A week or two following the shoot, Nikki sent me an email saying she intended to use my images as the cover & feature story for August 2010. I was thrilled. Fast forward to last Saturday when Joy & I arrived home from our vacation & the Key Largo shoot. When I went to the mailbox, there it was… the latest issue of At Home TN Magazine with my image on the cover. The article is really inviting & Lindsey Phillips did a great job writing the content. Overall, the magazine is an enjoyable read & is perfect for residents in the Tennessee region! If you’re interested you can find the magazine at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Target, & more. Or, visit www.athometn.com to subscribe today.

I look forward to what I hope will be a wonderful working relationship with a great magazine. Thanks At Home TN!

And by the way, if you’ve yet to attend an event at the Arts Center, you are missing out on some seriously fun times with great peeps. I will definitely see you there. Oh, & in case you didn’t know it, when working on design projects I work under my code-name “The Visible Group.” It’s kind of like my nom de plume or pen name. It’s my way of keeping people guessing… ha!

When we bought our house we loved the extra 160 square feet screened-in back porch just off the kitchen. But as I thought about bringing my office home, I knew this space would be ideal. With blazing hot summers & cold winters, I was going to have to close in the space. I began researching & designing the space, gathering materials, begging my Father-in-law & dad to help, & eventually beginning the renovation. We did all the renovation ourselves & saved a ton of money… you wouldn’t believe the final cost. I will spare some of the details but I designed the space to echo my Ben Finch Photography brand. There are a few things missing… I’m saving to add a couch & coffee table, signage, & a large plasma/LCD TV to show clients their session photos. Here it is so far with it’s wonderful natural light pouring in… drum roll please!!

One of the challenges & benefits of moving to such a small space is that it forces you to simplify. Everything in the office serves a purpose now. The suitcases & trunk both house photo equipment & office supplies. The couch & coffee table will serve as a workstation when I have meetings with my designers & photography associates. And I have areas for temporary & permanent filing… it’s an organizational dream!

Leave me a comment below & let me know what you think. If you have any questions about the benefits/challenges of running a business (or two) from home or feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment. Or, if you have any questions for that matter… I’ll be glad to try to answer.

Here are a few pics of the area beforehand as I was measuring for windows. These images remind me of how hard it was to keep the screened-in porch clean… it drove me crazy! Not any more!!

Yesterday I received a letter in the mail from my undergrad Alma Mater, the University of Mobile. It was special to me because it represented so much, namely, the incredible journey the Lord has taken me on these past few years. Just over two years ago, my wife was pregnant with our first child & I decided to resign from my steady & well-paying job (the one I have 9 years of higher education toward) & pursue two businesses I had recently started (w/ no promise of income), Ben Finch Photography & The Visible Group [Marketing & Design]. Was I crazy? Yeah… possibly, but it was & is worth the risk of failing to pursue my dreams. And have I failed? Geeze… countless times since, but it’s been completely worth it. There are mistakes I made in the beginning that you couldn’t pay me enough to do again. But, I cannot explain the amount of fulfillment & joy that comes from pursuing your dreams even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Since, I’ve had dozens of opportunities to share my story & it’s overwhelming how many people dare not to pursue their dreams, rather choosing stability, comfort, etc. I’m hoping I will have the courage to continue taking the ‘road less traveled’… it makes all the difference.

Back to the matter at hand, The Visible Group, was hired by the University of Mobile to design/develop two websites, provide commercial photography for print/web, & develop a new brandmark & identity material for UMobile. The scope of the project was huge but proved to be an incredible experience. I’m so thankful for a school like University of Mobile; it was the perfect place for me to help foster close relationships with fellow students, teachers, & administration. Choosing to attend UMobile has proved one of the best decisions of my life. I’m so proud of our work that I wanted to pass it on & get your feedback. I’d love to hear your thoughts… this was such a fulfilling project as I was able to give back to my Alma Mater.

This is the main University of Mobile website I designed (& developed by our web development partner, Nvisionative) located at www.umobile.edu. You’ll see my photography work throughout much of the site, primarily in the rotating image areas.

