Timeless elegance meets natural beauty at Starling Lane Vineyards where you’ll be transported into a fairytale world filled with antique buildings and blossoming flowers. Just outside Victoria BC, this gorgeous venue offers a tranquil setting for your ceremony and is only a short drive away from town should you desire a lively reception.

Like many University students, I finished my schooling for the year in April and was eagerly hunting for a summer Co-op. I hunted and hunted for Co-ops but everything that interested me was either too far away or required more education than I had at the time. Just as I was considering moving back home and re-applying for one of my previous jobs. I received an email advertising a summer position with Focal...

Award-winning photographer Ben Hartley hosted Focal's Co-Founder & CEO, Lachlan Shum, on the Six Figure Photography Podcast. Listen as the two discuss the keys to communicating value as a photographer, sales techniques than anyone can incorporate, and how to make your business stand out.

In this engaging video from our Marketing 101 course for photographers, we focus on mastering client communication to effectively lead potential clients towards booking your services. This lesson delves into the art of responding to common client inquiries, from initial questions about pricing and availability to specific requests about photography styles and session details. We share key communication strategies, including how to clearly articulate your unique value proposition, the importance of timely and professional responses, and tips for building rapport and trust with clients.

From massage therapy to acting to owning a frozen chocolate banana stand, Melissa Whittington has done it all. But nothing comes close to her love of newborn photography. After leaving Georgia for Hawaii, she decided to embrace her love for babies and baskets and Rainbows and Hot Fudge Photography was born. We talked to Melissa about life on the island, birth photography, and her deep love of Willie Nelson.

In this essential video from the "Marketing 101 for Photographers" course, we provide an in-depth exploration of the marketing funnel, specifically tailored for the photography industry. This lesson breaks down the funnel into three key segments: the top, middle, and bottom, explaining their unique roles and how photographers can effectively navigate through each stage to convert leads into clients.

Explore the advantages of listing your photography prices publicly, including letting your work sell itself, qualifying leads, hastening sales, enhancing your professional image, and improving the client's experience. Embrace transparency in your photography business and focus more on capturing those perfect shots.

As a photographer, a blog is an easy and fun way to engage with potential customers and other photographers. So, if you have ever asked yourself, is it even worth it for me to start a blog? The answer is yes! Here are 5 essential tips to help you start your photography blog.

Wanting to capture the fleeting newborn stage can be a very daunting task. With an ongoing list of things to do, the last thing new parents want to worry about is the location of their newborn photos. If you are having a hard time deciding between an in-home session or a studio session, don’t worry: We partnered with Calgary newborn photographer Nadine McKenney to offer some helpful insight. 

Is wedding photography dying? Is the wedding marketing shifting? Hear Taylor Jackson's insight on this topic!

What is website conversion and how does it work? How do I book more weddings from my website? If you're asking these questions then you've come to the right place. Dive into the details on website conversion with Taylor Jackson and Lachlan Shum and learn about what website conversion is, how it works, and how to optimize your website to convert more visitors into paying customers. Learn more and level up your photography business!

When a client wants to book a photography package for $1,000, it’s hard for them to understand everything involved in the production. What's missing is the story. What makes your photo sessions a unique experience?

Winter photography sessions hold a special place in my heart. The physical and emotional connection you get by snuggling closer, the fresh snow that looks like a blank canvas, and the snow-covered landscapes can be stunning. However, it can be tricky when dressing for a winter shoot. On one hand, you want your family to look amazing and on the other, you have to make sure everyone is warm. To help ease your mind and give you some ideas, we have created a list of what you should wear and be prepared for during your next winter family photography session. 

Mother’s Day is around the corner and what better way to celebrate than to capture the love your partner and children have for you! If you are in Victoria, BC, we have a wide variety of talented photographers with packages that are perfect for every mother out there. Here are our top 12 Mother's Day packages in Victoria, BC.

A self-described punk rock kid from Houston, Todd Spoth's high school photography course was “literally the only class I’ve ever failed,” he says. Today, Spoth is a Gold Remi award-winning documentary film producer whose photographs have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and ESPN.

Establishing a prosperous wedding photography business hinges not only on your talent behind the lens but also on your expertise in creating an enticing online presence. A well-constructed website serves as your business's digital storefront - it's where your unique style merges with your clients' dreams of their special day.In this post, we'll take you through a simple, yet effective six-step process to optimize your photography website design. If you decide to use Focal, our AI website building assistant will make these steps even easier, and our beautifully optimized photography website templates will set you up for success. Focal simplifies the process, helping you not only to display your work attractively but also to significantly enhance your chances of ranking high in search results, thereby amplifying your online visibility. So gear up to put your best digital foot forward in the world of wedding photography!

