Lisa Heuer Photography » Business

To be bugged or not to be bugged | Kirkland, WA Photographer

lisa — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:32:00 +0000

First of all… GROSS. BUT I am bugged! I’m bugged that it is already DECEMBER. I am bugged that I just got used to writing 2010. I am bugged that it is too cold to go outside for pictures. I am bugged that it gets dark at 4:30pm. BUT, I am in awe at the beauty that surrounds me. I am not bugged that I get extra cuddly time with my family-staying inside where is it warm. I am not bugged that with each year I learn more and grow just a tad-hopefully in more ways than one. I am not bugged that with the early sunset comes early bedtime. Some things can be looked at in two different ways… bringing something negative along with something sweet. Bugs on the other hand… I haven’t found the flip side of that yet.

One of many | Seattle, WA Photography

lisa — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:04:00 +0000

I love what Zack Arias says in his blog. He is often up front, honest, and so real-life. He is humble and talented. His posts are about stuff that everyone thinks about.. he puts words to those thoughts. He talks about photographs vs. photography, oversaturated markets, his humble start (and failures) and so much more. If you have the time, read some of his posts. And here… it just represents me in a sea so large-full of lovers of photography, trying to find our style, our niche, our art.

Fail Forward

lisa — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:14:00 +0000

One of my favorite terms, Fail Forward, didn’t come from this book, but I sure was happy to see this! I didn’t know about the book until my mom brought a stack of inspiring books for me to read. I was so excited about its title that I chose this one first. I love this term because it means taking your mistakes and using them as lessons to move forward. It can apply to business and personal lives. I learned of this concept many years ago when I worked for Wells Fargo Bank and went through training as a mortgage loan consultant. Portions of the classes were videos recorded specifically for Wells Fargo by Todd Duncan. His passion and drive is incredible and his organization is awesome. So, I heard him use the phrase Fail Forward and loved it. Since then, I continue to use this phrase as a regular part of business and life. The book, Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones for Success, is powerful and inspiring and the author is John C. Maxwell. I haven’t read any of his other books but don’t worry, it is in the stack. His insights are worth pondering and implementing! Another book worth reading!

Another great read | Queen Creek Photographer

lisa — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:53:00 +0000

Have I already mentioned this book? I probably should go back and look but I like it so much that I am willing to talk about it again (if indeed, this is round 2)! I read this (okay, honesty is getting to me… I bought the book on CD) at the beginning sometime of 2010 and I have listened to bits and pieces throughout the last few months. I love to follow Melissa Jill, and she mentioned this book the other day. It reminded me how awesome it really is. If you are in the car for more time than you are able to read, buy it on CD and listen while you drive. It’s better than trying to talk or text since that is dangerous anyway. : )

One of my 2010 goals was to read 3 books about the business. So, another addition to the collection for 2010!

Happy Trails? | Florida Photography

lisa — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:06:00 +0000

I am reaching out to those in business (for themselves). Let’s chat about the business path! I heard something fantastic today! A business owner told me, “I always complain to my wife that I am behind. She responds by telling me I am doing something right to always have business.” I thought about that. I thought more about that. She is right. If you are in business and doing well, you will never be caught up! You will continue to drive business so when one project is done, you have the next one waiting in the foyer. : ) (kind of sounds like laundry… never ahead, always filling up what you have finished!)

I see these pictures and it reminds me of the paths we take in life or in business as we build up what we want to have waiting in our foyers…

Are you on the straight path? You know exactly where you are going and how to get there? You have a clear view and although obstacles may get in the way, you are proactive and prepared? Maybe you even have gutter guards so you don’t fall off? ; ) Even on a cloudy day, you path in business is straight and unobstructed… Maybe your peripheral vision isn’t the greatest since you are focused on the straight ahead?

Or maybe you are struggling and it seems like an uphill climb. You can’t really see what is ahead and maybe you don’t want to? Or, you sort of like taking it a few steps at a time… It’s not a clear path but an adventure! Maybe you can see the top of the hill but the steps to get there seem a little scary?

Or maybe you like the round about path… the path that eventually gets you where you want to be but learning along the way and taking all sorts of turns (both wrong and right) help you still continue in the direction you want to go. Sometimes this path takes extra time but maybe you see more and learn more along the way? This is the scenic route even if there isn’t much to see. ; )

I am a firm believer in continual growth regardless of your plan. I try to not say never but I really want to use it here… we should never think we have it all down, know all there is to know and our path is complete. Our paths change, our desires change and the seasons of life change. Enjoy the journey!

