A Sunshine Folder // tips for photographers
What's a sunshine folder you ask? I'll tell ya. It's a folder, full of sunshine. And it is so so sooo important. You see, running a business — especially a service based one, and one where you are documenting some of the single most important moments in people's lives... It can be a lot of things. Rewarding as heck, sure. Overwhelming at times, of course. Important, so so much yes.
And the thing is, it's easy to get wrapped up in other people's stories, and it can be even easier to question if you're doing enough. Am I making enough of a difference. Did I tell their story well enough. Did I do it all justice. Were their images good enough. Did they truly love them. The list goes on and on and on!
This is the part of the story where the SUNSHINE FOLDER walks in with a quiet + polite knock at your door and an immediate beam of sunniness as it comes through.
In my email, among all the folders to help keep my life and my business organized, you'll find one, in all caps, labeled SUNSHINE.
And in it? Every email I've ever received since the beginning of my business where someone — a bride, a groom, a mother of one or the other, a vendor, a fellow creative I admire etc — anyone like that and more who have taken the time to email me some kind words.
When a bride responds to her engagement image gallery, excited as heck -
"Good Morning Elizabeth!
We are in LOVE with these!! Thank you so much for everything. Honestly, I’m at a loss for words. You captured us so well and we will treasure these forever. THANK YOU!"
When a future bride emails you, simply just because!
"Good Morning!!
Just saw your blog post on Facebook and wanted to express how incredibly talented you are and how excited I am to have you as my photographer!! I may be biased because you are MY photographer, but every picture you take is STUNNING and absolutely perfect in every. way. I CANNOT WAIT TO MARRY MY BEST FRIEND AND HAVE YOU CAPTURE EVERY PART."
When a bride comes home from her honeymoon and had no idea her wedding photos were already done and waiting for her!
"OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH (insert like 3 million heart eyes emojis!!!). We got back from the honeymoon a few days ago and my mom was like, "Do you know when Elizabeth will have the photos done?" And of course, I was like, "It'll probably be a few weeks! Maybe even a month, she's a busy lady!" AND BOOM. YOU ARE SO QUICK. AND THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. I'VE ONLY LOOKED THROUGH LIKE 4 ALBUMS SO FAR AND I AM IN LOVE WITH THEM. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGGGGGGG!!!! :) :) :) You are an incredible photographer, and just a joy to be around. Thanks for all you've done for us! :)"
When a bride gives you one of the best compliments you can possibly receive -
"I think I've told you this a million times but you seriously made this experience out of this world for me. I could not have asked for better support and enthusiasm from my photographer (bc you're much more than "my photographer") I think I talked to you more about weddings things than some of my bridesmaids!"
When a Mother of a bride takes the time to send a sweet email over after her daughter's wedding -
"We absolutely adored working with you!! When we said that you were the best decision out of all the vendors we booked - we meant it. Thank you so much for everything, we all love the photos! Please let me know how I can be a reference for you in the future to other couples!"
When a groom - a guy! takes the time to email you just to say again that he really had fun at his engagement session! -
"Hello, I just wanted to send this to tell you that we had a lot of fun yesterday at the engagement session. I was not expecting that to be fun, but like I said last night, it really was. You do a great job of making people feel comfortable. And the sneak peek you posted is pretty amazing. I can't stop looking at them. Thanks again, and see you soon"
ORRRR WHEN THE ONE AND ONLY, KATELYN JAMES EMAILS YOU ON YOUR BIRTHDAY (thanks to my husband!!) -
Hi Elizabeth!!
I just wanted to send you a quick email and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! YAY! I hope today is amazing and that you feel loved and celebrated!! xoxoxo!
--
Katelyn James
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What's the point of all this? Because guys, it's just like saving love letters, or movie stubs from great dates, or baseball game ticket stubs, or postcards from your long-gone grandparents.
It's sentimental.
It's a vault of good memories.
It's a thing you can revisit when you need a little pick-me-up! SO, my advice, my encouragement to you — as a photographer, a planner, as anyone in the creative industry or anyone working literally any job with email access. Start yourself a little sunshine folder, and start saving those little rays of sunshine!!
