Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer Jen OSullivan » ABOUT JEN

Silent Auction for Charity Organization LETMESAIL

Jen — Fri, 21 May 2010 01:19:24 +0000

The Charity Engagement Shootout was my 5th photo shootout in a little over a year. I started them as a way for my students to get real life practice on real life people rather than models. It is the perfect way to me to teach, them to learn, and the couples to get free photography. When I set out to do my first charity shootout I had no idea what would be in store. I figured most people would give a little. What I was not prepared for was the overwhelming generosity from the vendors. At the event everyone gave away literally tens of thousands of products and services. After the event I asked yet again for them to give. AND THEY DID! The post event Silent Auction for my charity LETMESAIL is going on right now and will close on Monday, May 31, 2010 at 8PM PST. You HAVE to see what these people are donating. Tom Keene with LA Digital Photo is GIVING away a full day wedding coverage, Cheryl Jablow with Social Frog is giving away 30 days of virtual consulting services, and as a whole there is almost $15,000 worth of services and products up for bid. Engagement sessions, bridal sessions, makeup and hair trials, a tintype session. So many great items! If you or anyone you know could use any of these items please send them HERE or you can always bid for yourself or as a gift! Thanks to everyone for sharing your hearts and your wallets for such a wonderful cause!

The below photos are from the event and were taken by Gayla Elizabeth Photography.

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Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

NOT Keeping Up with the Joneses (CAREER)

Jen — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:53:14 +0000

Me in my studio. Photo by Yoshihiro Makino for STORY Magazine.

Part 8 of the 12 part series on balancing your life.

Entrepreneurs are notorious work-a-holics. We seem to work a 24 hour day leaving our loved ones in our trail of dust. It is not surprising that entrepreneurs can get burnt out quickly. If you are one, the interesting thing is that usually you are not into just one thing. The way your brain is hardwired is different from others. You intuitively think how to do things better, how to sell things better, how to profit better. And because of this, you are constantly seeing any number of areas you can do well in. It is common to find yourself bouncing around from one idea to the next. Many entrepreneurs have what is considered an AD/HD brain. Not the medication needing kind, but truly the kind of brain that needs stimulus. I have a really hard time going to the movies. Why? There are countless other things I could be doing. If I watch a movie at home, I can multi task. This drives my family insane. They absolutely hate it. “Can’t you just relax for one second?” Actually, no. It is just who I am. I enjoy it. Okay, so, what type of person are you? You may not find yourself to this extreme, however if you own your own business, you will have this issue of having a 24/7 job. You cannot clock in and clock out so to speak. Why? Sure, you can stop working, but in reality your mind is (and should be) always thinking of your business. To do lists. Marketing strategies. Employee retention. Profit and Loss. Office supplies that need purchasing. The list goes on.
Here are the main issues you may be having:

1. How do you separate family time from work time?
2. How can you LOVE what you do for a living every day?
3. How do you stay on top of everything and not get burnout?

It comes down to scheduling, trimming, and saying “No.”

Scheduling (DMO, WMO, and MMO)
Your DMO or Daily Method of Operation should be simple and flexible. Answer your emails not every time they come in, but three times a day. Morning, afternoon, and evening. Make phone calls all at one time of day. If you are in the car with any family member, NEVER answer your cell phone, EVER. Try to never text in front of your kids. They will pick up on this as a separation from them and they will learn to loath your phone. If you have client meetings randomly throughout the week, don’t. Do it on one or two days only and stick to those days. Having clients in and out can tamper with your DMO so put it into you WMO or Weekly Method of Operation. For your WMO, give yourself at least one or two OFF days. Do nothing work related if you can. If it is the same day every week your life will not feel so chaotic. Mine is on Monday. I always know Mondays are a decompress day. Having your own business can become extremely overwhelming if you do not have a down day that is pre-determined. Your MMO or Monthly Method of Operation should be figured out based on your post production schedule if you are a photographer. If you have booked 3 weddings in one week that can become too much to get finished in post if you have another 3 the next week. I try to keep things simple. 2 weddings a month. 4 consult days per month. 2 network meetings per month. 1 industry event per month.

