Find your niche and stand out.

In the world of photography, it is essential to find your niche and stand out from the crowd. It is important to find the right audience and create a personalized experience that is tailored to them. For example, Gary Pope, a self-proclaimed geeky wedding photographer, has found a niche in geeky couples. He gravitates towards those couples and enjoys working with them the most. This allows him to stand out in his field and market himself in a unique way.

By niching down, Gary is able to deliver a more personalized experience to his clients. He has had couples that had Renaissance fair themed weddings, circus themed weddings, and even couples that were playing Jenga during their bridal portraits. By finding a niche, Gary is able to better serve his clients and make their day special.

Finding a niche is also beneficial for learning purposes. When Gary first started out, he was learning videography and was told to bring his camera with him everywhere and take photos. This allowed him to get used to different settings and situations, from taking photos of his dog to shooting in low light. By getting bored of taking the same photos every day, Gary was able to switch up his style and find new ways to capture moments.

Finding a niche and standing out is a great way to grow as a photographer and better serve your clients. It allows you to create a personalized experience tailored to their needs and gives you an opportunity to learn and grow in your craft. Niching down can be intimidating, but it is worth the effort and can lead to great success.

Bring your camera everywhere.

For Gary, bringing his camera everywhere became his niche. He was inspired by the idea of being able to capture moments in real time and the challenge of making something beautiful out of the mundane. Gary was determined to find ways to create unique and interesting photos, even in the most mundane of situations. He found that the more he took his camera out, the more he was able to hone his craft and create beautiful images.

Gary soon found himself in challenging situations. He was faced with low light, shooting with his pup on a walk, and taking photos of people. He found that the most challenging part was learning to take good photos of people. He was often met with criticism from his friends and family, but he used it as motivation to improve.

Gary found that the key to success was to take advantage of the surroundings and embrace them. He found that the best way to learn was to take courses and practice. He also found that he was able to create more interesting photos by experimenting with different lenses, flash gear, and techniques.

Gary's journey of bringing his camera everywhere is a great example of how niching down can lead to success. He was able to hone his craft and create beautiful images in challenging situations. His story is an inspiration to aspiring photographers and a reminder that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

Pay close attention to guests.

One of the most important lessons Gary learned was to pay close attention to guests. He realized that by people watching, he could capture the perfect moments. He noticed that when a group of people were laughing, the person who wasn't laughing was usually the one telling the joke. He also noticed that people look best when they are laughing, so he would try to keep an eye on the funny guy.

Gary's background in I.T. also helped him in his photography journey. He was able to stay calm in stressful situations and make people feel at ease. He was also able to translate complicated problems into layman's terms and troubleshoot himself. All of these skills helped him become a successful wedding photographer.

Overall, Gary's story serves as a reminder that paying close attention to guests can lead to great success in photography. It is important to observe people and their interactions to capture the perfect moments. With hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

Find a way to stand out.

Gary was working in IT and making good money when he decided to pursue photography full time. He was drawn to it because of the people he could work with, and the interactions he could have. He was not so interested in the camera gear, presets, or composition. Instead, he was focused on the people and the fun that comes with it.

Gary noticed that he was drawn to geeky couples and their weddings. He found himself playing board games with them and enjoying their company. He realized that this was his people, and he wanted to serve them. He knew that he had to find a way to stand out, so he decided to focus on geeky weddings and create a niche for himself.

Gary was able to stand out by focusing on geeky weddings. He found his niche and was able to gain more attention for his work. He was also able to find more joy in his work, as he was able to work with people he enjoyed and capture moments that were unique and special.

Gary's story serves as a reminder that it is important to find a way to stand out. It is important to find a way to make yourself unique and to focus on what you are passionate about. With hard work and dedication, you can make your dreams a reality.

Be a friend with a camera.

Gary found his niche in the photography world by focusing on geeky weddings. He quickly realized that it wasn't enough to just take great photos; he needed to be able to connect with his clients and make them feel comfortable. He soon discovered that it was less about the photos and more about the service he was providing.

Gary found that it was important to connect with his clients on a deeper level. He was able to do this by getting to know them and understanding their interests and hobbies. He was able to talk to them about their favorite Harry Potter books and movies, and even provide them with trivia facts. This allowed him to bond with his clients and make them feel like he was a friend with a camera.

