After 32 years in the profession of photography he has earned a huge number of awards and accolades within Australia and internationally as well as a huge number of letters after his name, yet he still teaches and is as passionate about wedding photography as the day he started… possibly more so.
His passion runs so deep and he cares so much for the wedding photography industry and the up coming photographers, he is doing all he can to see this genre of the profession stay a viable business option. Yervant insists that it's teetering on the brink and it's the current generation of photographers that have put the industry in the state it is.
It's not all lost and Yervant is adamant that it's possible to be unique and have a profitable business but it relies heavily on you. In this interview, Yervant shares his thoughts on how a successful wedding photography business should run today and given his time again (and without Anie to do his marketing) exactly what would he do differently if starting over.
Here's some more of what we cover:
A recognisable quote attributed to Yervant and one that makes ME proud to be a wedding photographer is,
“I am a portrait photographer, fashion photographer, photojournalist, landscape photographer and commercial photographer all within any five minutes of a wedding day. No stylists, no art directors, see it, capture it and get it right.”
Not only does this quote make me proud to be a photographer it also clearly shows that we have to work damn hard to be good at what we do, to practice and learn and continue to learn if we are to have a chance at standing out, being unique and finding some kind of success.
Yervant has done this, is still doing it and he has every reason not to be working so hard today – he's already achieved so much. If he's still working that hard on his craft, it's a fair bet that we need to be as well.
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 Yervant 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
Winner of the Instagram Competition
Over recent weeks, you've had the chance to post a selfie on Instagram and use the hashtag #PhotoBizX to be in the running for a free six months premium membership. The morning I drew a luck winner after assigning all entries a number (in the order they appeared in my feed) and whose a random number from www.random.org. I'm happy to announce the winner is Chris Pearce Ramwell of Somerset Photographic from the UK.
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.
Mimika's Capture School
You may have heard Mimika's interview in episode 26 of the PhotoBizX Podcast where she shared some fantastic business tips and struck a chord with many listeners when it came to marketing her portrait business.
Mimika is in the process of launching her new membership program – Capture School.
You can find out more by signing up for her free Webinar before doors open for registration. It's scheduled for Friday August 22nd at 11am NY, 8am LA, 1am Sydney. There will also be a replay for 6 days afterwards but you need to be registered to hear the replay.
It will be an 8 week course with live coaching calls, but learners will have 12 month access to the course curriculum to go over in their own time.
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:
Gavzambia from Australia who I've since learned is Gavin Wyatt of Gavin Wyatt Photography and Reel to Real Photography in Brisbane.
Andrea Riofrio from Orlando Florida in the United States
Jaips from New Zealand who I believe is James from Patina Photography
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!
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Imagenomic – portraiture plugin
Equipment
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens
Hasselblad Telephoto 150mm f/3.2 HC Autofocus Lens for H Cameras
Hasselblad Normal 80mm f/2.8 HC Auto Focus Lens for H Cameras
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
Everything was really interesting, thank you 🙂
My big takeaway : to offer and do beauty post prod for wedding albums. I’m doing it for my portrait work so why didn’t I for the wedding? So true : it is the day a woman is a Princess.
Thanks Yervant and Andrew.
I knew Y since 2008 and he really3x influence me to shoot in wedding
This was a great kick in the bum. Hey what is your favourite 2 lenses?
Thanks
Dave
It seems both Yervant and Anie are on a similar wavelength when it comes to work!
Are you asking me or Yervant about lens choice?
For me: Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 IS and a toss up between the 24-70mm f2.8 and the Sigma 35mm f1.4. The Sigma is new for me and i expect I’ll be using it more than the 24-70mm at least in the short term.
For Yervant – his favourite is the 24-70mm f2.8. Not sure about his 2nd choice but I can ask if your’e interested?