Trimming
Figure out what you love about what you do and figure out what you hate. Get rid of everything you hate or delegate it to someone else. I know this has nothing to do with work, but I HATE doing the laundry. So… my husband does it. Surprisingly he loves it and does a better job than if we went to a fluff and fold. Apply the same rules for your business. Really analyze what you do and what areas you really wish you didn’t have to do. Let’s say you love shooting but you hate the post production. There are companies out there who specialize in doing all your Lightroom work for you. Farm it out!

Just Say No
This may be the hardest thing for many of you. Really, you need to learn that simple word, “no.” Don’t do everything your friends want you to do. Don’t go to every event, opening, network meeting, business seminar. Choose wisely. Do just one per month.

Keeping your career and other areas of your life separate can be tricky. You have to be aware of everything and be as attentive other areas as you can. Everyone will find their own routine, so whatever it is, stick with it!

Click HERE to see how I tackle the COLLEAGUES issue.

Click HERE to go back to the beginning of this topic.

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Copyright © 2010 by Jen O’Sullivan http://www.jenosullivan.com
Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.
Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

On Becoming a Wedding Photographer

Jen — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 07:31:01 +0000

In 1992 I began my education in Graphic Design at Saddleback Community College and then headed to Cal State Fullerton to finish my degree. In 1996 I took an upper term elective in photography and it changed the way I saw the world, literally. I was hooked. I had found my passion and all I could do was stop and move forward. What I mean by stop, is change majors. I was one semester away from graduating but since I was essentially paying for my own education if I graduated I would not be eligible for certain grants that I knew I would need if I was going to start over. That is exactly what I had to do: start over. I built up a portfolio over the next semester taking only photography classes. I put together a portfolio of my best work and headed over to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California to apply. To give you some back history, my entire family went to Art Center. Mom, Dad, sister, even my now brother-in-law. It was in the cards from the beginning of my Graphic Design career that I was to go there too, however I, being the black sheep of the family, was determined to NOT go to Art Center. The irony was that now that I found what I really wanted to do with my life and after researching every possible school out there for photography, Art Center was the clear choice for top photography schools in the nation. While Cal State Fullerton was great at giving me a foundation, I was having a hard time with the “happy accidents” of photography. You know, when you get a REALLY great shot, and you think you are all cool because you are like soooo good at photography now and then you go to recreate it and you are totally stumped. I hated that! I HAD to know how to do what I knew I wanted to do but couldn’t. Super frustrating! I knew Art Center would give me the absolute best education hands down. Blah! I was mad, but again determined and I figured that my education was more important than my pride. Needless to say my entire family was thrilled! So, when I got accepted with my first portfolio, I hunkered down for the next 4 years and studied my ass off. I was pretty much one of the least popular people in school because I never partied and always worked. I was, however, the first person anyone went to when they needed class notes or wanted help with the assignment instructions. Those were some of the most intense years of my life. I actually had a nervous break down and cried once a week like clock work. But coming out the other end and having the knowledge under my belt that I do now, I would never trade a second!