Reaching your ideal photography clients hinges on one key principle: you don't choose your ideal clients; they choose you. To bring in bookings, focus on what makes you stand out. Then tell your customers about it.

How do you use golden hour? What is it? When is it? What types of settings should my camera be set to? Golden hour is a fantastic opportunity for photographers to learn how to utilize natural light and be creative. Before you can have fun though, it is important to learn the what, when, why, and how's of this magical time. Read on for the answers!

Capture the love between your family for Father's Day this year with one of Focal's top 10 packages in Victoria, BC, featuring some of the city's very best photographers. One of who will be the perfect fit for you and your family, so browse our packages and get your smile ready!

It’s always sad to see couples disappointed by their wedding photography and it seems like it happens far too often, so the team at Focal has created a quick guide to avoid some of the common pitfalls of hiring a wedding photographer. Here are 7 common mistakes to avoid when choosing your wedding photographer!

An eight-year professional photographer, Julie Doro has a knack for finding what makes her subjects unique. We interviewed her about falling in love with photography, why photographers have to "lead their clients," and getting her subjects to relax.

Most people have thought about doing a family photography session but just haven’t got around to it. Don’t wait around and let the time pass you. Family photography sessions should be an important part of your life; to document growth and milestones, create a fond memory that you and your children can look back on, and have it hung proudly in your home. San Francisco, California is home to an abundance of talented family photographers. We have compiled a list of the top 6 family photographers in the San Francisco Bay area to choose from. 

The ever-gracious Annemie Tonken invited our Co-Founder & CEO, Lachlan Shum, onto This Can't Be That Hard to talk about all things photography business-related, including how to put yourself into your client's shoes as a photographer.

Take us back 😍🍾 Hair & Makeup: @behindtheblush Florals: @fabloomosity Dress: @thebridalboutique @ruedeseinebridal Photography by: @amberleechristeyphotography @heydenphoto @johnatacanphoto @eugenekimphotography @nickylynn_photography @davidalangrahamphotography @scottrobertlim

Having a baby is a huge lifestyle change and the last thing you want when you’re a new parent is unnecessary stress. That’s why we sat down with Focal Photographer Christin Carruthers in Victoria BC to answer some of the most common questions she gets asked from new parents booking their child’s first Professional photoshoot!

The owner of Megapixie Photography; co-creator of The Family Narrative; and host of This Can't Be That Hard, a business podcast for photographers, Annemie Tonken has made a career out of helping photographers build more confidence in their businesses. We spoke with Tonken about getting her start as a photographer, why marketing to ideal clients is like birdhouse-building, and how to convey your value in an industry where pricing varies wildly.

On their Facebook Live session, Lindsay & Lachlan discuss a number of topics, including building a portfolio, how Focal was started, how to market and price your photography, and even Gucci sneakers!

Mini sessions are a great way to build a portfolio quickly, and supplement your income during the offseason, but can be really hard. In this blog, Taylor Jackson covers some of the common questions and confusion around mini sessions. He'll also go over pricing, setting up, marketing, and running your mini sessions effectively.

Do you want to learn how to better identify and reach you ideal clients? We talk to Focal CEO Lachlan Shum about his history in sales, his disruptive approach to the industry, and why he developed the Business Accelerator Program.

Every digital sensor has a base ISO where the camera performs best. Nowadays, that’s usually 800. Anything less — 50, 100, 200, 400 — and the camera is simply faking it. It’s only adding or reducing the grains to imitate a look. A higher ISO evens out your exposure and leads to a smoother distribution of light.

Our promise? To see you as a photographer, an artist, and a human being. To always listen. And to help your photography business succeed in the best way we can. 

We teamed up with our photographers to come up with the most instagramable locations in Victoria, BC Canada!

With the COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacting this year’s wedding season, photographers everywhere are trying to find new ways to make up for lost income. At Focal, we’ve had good success helping our partner photographers grow their business through booking more small shoots. Here's how our top photographer grew their income by just over $10,000 in 2019.

In this engaging and informative lesson from "Marketing 101 for Photographers," we delve into the effective strategy of using a content-driven approach to SEO through blogging, with a focus on local venues and locations.

Running a photography business can feel like a solitary endeavour. Victoria's Blackfish Collective are proof it doesn't have to be. A co-operative model that "arose out of the notion that creatives can always learn from each other," we spoke with the group about working together and how boudoir photography has led to some of the most rewarding moments of all.

