I knew very little about James Day before this interview but can honestly say that I'd love to have him photograph my wedding following our call. In fact, I had that feeling after about 5 minutes. Now I'm unsure whether it's his photography, personality or honesty that has me feeling this way.
One thing I am sure of, couples would love to book him for their weddings… And they do. James is shooting 60 weddings per year, charges to shoot and for files only and has albums as an optional upgrade.
Interestingly, 80% of his couples walk away with an album. An album that they designed and upgraded themselves. No hard selling here. Listen in to find out exactly how he does it.
Here's some more of what we cover:
Following this interview, I'd be surprised if you're not looking to outsource more of your work to free up more time to do the things you like. You may also finish listening with the feeling that you can affordably outsource in your own country without resorting to going offshore for cheap prices and often bad experiences.
The big question will then be, what are you going to do with your extra time?
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 James where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for including:
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview with James Day, 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 he had to share? 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 James 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
Are you taking action like these guys?
This week I received an email from Newcastle photographers Greig and Gaelene, of Pix In A Click who are podcast listeners and premium members that really are taking action as a result of what they hear on the podcast. I always make a point of stressing that the podcast interviews are only entertainment if you aren't implementing what you hear. I was as happy as 6 year old on Easter morning to read the following message:
Hi Andrew
Gaelene and I did our first “Lone Ranger” (ie. Not as second shooters, strictly for our business) wedding during the week and it was a destination wedding in Townsville – How's that for a first up wedding!! Cyclone Ita seriously threatened it there for a few days and we even had our flights delayed for a day so we were lucky we built a little bit of fat into the schedule allowing for hiccups along the way. Thanks for the destination wedding tips Micheal Steingard in Episode 47.
We implemented the business and shooting systems that we learnt in a 3 day workshop that we first heard about on the podcast. Thanks to Matt and Katie in Episode 17 for those tips, having a system sure takes the stress and worry out of a lot of things and provides us with predictable results.
Although we have a long way to go with our website and marketing material, we have recently had a chat with David Watson who was interviewed in Episode 51 and will look to engage him a lot more in the future. David provided us with some excellent tips to help us throw our hat in the ring and attract clientele.
At the end of the wedding on Wednesday, we produced a mini album for the bride and groom and 2 x framed 6 x 4’s for the bride and groom to give to their parents and what a hit that was!!
The reaction of the Bride was priceless and the groom was full of praise about his whole day in front of the camera which has led to some fantastic testimonials from not only the Bride and Groom but also from the family. We even had the Brides mum call us the following day, thanking us for our efforts. Priceless advertising for us and all it cost us was about $50 and an hour of hectic mayhem getting it all together.
Thanks to Brian Caporicci from Episode 28, for that little gem. By the way, How cool is the Canon Selphy, I can watch that thing forever – it’s magic.
Last but not least, we have based all our pricing using the spreadsheet from “That Spreadsheet Guy”…………… A big thanks to Michael Rammell who you interviewed in Episode 27.
I’m sure there are other little gems we’ve picked up but the ones above are the most prominent at this point.
As you can see, we’ve picked up heaps along the way and look forward to even more to come. Enclosed is a photo from our first wedding, we are really proud of the job we did and I’m sure it was all easier due to the fantastic coaching we have received along the way through the podcast. We both keep looking at this photo and it reminds us that we can really do this.
Thanks Andrew for everything you do, your podcast is the most wonderful resource out.
Kind regards,
Greig Terry
The Winner of A New Camera Strap from Lucky Straps
In the last episode I mentioned a camera strap giveaway from Lucky Camera Straps in Australia. I'm happy to announce the winner of the “Brown” strap is Anais from New Zealand of http://anaischaine.com. I'll be packing the strap and sending it off tomorrow.
Congrats Anais 🙂
Send in your questions for Matt and Steve
In an upcoming episode I'll be having both Steve Saporito and Matt Ebenezer (of Matt and Katie Photographers) back on the podcast to answer YOUR questions.
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.
This is your chance to ask them your questions and you can do that via email, the comments below or leave a voicemail. 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. 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.
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 there was a great review from Brendan of Happily Ever After Films in the USA – the first podcast review from the videography side of business.