In 1998 I did freelance photography part time while working my way through school and in 2001 when I graduated from Art Center and opened Jen Queener Photography full time (Queener is my maiden name.) I worked mainly in the advertising world shooting annual reports, marketing materials, and benefits for Huntington Memorial Hospital, Nokia Mobile Phones, Vertu, the YMCA, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and the Mayfield Schools to name a few. I became a full time wedding photographer in 2004 after getting married to Tim O’Sullivan, my High School sweetheart and Junior High crush. (Yes, we went to prom together.) I quickly left the commercial business behind after having such a hard time finding just the right photographer for my own wedding and knowing I could do a better job. Talk about crazy confidence with something I knew hardly anything at all about. (Art Center is adamant about NOT teaching 35mm on camera flash private sector photography.) There was no understanding anyone’s pricing structure and everything looked the same. There was no one who was shooting in the style I wanted because it seemed like everyone was doing photo journalism. Coming from the advertising world it was all a bit too sloppy. I say that with utter respect for photo journalists, but there was just something missing. I decided to try to change the way Wedding Photography is offered to brides and grooms. Now it is called Portrait Journalism or basically a mix between traditional and journalism with an editorial flair. My work has always been clean, clear, crisp, and unadulterated. I am not into crazy post production with filters and textures. I like my work to have a timeless feel to it but to be vivid and colorful. As for pricing, I have an open door, open book policy which no other photographer offers to my knowledge. Everyone I met with before my wedding only confused me more. There was no apples to apples comparisons. There was no easy to understand pricing structures. It was all way too illusive for me. So, because of this, I make sure my clients know exactly what they are paying for. They can take things out, add things in, move things around, and it is all the same to me. Everything is in plain English and black and white. I think that is the teacher in me, but so far it works for my business and my clients seem to appreciate it.
An interesting side note about my Art Center education: I was told by several instructors that I could not be a successful female photographer AND be a mom. Okay, I agree with them in terms of being a commercial photographer, however because of those “warnings” from well-meaning instructors I was stubbornly determined to have my cake and eat it too. (sorry for the pun.) And that is exactly what I am able to do as a wedding photographer. I have the best life I could ever have even dreamed of asking for. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my husband, am enamored with my son, am inspired by my students, and am filled with a sense of awe when I see one of my brides walk down the isle. My life is pretty great, so forgive me for bragging but we go to Disneyland once a week, the Zoo once a week, I have a date day with both of my men on separate days, and I own 1 successful photography business (Jen O’Sullivan Photography), 1 successful network organization (Wedding And Event Specialists), and 2 successful schools (ASAP Mentoring & Little Book Bindery.) I honestly do not know how I do it all sometimes however I do know that what keeps me going is my pure love for every part of my life. God had given me so much and I thank Him every morning when I wake up and every evening when I go to sleep (evening meaning 2am and morning meaning 10am.) okay, so I have a jacked up schedule, but it works for me. And by the way, my commercial photography education and experience give me a wonderful edge when shooting weddings. I get to use ALL my skills: product shooting, food, architecture, portraiture, fashion, automotive, table top. You name it, and I get to cover it in weddings. That is what I love about weddings; they are so eclectic. There is never a lack of inspiration and diversity.
So, here is me in under 30 seconds:
I am a wedding photographer. I absolutely LOVE what I do for a living. I am blessed beyond what I could have ever imagined. Think about it: I go to work and end up at a party; my clients are the most insanely happy people on the planet; AND I get to eat cake! Can you think of a better job?

