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!

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.

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!

Are you in search of the perfect photographer to capture your special day? Do you have absolutely no idea where to start looking for a wedding photographer in Victoria, BC, and no idea how to book their packages? Focal has you covered!

Whether you want to boost your photography skills or grow your network, a mentor is a great way to take the next step in your business. Along with 4 reasons why you need a photographer, I share the necessary questions you need to ask yourself before searching for a mentor to get the most out of the experience, and also a few places where you can find the right one for you.

To spend a photoshoot with Jessica Woodall is to feel like you've reconnected with an old friend. Her North Carolina charm and easygoing manner make you feel at home in front of the camera. We spoke with Woodall about lessons learned from Christmas shoots, getting her subjects comfortable in front of the camera, and the superpower of freezing time.

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.

Nobody wants to work for less than they’re worth. But too often, focusing on this one thing ends up hurting early-career photographers who don’t have the experience or client base yet.

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.

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!

In this essential episode of Marketing 101 for Photographers, we delve into the "Feature Benefit" sales technique, a crucial strategy for demonstrating the value of your photography services. The lesson begins by differentiating between the features of your services (such as high-resolution images and quick turnaround times) and their benefits to clients (like preserving memories or enhancing brand image).

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.

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!

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. 

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. 

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.

With a 6-figure milestone bagged in under a year, a staggering 1000+ sessions, 400 weddings, and a flurry of coaching successes, the unstoppable Lindsay Coulter has unveiled her first-ever, all-in-one, online course! Dive in to discover more about Lindsay, how to grab a module from the "Better Than Booked" course for free, and the juicy secret offer we've cooked up, especially for our fabulous Focal subscribers!

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.

In this FB Q&A session, photographer and educator Joy Michelle gets in-depth with Lachlan Shum about the origins of Focal, standing out in a competitive industry, attracting your ideal clients, running mini sessions, and much more!

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

With summer's arrival on Vancouver Island, it's the perfect time to gather your family for a morning, afternoon, or evening and make some memories! Discover the best locations for family photoshoots in Victoria.

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.

You can’t be the perfect photographer for everyone. That’s just a fact. So instead, focus on what makes you special and convey that to customers.

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.)

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.

It’s almost always the first question customers ask: how much do you charge, and for how many photos? Like it or not, we’re a price-shopping bunch — and when we buy, we want to get the best deal. Thing is, it’s a terrible approach for photography. It’s just about reframing the conversation.

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.

At its core, SEO is about simplicity: making things fast, useful, and easy to find. If you keep those principles in mind, the rest will fall into place.

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. 

You have your first family shoot coming up and still so many questions! Whether you feel bad asking your photographer yet another question (which you shouldn’t!), or it is just too embarrassingly close to shoot time to inquire more, this post will be your go-to guide to your family shoot. With insight from one of Victoria, BC’s top photographers, Marlboro Wang, I’ve curated this post to answer all of your pressing family photoshoot-related questions.

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...

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?

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!

In an industry that can be notoriously hard to crack, photographer Noah Asanias has built a reputation for his billboard-worthy style and knack for capturing the best of his subjects. The founder of Ark Studio, Asanias has worked with the likes of Lululemon and AllSaints, and has photographed a wide array of film and television personalities, from Leah Lewis (The Half of It), to Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), to Metta World Peace (Los Angeles Lakers).

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.

A common mix-up for customers looking to hire a professional photographer for self-portraits is the terminology of “headshots” and “personal branding” photography. We've covered everything you need to know in order to choose the right one for you.

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 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.

With photography being such a competitive business, it can be hard to stand out among the other photographers in your area and get clients. Especially if you are brand new! But don’t worry. It is possible to start building up your client list at any point in your photography career, and for you, today is that day! This post is going to walk you through how with Focal’s help, you will gain more clients. 

When anyone with a smartphone can take a half-decent portrait, you’ve got to find a way to separate yourself from the crowd.

It's one thing to have clients, it's another to have ideal clients. What if I told you there was a secret to attracting and booking people who are perfect for you and your photography style? Well, there is. Read on to learn all about how to reel in those perfect clients.

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

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.

In this detailed video lesson from "Marketing 101 for Photographers," we explore a technical-driven approach to SEO, specifically through blogging about local venues and locations.

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.

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.

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! 

Coming of age is a truly unique point in any young person's life and it was our pleasure to capture this special memory together. Being apart of an event that brings family and friends from all over the world is something that we love to capture. Have a look at some behind the scenes of this beautiful Bat Mitzvah photo shoot in Victoria BC!

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.

Do you dream of making the transition from part-time to full-time photographer? Do you have no idea where to start? Before quitting your day job and pursuing photography full-time, read these helpful tips with insight from Marlboro Wang, one of Victoria, BC’s top photographers and a Focal partner.