Brendan, I just saw one of your wedding films and it's just awesome, loved it!
Sincerely, thanks so much for your rating and review, 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:
James Day on Instagram – @jamesdayweddings
The video of James falling into a pool in Bali while shooting a wedding!
Raw Digital and Film Lab – the lab that James uses and recommends for all his outsourcing
Vision Art – Album suppliers for James Day
Instaproofs – where James uploads his wedding files for clients
Smart Albums by Pixellu – album design software
Fujifilm XF 56mm F1.2 Camera 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
Big fan of this guy. Been waiting for this one for agesssssssss. Looking forward to this one. Next up James or Heath Bennett please.
Hope you enjoyed the interview Andy and weren’t dissatisfied with the questions.
Thanks for suggesting the Bennett’s – I’ll add them to my “must contact” list.
Congrats too on your recent Polka Dot Bride feature.
Loved this interview and as you said at the start Andrew, he’s a nice guy! I really like his honesty and candor (there’s another word for you!). I liked his story about his major cock up on his first wedding, (I’d be bricking it!) and although I haven’t done something that bad, I think I missed a shot of the bride with her mum on the wedding I did the other week! Yikes!
Anyway, shoot me now, but I think the more I’m hearing these podcasts, the more I fancy my hand at doing weddings! I will need a better camera though, but will go for a smaller camera, cos I agree with James, what’s the point in having a 5D MkIII with a 70 to 200 and kill yourself. Smaller is better (Ahem…!) So, I’m spending a lot of time on WhatDigitalCamera.com checking out my options…anyway, thank you Andrew, thank you James! Ps. I may also check out Instagram a bit more… 🙂
Thanks Rahim, good to hear you enjoyed the interview and you’re not wrong about James’ honesty and openness. He posted about the interview on his wedding FB page where a lot of his current and future brides will see and listen to what he had to say. Not many photographers are that open then that willing to share everything about how they run their business.
Bummer that you missed that shot at your recent wedding. Hopefully you can offer something to make up for it. Maybe a mother daughter shoot?
See you on Instagram and you may catch James on Tinder 🙂 (I had to look Tinder up after he mentioned it and made me feel old for not knowing what it was :))
Probably one of my favourite interviews so far. This guy really sounds a fun character and had some great ideas and tips.
Thanks Rob – I agree: fun, honest and lots of great ideas!
Nawww. thanks Andy, Rahim and Rob!
Great interview Andrew and James! Was fun to listen to, and felt like I should have been having a beer while listening.
I agree that Instagram is definitely taking over from Facebook due to the chance that your work will constantly be seen. I only have a modest 300 followers, but have still managed to convert out of it! I’m looking forward to transitioning away from FB and pumping IG!
PS. If anyone wants to check me out on there, I’m at http://instagram.com/shotbyca
PSS. There is an International Underground Meet Day coming up on May 18th where photographers from around the world will be descending underground into their subway systems for a photo walk that will be globally shared on IG. Check it out here: http://shotby.ca/international-underground-meet-day-edmonton/ and be sure to start your own if your city doesn’t have one yet! Let’s see what the world looks like BELOW THE SURFACE!
Hey Chris
Instagram is great and probably where Im most active. But it does have limitations, e.g. the square format doesnt always show off every photo well, there is no easy way for users to share your posts (other than to tag their friends) or to link posts to your website because links arent clickable. I also dont think instagram does much in terms of SEO.
Its great that Instagram is growing and for me that just means more work and another social media platform to work with, on top of Facebook, Youtube, G+, Pinterest, Tumblr, and so on.
PS follow me on IG: http://instagram.com/kissandtellphotography kthanx
Andy, check out “Instasize” which adds borders on either ends of your photo so you maintain the aspect ratio of 1:1 with some extra white space. A bit of drawback loosing some real estate but you maintain your original edit’s composition.
Hey Andy – I think Min Wye had an app suggestion for you in regard to image format on Instagram – another one worth checking is “Whitagram” if you want to maintain your photo format.
Thanks for the suggestions. Theres plenty of similar apps and I do use Photosquarer myself. My concern with with the square format is that when you look at my IG Profile Page, theres heaps of white space which I think looks messy. Yes its a bit OCD but I just dont like the way it looks, which is why I wouldnt rely on IG alone and continue to use other social media platforms like Facebook or Google+, which display images better.