Some of my first weddings from 2002 to 2004 along with some of my earliest photography work from 1998 to 2001 under Jen Queener Photography.

Some of my earliest work before I started shooting people.

Some of my work from 2000-2001 when I started shooting people.

My first wedding of good friends Joel and Colleen in 2002. I was in the wedding and got to take them on a private shoot right after the reception.

My first destination wedding in Hawaii using my very first digital camera in 2002.

My first full paying wedding ($1,000 woohoo!) in a Pasadena garden setting. Shot mostly with film and some digital. The above is digital.

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10 Steps to Successful Branding

Jen — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:33:04 +0000

Here I am at this Sunday’s Unveiled Event on Melrose Place where I continued to brand myself and met tons of great new people I can’t wait to bring into my personal community.

One of my brand missions is to give back whenever I can. Plainly said, I like to help people. Often too much. You would be surprised at the number of people who think I have some ulterior motive behind my helping. Well I do! I never got any help from other photographers when I started my wedding photography business and I thought it was kind of sad. In the commercial industry where I started my photography career in 1998, I had mentors and teachers willing to give their time to me. When I left all that behind and opened my wedding photography business 6 years ago no one, and I mean no one would even go to lunch with me. I called so many people but for whatever reason they would not help me out. I vowed that I would never run my business that way and ever since I have become known for my open book, open door policy. Don’t get me wrong, I do not have time to help everyone ALL the time because, after all, I am a business owner and my clients come first. But if ever there is someone in need, my heart cannot help but want to help. That being said, I want you to make a mark in your industry. Here are 10 steps to successful branding. I want you to take this seriously. Do the work. Don’t read it and think “That is nice. I should do some of this.” and then shelve it. I want you to DO IT! Make this happen. You will not regret it. I have given you an action item at the end of each step sort of like homework. Sorry, yes, you still have homework. Some of it will take your time and some will take your money, but in the end you need to create your own memorable and trustworthy brand that clients will come back for and refer to their friends. Are you ready? Here we go…

(To listen to this as a live lecture, go HERE. Only good for the next 30 days.)

10 Steps to Successful Branding

1. You are What You Eat.
Ask yourself the following questions: What is your current brand? Are you married to it? Who are You? What service or product are you selling? How do you benefit the purchaser? What problem are you solving for them? Does your personal brand match up with your corporate brand? How are you positioned. Are you memorable? Do your clients refer you and use your services again and again?
Action: Create a Brand Vision. Write down your vision for your business. Answer the above questions.

2. Who is your Target?
EXACTLY! Down to the specific demographics.
Action: Write down your ideal client. Who are they? Be as specific as you can.

3. What’s in a Name?
Name recognition is so important. Consistency is key.
Don’t abbreviate your name in your website or when you answer the phone. Keep it all the same across the board.
Action: Make it easy and go with your name or brainstorm like mad and ask some mentors for help. Base it off of your Brand Vision.

4. Image is Everything.
Color + Consistency + Language + Font + Design = Trust.
Do your research. Don’t copy what everyone else is doing. Stand out. Your logo can help with this.
This is so important. Don’t do this step by yourself. Hire an expert. Logos need to work well small and in black and white. Simple is better.
Action: Hire a PROFESSIONAL. Here is one I recommend all the time: Cindi Garabedian

5. Narrow your playing field.
Have you narrowed your focus? What do you do? Don’t do everything, specialize. It will help people know what you do.
Consider Levi’s. They used to be the leader in denim. Now are they? Not at all. Why? They now sell everything from cheap jeans at JCPenney to high end jeans in Japan to shirts, hats, scarves. They have generalized and it has hurt them. Stand out by being a specialist not a generalist.
Action: What is the one thing you love most about all the facets of your business? Do JUST THAT.

6. Community is King.
Network, keep track of people you meet, and follow up. This helps build your brand as someone they will know, like, and trust.
Action: Go to a local trade show or network group in your area. Collect the business cards and start a Community File.

7. Know your Competition.
Who IS your competition. Do you have any? Do not fly blind. Position yourself in your area as the leader.
Action 1: Do some research. Find out who is doing what you want to be doing.
Action 2: Proctor and Gamble’s template for positioning. For (your audience) (your name) is a (category) which provides (main benefit) unlike (primary competitor) which provides (competitor’s main benefit.) For an engaged couple, Jen O’Sullivan is a Boutique Wedding Photographer who provides a vip wedding experience from the first meeting to the wedding day to the first baby photos unlike most photographers who stop at just the wedding day.
or here is one from Marty Neumeier: Our (product or service offering) is the only (category) that (benefit). Jen O’Sullivan is the only wedding photographer that you will want to be at every life event from the wedding day on.

8. How Catchy is your Catch Phrase?
What is a catch phrase? Making Memories out of Moments. Simple. Flowey. Boring! Obvious.
This should be fun, out of the ordinary, and… get this… CATCHY. Hmm. ?
Do you have an elevator speech? What is an elevator? Something to bring you up quickly and effortlessly. What do you say when someone asks you what you do for a living? Do you explain too short? Too long? Do they get inspired or trail off into a daydream while you babble on.
Action: Create your own Catch Phrase and Elevator Speech. Click HERE for instructions.