This is an important lesson for anyone looking to stand out in their field. It is not enough to simply be good at what you do; you need to be able to connect with your clients on a deeper level. You need to be able to provide them with the service they are looking for and make them feel like you are a friend with a camera.

By following Gary's example, you can make a name for yourself in your field. You can focus on what you are passionate about, provide great service, and connect with your clients. With hard work and dedication, you can make your dreams a reality.

Serve clients with care.

When Gary was asked to photograph a family for the first time, he was ecstatic. But when he arrived at the shoot, he noticed the family looked awkward and uncomfortable. After delivering the photos, they said they wished he had given them more direction. This made Gary realize that unless you are a Kardashian, no one is comfortable in front of a camera. He realized that posing was more than just putting your arm here and pushing out your hip. It was about getting your clients to feel comfortable and confident in front of the lens.

To help others, Gary created a free guide to posing with more than 80 images of real poses he has used with his couples. This guide is a great resource for photographers and helps them to be successful in their craft.

Gary also realized that it is important to serve your clients with care. It is not just about providing the service and getting paid, it is about making sure your clients are comfortable and taken care of. Gary recommends thinking about your business from a more human aspect. He suggests thinking about how you want to be treated when you go out to businesses and do services. He used the example of a mechanic to explain his point. If you go to five different mechanics and four of them say the same thing, but the fifth one gives you extra advice and tells you about future problems, you will likely go back to that person.

In conclusion, Gary's advice is to serve your clients with care. It is not just about providing the service and getting paid, it is about making sure your clients are comfortable and taken care of. By following Gary's example, you can make a name for yourself in your field and make your dreams a reality.

Dress to stand out.

Dressing to stand out is a surefire way to make an impression on potential clients. Gary, a wedding photographer, knows this all too well. He has found success in dressing up in Harry Potter robes to attract the attention of his ideal clients. Gary also has a website that is full of helpful resources for couples planning weddings, and he is active in Facebook groups, answering questions and providing advice.

By providing helpful resources, Gary is able to attract potential clients and show them that he is the right photographer for them. He also takes it a step further by wearing Harry Potter robes to bridal shows. This not only attracts attention, but it also shows potential clients that he is passionate about his work and that he is the perfect fit for their needs.

Gary's advice is to give off the right vibes. By doing this, you will naturally attract the right clients. He also suggests writing a guide for your ideal clients, such as a guide on how to get perfect photos on a yacht or the best ten places to park your dock for a scenic afternoon. Doing this will help your clients find you and know that you are the right person for them.

Finally, Gary suggests being active in Facebook groups and answering questions. This can help you get your name out there and show potential clients that you are knowledgeable and passionate about your work. By doing this, you can make sure that you are seen and that you stand out from the crowd.

Find your niche and excel.

Everyone needs to find their niche and excel in it. It is important to find a niche that you are passionate about, so that you can be successful. For example, if you are a wedding photographer, you can specialize in a certain type of photography, such as geeky or Harry Potter themed weddings. By specializing in a certain type of photography, you can become an expert in that field and be more successful.

Finding your niche and excelling in it is not always easy. You have to be willing to put in the work and be passionate about what you are doing. You also have to be comfortable with the fact that you may not be the right fit for every client. You have to be okay with the fact that you may not be the right fit for some people, and be confident in the fact that you are the perfect fit for others.

It is important to be knowledgeable about the niche you specialize in. For example, if you specialize in geeky wedding photography, you should be knowledgeable about things like anime, gaming, and other geeky topics. This will help you be able to relate to potential clients and show them that you are knowledgeable and passionate about the niche you specialize in.

Finally, it is important to be active in the community and show your expertise. You can do this by joining Facebook groups and answering questions, or by attending conventions and networking with other professionals. This will help you get your name out there and show potential clients that you are knowledgeable and passionate about your work. By doing this, you can make sure that you are seen and that you stand out from the crowd.

Finding your niche and excelling in it is not always easy, but it is essential for success. You have to be passionate and knowledgeable about the niche you specialize in, and be willing to put in the work to show your expertise. By doing this, you can make sure that you are seen and that you stand out from the crowd.

Find common ground with clients.

One way to make sure you stand out from the crowd is to find common ground with your clients. When you are able to find common ground with your clients, it allows you to connect with them on a deeper level. This connection can be the difference between a successful business relationship and one that fails.

