Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Ellis . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Michael , thanks for joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

In order to get my business started I needed the right equipment. I couldn’t afford everything at once but I did research on the most vital items that would allow me to take on a client. At the time it was a blind bet. I took out a small short term loan in order to purchase the equipment.

Once I had the basic equipment I needed to create a buzz around my brand and service. My strategy was fairly simple. I looked for online wedding leads via Craigslist, Facebook, etc. This is how I booked my first client. The series of free or low price shoots was a big boost. It was a triple benefit. #1 it helped me hone my skills, #2 it gave me a portfolio, and #3 it created a buzz that I was busy and booked.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the wedding industry after going through the booking process for my wedding. I always had a passion for photography and videography and seeing it all happen at my wedding inspired me to give it a try.

I am a bit unique in that I offer both photography and videography. Most of my peers only do one or the other. They can offer video but it’s usually outsourced. I do everything in-house, including the editing.

What I’m most proud of is my style. I have a unique personality that sort of manifests into my work. I am very low key, quiet, and observant. Very much an introvert. However, I have another more straight forward streak that isn’t afraid of action and drama. So in the midst of a wedding, I can sit back and capture great moments without getting in the way of the moment. When the action cranks up, I don’t sit on the sideline, I jump in and get up close for the best possible shot.

I am also very proud of my technical skill. I spend a lot of time learning the science behind the art. Clients who book me are getting very high quality work.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy is real-time customer service. By real-time I mean a start to finish approach that is focused on the result vs the reaction to any issues. People tend to get that confused. While it is great to respond quickly to a customers issues, one must remember that the customer only ever wanted one thing. That is the service or product they paid for. So, do everything you can to give them the best of your business. Complete the agreement and over deliver.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

At the very beginning of my photography business I set out to fix a mistake I made in the past. That is to treat your business as a separate entity from yourself. In the social media age that means to limit or eliminate things like emotional posts and shy away from politics. If you are having a bad day, your clients don’t need to know that.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michaelellisphotos.com
• Instagram: Michael_Ellis_Photos
• Facebook: facebook.com/MichaelEllisPhotos
• Youtube: Youtube.com/michaelellisphotos