I’ve been going back and forth with the idea of “giving back” to the photography industry for a while now. I’ve received many emails, Facebook messages and in-person questions from other photographers and aspiring photographers about equipment, starting a business, creating a website, and lots of other things that go along being a professional photog. I absolutely love helping everyone that approaches me with questions, so I have no problem sharing my knowledge and experience. I actually think it helps me grow in my own photography biz and it definitely feels good to help others.

I’ve often wondered if I should turn this help into a workshop or some sort of class, but I was afraid of growing the competition and “giving away my secrets”. Then a friend reminded me (thanks, Heather!) of two things…1) No one can be me; I can teach skills and share tips, but no one else will ever have my personality, my business practices, my specific artistic eye and the experience I offer to clients all bundled up in on package and 2) There aren’t really any secrets in this industry; I’m not doing anything that somebody else hasn’t already tried. WHOA! Two big light bulbs for me! This push me a bit furthered, but it still wasn’t enough. Not until last week.

Katelyn James and Justin & Mary, two (well, really they’re three!) photographers that I follow, both shared their take on “giving back” to the industry…or “pay it forward”. They are strong believers that helping others in the industry will only help your business, not hurt it. They believe that “we’re better together” and contributing to making the industry as a whole better. Justin & Mary specifically challenged their blog readers to go out and help another photographer. I took that as a sign and am doing just that.

With MENTOR MEETINGS! This is something super new for JFP and I’m excited to announce it on the blog today. I’ve always been a “helping” kind of person and I love talking about photography and my business, so I think this is a great addition! I’ll also get to meet new people, grow in my strengths (maybe even my weaknesses) and give back to an industry that has and will continue to help me with my photography journey. If it weren’t for people like Katelyn, Justin & Mary, my mom and the two photographers that I second shot for before starting my biz, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It only seems right to take what I’ve learned and help others…to make this industry better!

So why “mentor meetings”? Recently, one person specifically asked me if I could be her mentor as she started her photography journey, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do with these meetings…is, by definition, be an “experienced adviser and supporter” for those that are less experienced. Besides, it has a little ring to it, don’t ya think? Mentor Meetings. 🙂

These mentor meetings are for anyone that is a photographer or who aspires to be a photographer. Whether you have a business or not, you’re invited! We can certainly talk business and marketing, but that doesn’t need to be part of the meeting. We can talk about lighting, posing, equipment, shooting manually…anything! It’s all about what you want to learn! We’ll meet for 2-3 hours, do some chatting, evaluating and idea-creating, and then actually get outside and shoot together. I’ll take pictures of you and you can take pictures of me…and you’ll walk away with some fabulous new headshots (for Facebook or your website)! I also want you to walk away with a better understanding of your camera, new shooting techniques and ambitious “next moves” for your photography journey or business…and we’ll write those down together.

Does this sound like something you’d be interested in!?! I sure hope so because I’m excited to help and meet new photographers! Here are the details (in addition to the ones above…don’t I look all mentor-y in the pictures?? Ha!)…

2-Hour Meeting w/out shooting
– Available on Monday and Wednesday evenings
– $125

3-Hour Meeting w/shooting & headshots
– Available on weekends
– $225

I have dates ready to go for November and December, so contact me via email (jessica@jessicafikephotography.com) if you’re interested in signing up! Of course I plan to offer these meetings through the winter, but my availability will lessen once the 2013 wedding season starts again in the spring.

But before we go, let’s have a little contest to give away one 3-hour meeting for FREE! Leave a comment on this post letting me know why you want to have a mentor meeting and I’ll choose one winner at random to join me before the new year! *Meeting must take place within an hour of Morgantown, WV.

So who wants to make the photography industry better with me!?! 🙂