For example, if you are a wedding photographer and your clients are into geeky things, you can use that as a way to connect with them. Instead of using typical prompts and poses, you can use games and improv to make the experience more fun for them. This will show your clients that you are interested in them and that you understand their interests.

In addition to finding common ground with your clients, you also need to be able to talk to them about their needs. This can be done by having conversations with them before their wedding about certain types of photos they want. By doing this, you are able to make sure that all their needs are met.

Finally, you need to be able to show your clients that you are passionate about what you do. People are drawn to passionate and interesting people, so make sure to show your enthusiasm. This will help to draw people in and show them that you are an expert in your field.

Finding common ground with your clients is essential for success. By connecting with them on a deeper level, you can make sure that they are getting the best experience possible. In addition, by showing your passion and enthusiasm, you can draw people in and make sure that they come back for more.

Challenge yourself with unique ideas.

As a wedding photographer, Gary knows the importance of connecting with his clients. He prides himself in being able to think outside of the box and come up with unique ideas that will wow his clients. He has a story about a couple who wanted a Patronus photo. Gary had never done this before, but he was determined to make it happen. He spent eight hours on his computer, figuring out how to make the photo perfect. His dedication and hard work paid off, and the couple was thrilled with the final product.

This story is an excellent example of how Gary is always pushing himself to do better. By challenging himself to come up with new ideas, he ensures that his clients are getting the best experience possible. Not only does this make his clients happy, but it also makes him stand out from the competition.

Challenging yourself with unique ideas is a great way to keep things interesting and exciting. It not only helps you to stand out from the competition, but it also helps you to create a memorable experience for your clients. By pushing yourself to come up with new and innovative ideas, you can ensure that your clients are getting the best experience possible.

Be creative and flexible.

This is something that I have personally experienced as a photographer. Recently, I was asked to take a photo of a couple dressed up as mummies. Instead of just taking a standard photo, I wanted to find a way to make the photo look like a mummy. This required me to learn a lot of new skills, such as video game design and Photoshop. Despite the extra effort it took, I was able to create a unique photo that the couple was very pleased with.

This experience has taught me that it is important to be creative and flexible when it comes to photography. By pushing myself to try new things and go above and beyond for my clients, I am able to create unique and memorable experiences that they will remember for years to come. It is also important to be upfront with clients about the extra time and effort that may be required to create something special. This way, they can be prepared for the extra cost and appreciate the effort that goes into creating something unique.

Overall, it is important to be creative and flexible when it comes to photography. By pushing yourself to come up with new ideas and being upfront with clients about the extra effort and cost involved, you can create a unique and memorable experience for your clients. Doing so will help you to stand out from the competition and ensure that your clients are getting the best experience possible.

Enjoy your niche passion.

One way to stand out is to niche down and focus on a specific area of photography. This can be anything from military couples, animal photography, prints, black and white weddings, or even something like motorcycle couples or tattooed couples. It all depends on what you are passionate about and knowledgeable in. For example, if you are passionate about Harry Potter, you can focus on creating Harry Potter themed weddings and styled shoots. This will allow you to connect with clients who are looking for something unique and special.

No matter what niche you choose, it is important to be passionate about it and knowledgeable in it. You should be able to talk about the topic with ease and have a good understanding of the problems that your clients may have and the solutions that they need. Additionally, you should be able to show them examples of your work so that they can get a better idea of what you can do.

By enjoying your niche passion, you can create a unique and memorable experience for your clients. You will stand out from the competition and be able to provide your clients with the best experience possible. So take the time to find your niche and enjoy it!

Know your worth.

In this podcast, Gary Pope talks about the importance of “knowing your worth” when it comes to photography. He explains that by niching down, you can charge more for your services and be more successful. He also emphasizes the importance of doing your research to make sure that you are in a popular enough niche to have customers.

Gary also talks about the importance of understanding your abilities and deliverables. He explains that you have to understand what you are able to deliver and what the job entails so that you can provide the best experience possible. He also advises to bake the extra effort into your price so that you are not giving away the farm.

It is important to know your worth when it comes to any business, especially photography. You have to understand your abilities and deliverables and be able to price yourself accordingly. It is also important to do research to make sure that you are in a popular enough niche to have customers. By knowing your worth, you can provide your clients with the best experience possible and be successful in your business.