Aspire Studios Photo and Design http://www.aspirestudio.net Fun, friends and photos! Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:30:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 You Is Kind…You Is Smart…You Is Important…! http://www.aspirestudio.net/2012/01/you-is-kind-you-is-smart-you-is-important/ http://www.aspirestudio.net/2012/01/you-is-kind-you-is-smart-you-is-important/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:30:38 +0000 aspirest http://www.aspirestudio.net/?p=32 A line from the movie “The Help” spoken by a maid to her young charge. Repeated over and over to make sure the young girl has memorized every syllable.  You is kind…you is smart…you is important!

This hits me as being so relevant to the kind of photographer I want to be. With the new year, it seems like every photographer in the state has some new shiny marketing tool, ready to draw in the masses. I ask myself, “how can you compete with all of this?” And the truth is, the only way to stand out from the crowd is to build a reputation of genuine, good old fashioned respect and caring for your client base.

A client is not just a dollar sign. A client starts as a student, while as a photographer, you educate them on the value of your product and of the photo “adventure” to come. The relationship builds from there, until you are friends…sharing such incredibly intimate moments that you will always (or should always) have a connection.  When you share a wedding day, photograph a newborn, and then catalog the following years with family photos and Christmas cards your clients become an extended family.

And just like you would remind a member of your family of how important they are to you, it’s just as important to remind your clients. Never let them forget that they are vital to your success, and because of that, they are tied to the happiness that exists in your everyday life. Make sure you let them know what they bring to the table, and how you appreciate their good qualities!

I may not always be the first to come out with a cool idea, or maybe something I create is soon done by other artists. But one thing that cannot be duplicated is the way that I respect and appreciate how clients have enriched my life! I am so thankful for those of you who are making this journey with me.

Wishing you the best!

Nicole

 

]]> http://www.aspirestudio.net/2012/01/you-is-kind-you-is-smart-you-is-important/feed/ 1 The best weekend ever… http://www.aspirestudio.net/2011/11/the-best-weekend-ever/ http://www.aspirestudio.net/2011/11/the-best-weekend-ever/#comments Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:00:27 +0000 aspirest http://www.aspirestudio.net/?p=27 Wow, just sitting down tonight and reflecting on this past weekend. It was such a whirlwind with both a Boudoir Photo Event, and a Senior Glam Event! My feet hurt, I won’t even tell you about my legs…especially since I decided to RUN up the stairs each time just to prove how tough I am…only there are 22 extremely steep stairs! So, while I may have proved a point, well, they kicked my butt!

But you know, I can’t get over all the GOOD things from this weekend! I met some of the best people this weekend! We laughed, shared some (okay, a LOT ) of wine and just had a great time together.  I can’t wait to get a few new pics up to share…!

Hopefully you all had a great weekend too, but I gotta say…mine truly rocked! Thanks to all the friends who came and helped out with everything, I’d be lost without you all!

* Nicole

]]> http://www.aspirestudio.net/2011/11/the-best-weekend-ever/feed/ 0 So much to Celebrate! http://www.aspirestudio.net/2011/10/so-much-to-celebrate/ http://www.aspirestudio.net/2011/10/so-much-to-celebrate/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:39:25 +0000 aspirest http://www.aspirestudio.net/?p=25 This day just can’t get much better…website and cart-check! Wedding tomorrow-check! A few shoots to wrap up tonight, and voila…things are looking up! Can’t wait to take some time tonight and check out Art Prize in downtown Grand Rapids, I’m so thankful to live in such an arts-based community!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, see you on the flip side!

Nicole

]]> http://www.aspirestudio.net/2011/10/so-much-to-celebrate/feed/ 0 Hello World…Here We Come! http://www.aspirestudio.net/2011/10/hello-world-here-we-come/ http://www.aspirestudio.net/2011/10/hello-world-here-we-come/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 02:31:53 +0000 aspirest http://www.aspirestudio.net/?p=18 Okay, a little cheesy, maybe too excited…I know! But still, a new website is a lot of work and I am so excited to share ours with you! Our new format allows us to keep our Blog and Website all in one, so not only to you get the chance to check out our work, but you also get the chance to live life alongside us.  Hopefully you will learn a bit about “how we roll!”

I look forward to this new stage of our adventure…can’t wait to see what comes next!

Nicole

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