I can remember the first time I learned what a blog was from a photography seminar I attended in New York City, which I risked my job to go to at the time. I was still working in the corporate world, doing my best to juggle a photography business that was taking off faster than I could imagine. I can remember sitting in a crowded hotel lobby and then learning that the VP wanted to have an emergency conference call, in which I was required to be on. How in the world was I going to pull off being in my office, when I was in a crowded hotel in the city and nowhere to run to? Thank God for some fast words and an even faster finger on that mute button! (Whooops, looks like the cats’ out of the bag on that one). In hindsight, that experience alone, paved the way and opened doors for future success, and was certainly worth the risks I took.
Anyway, the person giving the seminar (who I’m not mentioning but is extremely well known in the photography world), talked about the power of blogging and how you could allow your customers a window into your personality without even meeting them. My initial impression, was that blogging was not only for geeks, but that I’d have to be crazy to make my life and weekly happenings a public event like some sort of reality show - (who’s the geek now, right?) For whatever the reason, I decided to give this theory a try and little by little, posted whatever I could think of just for the hell of it (sometimes, I wish I never started when I think about the time I put into it - haha)
This blog has become more or less a way of life for me that everything seems to revolve around for some reason - in fact it’s at the point where it get’s double the hits that our main website does, which is mind blowing when I think of how many people read my jibber jabber (it is however appreciated if I’m being honest). I stress myself to no end at each wedding over which images I will post on the blog as I know many are waiting to see what I will post next in addition to the bride and groom who want to see samples of their wedding images. This basic concept puts tremendous pressure on myself of needing each post or set of images to be better than the last, however do feel it’s kept me on my toes thinking about it.
Over the past few years the blog has acted as a bit of a journal for me to look back on and remember different parts in my life or learning lessons of the business, etc. I traveled back in time to check out my very first blog post, which was about a trip to Hawaii that Tonya and I had just returned from. It’s amazing how life changes before your very eyes, and it’s sometimes fun to go back and remember things. Here’s one of my favorite photos that was taken during that trip that ended up being the first entry in the blog - I had no idea how to post more than one photo back then, so here ya go - my wife Tonya, at her favorite place on earth - it may be time for a trip back!
P.S. Thanks to all those that regularly visit the blog as well as the new readers. It means the world to me to be able to share my life, crazy personality, and of course, work with you!
Besides the HDR….Love your blogging, full page is soooo much better and full page photos are gorgeous to look at! What blogging system do you use? It’s so much nicer and more pro-looking than what we’re currently using. And you’ve had a blog since 2006? Wow. It has just really become popular in the last year in Nebraska. It usually takes awhile for us to get caught up with whats happening on the coasts. Thanks again for your time. Regards,
GinaZ