In this interview, Zabrina shares the secrets to their fast success and how there is nothing stopping you from doing exactly the same. Based in the San Francisco Bay area and named one of the 30 rising stars of wedding photography in 2012 by Rangefinder magazine, these guys really do have an international calendar that includes yearly weddings in the USA, Hong Kong, Vietnam, France, Italy and China.
Much of their success, Zabrina says, is owed to their mentor and support group which we explore in the interview.
Here's some more of what we cover:
Follow the interview, I emailed Zabrina a follow up question about her Chinese parents (and Jeremy's) thoughts about their decision to go full time and quitting stable day jobs, here's her reply:
As first child from the family who has attended and graduated from college from my family, my parents have high expectations for me to strive to do really well in life and to typically do a professional job. As many other typical Asian families, my parents expected us to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, accountant, banker, at least making a stable amount of money to buy a nice house living in San Francisco bay area.
So when I told my father about postponing our plan to buy a house to pursue a career as a photographer, also during the time of quitting my job as a system programmer in the heat of the tech boom, like all Asian parents would be, he was furious about my decision. Perhaps, part of me is wanting to prove my parents wrong, the only way to do it is to move forward and no turning back. As time goes on and we've built our reputation and are able to bring in a stable monthly income, my parents are less angry about us being a full time photographer.
What's on Offer for Premium Members
If you're a premium member, you should have received an email about 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 Zabrina 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: Downunder Pom from the UK 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:
White House Custom Colour (WHCC)
Equipment
Sony a7 Full-Frame 24.3 MP Interchangeable Digital Lens Camera – Body Only
Sony DSC-RX1/B Cyber-shot Full-frame Digital Camera
Sony 55mm F1.8 Sonnar T* FE ZA Full Frame Prime Lens
Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS Interchangeable Full Frame Zoom 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
Andrew, thank you to speaking to these guys!..
It was an excellent to hear some views from a photographer raised in different culture.
Zabrina, a very brave move to give up a well shaped career as programmer which is one of few professions Chinese parents accept overseas.
A great podcast as always, this time much more associated with my desired market. It is also excellent to see how Zabrina and Jeremy are connecting posed pre-wedding sessions, typical in China to fit their western-like style of shooting.
You should ask them a question: how they would start from the scratch if they would be based in Phillipines or even in China.. 🙂
Thank you!
To Gregory K , thank you for all the kind words and that is a wonderful question. For photographers based in Philippines or China, for an expat, it’s best to connect all the expats circles because that would be an awesome network for higher end weddings. For native photographers based in Asia, IMHO, they will need to work extra hard to get their work to be seen in an more international presence, such as joining various international contest such as AIPP, WPPI, MPA, PPA, all these international contests will help create more buzz for your business. You can use any sort of award winning photos to market yourself. Even all the bridal magazine like the Knot, Brides, Junebugweddings.com print media or online they all have many contests year around. To enter these contests is not to gain something but to use these resources for self-promotion to your clients. Also find a photography community there are starting to have some in south-east asia who are also starting from scratch, so it makes going thru difficult time easier (during the days we get no jobs, our photog friends have become moral support).
Hey Gregory – great to read your comments and that this interview was a good “fit” for you and your business.
I agree with your bravery call – leaving their jobs took some serious guts.
It looks like Zabrina has answered your starting again question 🙂
Wow.
What a podcast and what a wonderful set of images. I really like their style. I’ve taken so many things from this and realise where I have to lift my game. And I’m not into portraits or weddings.
Nice one Andrew. Very glad you got to share their story.
Thank you Joshua.
Thanks Josh – i agree, a wonderful set of images!
I’ve already noticed a change in your Instagram pics from when I started following you – you’re on the perfect trajectory!
not bad, but they shouldnt be calling themselves the best of the best . . .
It is from JuneBugWeddings.com who calls us that for 2014. I don’t dare to call ourselves that, it’s such a big title to fulfill. http://www.junebugweddings.com/best-of-destination-wedding/2014/#37
Thanks for clarifying and taking the time to reply. I did enjoy your interview, and some of your photos have inspired me to make things happen with my own photography business – I especially love the prewedding posed idea (I’m in Sydney so maybe it will catch on here)
I have seen quite a few Asian pre wedding style shoots happening around Sydney – you’re in the perfect location to target this style of shoot Corey.
