Stephanie Snyder Photography Blog » Marketing

SC Certified Professional Photographer

Stephanie — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 20:34:21 +0000

I am always a girl on a mission. The mission often varies, depending on the day, season, focus, weather, etc, but I always have a mission and goal for some part of my life. Many times, I have multiple missions going on at one time.

My newest goal is to gain the nationally-recognized title of Certified Professional Photographer. This certification is judged by masters of photography who have been practicing it their entire lives, and is provided by the Photographer’s Association of America (PPA). There are thousands of photographers out there, and it seems that many people think that just by picking up a camera and pressing a button, they’re a professional photographer.

The digital era has made it much easier for inexperienced part-time and fly-by-night photographers to throw their hat into the ring, undercutting professionals with rock bottom prices. Certification is an easy way to help consumers understand and appreciate your level of experience and talent.

I spend hours every day researching photography – technical aspects, techniques, artistic styles, marketing, products, gear, etc. I know by looking at my photography over the years, that I have grown and continue to grow as a photographer because of my passion and dedication to the art. I have loved photography my entire life – this isn’t a hobby I picked up and realized I enjoyed. But how do my potential clients know this at a glance?

By becoming certified as a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP), I am showing my potential clients that I have met high standards and can provide quality work, both artistically and technically. This is SO important!

As the leading certifying agency for imaging professionals, the Professional Photographic Certification program is recognized throughout the industry.Those who have earned the Professional Photographic Certification have passed a comprehensive written exam measuring their technical expertise, and have successfully submitted their work to a panel of judges for review and approval.

To quote directly from their website, “ Certification is granted by the Professional Photographic Certification Commission, an objective third party who validates your expertise, and that speaks volumes to potential clients about your skill. When potential clients become aware that Certified Photographers must re-certify every five years, they understand that education, training, and the latest industry techniques and skills are important to you – and your images.”

As of today, there are only 18 Certified Professional Photographers in South Carolina! Amazing! If you do a Google Search, or worse, a Facebook search, you will find hundreds, probably even thousands, of “professional” photographers throughout the state of South Carolina, but none of them have gone through the trials, judging, tests, and certification process to receive the credentials to become a Certified Professional Photographer.

I plan to be number 19! I am always committed to providing the highest level of quality in all forms to my clients, and I feel this is a natural part of the process. I want my clients to feel confident and proud that they have hired me as their photographer. Not only will they get gorgeous images to share with their family forever, but they also will have someone dedicated to both artistic and technical excellence in all of their images!

Wish me luck!

What about you? Would you feel more comfortable if your photographer for your special event and lifetime of memories were certified, or are you fine with the latest Facebook find? Comment below! (and I can’t give you guys a blog posting without an image, so here’s a picture I love from one of my trips to downtown Charleston… random but pretty.)

If you like this article, I encourage you to share it via Twitter or Facebook! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts through your comments below.
South Carolina Wedding Photographer, Portrait Photographer and Boudoir Photographer
For more creative and interesting photography, please visit http://www.stephaniesnyderphotography.com!

GreenItUp!

Stephanie — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:48:25 +0000

As many of you may be aware, I am a graphic designer along with being a photographer! I thoroughly enjoy creating logos, corporate identity packages, websites, etc! Please contact me if you’re interested in working with me on a graphic design project!

I am currently working with Teresa Plaag, who is beginning her own green cleaning business! I have been privileged enough to work with her on her identity package and website, and we have had tons of fun along the way. I have also learned SO MUCH about green cleaning techniques, products and how much better they work! GreenItUp!’s Multipurpose Cleaner, which Teresa sells on her website, GreenItUpLLC.com, is the BEST cleaner I have ever used, and she uses essential oils to scent it however you want! I chose Tea Tree Oil, which makes my house smell so clean, and is also a natural disinfectant.

If you are interested in GreenItUp’s cleaning services or custom-made cleaning products, please visit her website, GreenItUpLLC.com!

Here is the logo I created for her business -

You can also check out GreenItUp! on Facebook here!

SC Wedding Photographer Referral Program

Stephanie — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:56:07 +0000

As all of my regular clients already know, I try really hard to take care of all of my clients who refer other clients to me. What I have come to realize, however, after many inquiries, is that I have no official referral program to go by. You guys are so valuable to me, and it’s the greatest compliment in the world when you like your photographs enough to recommend me to your friends and family. I realize you are trusting me to take care of them, because it’s your word on the line, too, so I am working on developing a referral program geared toward both repeat business from my current clients and to spread my name to your friends and family.

I want to develop this referral program with your needs in mind, so please leave me any and all feedback by leaving a comment on this post below and tell me what you would like out of your photography referral!

The first offer I am officially making as an element to the Stephanie Snyder Photography Referral Program is for weddings. I would like to offer a free, full signature session to anyone (not just current clients) who refers a client to me that books a wedding package. What do you think about that? I think it’s pretty awesome, and I know it’s going to be tons of fun!!!!

I want to develop a few more aspects to this program as well. Tell me what you think, what you’d like, etc. And it doesn’t just have to be regarding the referral program, either – This is my passion, and I want to hear from you! What do you like? What would you love to see? I’d love to hear about your likes, dislikes, interests, etc.

I can’t wait to hear from you!

-Stephanie

And because every blog posting deserves a picture, here’s one of the pictures my father took at my wedding! I love it! Thanks to my awesome bridesmaids for arranging my dress perfectly! Love you!

SC Photographer – Mommy and Me Sessions

Stephanie — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:36:29 +0000

Albums!

Stephanie — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:26:52 +0000

If there’s one thing I love as much as photography, it’s graphic design. I hold a dual BFA in Graphic Design and Web Design, and I am so lucky that my passion for photography is always incorporating my love for and skills in graphic design! I LOVE designing albums, cards, layouts, posters, postcards, invitations, etc. I just finished some Save the Dates for a client, and I’m getting ready to design the invitations and RSVP cards for her wedding. I designed every aspect of my own wedding invitations, and it’s so much fun to send them out to my friends and family and know they are personalized just for me! When you get married, and if you are able to, I recommend definitely considering personalized, custom wedding invitations. They are a souvenir for every guest before they even arrive!

For my sister’s birthday, I gave her a makeover and a fashion photo shoot! I just recently got these images published into a custom-designed album from Kiss Wedding Books, and I LOVE how it turned out!

There is NOTHING like having your photos professionally printed and bound into an album.

There is no comparison between the computer screen and high-quality photographic paper.

I designed this album to be 12×12 inches, and it looks fantastic. If you truly want to do your photographs justice, get them printed in an album! I offer my albums only from the top, finest printers, and I custom-design all the work myself to ensure the highest quality available. There is no better way to display your images, and it will be something you’ll carry around with you and treasure forever.

Scott Bourne wrote this quote about wedding albums on his blog today:

“What could have more value than the wedding album – the first family heirloom of a brand new family? Think about it.”

It’s so true! This is the record of the joining of your lives together… I definitely want it to be beautiful! After all, I’ve spent thousands making sure that my wedding is gorgeous and memorable. I want to preserve the memories just as carefully as I planned the details.

Here are some photos of the album I made from the photographs of my sister’s photo shoot. Enjoy!

What could have more value than the wedding album – the first family heirloom of a brand new family? Think about it.