What happens "When" the kids don't cooperate during a photoshoot?

Hi internet world! I'm back with my 2 pennies for the day ;) Only a day late on my Wednesday post... Just want to thank those of you who are keeping an eye on Little Miss Creative and our (aka my) whereabouts! There have been so many wonderful learning experiences and so much growth this summer. I cannot even fathom how the Lord has blessed LMC thus far on the journey but am so, SO, humbled by knowing the storehouse of growth that is yet to come in my photography and artistry career! Looking forward to sharing it all along the way! 

This summer has been booming with more family sessions than ever! So many beautiful new vacationers from Texas, Ohio, New York, Colorado, North Carolina, and more! It's exciting to meet new friends from all over the U.S. who come down to Santa Rosa Beach and the Emerald Coast to vacation. These people are here reuniting with family members on annual trips or just having a nice weekend getaway. What better way to celebrate than to create memories of your trip together by having a beach photoshoot? With beach photoshoots sometimes comes irritable children who are hot, need naps, or just don't want to be told what to do. So when a family wants a beautiful beach memory of their trip, it can be a little scary for mom and dad to hope the kids cooperate during the shoot. What happens when the kids don't want to cooperate during a photoshoot?

Last summer, if you had asked me where my photoshoot skills were lacking, I would have said family beach portraits. It was hard for me to understand the dynamics of how to create beautiful portraits with the harsh lighting and intense wind on the beach. On top of that, dealing with all of those people and crying children downright scared me! Because I recognized the learning curve of working with families & groups, that made me want to learn more and do even more family sessions, oddly enough!!! ;)  

Within a year, my approach to family photoshoots completely shifted. Instead of the stiff stand still smile type photographs that I thought everyone wanted, I began creating more interesting, dynamic photographs using my subjects' personalities and actions to tell stories. 

When a child runs away during a shoot, that's something interesting to be captured. When a child begins to cry during a photoshoot, that can be captured to tell a story too. Getting into a child's world is as simple as suggesting games, movement, silly faces, hugs, and tickles! I can't say this always works to get full cooperation but I can say this steers our photoshoot in the right direction to create beautiful life-breathing personal images! 

At the end of the session, if, through my lens, I've seen some giggling faces, creativity, or exploration from the little ones, I know we are "all set" as I like to say ;) 

A few tips I share with parents pre-beach-photoshoot to make sure of: 

- They have had their naps. 

- They are fed. 

- They are semi-clean. ;) I know this is not an easy feat with little ones**

- They have a toy(s) available. 

- You arrive to the session a few minutes early to allow the little ones to get used to the new setting and maybe even explore a little. 

- A possible "ice cream" or fun bribe is in store post session. ;) optional ;) 

- You have a towel to wipe of sand from faces/arms. 

- You have water on hand. 

- You have pins/hairties to hold back the hair. The beach is very windy! 

- They are ready to have fun and "play". 

- Our expectations are not for perfection but for fun and freedom to show who we really are! 

A recent blogger (cannot recall who it was) referred to each year of a child's life as the number of minutes that their attention span can last. I.E. One year old = One minute of attention. Two year old = Two minutes of attention. Haha, this is a great comparison... Although sometimes it can feel like seconds instead of minutes! 

Here's a fun example of play and how these moments can be so much more than "say cheese"!
With kindness,
Fantasia
www.LittleMissCreativeStudio.com

What happens Whensday -- Edition #05, on sharing yourself with the world.

In an effort to remain transparent, I want to write about something very real... Remaining transparent in a world full of faux.

Some days it seems that everyone's just trying to get ahead, to climb the social ladder, and to be a part of the next best thing. We've all seen it and most of us are guilty from time to time of falling into the routine of just trying to keep afloat with everyone else. Why are we so wired to follow the crowd? The book Connected, by Nicholas Christakis shares incredible scientific studies about how we are affected by those around us. It's a great study in human thought and action patterns. It teaches that even people you may have never met can lead you to do a certain thing or feel a certain way. 

Why do we sell ourselves short and settle for a life of "keeping up" instead of living powerfully in our own creative strength? 

