Christie Mumm - Family Photography: The Digital Photographers Guide to Building a Business on Relationships

Copyright 2011 by Christie Mumm.

All rights reserved.

All photographs by the author unless otherwise noted.

Author photograph by Melissa Vossler (www.melissavossler.com).

Published by:

Amherst Media, Inc.

P.O. Box 586

Buffalo, N.Y. 14226

Fax: 716-874-4508

www.AmherstMedia.com

Publisher: Craig Alesse

Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins

Assistant Editor: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt

Editorial Assistance from: Chris Gallant, Sally Jarzab, John S. Loder

ISBN-13: 978-1-60895-302-8

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010940509

Printed in Korea.

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.

Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the authors experience and opinions. The author and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.

Check out Amherst Medias blogs at: http://portrait-photographer.blogspot.com/

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PART ONE
The Foundations of a Portrait Business

PART TWO
To Everything There Is a Season

Christie Mumm is the owner of JLM Creative Photography in Reno, NV. Christie began her journey with photography in her early teens and was encouraged to pursue her passions by her very supportive family and friends. Since opening her business in 2001, she has experienced exponential growth from year to year by working closely with families to capture lasting memories through lifestyle photography. Christie maintains a business philosophy that is focused on her clients and their families, and truly loves the wonderful people she is blessed to work with. In the summer of 2009, Christie realized a long-time dream when she was able to open a small boutique studio in downtown Reno, making the step from a home-based photographer to a studio-based one. Christie firmly believes in running her business debt-free and feels that this has allowed her to continue to experience growth even during national economic downturns. She has been married to her best friend for ten years and is the mother of one precocious and creative young daughter. Christie has a deep love for her work and is delighted to be able to share her experience and knowledge with other photographers.

This book is dedicated first and foremost to God, whose guidance, gifts, and blessings have allowed me to pursue my passions into a career that fulfills my soul in so many ways. There are not enough words to describe my gratefulness to Him.

Secondly, I dedicate this book to my family. To my husband Jeromy, whose unfaltering faith in me has been my rock and shelter for more than a decade: I could not have done this without you, honey. To my beautiful daughter, my muse, my mini-me, and my purpose for being born: I adore you, my precious angel. To my mother, whose loving support and nurturing made me the woman I am and gave me wings to fly. To my father, whose confidence in my abilities and investment in my life have meant more to me than I know how to say. To my sister Noelle, whose enthusiasm and eagerness to join me on this journey gives me hope, and for her ability to make me laugh even when I want to cry. To Dave, for your constant encouragement and love.

I would also like to dedicate this book to my dearest friends in the world, Deb, Kim, Lynne, and Allison, who helped me to grow this business and who have rejoiced with me at every turn. You four are my angels and I love you!

And last but not least, to all my clients-turned-friends: without your confidence and beautiful faces, I would not have a business to write about. You are all so dear to me!

W hen my oldest daughter Christie asked me to write the foreword to this book, I felt honored to say the least. What could be more exciting than watching your children follow their hearts and discover their passions and talents? The honor I feel goes much deeper than simply pride and excitement for her accomplishments. The simple definition of honor is to respect. As I reflect on the path Christie is following, I cant help but feel deep respect for her.

The premise of this book is building a business based upon relationships. Of course, most successful business ventures are focused on the clients they serve. This sounds so simplistic. It is about meeting the needs of the clients and building relationships that keep your clients coming back. This book goes much further than simply the retention of clients; it strives to impact the relationships that portrait clients have with their own families, extended families, friends, and acquaintances.

As a small child, Christie had a gaze that could penetrate the depths of ones soul. Little did I know that she was indeed studying eyesand would one day pursue a career that mimics the eye in capturing through a lens what the eyes see every day. The wonder of memory has always been fascinating to me. We have the capacity to remember sights, scents, temperatures, sounds, feelings, and impressions among the vast array of cataloged images stored in our amazingly complicated brains. However, as I remember my own family members, at times it is difficult to recall with clarity the expressions, lines, and textures that are so distinct in the faces of those I loveand many that I dearly miss. I rely upon and deeply treasure the photographs that I have collected over the years.

Christie has an innate ability to capture through the lens those expressions and personality traits that make each of us so unique. As her clients view their portraits, I have witnessed time and time again a profound appreciation for her work. Her clients are able to deeply connect with their images, as she translates the feelings they are experiencing into treasured works of art that will last through many generations.

We certainly cannot overestimate the value of photographs. The value added is in the relationship that portrait clients have with their photographer. Christie has an amazing way of entering into the hearts and lives of her clients as she develops, grows, and maintains wonderful lifetime relationships through her work. It is apparent to all who meet her that she loves families and loves her work. Her enthusiasm and warmth are translated into a growing business that brings joy to those around her. As you read this book, I know you will see that there is a great deal of wisdom and expertise presented here.

With deep respect and love,
Ginnie Fox

E veryone on this planet shares one simple truth: we all have a family. Whether we know them (and like them) or not, whether we are close-knit or estranged, we all have a mother and a father: a family. In our modern world, the family has definitely taken on many new forms. We have blended families, adoptive families, like family, and more. But even with the changing times, one thing has not changed: everyone needs family. Human beings are social creatures; we are built to live in community and to make strong emotional connections to other human beings.

I love the family. I adore the unique and beautiful bond between siblings, that delicate mix of affection and rivalry to which nothing compares. I love the way wives and husbands transform into mothers and fathers, the way two people in love become something different to each other when they become parents. I love the bond between parent and child, the childs loving and trusting gaze, the parents adoration and protective, gentle guidance. There is no other person in a childs life who holds this special position. Even after being disciplined for some bad behavior, I remember my little girl, with tears streaming down her face, diving into Mommys arms for the comfort and acceptance she knew would always be theredespite her misdeed. The relationship between parent and child is so beautiful, so special, and such an organic, dependable source of real emotion.