About Me

My photo
Shakopee, MN, United States
This blog is designed for my fellow photograhers. If you are interested in my consumer blog, >click here

Sunday, September 21, 2008

A golden ray in my dreary week!

So, i had a crummy week this week. I am current president of the TCPPA and sometimes people like to bring their personal drama into a volunteer organization. It is draining and I just don't have time for it! While I was having a really crummy day, I received the following email from another photographer (who happens to be located right in my town and I never even knew it!) It totally brightened my day and thought I would share it with you. Sometimes a few kind, sincere words can make someone's day, so never hesitate to share them! Thank you Katharine for sending this email to me!!! I am keeping it forever!

Hi Amy!

Hey, I just wanted to drop a note to say “hello.” I’ve been following your blog for a while now and your pictures are amazing. I mean, all of them are great, but your wedding pictures especially are just AWESOME. I swear, every time you post a new wedding set, they are even better than the last one. J You are so talented.

And now you’re doing destination weddings! That’s so exciting. I’m getting older now (30’s … ha ha) and most of my friends are married, but for the few who haven’t tied the knot yet, I’m going to tell them that you are at the top of my “recommended photographers” list!

I do some photography here in Shakopee, but only with kids. The fact that you are able to do studio work, outdoor work, weddings, seniors, kids, families … EVERYTHING. That is just insane. I’m in awe. Seriously in awe.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. And tell you that I think you are awesomely talented and I’m SO impressed with your work, your storefront, your employees, etc. So cool. Although, with your talent, I am not at all surprised at your success. ;-)

I hope to meet you one day; maybe I’ll bump into you at the Shakopee Bakery. I take my kids there pretty often. And if you ever need an extra body with a camera, let me know.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Katharine C.

A golden ray in my dreary week!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Wanna Tag Along or Chat??

I have been getting a lot of questions lately on my wedding photography. While I still find it hard to believe that another photographer would find my work so awesome, I am sure my brides will be reassured by the comments!! I get asked a lot about how I pose, how I remember what to do and what to take photos of, if I have a "master list" in my head, etc etc.

It is hard to respond back to all of the emails and questions that I get and I hate feeling like I am ignoring people (because I am totally not doing that), so I am going to try something and see how it goes. I am going to offer a Tag Along service. You can accompany me to one of my weddings and learn hands-on what I do and see me in action. To me, it sounds sorta silly that anyone would want that. However, I know when I first started out in the business, I would have LOVED the opportunity to follow someone around and get inside their head.

SO, with that said, the cost of the Tag Along will be $600 for a full-day of wedding coverage. If you want to add on Chat Time with me to sit down and talk about pricing, contracts, consultations, etc. we can add that on as well for $100 per hour (to be scheduled on a different day). If you want to add Chat Time only it will be $150 per hour with a $300 minimum.

If you want to get in on this opportunity for 2008, you will need to act fast. I only have about 7 weddings left for this year. Contact me via the studio at: 952.233.2169 or you can also email me: amy.zellmer at customcreationsphotography.com

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

What a slacker!

So. Here I am. The teacher of blogging. And what have I done? Nothing! Absolutely nothing since May! I am so ashamed!!

However, my consumer blog is updated almost every day so I do have that going in my defense!

As of recently I haven't been out speaking much. I have been really busy in the studio with wedding and senior season upon us!

It is official though, I will be receiving my Craftsman Degree at the PPA convention in January! I am SO excited!!! It has been so rewarding to be out speaking to other photographer's and helping them make a difference in their business!! I can't wait to do more of it!

I promise to update more often!!!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Fantastic Class!!

I had an amazing group of 6 photographers come into my studio last week for the MPPA Workshop Wednesday class that I was offering. My class was on "Urban Seniors" and I shared pretty much everything I know and do about senior photography!! We went out and did a live shoot with Bree as our fantastic senior model! (thanks Bree!)
Thanks to everyone who came and soaked up all the information I could throw at them! Hope you learned a ton, if you have any questions please feel free to call or email!! (I might be slow at getting back to you though, been a crazy couple weeks in the studio!)





Monday, May 19, 2008

Proof Of Blogging!!

I had a fantastic wedding this weekend and emailed the bride a link to view her "sneak peek" on my BLOG (I use xanga for my primary blog). As of 5:30p.m. today I have had 245 hits to my blog! Since I am using xanga I can see where my footprints are coming from, and the majority of them are coming from an email in-box!! That tells me that my bride forwarded the link on to her friends and family like I invited her to do!! I am really curious to see what my footprints are later tonight! They say that Mondays are the number one traffic day for reading blogs, and couple that with the fact that I had a fabulous bride this weekend, I am really not suprised at the traffic!! (normal traffic for me is about 200 hits a day!)

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Heading to Iowa!

I will be speaking to the NW Iowa Professional Photographers Association on Monday 10a.m.-2p.m. It will be held at Creative Photography in Milford, IA. A big thank-you to Dave Petrick, the president of the group, for helping line everything up for me, and a HUGE thank you to WHCC for sponsoring me!!! I am driving down this afternoon, in hopes of capturing some images along the way. I am really excited, this will be my first 4 hour program, so wish me luck!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Convention was GREAT!





I just returned from the Northern Lights Convention in Fargo and it was a great time! I gave my program twice on Tuesday, I had about 20 people in the first session and 60 in the second session. I got a lot of really great feedback, which was so cool. I will be giving my program in NW Iowa on Monday, May 12th, if you're in the area please come on out and join me!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Be Sure TO Check Out The Northern Lights Convention!

Convention is almost upon us once again! Be sure to join me in Fargo this weekend for the NL Convention. I will be giving an "Early Bird" program on Tuesday at 7 and 8 a.m. I will also be rolling out my top secret Buzz Experience, so you won't want to miss it!! See you there!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Need help getting started with blogging??

