We recently connected with Anna Brace and have shared our conversation below.

Anna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

The biggest trends in the wedding industry from my experience is that clients are opting to focus more on what matters to them and less of what tradition or family tells them they should do. Sometimes this means that there’s only a bride and groom first dance and no parent dances. For others, it means having a weekend-long wedding with a rehearsal party/dinner, a wedding day, and then a day-after party!

A few years ago, neutrals and boho were so trendy, and now couples are moving away from that and having color EVERYWHERE. For quite a while, the bride stuck to a white bouquet, while this year, I see a big push to have 6-10 different colors in a bouquet. I’m sure part of this is due to supply issues post covid, but regardless – color is now everywhere!

Other trends that are happening right now are champagne towers, lounge furniture at a reception, and pearls everywhere.

Anna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Anna Brace, an Omaha wedding photographer. I photographed my first wedding when I was 17 and completely fell in love with it. I know that photographing weddings was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I specialize in creating timeless, candid images for joyful couples who enjoy adventure.

My love for photography began at a young age – in my parent’s attic. My dad photographed and printed everything – from mundane moments to family vacations. I poured over those photos so frequently and it drove me to get my first camera at 14. My dad’s drive to capture moments still inspires me to this day.

I’m passionate about wedding days being focused on the bride and groom and creating a stress-free environment so they can focus on each other – and not on any wedding drama. The details and candids of a wedding day are my favorite things to capture. From the custom designed invitation to the interactions with grandparents – it’s all so special!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I firmly believe that the most effective way to grow a clientele is to treat your current clients the way you’d like to be treated. Serve them to the best of your ability and focus on them – their needs – and what is important to them. By serving them well, you create representatives and fans of your business for life.

In turn, they will tell all their newly engaged friends about their families will rave about you. 80% of my new clients come from referrals of past clients.

I think many business owners overlook the power of a supportive client base – in regards to growing your clientele. On top of that, If I go into a wedding day focused on myself and what shots I need, I’ve found that I’m much more likely to be dissatisfied in my work, as well as burning out. This wedding day only happens once for a bride and groom and the focus needs to be 100% on them.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The biggest book that has helped me is “Building a Storybrand” by Donald Miller. He breaks down how to make your brand completely focused on the client – not on your brand. It talks about making your client the hero – make everything about them, instead of about you.

He references the Hero to Guide relationship that plays out in so many movies. As a business owner – we’re supposed to play the guide to the Hero – the Samwise to the Frodo or the Ron & Hermione to the Harry Potter.

I won’t give away the whole book, but it is one that I think every business owner should read, and that if they apply it – will revolutionize their business and brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.annabracephotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/annabracephotography
• Facebook: Facebook.com/annabracephotography