Looking for a photography website template that showcases your photography work and captures leads? Check out Focal’s 5 best photography website templates here.

Are you in search of the perfect maternity photographer in Victoria, BC to capture the beautiful moments of your pregnancy? Or maybe you are looking for a fantastic newborn photographer to take photos of your sweet baby! Focal has you covered with an array of talented, local Victoria photographers.Here are our top 5 maternity & newborn photographers in Victoria, BC!

Ready to have a website that converts leads to sales all by itself? Claim your free Better than Booked x Focal module with Lindsay Coulter to learn how!

An investment page is a lot more than just explaining your sessions through the number of photos included, the number of hours it will take, and how much it is. Your investment page is meant to describe your sessions and convince inquiring customers to book you through conveying your value as a photographer. Here are 5 tips for building an awesome investment page.

Is your business ready for 2021? Whether you feel ready to bring your photography business into the new year (after the strange year we are in right now) or not, you might not have considered completely revolutionizing everything from your website to workflow. But today, I will convince you why NOW is the best time to revolutionize your approach to your photography business to take you that one step closer to your business goals. 

The worst mistake a photographer can make is to treat their business like an art gallery and not a store. Essentially, not treating their business like an actual business. Here are 4 tips for transforming your photography into a real business.

With 10 years of experience as a professional photographer, Vancouver-based Hannah Tabert decided it was time to finally stretch her entrepreneurial wings and start her own photography business. With her relational approach to photoshoots, Hannah lets her subjects’ guide her lens, capturing those elusive moments of authenticity. We spoke with Hannah about how she came to love photography, the influence fashion has had on her career, and her experiences as an entrepreneur.

Hiring a photographer is seen as an investment, commonly reserved for special occasions; weddings, graduations, families, etc. Many people wait to hire a photographer until one of those ‘special occasions’ happens in their life and those moments are amazing, but guess what? You deserve to be celebrated just as much! We believe that it is important to have your portrait made at least once because why should you settle for cell phone selfies? Having said that, we have compiled a list of reasons why you should book yourself a portrait session.

Love isn't cancelled due to COVID-19. Every day, our team is surprised by the beautiful and incredible ways that couples are finding to forge ahead and celebrate their love. Looking to ditch the big ceremony? Discover the top outdoor elopement locations around Victoria.

The time has come: you and your partner are about to embark on a whole new journey! When it comes to planning out your wedding, there are an endless amount of things to consider and plan for. A wedding photographer should be at the top of your priority list because, during that single day, your photographer will capture every joyous moment. 

Have you ever felt like your photography website's traffic isn't leading to any bookings? Figuring out your customer journey can go a long way to solving that.

Whether she’s photographing a family in their home or a yoga group in their studio, Victoria based Krystle Schofield connects with her clients and their space in a unique way. With her documentary-style approach to photography, Krystle captures those candid, authentic moments of connection. We talked to Krystle about her background in design, her journey through motherhood, and the importance of being seen.

There is starting a photography business, and then there is starting a photography business during a pandemic. For Victoria, BC-based photographer Brittany Barry (Burrow & Bloom Photography), the challenge was a welcome one. We spoke with Barry about getting her start, lessons learned, and the maxim of "quality over quantity."

The story that made me so passionate about building Focal to help photographers and ultimately work to make the photography industry a better and fairer place.

It’s time to find the perfect photographer for your wedding day. You want a photographer who you can trust, and who will capture all the special moments on your special day. To make things easy for you, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 wedding photography packages in Vancouver, BC. Here are the top 10 wedding packages in Vancouver, BC.

Los Angeles is home to an incredible amount of creativity. With so much talent in a city full of amazing photographers, we helped narrow down the top 7 family photographers that you can trust to capture your family’s unique personalities and the love you share. 

An avid skydiver, yogi, martial artist, and commercial photographer, Sandy Weatherall (Jinsei Media) has photographed everything from pets, to portraits, to candy-coated donuts and exploding smoothies. We spoke with Weatherall about the secrets of food photography, what makes a good photographer, and “watching the light bulbs go on.”

A good contract isn't only helpful to a photography business; it's essential. In this article, you'll learn the essential elements of a photography contract and how to protect yourself and your clients with a well-drafted contract.

Ultimately, a website is more than just a gallery of your work; it's a multifaceted tool that can significantly expand your reach, attract diverse clients, and grow your photography business in a competitive digital marketplace. Take a peek at some beautiful websites we’ve built this year:

Your blog might be one of your most under-utilized tools when it comes to SEO. Find out three easy changes you can make to your posts to unleash the power of your blog and boost your SEO!

