Finding the right hair stylist and/or make-up artist for your next special occasion or photoshoot requires a little research. Here's what to look for. Look through their portfolio, and ask yourself a few questions. Do they show only one style of makeup? Is it smokey eye after smokey eye or does the artist have a range of looks they can create? A good artist can create a beautiful smokey eye[...]
Just hop online and do a quick search of senior photography (or any industry really) and you'll quickly become overwhelmed with options for courses, masterminds, templates, resources, and more. It has never been easier to jump feet first into a new industry, niche, or marketplace than in today's digital age. But how do you know what you need, if anything, education-wise? Or would hire an assistant[...]
It's been a wild year here at KDP, rather two and a half years. Let's rewind real quick and take it from the beginning. March 2011: I officially launched Kody Diane Photography, after learning the ropes of my new DSLR camera. I shot one senior session in that period and knew that was it for me. I had a career I was never sure I wanted or needed. For the next 9.5 years, I grew, expanded, and thr[...]
Mom, get your planners out, I've got DEADLINES you need to know about. Yes, I'm sorry more important dates for senior year, I know you didn't already have like 57 other dates marked. 1. Yearbook deadlines: While your senior's official photo is contracted out through a photographer the school hires, the images you put in your ads are not. If you are wanting personalized photos, not t[...]
Going into your child's senior year is an exhilarating time, lots of planning, lots of important decisions, events and lots of NUMBERS. I want to help you break down one set of numbers, for your child's senior pictures. So on basically ever photographer's website, you will see the "Investment" or "Pricing" tab, followed by all sorts of photographer terms and prices. Let's dig in and help you[...]
If you live in Texas you are very familiar with the phrase, “If you don’t like the weather stick around a couple of days and it will change.” It’s literal truth, word for word. We’re the only place you can experience every season not even in the same week but sometimes the same DAY! So being a photographer here in Texas, means you learn to roll with whatever the weather will bring you. L[...]
This post might be a great bit of education for seniors and photographers alike. My studio has run on an in-person sales model since day one. It's absolutely an awesome way to go, and I love my sales sessions with my clients. Owning a business is about evolving and growing to fit your customers needs however, and the time has come to make a change. Let me tell you a few of there reasons I've m[...]
We hear about back up plans all the time, but we tend to think that applies to athletes getting their degree or some other (non-me) person. When you're in the throes of starting your own business, and the excitement of it taking off, and then the grind and hustle of maintaining it, a back up plan doesn't enter the real of possibility. Until you had wished you had one. Then it's there, staring[...]
I can't tell you how many times I've heard Facebook is dead to me or useless. I myself have written it off as a business avenue as well. BUT, I have had a change of heart. As a senior photographer, it certainly hasn't been the place it once was for my business. But, it is an avenue to interact with another segment of my market: MOMS! Do mean I am directly generating business from Facebook, wit[...]
As a working mom, I am constantly on the hunt for finding my maximum efficiency. I'm always multi-tasking, looking for ways to shave minutes off day to day tasks, and basically running around like crazy! But when I sit down to work on my businesses, I suddenly get lost in thought, sucked into the Facebook time warp and lose all sense of efficiency. Until I sat down and evaluated my work time, and[...]