mattagarr

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Oliver Conlon of The Carolyn

I first met Oliver in the back parking lot of an old church-turned music venue in 2019. We had beers in the back of a pickup truck while waiting around for the next set. Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/interview-with-oliver-vuley-conlon

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I Have a New Series I’d Like To Announce (and by the End of This Article I Will Have Decided on a Name for It)

When I started the blog, I used it as a place to write articles in hopes of popping up on Google and attracting new photography leads. Now, I want to do something different. Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/new-series-announcement-granularity

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Looking Forward to 2022

In 2021, I traveled extensively and wasn’t able to take the proper time to document it. I normally love doing my blog write-ups and compiling the images, but because my workload has been so severe, pretty much everything has felt like a chore.

I worked an average of 11 hours per day, including weekends, and I’m not proud of it. I love what I do, I do not love feeling like I can’t leave the computer for fear of missing a lead or a call.

So, that being said, moving forward into 2022, here are some of the changes I plan on making:

I’m Hiring!

I want to hire an assistant that can help with answering the phone and answering my email. My average email turnaround time right now is nearly 5 days, and that’s not good. I can’t be shooting, editing, and running the office all at the same time, so I need some help.

If you or someone you know is looking for some part-time, work-from-home work, I’m thinking that I can probably afford a few hours a week at $20/hr and make it work. Shoot me a message on my contact form.

I Need Second Shooters

I love working weddings alone because it lets me stay zoned in on getting the shots I need. However, there are times where I wish there were two of me. That means I’ll need some second shooters. I’ve reached out to a few people already, but I will be formulating a list of my second shooters and offering this as an add-on in the future.

Pricing Updates

Every year, I update my prices based on my demand and if I feel like I’m getting paid fairly for my time, energy, and effort. Being your own boss is tough like that.

My weddings felt comfortable and I felt like I was able to offer people a great discount on their wedding photography while still delivering excellent work, but I think my portrait work was underpriced. I spend a lot of time negotiating back and forth on email or phone and by the time the shoot is done, I’ve spent almost 10 hours on acquiring the client, contracting the client, working with the client, and then returning to edit the client’s photos. When we’re talking a wedding, this is all vital and is part of the packaged price. When I’m doing quick one-hour photo sessions, there’s still a lot of administrative overhead with scheduling and contracting that isn’t easy to do. So I’ve updated my hourly pricing and my package pricing for my smaller package prices.

This is going into effect immediately, but I will honor the old pricing if you’ve found it somewhere else or if we were already talking. I will do this automatically.

Vacation Time

I am going to be figuring out the few months that I’m allowed to not do photo work and I am going to simply not book then. This will give me the time I need to travel and to sit down and actually work on my projects. I love working with clients and it’s what keeps my lights on and rent paid, but when I’m answering emails all day, I need to get back to my roots and feel the dirt between my toes so I can come back energized and ready to advance to the next level of creative work.

The cool thing about running all this myself is I’m able to put up notifications on the site, which I hope to keep getting better at. I want people to be able to use my site with ease.

Thanks so much for another good year, I love my work and I can’t wait to love it even more in 2022.

Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/looking-forward-to-2022

[mattagarr]

Have a Plan: Wedding Skincare and Makeup Ideas

Your skin is your makeup’s canvas, so it’s important to prep and prime it for your big day! Here’s some tips and advice I got from MUAs and online influencers to help you perfect your big day look. Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/wedding-skincare-makeup-ideas

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Live Music Returns to Atlanta

Live music returns to Atlanta. What should we expect? What venues are open? Learn more and see some photos from the ATL music scene’s triumphant return. Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/live-music-returns-to-atlanta

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beach trip successful ✅ now to go and develop: • 9 rolls of 110 • 7 rolls of 35mm • 4 rolls of 120 • 10 4x5 frames #summeroftone #santarosabeach #florida #roadtrip #worldofwarcraftinfluencersoninstagram #datingablizzardemployee #forlegalreasonsthatsajoke (at Santa Rosa Beach, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ8kKtMJqbO/?utm_medium=tumblr

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We’re back, baby. . . #concertphotography #yesieditedthisonmyphone #stayhere #themasquerade #atlantamusic (at The Masquerade) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPuN3tqA6MI/?utm_medium=tumblr

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it’s lonely at the top 👨: @0dd_andy . . #malemodel #portraitphotography #studiophotography #shutterbug #bealpha #sonyalpha #godox (at MET Atlanta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPl0ehKg7Xv/?utm_medium=tumblr

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LOVED working in a studio with the #createatlanta meetup group yesterday! @paigereedtm was such an awesome model in this office set. Can’t wait to see her back in the concert photo pit again soon! If your interested in joining the #createatlanta meetup group as a model, photographer, or just to tag along - shoot me a message! . . #atlphotography #studiophotography #godoxlighting #librarydesign #aesthetic #cottagecore #darkphotography (at MET Atlanta) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPhGpieArWO/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Scott Wakeman: On Branding, Visibility, and Post-COVID Branding

As a freelancer, I balance a lot of creative work and strategy. When I got the chance to meet Scott Wakeman, The Executive VP of Operations at Edible Arrangements, I was really excited to be able to talk to someone with 20 years of brand management experience. Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/scott-wakeman-branding-post-covid

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Θεσσαλονίκη

Μάιος 2021

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Best Save the Date Card Ideas

Making Save the Date cards doesn’t have to be hard - whether you’re an arts-and-crafts type or just want to get it done, it’s never been easier to make and mail save the date cards. Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/best-save-the-date-card-ideas

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Why Are Photographers Expensive?

Why do photographers charge so much? It’s not an easy business to get into, and there’s a lot that goes into it. Check out my breakdown in this article on the reason photography rates are what they are. Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/why-are-photographers-expensive

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Making a Wedding Mood Board on Pinterest

Learn how to use Pinterest to make wedding mood boards to help align the parties (like me) involved in making your dream wedding come true! Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/making-pinterest-wedding-mood-board

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Excited to talk to Scott Wakeman about his work in Brand Marketing. Interview coming soon

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Went up to Red Top Mountain State Park in Acworth, GA the other week. A beautiful campground and hiking trail, and 100% worth a visit. Enjoy some of my photos and a time lapse on how I make vegan breakfast while camping. ⠀ Read about my trip and see photos from it on my blog, link to my site in my bio. #gaparks #acworthga #goexplore #thegreatoutdoors #bealpha #naturephotography #lensculture #shutterbug #campinglife #rvlife #georgiaonmymind (at Red Top Mountain State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/COLE0zrgbYv/?igshid=1sqzohk45imnp

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Solo Camping at Red Top Mountain State Park in Acworth, GA

I took my first solo camping trip to visit Red Top Mountain State Park and get some atmospheric nature photos of the beautiful park. See how it went and galleries in the article. Read more at https://www.mattagarr.com/blog/solo-camping-at-red-top-mountain-state-park-in-acworth-ga