A simplified workflow is essential for any photography business. Not only does it ensure your business runs smoothly, but it can also combat feelings of imposter syndrome. If you struggle with feeling like you are a true professional, developing a simple workflow can help your business feel more legit. Here are 3 tips to get you started.

Lindsay Coulter x Focal The Ultimate Not-a-Conference Las Vegas Packing List

If the idea of getting married in front of a castle or at a fancy hotel strikes you as a touch over the top, then the Merridale Cidery and Distillery might be the perfect venue for your wedding. This secluded cidery & distillery is just a little ways up Vancouver Island from Victoria in the area of Mill Bay.

Greg Samborski is a photography polymath: the kind of lensman who pilots drones as deftly as he rides a motorcycle, shoots weddings as comfortably as street photography, and cut his industry chops in Korea working for the likes of Dior, Netflix, and Google. Now based in Victoria, BC, Samborski is looking to bring his creative approach to a new clientele — one ready for something outside the ordinary.

During this new chapter in your life, it may seem like you have an endless amount of things to do before the baby comes. It is a very exciting yet busy period. You may be hesitant about whether or not you should hire a maternity and newborn photographer -- well, we have compiled a list of reasons why you should! 

Learnt the three key SEO tips for getting started with your website.

Staying home doesn't have to mean cooking during COVID-19. In the spirit of supporting our beloved friends in the food service industry, the Focal team wanted to share some of our favourite places for takeout in Victoria. (Don't blame us if you get hungry.)

Need a bit of inspiration before you head out the door with your camera? Looking for the perfect place in Victoria for a family or engagement shoot? We’ve got you covered with a list of stellar options in and around the city that will bring your next photoshoot to life.

Summertime is the perfect time for a family photography session. If you are looking for a family photographer in Vancouver, BC, but have no idea where to start looking, we’ve got you covered!The Focal Marketplace makes it easy to browse talented photographers in Vancouver, BC and beyond, giving you all the information you need to book your perfect photographer.

Threads, Meta's response to Twitter, is making a splash in the world of social media. But is it the best app for your photography business? We look at what Threads has to offer, the good, the bad, and the ugly, to help you decide whether or not it's time to leave your Twitter account behind.

Wedding photography comes with its perks: every day’s a celebration. But with that position comes pressure: how do you ensure you’re ready for such a milestone moment? We asked the most talented wedding photographers we know for their advice on how to shooting weddings like a pro.

Olivia Danielle makes an art out of capturing horses and their riders. We spoke with the Kansas-based photographer about finding her niche, landing her first clients, and why getting things wrong helps in getting things right.

As a photographer, establishing an online presence is crucial to reaching your clients, and your domain name is an important part of this process. Learn the tips and tricks to choosing your domain, and find the address that's right for you!

Struggling to write blog posts? We hear you! That's why we've put together a quick guide on how to write creative, engaging blog posts that demonstrate who you are as a photographer and drive traffic to your website!

In the first-ever episode of What the Focal, join hosts Sierra & Kirsty as they quiz their boss on what made him start Focal. Hear Lachlan talk about side hustling before Focal, slinging RVs and designing hanging clothes racks. Only to be engrossed by how hard it is to get photographers to take his money! 

A website is essential for any business–especially for photographers. It is where customers can come to learn about you and your photography, understanding everything from your photography style, packages, prices, contact information, and more. Read on for a "pinnable" checklist for your photography website and tips for creating one that works!

Not-a-Conference Maui was everything we could have dreamed of and more. Nothing compares to the exciting adventure Maui presents; waking up to the sound of wild roosters each morning, walking down to the ocean at lunch to catch a glimpse of the majestic sea turtles, taking pictures of the countless rainbows after brief sun showers, drinking a crisp glass of POG (passion orange guava juice) at the end of a successful day, and the ultimate experience of bringing 50 photographers together with the shared interest of bettering themselves as artists and business owners...

We heard photographers wanted their own branding and control over managing their portfolio and packages. They also wanted the ability to talk to customers directly. We put those things at the top of our development list. This isn’t just a new website and some software. It speaks to our responsibility to always improve, our value for art, and our never-ending commitment to our photographers.

If all you're using your website for is to share photos, you might as well stick to Instagram. Your goal should be to answer your photography clients' questions before they get in touch with you.