You really trying to get me back to prem membership LOL – you go and interview JeZa who I nominated to you earlier this year. Seriously Andrew, I’m so glad the podcast is going strong.
thank you Rollin for the kind words!!
Oh it was you Rollin that made the recommendation! My apologies for not remembering during the interview. Great suggestion, it was a real pleasure talking to Zabrina, thanks again.
Haha, I’ve sweetened the deal even more… membership is doubling in price next month to new sign ups. Existing members stay at $10.
Thank you for the well wishes 🙂
LOL – I have not listened to the episode yet, just saw the G+ and other posts of who you interviewed.
I love the post production! Does Jeremy have any screen flow videos showing what he does ?
Andrew
Great interview!
Was great viewing Zabrina’s wonderful photography as well.
Would be great if Aussie couples did pre wedding shoots, but it’s such a foreign concept to them.
Thanks Adam 🙂
If Aussie couples can’t be enticed into pre wedding shoots, how about marketing to Asian clients that want Sydney Harbour as a back drop – I’m sure it would be as popular as Paris or London? What a great opportunity to be shooting weddings during the week too.
I really liked the whole travel schedule on the website idea as I’d much rather do Paris than Sydney 😉
But yeah I’ve done quite a few pre wedding shoots with overseas couples in Sydney town. It’s good fun without the time pressure of a wedding day.
Umm… yeah… I’ll take Paris too! 🙂
This was another great interview. So many ideas for my business.
Nice one, thanks David.
Zabrena, I think you give yourself TOO little credit on your personality!
I’m close to the end of the interview and am left very inspired and frankly, quite speechless.
In the past 3 interviews, a consistent message that’s resonated with me, is the importance of having a team and community, not just with the labour but also emotional support and as Matt says, having someone to clean the house. I suppose I have already started doing that naturally, outsourcing my cooking(eating out) I actually even think that LightBlue would be considered that, a tool that is part of the team that will help me leverage more time to spend on photography and the business.
I’m not sure if other photographers feel this way but I feel that since I started photography alone; I guess my personal fears of not being good enough has prevented me from putting myself out there amongst other photographers in a community. I don’t know if I speak solely for myself but each week, I listen to the podcast and my takeaways from the podcasts really reflects the weaknesses(in a positive way) areas for improvement. I suppose this has been the greatest of them all over the past 78 episodes.
Anyway, thank you Zabrena for your inspiration and Andrew for being the catalyst to a string of amazing interviews; Hamish/Matt, Yervant and Zabrena. I’m not sure if it was all part of the plan or it was purely by coincidence but listening to all three put me on this amazing journey of self-learning. Thank You.
This is so inspiring! Lesson learned from this- always follow your passions. I always admire people who are brave enough to do that. This is such a great episode! Looking forward to more of these!
Hey Roue – great to read your comments and happy to have you listening.
I will add one thing to your take away of “always follow your passions” – work damn hard once you have found your path.
I get the feeling that Zabrina and Jeremy work very hard to keep building their business. I think she eluded to that in the interview but I have a feeling she is 100% committed to making JeZa Photography a success and they live and breathe the business.
I too am 100% inspired by people with the bravery to do what they want to do in life.
Great podcast Andrew and Zabrina
I never knew this type of photography existed. Zabrina has a wonderful lifestyle.
How can we generate this in Australia Andrew? Let’s start work shopping ideas 🙂
I’m thinking of introducing a “crazy” third collection (as Matt and Steve) suggested that includes a weeks international travel for a pre-wedding shoot. Who knows? Someone might actually book me for it! You never know if you don’t ask.
Haha, love your enthusiasm for Zabrina’s lifestyle and your new crazy photography collection!
You are right, who knows and you may get booked for those style of jobs. When you get a chance, have a listen to the Premium episode of Daniel Griffiths who explains the easiest way to get international bookings as a wedding photographer. He spends Australian winters shooting in the European summers – mainly in France.
In regard to the style of photography that Zabrina shoots, it does already exist in Australia! It’s not uncommon to walk around Sydney during the week and see these style of shoots happening with Asian couples. I’m guessing Sydney presents more of a tourist attraction to the young couples with iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge than Canberra. That’s not to say you can’t start marketing for these shoots and coming to Sydney when you start booking them.