Business errors | Queen Creek Photographer

lisa — Wed, 19 May 2010 06:38:11 +0000

Have you ever called a business, emailed a business and had no response or reply? Annoying huh! Well, I have an error to confess and correct but I can’t. I had a phone call on Thursday when I was headed out of town and promised to call back after the weekend. So far, so good… By the way, I am super fantastic (typically) at returning business phone calls and emails. Anyhow, I grabbed the first paper I could find, jotted the information down and promised to call back. The weekend passed and I was taking note of Monday’s to-do. I remembered the phone call and couldn’t locate the paper anywhere. It probably didn’t help that we were shuffling papers all weekend BUT I went through my trash, I went through my stash. NOTHING. I feel awful, I’m not sure what to do but maybe by apologizing here, she will call me again! I don’t want to be THAT kind of business! (I’m not-do you believe me?) I am sorry, please call again! : )

Headshots | Queen Creek Photography

lisa — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:12:14 +0000

Another opportunity to do some real life grown-ups! Sasha has a heart of gold, I could see that the first time we met! Her devotion to family is incredible, I sorta wished she was in my family! ; ) Our goal was to capture her true self, her real smile and her relaxed approach to business and friendship. She made the session so simple and unique, I was able to get to know her and a little bit of her background. You know what was even more amazing? …Her ability to make a decision! WOW! I liked her goofiness, her light heartedness and her real-life-ed-ness. I know, my words are sometimes questionable but how else do you describe it?

Breaking those rules

lisa — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 04:26:50 +0000

Those DANG compositional rules are always getting in my way. But, here is a little truth about me-I am a rule breaker! I am the type to question rules and go outside the rules just to see what happens and photography is no different. I think those compositional “guidelines” actually make images/art more attractive and sometimes we just don’t know why. During my class with Wendy Schultz, I learned all about the rules and definitely what I was doing wrong. (don’t you hate to know what you did wrong, then you look back with a more critical eye!) She challenged me to incorporate as many rules as possible. I came up with something lame but it got me thinking.

I love that there is ART in everything! The best part it that it is all subjective… what I like may not be what you like. What I think is amazing and perfectly balanced and wonderful may look terrible to you-not possible. : ) Anyhow, style is everything. My style is a little funky and not so traditional. I try to capture the original, unique, and clever-something that displays YOU.

Tax information for photographers | AZ Photography

lisa — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:12:06 +0000

AZ Photographers: did you know that TPT is assessed on everything? Yes, that means services/session are taxed! I didn’t believe it, I questioned it, I looked it up and its true. My accountant didn’t believe it so he did research as well and we both came to the same conclusion!!!! You don’t want to not be in the know and have to figure it out the hard way! Just sayin’

business to business sharing | Queen Creek Photography

lisa — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:00:31 +0000

I’m so confused, please help me understand… why would somebody NOT want to share business info? Here is what I mean:

ME: Hi, Mr. Retailer. Can you let me know where you get your suckers?

Retailer: Ummm, no.

ME: (completely baffled) I am curious to know why you wouldn’t want to help another business grow. I am interested in giving those suckers to photography clients. I am not selling them (and then my mind went on to say, “and this is not what you business is about so why do you care? people don’t come here to buy suckers, they come for what your core business is about. those suckers are an after thought.”

Retailer: well, I order them for the store in bulk and the company is not interested in new clients.

I began to ask more and more questions so that I could narrow my search to find those suckers. So, instead of giving me the name of the company, I learned all that I need to know about the company to find out who the company was. Like a game of Guess Who? Anyhow, when I hung up the phone, I found the manufacturer within 2 minutes. I called-yes they love new clients and they like anybody want to be profitable and see success!

Why do people NOT want to share? Isn’t that how we get ahead in the long run? In any business, we can share! There is so much to learn from one another. We all have our own tweaked version but knowledge is power. I love to learn and I love to share.

Being fairly new to the business of photography, I found THIS ARTICLE to be so helpful and inspiring. What a wonderful woman to want to SHARE what she knows and has learned. I find tidbits like this, ideas for growth, ideas for success and support and I feel inspired to reach out myself (until I run across someone who doesn’t want to share the information about suckers).

We all learn that you need to give to get ahead. What is a way that you can be remarkable in your business?

I have to share something… I learned today how important it is to be charging taxes and paying transaction privilege taxes on a monthly basis (to avoid problems along with late penalties). You can find out more at AZtaxes.gov. I filed for my TPT license which means I am officially and truly in business. I am for real. : ) I am a real business. : ) The picture is to illustrate what it feels like to not know what to do about taxes and how to charge and what to file. BUT ah-hah, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.