And here is the site located at giving.umobile.edu. I designed this site to appeal to a older demographic, specifically alumni & the business community.
This is the stationery for general office use. The recruiting office has it’s own stationery that is a bit edgier for a younger demographic. They both include the University of Mobile’s new brandmark, aka logo.
If you have friends or family who are looking for a great education & would like to head on down to the beautiful Mobile Bay, check out the University of Mobile. Tell them I sent you!

In the past, I’ve avoided such environments. In general, I’m not the biggest fan of the atmosphere that sometimes exists at expos, conferences, etc. There is this unspoken competition between vendors that makes me feel icky… can’t we all just get along? I feel like so many vendors bombard people as they walk through as if to say… “want to sample chicken?” much like the Asian food chain in the mall. Plus… they can be so darn expensive. It blows my mind at how much money is spent on registration, backdrops, promotional material, door prizes, etc. It’s really got me thinking…

Maybe it’s just me, but I am looking for a certain kind of client. I don’t ever try to “close the deal” with a client… in most cases, I say, “Please take some time to think about this… there is absolutely no pressure. If you decide that you love my work & want to work with me, then I would be honored to photograph for you. If not, I have many friends who may be better suited for your preferences.” I learned that I’m not the right photographer for everyone; one size does not fit all. Some clients prefer a really formal, traditional photographer. Some simply want the cheapest rates. Some are looking for a more artistic photographer. And etc. It’s important to know what you are looking for. Photographers have styles & play to their strengths… choose the one whose style is best suited for your personality.

Yesterday, I was approached by a couple who asked, “There are many photographers at this show… how do we know what photographer is best for us?” I replied, “There are many wonderful photographers here. I think it is important to find a photographer whose style & quality you really love & who you personally connect with. Your photographs are going to potentially last well beyond your lifetime… make sure you use someone you trust & enjoy.” I thought it may be helpful to expound on those thoughts.

If you’re considering hiring a photographer, consider thinking through the following:

• What would you consider your style? Are you drawn to fashion photography? Do you like incorporating nature/landscapes? Do you prefer candid or posed photos? Do you love detail shots?
• What kind of product are you looking for following your event? Does the photographer make those products available? Album? Coffee table book? Disc of images? Canvas prints? Proof Book?
• Consider asking the photographer for a list of references. Are they professional? How did they deliver on their services? Are they highly recommended?
• Does the photographer have a good portfolio? How is their website? Does it portray a lack of cohesion & organization?
• What is your budget? Can you spread out your payments?
• Is your event a destination event? Does the photographer travel? What kind of expenses must you provide for?
• Is the photographer available on your event date? What kind of deposit must he/she have in order to lock in the date? If they are unavailable, do they have someone they’d recommended?

These are the types of questions I love being asked. When a client does their homework, they are much better equipped & informed to make a wise decision.

Fortunately I have experienced success in building my photography business through relationships. Almost all of my clients have come because of referrals. I still want to pursue advertising & fairs/shows when appropriate but I realized that I would rather invest in my relationship with clients than spend extra money on traditional marketing & advertising tools. The greatest compliment I receive is when brides refer my services to others.

I will conclude by saying this, yesterday’s bridal fair at Whitestone Inn was exceptional… the value was well worth it! I would recommend this place to anyone. Whitestone is an incredible wedding, event & special occasion, getaway venue. It is situated on a scenic stretch of land located on Watts Bar Lake & leaves little to be desired when choosing a perfect wedding location.

The outdoor wedding space at Whitestone (taken with my phone… not bad eh?)

Hope this helps! Is there anything else I should’ve included? What are your thoughts?

A few weeks ago I sat in this exact spot & questioned myself, “Should I really do this? Am I going to get my hopes up?” I was trying to psych myself up to enter a brochure I designed, “2009-2010 AACA Arts Guide,” into the local ADDYs competition. I don’t know about you, but I am always a bit hesitant to enter competitions. This was certainly the case. Although I thought (& many others) my design was really nice, I wondered how it would pan out against the big-time agencies. I kept padding my thoughts in the chance that I would get my hopes up, “I am foremost a photographer then designer,” I assured myself.

Well… I did end up entering (with the very kind logistical help of Susie Norris of Orange Apple Branding) & to my delight I received a letter in the mail indicating “Congratulations! Your organization has produced award-winning advertising…” I followed-up with a loud “Yeah baby!!” & a fully-extended fist pump that made the older couple walking by my studio quite happy! Awkward!