Inspired by her two free-spirited kids and the loss of her job during the pandemic, Calgary-based photographer Haley Skof took matters into her own hands, picked up a camera and dove into the photography community.

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. 

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:

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.

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.

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.

Nellie Quail is the kind of family photographer clients love: genuine, kind, and with an eye for bringing her customers’ creative vision to life. But between raising her young kids and shooting in the evenings, she’d never had the chance to build herself a solid workflow. She turned to Focal to take her business to the next level.

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.

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.

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:

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.

With the holiday seasons fast approaching, countless memories are made between you and your loved ones. Capture that timeless joy and laughter between you and your family with one of Calgary’s top 6 family photographers. ‍

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.

With so many wedding photographers out there, each with their own plethora of packages and options to choose from, it can often be daunting to tell the difference. Thankfully, Focal is here to help!

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.

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!

As of July 1, 2023, Google Universal Analytics will to longer process data. Learn how to upgrade your tracking to GA4 and improve your insights!

New podcast alert! The good folks over at Capture Crew invited our CEO & Founder, Lachlan Shum, to talk about conveying value as a photographer and attracting ideal clients.

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.

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. 

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.

To compare photographers based solely on the number of photos they offer is like comparing houses based solely on their square footage, or two meals based on their size. You're missing the good stuff!

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. 

A Calgary-based photographer, Sarah Murdoch has been photographing weddings since 2006. A product of the film era, Murdoch cut her teeth in the darkrooms at the Alberta College of Art and Design. It's that same handcrafted approach she carries into her shoots—"the biggest goal in my business is to create photos that are timeless," she says. "I want realness, I want authenticity, and I want to tell people's stories."

I’m sure you have heard of the phrase eloping, commonly defined as running away secretly with the intention of getting married. Previously, it was treated as a stigma because to elope meant that your marriage wasn’t supported by your family or friends. It was considered a whim and many other misconceptions surrounded it. But, now it is being seen as for what it really is: a choice to focus the wedding entirely on you and your significant other. Elopements and weddings have the same result, committing your life to your partner. However, the journey, experience, and adventure that makeup elopements and weddings are wildly different. With that being said, why elope?

As a photographer, you're probably a creative first and a business person second...or don’t consider yourself a business person at all! That is why I’ve put together this blog post: to give you a short rundown on the essential marketing tips for getting your name out there online and finding your ideal customers.

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.

Ready to share your business with the world but feeling overwhelmed? We've got you covered! In this article we’ll demystify the process of creating a website by discussing the three most important components you need to get off the ground: a website builder, a domain, and a web host.

Pregnancy and the road to motherhood is an incredibly special, yet fleeting time. A need to capture these amazing moments is something we understand. So, whether it be a maternity shoot or a newborn shoot, we have you covered with a list of Calgary’s top 6 maternity and newborn photographers. 

Nowadays, mirrorless cameras are every bit as powerful as their DSLR counterparts, and often lighter and less expensive. Read on to find out why mirrorless cameras win out in the never-ending debate.

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.

The time between your pregnancy to the arrival of your newborn is a magical journey; however, it will fly by quicker than you anticipated. Entrusting a photographer to understand and capture those incredible fleeting moments that you want to cherish is very important. We partnered with Calgary maternity and newborn photographer Nadine McKenney to narrow down key points you should consider when looking for your next maternity or newborn photographer. 

From lakes to parks to alleyways, there are so many stunning and Instagram-worthy places in Victoria to visit. Maybe too many! It can be hard to narrow it down, which is why we created this list just for you. If you’re planning a trip to Victoria, aka the City of Gardens, don’t forget to capture the memories and check out at least a few of the sites on this list because they truly are the top 10 most Instagrammable places in Victoria, BC. You’ll see!

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.

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.

When it comes to having an abundance of incredible locations to take family photos, Calgarians have no shortage. We compiled a list of eye-catching options in and around the city to juice up your next family photoshoot. 

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!

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!

Engagement photos are an irreplaceable opportunity. They capture you and your partner's excitement and the overflowing joy before you dive into the next chapter of your life. During this process, you may be struggling to decide on an engagement location, one that represents you and your partner's journey. Calgary is home to amazing scenery with an abundance of jaw-dropping locations to choose from. If you’re looking for a unique, memorable location to represent your relationship, we compiled a list of striking options in and around the city to spice up your engagement photoshoot. 

With the spring in full bloom and summer approaching, what better way to celebrate the warm weather and brighter days than a family photoshoot? Let one of Victoria, BC’s top family photographers capture the love and fun between you and your family, and browse this post to find a package perfect for you and your family.

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!

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.