This bible verse resounded in my spirit yesterday, 2nd Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." ~ This is one of my absolute favorite Bible verses! It brings to light a beautiful potential in us all. Power, love, and a sound mind. I don't know about you, but THAT is how I want to live! I don't want to live waking up and hoping I can "keep up" with what's new in photography, what's new in the small business world, or what's new with my local town. I have this career so I can explore my talents, serve others, and learn to grow a business. No part of exploring my own talents means hoping I can do something just like someone else. I'm ready to explore my talents boldly. I'm ready to be myself boldly. I'm ready to go against the grain, boldly. When we love ourselves just as we are created to be, we give ourselves room to grow, to make mistakes, and to explore! I challenge you today that when you feel a tug on your heart to "keep up" with other small businesses, understand that their strengths and your strengths are made beautifully different. The joy of being an entrepreneur is paving your own way.  Challenge yourself to be different, to trust your instincts, and to go boldy in the direction of your dreams. Your journey awaits you. 

What happens when you trust who you were made to be? 

What Happens Whensdays | Edition 04 - Clients becoming friends

W H Y H E L L O. 
Here we are again... air mattress and all! <------- This is in reference to blogging on an air mattress for a few weeks in a row ;) My fiance and I are renovating a home and boy are we learning some new things!

We won't get into that quite yet -- Saving it for another post... Right now, we're going to think about clients becoming friends and how to navigate through professionalism and fun!

What happens when your clients become your friends? Will they see you differently if you let down your hair? Do you even have hair? How close is too close? 

Oh, the drama! Whatever shall we do? We shall... 

#1. Ponder the benefits of letting down our hair or showing off our bald head to be exactly who we are genuinely.
#2. Consider building lifelong friendships with people who were drawn to and respect our work.
#3. Understand that maybe, just maybe that person is in our life for a reason.
#4. Admit that there will be important boundaries to set in place early on to ensure keeping our relationship healthy.
#5. Remember that we have to nurture both our business and personal relationships.
#6. Decide how our business or personal relationships can compliment or harm each other. Make precautions.
#7. Be grateful. If you have this problem, you're doing something right! (this should be #1!!!!)
#8. Eat chocolate. because that just makes everything better!

Well folks, this cozy air mattress is calling my name! Until next Wednesday, Siyanara! (<---- Can anyone teach me how to spell that?)

- X O -
Fantasia
www.LittleMissCreativeStudio.com

{Photo below // Week 1 progress of our new home. Floors ripped out and said air mattress is set up complete with a sunlit and star-filled view} Will share more home progress soon!

What happens Whensday - Edition 03! Today's topic: Clients requests

What are those old sayings about three? 

Threes company. 

Three strikes and you're out. 

Third's a charm. 

Three little birds sat by my window. 

Three, Two, One. 

Third degree -- (No one wants that, haha) 

And so many more! Today is our T H I R D edition of What happens Whensday. (doin' a little hand jive dance). Today's focus is going to be a dive into the deep end of how to handle client requests above and beyond your typical services. *Que audience ooooohs and ahhhhhhhs* 

What happens when a client asks you for additions above and beyond the services you typically provide? 

#1 - LICKEN LINDA - (for those of you who don't know that reference, enjoy this precious video of a little boy begging his mother to listen!) In short, L I S T E N. When a client is asking for a service or product beyond your business practices or typical service, take note! The value in learning what clients are expecting or interested in is through the roof! 

#2 - B R A I N S T O R M -  What's next? Once you've seen a pattern in requests from your clients, you can begin to predict their needs more easily. You can set up your business in a way that is planning ahead and changing with the times. Ask yourself, how you can change or modify your services to anticipate those needs?  If you need help brainstorming, one of the most profound books that will build your creativity and teach you that there is ALWAYS A WAY to come up with a new idea... is Thinkertoys. My fiancé bought me that book and it has literally changed the way I think! So back to the client requests... You don't have to nor should you just answer every request with a "Yes!", but some "Yes's" will change your business forever! 

