – I love your description “cute, funky and young” – I’m sure Helena will too!
Good idea re the follow up interview – do you have someone in mind?
I just interviewed Zabrina from JeZa Photography that just might fit the bill for you although she too is cute, funky and young. That one is coming out in the next couple of weeks and she is still in the process of “making it” but well on her way.