reasons to hire ladymusicc

Let's take a look at some of the reasons you may or may not want to hire me.

reasons to hire ladymusicc

Ah yes, let's start with the good stuff.
For those who don't like to read a lot, here's the facts to the point.

• I'm a hard worker who cares about her Clients
• Safety and happiness of my Clients is #1 priority
• I'm detail oriented
• I'm fun to work with
• I'm more affordable than other photographers/videographers
• I offer payment plans
• I am willing to customize a package/experience for the needs of a Client
• I'm flexible with plans and I know how to "go with the flow"
• I'm open to new ideas
• I strive to give my best efforts and do everything with excellence

For those who don't mind reading a bit, let's break it down. Obviously, each point is self-explanatory but allow me to elaborate.

Being a hard worker, I'm not afraid to get down and dirty. Literally. I've ran through creeks, sat on muddy rocks, got my shoes soaked and dirty, had dogs jump on me, sat in the dirt, climbed fences, you get it. I don't mind getting dirt under the nails to get the perfect shot. But caring for my Clients also comes with the territory. Safety is #1 priority, but I also want my Clients to have fun and enjoy what they're doing. I work hard to get the best shots, but also for my Clients to have a good time.

I am naturally detail oriented. Ask my family. Ask people who have personally worked with me, I need a LOT of details to get the mission completed successfully. This can be frustrating because it means I ask numerous questions. But I do it to ensure that I get everything right. No stone left unturned. Because of my nature, it also means I pay attention to details in the background and in the final product of what I am working on.

I'm fun to work with. How do I know that? My clients have told me. And the smile on their faces and the amount of times they laugh, have told me. I want to have fun when I'm working. Believe it or not, I've worked with some Clients that I didn't have too much fun with. It was serious and stiff, or "drama"fied and exhausting. Nevertheless, I try to give me best and deliver for those Clients. But if I want to have fun, I imagine my Clients do too. And that is exactly what I try to give them, a good time.

I'm not cheap, but I am more affordable than other photographers/videographers.
When I first started giving my services professionally, I really didn't know what to charge. Nowadays, There is so many videos and articles out there that help young entrepreneurs know how to price their services and get what they are worth. For me, it wasn't that simple. I was walking blindly into the world, guessing what I thought sounded fair. Through many trials and errors, I realized that by being so cheap, I was putting myself in a hole and actually losing profit. I wanted to be affordable for everyone, but I quickly learned that kind of mentality is not going to make a sustainable business. I also was running myself ragged and was getting discouraged because I had to work multiple jobs to get money elsewhere. I absolutely love doing photography. So much so, I would do it for free if I could. I love creating for others that much. But that's not practical. Still, I try to make my prices a bit more affordable than others I see out there. I also know I do not have as many "bells & whistles" as another company might. So that's another reason I try to price lower.

I offer payment plans.
What do I mean by this? Well, payment plans. Self-explanatory. I know not everyone may be able to pay $2,500 at the drop of a hat. And some Clients may not have the time to save up that much.  So I make plans with Clients that allow them to pay me comfortably and not be stressed out. In return, I deliver bits of their products after these deposits have been made.

I'm willing to customize a package/experience for a Client.
Customizing packages...
Sometimes, a Bride made not want everything that comes in a package. Or, she may want more. A couple may want a photoshoot, but want to do something different and exciting. This is where Consultations come in handy. We sit, get a bit to eat, and chat about the possibilities.

Customizing the experience...
But sometimes, physical or mental challenges come into the picture.
For example: One year, I had a family photoshoot for Mothers Day. The Grandmother could not walk very far or stand for a long time. I didn't know about this until the day of the shoot. Fortunately, the family brought a chair for her. So we were able to move the chair and allow her to sit while the family gathered around her. A simple solution that allowed everyone to have a good experience on Mother's Day.
Another example: I've worked with people who had mental health challenges.
When doing a photoshoot with a child who had MAD disorder, I had to work by her rules. If she didn't want to pose a certain way, I did what she wanted. She didn't want her picture taken, I moved on to another child. It wasn't that the child was "spoiled", it was me trying to respect her feelings and work with what made her happy and comfortable. There is no need for added stress when taking pictures or working with Clients.
Another Client had a brain injury and didn't want to take pictures close to a golf course, for fear of getting hit by a golf ball.  I respected his concerns and feelings of anxiety and offered another location. He felt comfortable enough and went into the green space and we were able to take some beautiful pictures.
Other clients have had surgery and needed poses that were simple, so as to not further injure themselves or risk opening stitches. Some Clients struggled with anxiety and feelings of self-consciousness and needed time to warm up to the camera. Bringing a sibling or friend along has also helped Clients to feel more comfortable during their session and it made the experience more fun for them.
There's a lot of reasons a session made need to be customized. In the end, it's about the Client being happy, safe and comfortable.

I'm flexible with plans and I know how to "go with the flow".
I have often found myself in situations where plans changed at the last minute. Even as a child, I've had to adapt to things not going as planned. Or doing something spontaneous at the last second. Being able to go with the flow leaves room for fun and unexpected opportunities. Yes, it can be frustrating and nerve racking, but sometimes there is no choice but to move to a plan B or C.
This is where being "open to new ideas" definitely comes in handy.
If it's a pose I didn't think of, doing something that wasn't originally planned, or changing locations.
I'm pretty much down for whatever. As long as it's in budget and actually feasible to do.

I strive to give my best efforts and do everything with excellence.
I know sometimes my quality is not 100%. Sometimes the footage is shaky or pixelated. Sometimes, my pictures have grain in them or something is out of focus. In the end, I try my best and I'm always striving to be better, do better and give better, higher quality products and services.