Fast-forward to this past Saturday evening, February 20. Joy & I were excited to attend the 2010 Addys Awards Gala at the Knoxville Crowne-Plaza. We were stoked about it being a “black-tie” gala & the opportunity to be out on the town without the boys. Btw… Joy was looking as beautiful as ever… absolutely great!

Mom caught this pic just before we left for the gala.

We arrived at the gala & immediately ran into our great friend & the uber-talented, Franny Priestley, a designer with the accomplished Pyxl team. She is so talented!! We walked the gallery displaying the award-winning pieces & ran into my friends, Chris & Bridget Hornsby, of Hornsby Brand Design. They have scores of design industry awards & produce some of the best work around… a real pleasure to be around. Also, I must give a shout-out to another friend, Jackie Newman. Jackie is finishing up her degree in Design & works at Orange Apple Branding. She is a constant source of smiles, laughs, & great conversation… view her design portfolio at Jackie Newman Designs.

It was a fun night! We kind of felt like we were at a mini-Grammys. The jazz band was smokin’, food was excellent, & the company was enjoyable! Not to mention, we won our first design award. It was a great reminder for me to continue to pursue my dreams & to surround myself around others who a better than me… who encourage my growth… who pursue excellence in what they do! Cheers to the Knox Addys!! Hope to see you again next year!

It was such a pleasure to sit under Dave Ramsey’s teaching this morning (www.daveramsey.com). Countless lives have been impacted by the business, ministry, books, cd’s, radio, etc. of this financial coach. We’re proud to say that he’s a TN native & his wife grew up in a small community next door. Plus, he’s a University of TN alum (yeah, yeah!). I’m just trying to give props to my home state.

This morning, our Leadership McMinn Alumni Association was able to host Dave Ramsey as he spoke on “The Momentum Theorem.” Here’s my notes & a few quotes:

“I didn’t want employees, I wanted a team. Employees need a boss, teams need a leader.” – Ramsey

The Momentum Theorem: Momentum is never an accident, it is a process… here is the formula:
{Focus + Intensity} over {Time} multiplied by {Infinity (God)} = Unstoppable Momentum

1. Focus: When you lose you’re focus, you’re dead meat… “much like a squirrel in the road.”
   “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8
   Illustration | Upon meeting a future Hall of Fame NFL wide receiver, Dave asked the guy why do professional receivers drop the ball. The receiver responded, “you drop the ball because of lack of focus… for 2 reasons. 1. Fear… because you hear footsteps & know you’re about to get hit or 2. Greed… because you already are looking towards the end zone.
2. Intensity: Everyone is intense about something. The example he gave was the intensity of those who stand outside in the freezing cold at a football game with no shirt on. It makes us wonder, what if we were to put the same kind of intensity into our marriages, kids, personal growth, jobs, etc. It would make a profound difference.
3. Time: It takes time to be successful. Referring to Malcom Gladwell’s “Outliers: The Story of Success,” Gladwell says the #1 quality of those who are successful is relational intelligence… the ability to relate to people.
   Those who are considered experts in their field have put in 10,000 hours of practice/applied skill. This doesn’t happen over night… as Dave said, “Brad Paisley did not just occur.” You win over TIME… 90 seconds of focused intensity wont’ cut it, but years of focused intensity will put you among the best.
4. Infinity (God): The Lord’s work in your life compounds results.

“Capitalism only works on a 3-legged stool… economic freedom, political freedom, & moral restraint.” – Michael Novak

“What causes greed to go away? Naturally, through time, the greedy will eventually pay the price… people will quit using their services.” – Ramsey

“Profit is the applause your customers give you.” – Blanchard

I really enjoyed the story Dave told concerning a meeting he had with a Billionaire from North Carolina. The wealthy man gave Dave some advice: “You’ve always gotta be a giver.” And, after enormously building up a must-read book, the man said, “Also, you must read ‘The Tortoise & the Hare.’ Everytime I read that book, the tortoise wins.” A testimony of those who are focused!

What a wonderful opportunity to hear Dave this morning. I’m inspired by his leadership & ability to think with reason & wisdom. His financial wisdom is unrivaled & is a testimony to what the Lord can make happen over time with someone who is focused & intense. Dave, thanks so much for your time with us today… the pleasure is ours.

You can follow Dave on twitter at @ramseyshow