meganbeth.com

If you’re a photographer, have a love for photography, or just want to know my favorite cupcake flavor and want to have one of your questions answered on my next FAQ post, feel free to email me here, and I’ll try to include it! For past FAQ posts check them out here.

Lori asked: How do you keep your files organized?  Over the years it’s taken a few systems to finally get one that worked the best, so most importantly it’s about what works best for you.  I have a filing cabinet where I keep all my important documents and backups but, on my desk I keep two file trays at arms length.  The top one keeps personal items and the bottom one keeps all my files for this seasons weddings.  They’re filed by brides last names and dates; I’ve found that by using the brides last name I can keep better track of the wedding because I’m in contact more with the bride than the groom.  Originally I kept everything in the filing cabinet but it became a huge mess every time I had to go over and pull out a file.  Now everything I need is right at my desk.  Included in each file is their contract, package selection, invoice, a copy of their payments, and their product selection sheet.  Some people are going paperless but I still need to have hard copies of some things.

Gracie G asked: Do you shoot RAW?  From the inception of my business I started shooting JPEG and that’s the format I still shoot today.  RAW format records more data in the pixels while you’re shooting which allows you to manipulate the photo more when you’re editing; therefore they are significantly bigger and then always have to be converted to JPEGs at some point anyway.  Basically if you mess up when you’re shooting it’s easier to fix during post processing.  My theory has always been…don’t mess it up in the first place.

Chris asked:  How do you handle the email load?  Email is FUN!  SIKE!  Over the past year I’ve really started to set up guidelines for myself.  No emails during non-work hours.  And no email on the weekends.  This is a job, just like other people have jobs and just because I own a business does not mean that I should have to answer emails at all hours of the night and weekends.  I am just a photographer–not POTUS.  I let my clients know that the best way to get a hold of me is by email and that I will get back to them within 48 hours or else something happened to their email.  And I quit reading my facebook email inbox long ago–someone needs to add the option to disable it.  Trying to juggle real email plus facebook email/SPAM was just too much so I added a note on my facebook that says if you need to get a hold of me, email me, and everyone does.  I encourage you to set up guildlines for your business as well, because the moment you set up guidelines for yourself other people will start respecting them!

Contact megan beth here.  Join me on Facebook here. Follow me on twitter here. And please leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!