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reasons to not hire ladymusicc

"You mean, there are reasons to NOT hire you?"
Yup. Sure there is. Let's dive into what those reasons might be.

The short version....

• I might be out of your budget
  
• I may not be the size of a business you had in mind
  
• I may not specialize in the type of shoot you are wanting
  
• I may not have the equipment you'd like to have
• I may not have the studio space you are looking for
  
• I may not have the "style" you prefer
• I may not be available for the date or location you are wanting me for
• I may not be able to capture a certain shot you are wanting
• I am a Christian, and my lifestyle may make you feel uncomfortable
• and lastly, I may just not be the right fit for you or your vision

For my readers out there, YOU ARE APPRECIATED!!! Let's dive into each bullet point.

I might be out of your budget
Even though I TRY to have lower prices while still ensuring I make a decent profit, I have had people walk away because I was "out of their budget". The sad truth is, sometimes people don't have a realistic budget for professional services. They think they can find someone to do it for next to nothing. And that's true. There are people who are learning and want the experience. Or want to fill their portfolio like I did, and was willing to do it for free or for as low as $100. So yes, you can always find someone cheaper. But it's always good to do research first and then set your budget. If that's $1,000 or $3,000. To assume you know what people charge without doing any research is never a good idea. Do research. Get educated. And then decide if photography or filming services is something you want to invest in, or if getting your friend to do it is more ideal.

I may not be the size of a business you had in mind
I admit, I may not be what someone is looking for. And that's okay. I do not have 2nd and 3rd shooters. I don't have an assistant. I do everything myself. So if someone is wanting multiple shooters, they would take a look at my business and probably walk away. It might be a possibility for me to hire someone else, but as a rule of thumb, I work alone.

I may not specialize in the type of shoot you are wanting
For example, some people specialize in infant/newborn photoshoots. They take the most magical baby photos you could ever imagine. While I offer infant shoots, I do not specialize in this type of shoots. I do not have baby sized objects for the baby to sit on or lay in, I do not know how to delicately wrap a baby. Though I'm sure I could learn, it is not something I automatically can do. So yes, I can do almost anything you'd like, but it may not be what I specialize in. In this case, looking to another photographer might be better.

I may not have the equipment you'd like for me to use
What I mean by this is some people LOVE the drone shots. I do too. But I do not have a drone at the moment. Renting one is always a possibility, but it is something that would cost the client more and it has to be planned ahead of time. Some people like to have photo booths available for their parties or wedding reception. I love this idea as well. But financially, renting a photo booth is out of my budget. So I would have to charge a Client for this. If it's something they really want, I can arrange it for them, but it doesn't automatically come with my services. It could be a number things that I do not have in my inventory and would have to rent from somewhere. Which is an added fee. This might cause some people to reconsider hiring me.

I may not have the studio space you are looking for
I do not currently have a studio space. It's the dream, but it is not yet a reality. Of course, there are studio spaces that can be rented. Again, for an added fee. Or if a friend of the Client has a space we can use for free, that works too. Shooting in the Clients home also works. But unless there's a lot of windows and good natural light, the pictures do not always come out at the highest quality. Some homes are comfy but can be crowded and dark for photos. So shooting at home is not always ideal but is a cheaper option. Only if you are wanting an indoor shoot. As a rule of thumb, I want to be outside. But for some situations, like infant shoots, being inside is better.

I may not have the "style" you prefer
This boils down to preference. It's not that I'm not talented or good, it's just a Client might not prefer the details I capture or the colors I feature in my pictures. This is why I encourage people to look at my work. To see for themselves if I am someone they would like to capture their wedding day or senior portraits or whatever the occasion is. You should always look at someone's work before choosing or not choosing to hire them. Don't knock it until you see it, but also, when you know, you know. In the end, don't settle. Go for what you absolutely love!

I may not be available for the date or location you are wanting me for
It's pretty simple. If I am booked already or if you're going out of the country, I can't be there to fulfill what you are needing. Getting my passport is a goal but is not a priority. Traveling internationally will come later. So for now, I stay in the States.  But most of the time, the problem is not being available. This is why I encourage people to book in advance. Even if their booked time/date might change, it's always best to put something in the books to secure a spot.

I may not be able to capture a certain shot you are wanting
I am always up for a challenge. Especially if it's something I have never done before. It just takes one opportunity to be able to say "yes, I've done that before". But until I get that opportunity, I'm a newbie. So while I am up for the challenge of doing something I've never done before, it may be something too big for me to tackle. In which case, I will encourage you to keep looking elsewhere. You have a vision, so find someone who can rise to make it happen for you. But it never hurts to talk about the possibilities over a good bowl of frozen yogurt.

I am a Christian, and my lifestyle may make you feel uncomfortable
I once offered my photography services to someone who was Wiccan. I didn't know she was, but she then offered the information to me. Having been friends with someone who was Wiccan, it didn't bother me. I gave her my card and told her to think about it. Well, I never heard from her. So me being a Christian probably was too much for her. And that's completely okay. You want to make sure whoever you work with or hire is going to make you feel safe and comfortable. If it's someone who supports LGBTQ, is not prejudice or racist, or if it's making sure they don't have a criminal record.  They don't have believe the way you do, or live like you, but they need to accept you and offer a welcoming and safe environment for you.

and lastly, I may just not be the right fit for you or your vision.
Sometimes, people just don't mesh well together. Sometimes, you get a bad vibe. And again with not being able to execute things, I may just not be the person to make your dreams come true. But I sure would try before throwing my hands up and walking away.

That's all folks!

I hope this article helped you to decide if whether or not you should work with me. As always, if you want a consultation, a meet & greet, I'm always down for some Chick-fil-a. Or simply message me using the form on the Inquire page.

Thank you for reading.