9. Consistency is King.
Some of you change a lot. You bounce back and forth on everything you design. You could not tell me what font you use and you seem to design something new every time you put out a new brochure. This is death to your brand. You need to figure it out AND STICK WITH IT!
Action: Pull up your website or sites on the same screen and lay out ALL your marketing materials in front of the computer. Now take a look at it all. Does it look like it goes together or are there inconsistencies. Work it out!

10. Look Up.
Often finding a mentor is the best thing you could do. Coaching is where it is at for new entrepreneurs. Do you ever see a pro team without a coach, or an Olympic athlete without a coach. Why are you without a coach? They inspire you. Tell you to get back on your feet when you are down and out. They help you through hard times and give you a push when you need it. They can give you much needed insight into the area you are working towards.
Action: Consider asking a few people in your industry that you look up to if they coach or mentor?

If you are a wedding photographer I have one of the most incredible coaching and mentoring programs available. Why is it the MOST incredible? Well, most photo mentorship programs or workshops will run you $300-$400 per class. I have seen some 2-3 day workshops going for $1000 on up. I have also seen some that are $3,500. They can get pretty pricey. I am not saying they are not worth it, however most people when they are just starting out do not have that kind of disposable cash. You NEED to invest in your business but you also need to be smart about every single dollar you spend. My mentorship program is only $400 for 4 whole months. This will include 4 live sessions with me along with access to me throughout the 4 months through email to help with anything you need. I do not know of anyone else who offers this kind of help at this price. I only allow 12 students in and we are almost full. I hope to see you in my program. Email me for more info. jen@jenosullivan.com You will thank yourself in August!

Here is the schedule for the upcoming classes:

Tuesday April 6th Why Weddings? (An Introduction to the Wedding Series)
Tuesday April 13th How to NOT Keep Up With the Jones’s (Balancing Family and Career)
Tuesday April 20th (NO CLASS! It’s my anniversary!)
Tuesday April 27th Tips for a Great Engagement Portrait Session

Shootouts and Workshops included in the Mentoring program:

Saturday April 22nd 2:30-7:00pm Charity Engagement Shootout
Friday May 21st 2:30-3:30 Setting Up a Portrait Studio
Tuesday, June 8th 5:00-8:00pm Bridal Shootout
Tuesday, July 13th 4-9pm Benefit Moc Wedding

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Sometimes we need a little Peace

Jen — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:40:37 +0000

There is nothing more peaceful than a two year old at rest. Especially a 2 year old boy. There is a lot to be learned from simply watching a child sleep. Generally speaking I am an upbeat positive person who honestly likes to help people. I get a ton of support from my family and friends who know first hand how crazy my life is. I love my life! I love my family! I am passionate about what I do for a living and I think that upsets people sometimes. Upsets them because they want it too and can’t seem to get it, or they are afraid to take the steps necessary to get there. There is a lot of change in this world and things move at a pretty fast clip. I encourage every one of you to just get yourself out there. Move forward. Do whatever it takes. And most of all find peace in your life, however small, just make sure you find it.

Blessings, always!

~ Jen

Pre-production day for Unveiled

Jen — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:58:42 +0000

Unveiled is the newest hottest wedding show happening this month! We just had our prep meeting and I am super excited to be a part of it all. Here is the skinny: It is on March 28th from 11am to 4pm on Melrose Place. They are literally shutting down the street for this event. Check out their website for more info: http://www.unveiledevent.com/what.html Here are some quick shots of the meeting with owner of Plan A Events, Tarin Wilson at the helm.

To a Wonderful Twenty-ten!

Jen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:47:09 +0000

It is unbelievable that another year has gone by. I can honestly say that this has been such an amazingly transforming year! I owe many thanks to my insanely supportive family, friends, colleagues, and most of all my muse and baby boy, Jacob of whom this page is adorned with his likeness from 2009. Below are some of the highlights of my past year

January I started an ongoing monthly contest on Facebook called “Best of Wedding Photography” which has grown to over 1,000 members. I also turned 35 this year. Yikes!

February I taught the first ever offered Wedding Photography class at College of the Canyons in Valencia, California. It was standing room only and the most fun I have ever had teaching a semester long class.

