I sat outside her lecture hall for an hour after she finished and just listened to her answer everyone’s questions about marketing their photography business. I wanted to be like a sponge and just soak up as much knowledge as I could from this successful woman. I was also nervous to ask my question in front of a large group so I waited as they got their answers and drifted away. I finally approached her to ask how a new photography business without a lot of money could market themselves. She was very kind and probably could tell I was nervous and star struck at the same time. Her advice to me was to partner with other businesses in my local area. Be willing to give to them freely and develop a relationship. It was very sound advice and someday I will probably look back and say that advice was the defining moment in my business. It is far from easy and it has taken me almost two years to develop my own twist on partnering but the advice I received from Sarah Petty that day shaped my plans for my future. I found Sarah to be a wealth of knowledge and a ball of fire that inspired me and encouraged me to keep pursuing my dream! She has an awesome program called The Joy of Marketing that is really great for getting new ideas to market your studio.
When I was contacted by the Professional Photographers of America regarding an article they were doing on partnering with local businesses I was jump up and down excited! Not being able to call David and tell him right away was disappointing but I called my sister instead and squealed into the phone to her. Fast forward to the other week when I was in Charlotte for my MJ 2 Day workshop, I was sitting there listening to another great photographer talk about her business and I received the advance copy of the article. The reporter let me know that she got so much great info from myself and other photographers that it would be a two part article. As I read the first part I came across a quote from Sarah Petty and as I read further along and there was a quote from me. Let me break that down for you……… I am quoted in the same article as Sarah Petty….insert loud girly scream here!!!!!!
I’m really excited at the partnerships I’ve established with some great local vendors! I’m even more excited at the friendships behind these partnerships, it is great to have someone to talk to that is running their own small business. I’m really excited for the women I’ve met and for their success. Keep checking back on the blog this fall for great interviews and articles from Katie of Spring Street Weddings and Events and Amanda from Anthomanic Florals. Also don’t forget to come by Anthomanic on October 31st for our Howl-o-ween SPCA fundraiser!!!! More about that will be on the blog next week!
I can’t publish the entire article but I did take a screen shot to show you the part I squealed over! For any PPA memebers you can access the article here after logging in. It is a great article on Partnering with Other Businesses. It is a two part article so be sure to check out the second part Creating Value.
Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2024.