Last summer, for example, I had a bride request a USB for her wedding images instead of a CD. Big "huh?" moment for me. How was I going to deliver a custom, nicely packaged USB when I was set in my ways creating custom DVDS and mailing those? I had a system in how I worked and USBs were not part of that system... I knew saying "Yes" and just making it happen was the best way to move forward and grow. Soon after, I was buying beautiful crystal custom USBS in bulk with my logo etched in the front. EXAMPLE HERE  Now I cannot imagine NOT delivering this beautiful work of art to my clients after their wedding! Hello, Little Miss Creative, get with the times! 

Here's one I packaged today and sent off to my most recent and beautiful bride & groom, Nisha and Chandler. 

#3 - R E F E R - It's okay to refer your clients for jobs above and beyond your expertise. I do it all the time! I get requests for nude sessions, pet photography, newborns, special effect editing, intense photoshop jobs, etc. when they're not my area of expertise. I'm 100% comfortable referring out those clients to other photographers or editors who may specialize in their requests. It helps me out by being able to free up my time to do what I love, continue to shoot weddings, portraiture, and be creative with marketing & design! By building your networking circle with local businesses you will never be short on recommendations to your clients. It does your client a service by providing them a new often times better route. It does you a service by allowing you the opportunity to help build your community. 

#4 - Just kidding, there isn't a #4!!! Enjoy your evening & PLEASE share how you handle client requests above your typical services. I would love to learn and grow more in the area. 

Love and laughter, 

Fantasia 

www.LittleMissCreativeStudio.com 

What Happens Whensday - Edition #02 {Building Client Relationships Despite Differences}

Wow -- Two weeks in a row… This is a blog marathon for me! Hold on, let me go get some water… Feeling parched ;) 

Alright but on a non-cory-humor note, this is edition #2 of "What Happens Whensday"! 

I knew exactly what I wanted to post about -- Just kidding, I'm thinking this up as I go along. We can think of that as some sort of disclaimer.

So, I've been feeling incredibly liberal about my opinions lately which can be freeing and frightening all at once. Some days I don't know what's going to come out of my mouth and more often than not it's either straight talk or a joke. Yeah, there's not much in between! My humor is edgy or completely slapstick and not so politically correct always. 

So my thought this week is what happens when our personalities don't mesh perfectly with a particular client? There are days when our humor or lack-of-humor is just off base from our client's personality. There are days when we feel on it like we've just conquered the world with our awesome skills but then we aren't 100% sure that the client feels the same way.

Maybe we've had someone treat us disrespectfully or just not appreciate our time & talent. We all know these situations will happen so how can we move forward?

One of my favorite feelings in the world is leaving a photoshoot or client meeting knowing I've made new friends and have begun building a strong relationship with the clients! I strive for that experience during every single client meet or photoshoot!

SO -- How do we combat feeling like good for nothin' sun ova guns when we are unsure of our relationship with a client? 

Let's think of 3 different ways (again, making this up as I go along)... 

1. (Because I thought of it first) GIVE THEM THE BENIFIT OF THE DOUBT - (or BOTD) Without BOTD, you're shot. People mean well. We have to believe in the big picture. Believe in love and kindness and understand that most people don't mean you harm and many of them never realize they are hurting you. If they don't show excitement for working with you, then maybe they had a bad day? Maybe they are shy? As Frozen *or my future brother in law* would sing in the bathroom, "Let it go!"
2. LEARN FROM THAT EXPERIENCE - When we take a moment to reflect on the situation at hand and look for ways to learn, we can grow from that experience. Even if there were no mistakes you could find on your end, you can find ways to learn to be even more great! 
3. PRACTICE KINDNESS EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE DIFFERENCES - The ol' kill them with kindness jab! It does the body good, both yours and theirs! Whether or not you become BFFL (best friends for life) with your client and want to loan each other Def Leopard records & meet for sushi on the weekends, you want to build a long term trusting relationship! Kindness is the best start! 

Hope you guys enjoyed this episode of What happens Whensdays ~ I will always be a learner and hope to inspire you to be one too! 

Next week, Episode #3 is coming up and it's all about… Whatever I think of next! Oh the suspense. ~ Fantasia 
www.LittleMissCreativeStudio.com