April Tim and I celebrated our 5th anniversary on April 20th and our 17th “together” anniversary on April 23rd. This month I won two prestigious awards: “Best of Weddings 2008/2009 Pick” through The Knot and the “Bride’s Choice Award” through Wedding Wire.

May I changed my company’s name from Save The Date Photo to Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography. New logo, new website, overall new me! Best change I could have made! http://www.jenosullivan.com

June I co-launched a new company called Event Pros International dedicated to bringing the best wedding and event specialists together. http://www.eventprosinternational.com

July This month I launched a photography school called ASAP Mentoring where I mentor budding photographers. My students are phenomenal and so fun to work with! http://www.asapmentoring.com

August I launched my “Green” wedding photography options through my wedding photo business. Photography may seem an odd fit for going green, so feel free to check it out on my main website. http://jenosullivan.com/eco-friendly-green-weddings/

September I participated in this year’s Wedding Salon at the London Hotel. I normally do not do wedding shows, but this one takes the cake! It was my favorite by far and I look forward to doing it again next year! Also in September, my superhero husband, Tim turned 36! Double yikes!!

October This October’s Bookbinding Workshops that I teach at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena have been more packed than ever with over 90 students enrolled this term bringing my yearly total to over 300! This was my tenth year teaching this class and I still love it! http://www.littlebookbindery.com

December My son, and inspiration turned 2 on New Year’s Eve day. What fun to watch him start to really understand life!

Seeing 2009 come to a close seemed almost impossible as many of the thoughts and colors of the year have blurred into a beautiful whirlwind trail of energy. God has been overly generous to my family and I pray for more great things to come in 2010. May God bless your health, home, family, business, and well being in the coming year. To joy, peace, love, happiness, and most of all tons and tons of laughter!

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism. She is known for her beautifully captured emotion filled moments, stunning details, and imagery that has a storybook feel.

Jen O’Sullivan, LLC | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Photo Tip: Photographing Toddlers

Jen — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:07:43 +0000

I am blessed to have a toddler who is very normal: he won’t sit still for photos. How to get them to stay put, now that is the question. Toddlers, while not well versed in their speaking skills are, in fact, quite able to understand what we say. A recent photo I took of Jacob was only captured because quite literally bribed him. He would not sit on the chair and while he was casually walking away I asked him in a calm voice that if he sat back on the chair and let me take a few photos of him that I would give him an M&M. He stopped in his tracks, turned around, walked right back to the chair, climbed up, sat down, and stared right at me. He actually let me have at it for 5 minutes and then wanted his prize. I am not saying you should regularly bribe children, but as a photographer, you will want to check with the parents before hand what the best thing to offer their toddler may be in a tough situation. Toddlers, while smart, are the most stubbornly illogical and irrational people on the planet. If you want a good photo, you have to pull a few tricks and treats out of your sleeve. The above shots were taken as a result of the offered M&M.

Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer based out of Beverly Hills, California.
She specializes in alternative, photojournalistic wedding photography and is known for capturing the unique definitive moments during your event.

Jen O’Sullivan, LLC | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 626-379-2253

Wedding Salon

Jen — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:09:27 +0000

I had such a wonderful time participating in this year’s Wedding Salon at The London Hotel in West Hollywood. There were so many incredible wedding specialists there and I had the opportunity to speak with some of the most stylish brides and grooms on the planet! I look forward to working with many of you!

Jen is a boutique wedding photographer based out of Beverly Hills, California.
She specializes in alternative, photojournalistic wedding photography and is known for capturing the unique definitive moments during your event.
Copyright © 2009 by Jen O’Sullivan http://www.jenosullivan.com

Jacob’s Sunday Best

Jen — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:22:50 +0000

Little Man, Jacob is a brave kid. He climbs up the craziest things and oddly seems to have perfect balance so far. I once caught him standing on his bedroom window sill. My heart just about fell onto the floor! When on the playground, he is very aware of the drop distance and always seems to contemplate his potential success rate.