Newborn sessions highlight a new chapter in a parent’s life. In these sessions the newborn should be the star, however, we understand how important it is for parents to have a sibling photo during this exciting period. Capturing the love and impending lifelong friendship is a cherished moment. However, with that being said, we also understand how kids can be. The reality of a sibling photo can be chaotic. To help make your life easier, we compiled a list of tips and poses for including siblings in newborn portraits.

This shoot saw the Focal team travel around Victoria with an amazing couple starting from Schwartz bay at 9 am and finishing up at parliament just after sunset capturing pre-wedding photos the entire way.

When running a photography business, social media plays a critical role in gaining clients and building relationships with other photographers. So, here are 6 helpful tips for boosting your social media game.

Nobody wants to earn a reputation as the free photographer. But if you're going to agree to a free shoot, there are ways to maximize its value to your photography business. It's about thinking strategically.

Response time is crucial for closing sales for several reasons, each impacting various stages of the sales process and influencing the potential client’s decision-making process. Here are key reasons why quick response times can significantly affect your booking outcomes:

Feeling lost on the business end of photography? Developing clear customer personas can help — and you don't have to be a sales whiz. You just have to pay attention to your clients and what they want.

Elopement weddings are very intentional choices that couples make for a variety of reasons: money, family, or simply for the fact that they want this joyous occasion to remain intimate for themselves. Eloping does not hold the stigma that it did before; it simply means the couple have chosen to shift the focus onto themselves and their relationship. From having a big adventure together to exchanging your lifelong vows somewhere meaningful, we have gathered a list of the top 5 elopement photographers in Calgary, AB. 

Oft-debated in the photography industry is whether photographers should be charging for photos on top of session fees, or if the pricing should all be rolled into one. It’s a question veteran photographer Marlboro Wang has been asked more than once. Read on for why he opts for the all-inclusive approach.

Vanessa Fukuyama (Fortune Hill Photography) has an eye for details — the kind of things easily missed, like a glance or a quiet smile on a busy wedding day. We spoke with Vanessa about building confidence behind the camera, photographing for Lululemon, and why "life's too short to do shit you don't love."

A newborn, family, and wedding photographer from Victoria, BC, Christin Carruthers (Ooh Ooh Darling, Photography) specializes in capturing the memories that will last a lifetime. But it didn’t come easily. Along the way, Carruthers had to start from scratch and change her whole approach.

Being a photographer is difficult. You are not only a photographer but a businessperson too. Therefore, you are bound to make some mistakes along the way. Whether you're business savvy or not, if you are a photographer, you are most likely making the number one mistake every photographer makes. But that's okay! Read on to learn what that number one mistake is, and how to stop making it.

Whether you are fresh into your photography business or two years deep, it is essential to create a business plan. A business plan is the key to your success in the photography industry. It ensures that you aren’t stumbling around blindly, but rather making productive decisions that will propel your business in the right direction. Read on to learn about the 5 key parts to every photography business plan.

Named One of the Most Inspiring Wedding Photographers in Canada, Lindsay shares her story and advice about growing a business one step at a time.

A wedding and family photographer based in Victoria, BC, Marlboro Wang has established a reputation for his grandiose, cinematic approach to capturing couples. You'll notice it in his wedding and engagement photos: breathtaking; each one carefully-staged, not a hair out of place. We caught up with Wang—a longtime Focal user—to hear more of his story.

It’s hard to find your “picture perfect” photographer. Trust us, we know! That's why we created the Focal Marketplace. To make finding a photographer easy. Learn more about the Focal Marketplace and why you should use it to find your next photographer.

At Focal, we believe passionately that a photographer’s website and their “packages” are the two most important touch points to show customers what makes you special as a photographer. Here are Focal’s 10 tips to help you build a photography portfolio and packages that customers want to book.

Struggling to come up with keywords for your business? Unable to compete with bigger companies on keywords you want to appear for? This blog serves as a comprehensive guide to help you select keywords that are going to have the biggest impact on your business.

Let’s be frank: many of the big-name directories don’t treat photographers very well. That's why with Focal, we set out to create a marketplace where the focus is on you.

So you’re starting your career as a professional photographer, congratulations! Starting your own business can be an exciting, albeit daunting, experience. Turning your passion for photography into a successful career will require more than a keen eye behind the lens, but don’t worry - we’re here to help! Here are five key steps every aspiring photographer should consider when starting out on their professional journey.

Sadly, COVID-19 has had a huge negative impact on the photography industry with few, if any photoshoots taking place. This situation is not expected to resolve itself over the short-term. The following article details the COVID-19 government support initiatives which are most relevant to BC based photographers.