I have decided to create a package for my fellow photogs that are interested in getting their blog, facebook, and myspace set up but just don't know where to begin!

For $295 you will receive a 90 minute private session with ME, and 2~15-minute follow up phone conversations. This should be all you need to get on your way to social networking!!

I have found that I get a lot of blank stares when I speak on blogging and a LOT of emails and questions afterwards. There are a lot of folks out there who really do want to start blogging but are feeling quite overwhelmed with the whole prospect of putting the time and energy into getting it started. I have found that once people have the system in place, they will continue with it and keep it current, but there's a lot of hesitation to get it started. I see an opportunity to help others and this is what I have come up with!

If you're interested in scheduling your private session, please contact me 952.233.2169

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Don't Forget: Super Monday is April 7th!!

I will once again be hosting a Super Monday at my studio on Monday, April 7th 9a.m.-5p.m. We will be going over the benefits of blogging and using other internet marketing strategies, and we will also go thru the process of setting up your blog, myspace, and facebook accounts. Please register at PPA and to see the complete listing. Bring your laptop (with wireless access card if needed) and be ready to learn!!!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Gary Fong Rocks!!

I contacted Gary Fong about giving me a discount code to offer my program participants when I give my blogging program (and to put in my soon-to-be published "blogging guide"). He was stoked and is offering my attendees $10 off of his Album Showcase software by using discount code "zellmer"!!! I use his software ALL the time and LOVE IT! If you would like to see a wedding album created with it CLICK HERE. So go to Gary's Estore and buy it NOW!

And don't forget about my PPA Super Monday program on Monday, April 7th. Register before March 17th and save $30. I believe I am program #MN40

Friday, February 22, 2008

Great News!

I am so excited! I am in the process of creating a "how to" manual for blogging and social networking! I am working with the most awesome lab in the world, WHCC, to print it!! It will hopefully be finished by mid-March and available for purchase! I will definitely have it by the time I speak at Northern Lights April 27-30.

When I started writing the manual, I had an idea to ask David Jay of ShowItFast if he would offer a discount to my readers and subscribers! Well, he was excited at the idea and is offering $50 off with discount code: customcreations CLICK HERE to download your copy NOW! The greatest part is that David Jay also created a Facebook application so you can use ShowIt on your Facebook site as well as your blog!!! Too cool!!

Stay tuned for more news regarding my program and the manual!!!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Thank you SW Group!

Last night I spoke to a group of about 14 photographers at the SW Minnesota group. It went really well and I was suprised at the turnout given that it was -19 outside with a windchill of -42!! Unbelievable!! A huge thank you to Tina Feton for getting the group organized and a shout out to Lisa Erickson for inviting me to see her beautiful studio in Montivideo!! I really enjoyed my trip and am thankful for finding the last available room in town to spend the night (darn Schwan's Convention). It was way too cold to venture home 3 hours on dark, lonely roads with -42 windchills. I would also like to say a HUGE thank you to WHCC for being a fantastic sponsor!!!

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Blogging really IS amazing!

I just realized that I am receiving approx. 2000 hits on my c0nsumer blog every week!!! WEEK!! No, I didn't say month, I said WEEK! That makes it 8000 hits a MONTH! Isn't that insane!? Xanga has a really cool tracking system built right into it that tracks the number of "footprints" on your blog, where they're coming from, and if they have come from a search engine you can see the keywords they were searching! All of this is extremely useful in anaylizing our readers and what we can do to seek out new readers!!

I had a session I posted about a week or so ago and how she posted a link to her pics on my blog. I had an amazing number of hits to my blog that day, and I could see they were all coming from her link! Viral Marketing is extremely powerful!!! From that one link, I have received 3 inquiries and I am sure more are still going to come. Plus she has referred me to several of her friends and coworkers, and all she has seen is her sneak peek on my blog! Isn't that something?!?

Catch the wave, you know you want to!!!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Upcoming Speaking Engagements!

Amy Zellmer will be speaking several times in 2008 so mark your calendars!

Tuesday, February 19th at South West Group 6-8 p.m. at Panda Express in Marshall.
Monday, April 7th for PPA Super Monday 9-5 at my studio.
Monday, April 28th at Northern Lights Convention early bird program in Fargo.
Monday, May 12, 2008 NW Iowa PPA 10a.m.-4p.m. in Storm City, IA.
Monday, May 19, 2008 Minnesota Monday 9a.m.-4p.m. at the Studio (Custom Creations Photography)! (this program will be on photographing Urban Seniors and how to use natural/available outdoor light and using the scenery that you have outside your own back door! Hands on, bring your camera! We will also discuss marketing to seniors as well, but mostly hands on.)
Monday, September 29, 2008 TCPPA Monday Workshop 10a.m.-3p.m. at the Studio (Custom Creations Photography). (again, this program will be on Urban Seniors).

We're sure there will be more dates added before long as well!! We will keep you posted!

Friday, January 18, 2008

A Reminder on the power of Blogging!

Kelly came in on Tuesday for a budoir session. She is a local bride on The Knot. The day after her session I posted a few images on my blog for her "sneak peek". She posted a link on her Knot message board, and I had over 300 hits to my blog that day!!! I also had two brides contact me that had seen her images on my blog. This is what Kelly wrote to me:

"Amy,Thank you for making the night so comfortable for me. I already posted about it on the knot and referred them to your blog to look at the pictures. 8 girls replied that they are interested in doing some pics too so hopefully they will give you a call. I'll post more rave reviews after looking at all the rest. -Kelly"

How can you afford to NOT blog with results like this?? It is an incredibly powerful marketing tool!!!

~amy