Yervant is internationally recognised as one of the top 5 Wedding photographers in the world and has been named one of the “Most Influential Wedding Photographer of our Times” – in this interview he shares why now more than ever, it's time to get serious about your photography business.

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:

  • Thoughts  being a wedding photographer from one of the worlds best
  • Adapting to new or changing your own style, how do you do it
  • Why Yervant prefers to get what he wants in camera rather than relying on Photoshop
  • Thoughts on success without the help of someone (Anie) to fro his marketing
  • What is the secret to success in the wedding photography business
  • What are the biggest problems up and coming photographers are facing today
  • Why every wedding and portrait photographer needs to think of their future when doing business today
  • How to become a better business person and a better photographer at the same time and why you need to
  • Why every photographer should consider building a SERIOUS business instead of a glorified hobby
  • What happens and what is covered during Yervant's client meetings

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.

Yervant Photography Podcast 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 implementable content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:

  • How Yervant chooses the great locations for his wedding photo sessions
  • Why does Yervant teach photography when he doesn't need to
  • Why Yervant is totally fine about giving away his photography secrets without being concerned that people will copy his style
  • How to find your creative side
  • How to succeed as a photographer
  • Why you should never be driven by money when working as a photographer
  • Why you should never shoot for free and how giving away free photography impacts the whole industry
  • How new wedding photographers could kill the industry
  • The internet provides easy access for anyone to copy someone else' work, learn why you shouldn't
  • The importance of entering photography awards, even though they won't book you a single wedding

Yervant Photography Podcast Interview

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.

Yervant Photography Podcast Interview

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.

PhotoBizX Photography Podcast Reviews

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!

Yervant Photography Podcast Interview

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

Yervant's Website

Yervant on Facebook

Yervant on Twitter

Flush Mount Software

Nik Software

Imagenomic – portraiture plugin

 

Equipment

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens

Hasselblad

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

Yervant Photography Podcast Interview

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