Hey Chris – glad you enjoyed the episode and maybe I should be having a beer while interviewing in future if the guest is having one, especially if the listeners are having one too!
Good to hear you’ve seen some conversions with Instagram as well. I haven’t seen any “marketing” on your feed so I’m guessing people are getting in touch because they like what the see, or are they heading from Instagram to your website and going form there?
Tanks for the “underground” link – I wasn’t aware of it.
James – what do like about Vision Art vs. all the other guys when they are all the way up here in Iowa?
And thank you for all the great insights and candor in the interview.
hey guys.
James, i really love your philosophy in life, particularly the work/life balance. Great inspiration.
As i’m almost ready to push the GO button on weddings, i think i’ll take up your advice re: outsourcing editing. I think It’s gunna save myself a crapload of time. Also, love your ‘start up’ advice re: venues. Really cool.
I might go try out the Fuji. by your excitement, i recon it’s something worth trying out.
Yep, also interested in your thoughts re: Vision Art v’s everyone else.
Anyhoo..keep up the great work, and thanks for your openness, although you do have a pretty probing interviewer!
Great to hear of so many takeaways from this interview Paul – sounds like it could be a real time saver/life changer if put this stuff into action for your business.
“Probing” who me? 🙂
Hey lads,
Happy to answer your questions and anyone else’s as they come up 🙂
Rollin – I’ve been very impressed with their service and also the value for money. Shipping is 100% free to OZ. Another great aussie company has a similar product and similar price (Photo Mounts & Albums based in Brisbane) which I very nearly considered switching to, however the cost of having a custom block made each time we wanted the couples names printed on the front was going to be around $110 or so, as compared to $30 with vision art. We have custom calligraphy designed for each clients album.
With vision art albums are turning up within 2 weeks, we have had absolutely no quality issues or mistakes from them and they’ve picked up every single mistake we’ve made before going to print. Even picked up things like duplicate small images on different spreads by accident. That’s impressive if you ask me.
Paul – yep, good move with the outsourcing. There’s so many benefits. It doesn’t work for everyone. I know for some people the look of their work is very dependent on the edit so it would make more sense for them to do it themselves.
James – TY
I had to listen to this episode twice. It was really good. James is such a down-to-earth guy. I like that he makes it a point to spend time with his family and realizes how easy it is to work 7 days a week if you let yourself. And I like how he “plants the seed as early as possible” of his clients buying an album by placing an album in their hands straight away and leaving the room to go make them drinks.
Great episode, Andrew.
Thanks, James for making the time to help us out : )
Cheers,
Joey Joiner
Thanks for adding your comments and take-aways Joey. With business being so much online these days and with us always having access to the net, it is difficult to turn off and just live life with your family and friends. I too am 100% behind James’ idea of letting a few things slide on social media if it means more family time.
I have just finished listening to this pod cast for the 3rd time…. absolutely my fave so far. James sounds like such a nice guy I know I would love hanging out and having a laugh with him. I loved how he puts his family first and I love his attitude towards discounting/offering specials. I feel the same way, I have never been a ‘sales’ shopper, because I always think to myself… this is just the left over stuff that nobody else wants. If James is reading this I’d LOVE to second shoot/assist for you one day (if you would have me).
Hey Lisa – great to read your comments and it seems his idea (and practice) of family first is a winner!
I’m sure James will see your comments but I reckon you might need to work harder than a comment here to have James agree to have you on a shoot. Have a listen to the Nick Evans interview then approach James again… hint, hint! 😉
James is an impressive photographer, business man and most importantly person. Great interview Andrew. This interview has made me re-think using IG for personal use only. I am finding more and more brides ignoring my FB posts, grabbing the photos and re-posting them on IG.
Hey Jerome – glad you enjoyed the episode and agreed, James is a top guy.
It’s interesting to read that brides are grabbing photos and posting to IG – I haven’t seen or heard that before and will be looking out for it now. I have been the same as you up still now and pretty much stuck to IG for personal stuff. Also reassessing 🙂