A couple of things have changed for Marta and me in the last couple of months. We’ve put more into the business than we have ever in the four years that we’ve been “open”. Part of that formula is getting ourselves out there and meeting other professionals in the industry, you know…networking. See, in the past Marta and I did something that I can admittedly say was wrong. We designed a website, hatched a brand, and slapped our names on it. That was it. We did nothing else. Marta and I simply logged out of our WordPress Blog and called it a day. We prayed that we would get business. We wished that we would get business. Eventually, we lost all hope. Eventually, it was nothing more than a wishful dream.
” Part of that formula is getting ourselves out there and meeting other professionals in the industry, you know…networking.”
Something clicked with me a few months ago. It didn’t scream networking, blogging, or pricing. I used to have a saying that I lived my life with. “He who takes no risk gains nothing.” I’m not sure where I heard it, and I am definitely not sure where it comes from. All I do know is that I heard or read it in the past and it just stuck with me. I was able to go ahead and make it a part of my high school life as well as some of my college life. It was simply good times.
“Networking quickly became a part of who we are as Orlando Wedding Photographers.”
Anyways, over the years of having this business, I lost sight of what I really wanted to do. I lost sight of what I really loved. I was in search of money. I’m not going to lie. I was in search for the rich comfortable lifestyle that many people sought after around me. Then I realized that I was already rich. I have a loving family, a loving wife, and loving friends. What more could a person ask for? I realized that money comes and goes. There will always be more money elsewhere if you look and work hard enough. In short, I matured.
Anyways, over the years of having this business, I lost sight of what I really wanted to do. I lost sight of what I really loved. I was in search of money. I’m not going to lie. I was in search for the rich comfortable lifestyle that many people sought after around me. Then I realized that I was already rich. I have a loving family, a loving wife, and loving friends. What more could a person ask for? I realized that money comes and goes. There will always be more money elsewhere if you look and work hard enough. In short, I matured.
“These guys pushed me to do some things in the industry and with my business that I never thought would happen. I went to a Beautiful Bride Networking Event that took place at Park Plaza Gardens in Winter Park, FL.”
I stepped out of my comfort zone. We started to work around the clock. Personally, I started having 3:00 AM editing sessions. I started meeting people, but more importantly I started actually networking. I realized that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. What’s the worst that could happen? That they don’t like me? Bah. There are plenty of fish in the sea. I’ll just network with more people. I met up with some awesome photographers (Gian Carlo from Gian Carlo Photography and Ector Javier from Thirty Three and a Third Photography). These guys pushed me to do some things in the industry and with my business that I never thought would happen. I went to a Beautiful Bride Networking Event that took place at Park Plaza Gardens in Winter Park, FL. Holy guacamole, what a response. I had so much fun. I met so many people and had so much fun. Marta and I passed out cards, made new friends, and simply did some networking.
“…I will definitely be going to more Beautiful Bride Networking Events.”
That happened in April. Then comes May and I am in the same mind set. I’m still going to networking events and meeting new people. I had Zhay from Wyndham Orlando contact me in order to actually photograph the Beautiful Bride networking event that took place at Wyndham. It was awesome. There was food, drinks, and plenty of networking. I got to see many friends and meet new ones. That being said, I will definitely be going to more Beautiful Bride Networking Events.