Just listened to this podcast and really enjoyed it! Loved to hear his confidence when he’d say, because I take great pictures. *Also a great inspiration to me was that he doesn’t use a ton of different lenses and equipment. I tend to stick to one lense, so I’m not bogged down and not being present. It was great to hear that such a high esteemed photographer does that too! Love Love Love the podcasts!!! I now look forward to doing all my editing, because I listen to the podcast and get inspired to grow my business.
Thank you!!! Kyla Wright- Greenwood IN USA
Hey Kyla – thanks for adding your comments and love your takeaways. It still surprises me that Yervant pretty much shoots with a single lens for an entire wedding… that’s definitely easier than lugging a lot of kit around all day.
I don’t know how you (and other listeners) listen while editing! I’ve tried doing that with other podcasts and just can’t concentrate 🙂 All my listening happens in the car. I prefer to edit in silence, whenever that’s possible. Each to their own 🙂
Speak soon
Andrew
Great interview Andrew I’ve really been waiting for this one. So refreshing to hear Yervant’s views on shooting and the business. I just love how the likes of Gerry and Yervant drive home the point of getting it right in camera, knowing your craft and never stop learning.
Andrew
Thanks Andrew – I totally agree with “getting it right in camera” comments – so much so that I continue to shoot JPG’s. It’s not something I talk about too much anymore, I’m over trying to be converted 🙂 I definitely work hard to get as close as possible in camera though.
The “never stop learning” is another massive one for me too. I love learning new stuff!
1. I really like how Yervant mentioned that he needs to have his light. This will be the first thing I think of all the time now and my top priority.
2. His success highlights the importance of a good business manager. When you are starting out, like me, you have to do everything yourself. I can’t afford to pay someone to do it. It’s really tough on your own.
I’ve seen Yervant in action and he truly shoots the way he describes – as soon as he finds or sees the light he’s looking for, no matter the background, he makes beautiful images as a result.
It is tough on your own Nic, and instead of having a business manager at the start, if you’re at least thinking of your photography business as a real business; charging what you’re worth, dedicating time to the business (marketing, advertising, customer service) and not just working in it, you’re on your way.
Hi all, is Yervant still offering the discount code and what was it? i cant find it
Hi Andrea – I saw that you found the promo code for the Imagenomic “Portraiture” software. You’ll love it!
For anyone else looking for the code: it’s minute 15:00 of the episode and if you use the code “Yervant” at the checkout, you’ll receive 20% off this amazing plugin.
Hello Andrew!
Just discovered your site and I am loving your interviews. I am also enquiring about Imagenomic “Portraiture” software but the code is not being accepted. Is it only for Portraiture or can it apply to a bundled package including Portraiture?
Cheers!
LA
Hi Laurie and welcome to PhotoBizX!
That promo code was given to me by Yervant so I’m not entirely sure if you can use it for the bundled package. Have you tried using it for Portraiture alone?
Hopefully the code will work but either way, it’s an amazing plugin! I’ve been using it in my workflow for a couple of years and nothing else I’ve tried comes close to what Portraiture can do for skin.
Thanks Andrew! I just took the plunge! Yervant’s and your blessing are plenty but I also read all sorts of great reviews. Cheers, LA
Good stuff Laurie!
One tip that I wasn’t aware of right away is that you can have the portraiture effect on a separate layer (theres a button on the right hand side to choose this inside the portraiture dashboard). Having the effect on a separate layer makes it easy to add a layer mask and clear the effect from males if you prefer them to look a little more rugged in your photos. 🙂
Have a play and see what works for you but I find dropping the opacity of the portraiture layer to 50% or 75% gives a more realistic and natural look.
Have fun!
P.S Do any spotting and retouching before you use portraiture for a better effect.
Hi Andrew,
Really enjoy your podcasts and get a load of take aways from them. I am in the early stage of my business, but as a result of listening to this episode I have put my price up a notch.
Thanks for bringing these amazing photographers to us via the podcast.
Cheers.
Thanks Rowan. Love that you’re implementing some of your takeaways – that’s great!
Some good ideas in the interview with DJ Payne on how to build a portrait photography business from scratch if you haven’t checked it out yet. I’ve linked to it below.