I know every photographer believes they are honest, above board – an open book even, when it comes to their work, pricing and booking new clients. Todays guest on the podcast is a little different. He REALLY is all of the above.
Although only into my first few interviews, it's becoming blindingly obvious that although every photographer has a similar aim to book enough weddings to support a lifestyle they see as right for them, there are many ways to get there. Ben is the first photographer to prefer not to take a booking on the night of the wedding appointment or consultation with prospective clients – he prefers they sleep on it, see another photographer or two, make sure they really know he is the right wedding photographer for them.
How, then is he shooting between 50 and 70 weddings each year?
Interestingly, Ben may never have become the photographer he is today if it wasn't for losing his job at the photo lab all those years ago. He needed that push to get him going. It took another push, years later – the global financial crisis, to give him another push that took his business through the roof.
This style of image is often seen at photography awards but this totally reflects Ben's style – punchy, colourful storytelling.
Listening to Ben tell his story he doesn't come across as businessy (don't think that's a real word but you get the idea) at all. It almost feels as though he is simply and happily following a path and he's not been lucky, but lucky to be on the right path. I think there's more to the story though – no one can be “lucky” in business for over 20 years.
Maybe the way Ben has been doing things is the secret to his success? Maybe, his business model is the perfect model for lifestyle and work balance – after all, he lives in a beautiful Sydney suburb, supports his wife and two children with his income and spends more time with his family and playing tennis than most photographers I know.
During the interview we cover:
Ben is a photographer worth listening to. I'm tempted to change my business model to reflect his. The lifestyle, time and lack of stress sounds just perfect. I love his style of photography but listening to Ben, I don't think he'd care either way… as long as the couples that book him do is all that matters.
Do pro photographers owe the newcomers anything?
I recently heard news on Facebook that local Newcastle portrait photographer, Kelly Munce is closing her business after having to unsuccessfully compete with new photographers and their low prices plus the unwillingness of clients to value professional quality photography.
Kelly recently decided to close her business and split views of photographers worldwide. Photo © Kelly Munce
Kelly's post has drawn world wide attention including some scathing messages from new and established photographers as well as plenty of love, support and well wishes.
At a time when professional photographers are working harder than ever to attract and maintain clients, Kelly certainly divided the “community” with her post. During the podcast I cover some of what she had to say and a few related comments.
I also ask the questions:
Do the established professionals owe the up-comers anything?
Are the professionals themselves to blame for the state of the industry?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Get involved with the discussion or kick things off with a comment below. Let's hear your thoughts on the issue, I'm genuinely interested to know.
Items mentioned in this podcast:
Easy Weddings, the wedding directory Ben uses but is rethinking
Kelly Munce Photographer on Facebook – Please be aware that Kelly has indicated she will be taking her Facebook page down shortly – this page may be unavailable soon.
You can leave a review in iTunes here – https://photobizx.com/iTunes by clicking on the blue ‘view in iTunes' button and going to the “ratings and review” tab just like Dean from CloudFace Photography did.
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If you enjoyed this episode, have a question for Ben, a comment or feedback, I'd love for you to do that in the comments area below or you can email me, andrew@photobizx.com.
Hope you're on the right track with your business and the Photo Biz eXposed podcasts are helping in some way.
Have a great week, speak soon
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
I’ve listened to about 85+% of your podcasts so far, and whilst they are ALL excellent, this one, for me at least, is hands down, my favorite!! It may not be full of business advice etc but Ben’s personality just struck a chord! Not to sound big headed, but despite being a twenty+ year veteran, he sounds like he started this year like me!
The honesty and attitude of his answers is amazing, (not that the other interviewees aren’t…) There was just something that made me feel like “This guy is me!” although, I’m not a wedding photographer!
Anyway, I loved this one and think that if anyone, be they a newbie or a veteran, has a lot to learn from these podcasts! They are GOLD DUST!
For me at least, if you are in the business of photographing people, this is THE place to be! Listen, and LEARN!
So nice to know that you’ve gone back to the earlier episodes Rahim and discovered some great people and interviews I’m proud of.
I have never actually met Ben in person but I feel the same way, it’s no wonder he is consistently booked. You’ll be happy to know that it’s the same Ben in that interview when chatting to him on the phone, via e-mail and in a Facebook Group we are both apart of; honest, thoughtful and funny.
Thanks for leaving your comments and I’m sure Ben will be just as happy to read them as I was.
Great to have you listening Rahim.
Yes, a great one I think I am listing to this backwards and sideways. But this was a great one and I love his work. Kind of the style I like to shoot or I should say want to shoot, just need to book more weddings. But I for sure like to process like Ben. Love to look at his photos and know is it all done in Lightroom?
Funny how a lot of the other photogs you have interviewed try and do sell prints but Ben gives the flash drive. I like his way of doing it. Give them all the pics with a general process. Then edit the ones he loves and I am sure once they see those pics they want the album. If Ben sees this, I was wondering, do people buy albums or prints even know they have the flash drive and how do you deliver the last 100 edited photos.
Thanks to you both for another great one.
Hi Joe
No worries about the order you listen – as long as you are enjoying the interviews and getting something from them.
Ben definitely has a uniques style in both his image editing and the way he does business. I’ll see if I can have him respond to your questions about print sales.
I thought I left a comment. But my internet crashed so maybe it didn’t take.
Anyways, great interview once again. Love your work Ben. I like to edit in that same tone. Almost HDR like on some. So cool to learn the different ways folks sell their packages. I thought for sure you were a print selling guy but no.
I like that you give all lightly edited photos and then really dig into the 100 or so you LIKE and give them them the full treatment. It makes a lot of scene to do that. Who wants to print or look at 500 pics over and again anyways.
Do people come back to buy the albums after you give them the flash drive?
Thanks gain to you both.
As Jimi Hendrix said,. Hey Joe, 🙂
Thanks for your kind words.
People go for albums but not so much prints.
I advise people to go to a lab and put in an order for say half a dozen and if they do a good job then put in a bigger order. I’m not fussed either way with print orders. I’d rather spend the free time I do have with family and really focus on getting a great result on the day of the wedding.
A lot is done in Lightroom about 95%, But for that extra pop I will use Topaz Adjust.
I like to do the extra 100 or so with really special treatment so clients can see what can be achieved and so they can see why they a paying for a professional photographer.
I deliver the 100 highly edited images with all the other images, just in a seperate folder labelled “photographers Pick”.
I wish you all best in your photographic endeavours and life in general.
Cheers,
Ben