After several years of trying to do it all, I have realized it’s nearly impossible. Our second baby is due in February and our family dynamic has changed a lot, having kids is no easy task, I have a family who all who need me in different ways. In order to be more available for my family, I had to make a decision, either to SCALE BACK photography or BUILD a team and expand. I have never been one to choose the easy route, so I made the decision to jump both feet in and expand. I am not so sure this is going to make life easier as I will be leading a team of associate photographers who represent my brand.
I have read several blogs about building an associate team and it seems that no two programs are alike, so I decided to create my own with policies that were most important to me, such as customer service, a passion for people, and being detail-oriented. I have spent nearly FIVE YEARS curating and crafting my brand to represent my dream business. Ethereal, light and airy, kind, romantic, soft, sunlit, clean, organic, and authentic. I have crafted my brand through my own imagination, I have steered clear of using other artists in my field as inspiration, instead, I have built a community outside of photography for inspiration.
The average photographer stays in business between 3-5 years. The main reasons for building an associate team are when you have outgrown your current market in price and availability. Price can be a touchy subject since there really are no rules on how to price your business, only supply, and demand. In the last several years I have had to raise my pricing to remain available not only for my clients but for my family. In 2018 I shot portraits or weddings almost every week, and even shooting two weddings and up to five sessions in one week for multiple weeks. . . That was the tipping point in my business.
I have decided to bring on associate photographers to bridge the gap between price and availability. An associate photographer is a contractor. They will be notified of assignments on an as-needed basis. There is no set number of hours or contracts available. The associate photographer agrees to work for the studio as an independent contractor providing photography services when needed. After the assignment, they will turn over all images photographed to me for editing, blogging, social media, and final client delivery. By hiring an associate photographer the client will receive a significant discount, they will book their session and make payments to Ashlea Snell Photography. After final images have been received and reviewed the associate photographer will receive payment for the assignment.
I have had such a wonderful response to my announcement and have already booked two Ashlea Snell Associate Weddings JUST from having it available less than a month! I can’t thank my community, clients, and friends enough for their love and support through the last 5 years, I am so hopeful for the future of my brand and to build a team of amazing associate photographers to deliver an even more amazing experience than before!
With all of this being said, I am SO excited to introduce our new gorgeous member of the Ashlea Snell team, meet Danielle!
When I asked if she’d be interested in shooting for me, she quickly told me she was really interested, and I knew she’d be an amazing fit! She’s shot multiple weddings on her own and several with me! She’s dependable, experienced, and so giving and loving to everyone around her. I know she’d treat my brides with the love they deserve and be able to offer the Ashlea Snell experience while working with them!! I can not wait to share more about her and the amazing work that she’s done so far and she will do in 2020/2021 with me!
We can’t wait to serve as many brides as possible this 2020/2021 year! Ashlea Snell
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