Hi guys!!! Today’s guest is a Los Angeles based Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer. She has photographed weddings all over the world including destinations such as Bali, Thailand, and Singapore and has been featured in publications such as Brides, Destination I Do, Inside Weddings, and The Knot. She has photographed for clients such as Jenny Yoo and Joanna August whose look books have been seen in Martha Stewart Weddings. I first met this guest years ago at an event for Richard Photo Lab. I since attended her workshop Propel in California and she is without a doubt one of my favorites in the industry. So welcome to the podcast, Caroline Tran!
WHAT YOU WILL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:
- How to choose to photograph multiple genres vs focusing on one type of photography
- A few mistakes to learn from for those on their photo or entrepreneurial journey
- Can digital match the aesthetic of film?
- How to handle unique lighting situations for in-home sessions
- Inspiring advice for others
Photograph Multiple Genres vs. Focusing on One Type of Photography
What I find really incredible about Caroline is that she explores all types of photography but, still maintains one strong, cohesive brand and aesthetic. It can be so hard to choose between photographing multiple genres or focusing on just one. If you are trying to be a master at your trade, you have to hyper-focus on one thing rather than exploring all types of photography. For Caroline, she was able to accept the fact that she was not going to be the best wedding photographer. It can get to a point where you no longer find joy in your job because you are trying so hard to succeed and get to the top. Shoot what makes you happy, but try to keep it as cohesive as possible to avoid confusion for your clients and followers. Caroline’s inspiration is sourced from outside of the industry. She learns new things and then brings it back to her core. Always strive for a healthy balance between being a new, excited learner with a having a refined brand. In your early stages, there is not much to lose, you can fall down one notch on the ladder. That is your time to explore, but eventually, you will have to commit to one ladder and start working your way up.
Mistakes to learn from for those on their photo or entrepreneurial journey
We should all embrace mistakes because there is always something to learn. In the beginning, Caroline’s business grew very fast and got to a point where she could not keep up. With the growth of any business, it can be easy for things to slip through the cracks. After reading a bad review, which mentioned poor customer service and response time, Caroline knew something must change. Although the review was not 100% accurate, Caroline decide to hire an assistant to help manage her inquiries to provide better customer service to her clients. After getting help with her business and outsourcing some of her other tasks over the years, Caroline became detached and did not notice when things were not working as they should. Caroline walked through the processes her assistants helped with and realized that there were a few much needed updates so things would run more efficiently. Above all it is important that your business is going, and you can perfect things along the way.
Can digital match the aesthetic of film?
Currently, Caroline is not able to get her digital images to look exactly like her film images. In certain lights she is able to get the edits to look very close, but it is not consistent. Above all, it is important that both digital and film images flow well. By keeping certain moments as digital and others as film, this can help the flow of the gallery when the bride or client looks through their images.
How to handle unique lighting situations for in-home sessions
Before her studio was in her home, Caroline would shoot every session at her client’s homes. This is always a wild card, because you do not know what the lighting will be like in each home. If you do walk in and the lighting is not ideal, you have to be creative with how you rearrange things and just work with what you have. A home session is personal to the client, so be mindful that this is their space and avoid changing too much by providing the prettiest version of their reality.
Inspiring advice for others
You do not have to please everyone. As an artist, the quickest way to get nowhere is trying to please everyone. It is important to know what you are trying to achieve, and focus on making your clients happy. There will always be people you cannot please, but in the big picture, you cannot let them negatively affect you.
”Thank you for listening and thank you Caroline for being here!
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