Stories and Insights: CanvasRebel

Recently, a cool online magazine called CanvasRebel reached out to me for a feature on their site. Like the visual stories I document in family portraits and in my commercial photography, CanvasRebel’s About page begins (and I totally agree): “Your story matters.”

Their stated mission is “to create a space for artists, creatives and entrepreneurs to be able to learn from their peers through the magic and power of storytelling.” Their interviews highlight stories that “illustrate the nitty-gritty details of what it takes to be successful day to day, how to build and grow a client base, recruit, train and manage a team or generate a living from your art. From the soap you use, the clothes you wear, the coffee you drink to the gym you frequent and art you hang on your walls – there are an infinite number of ways to support the independent artists, makers and small business owners who make our communities amazing places to live and work.”

Anyway, providing thoughtful answers to the deep, open-ended questions they posed was a lot like composing a blog, so it makes sense to copy-paste here. Enjoy! (Read below or check it out at this link where it actually lives!).

STORIES & INSIGHTS

Meet Megan Blasdel

MAY 12, 2022

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Megan Blasdel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Megan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

About 5 years ago I would have described myself as a successful photographer with a flexible schedule and two kids under the age of 3. I would have also described myself as tired- both from raising tiny humans and from being overworked. And if I was hoenst with myself, my “flexible schedule” meant being chained to my desk for 12-14 hours a day, and any deviation from that meant putting in 3am all-nighters.

In addition to the burn-out I was feeling, a look at my tax returns that year made me realize that there is a big difference between being popular and being successful. In order to be a more present parent, I knew I needed to change something about how I was running my operations- at that time, I was photographing on location, editing photographs on my home computer, and sending those images via an online gallery. This is how all of my local photog-friends did it, after all, and I based my pricing according to where I felt my skill set fell within the local talent pool. I realize now that was a big mistake, but like I always say, “you don’t know what you don’t know,” and hindsight is 20/20.

The universe must have been telling me it was time to level-up, because during all of this, I ran past a discussion of a business concept called “IPS,” which stands for “In-Person Sales.” With this business model, the price points are higher and so is the time investment per client, and because of this, many creatives are not interested in learning more; they mistakenly think there isn’t a market for what IPS photographers have to offer. But I am a “no risk, no reward” kind of human, so after running a Cost of Doing Business Calculator (which was a huge eye opener on what I should have been charging all along), I decided to jump into IPS with both feet. Cue me being “the first one” in the group, and one of the few in the area, to launch off into this way of serving my clients.

Was it scary? Yes. Was it exciting? Yes. Has it opened up amazing opportunities for growth and income? Also, yes. Three months after I started In-Person Sales, I took another leap of faith and signed the lease on my first studio. Four years later, I now have my own studio on my country property (a pipe dream I’ve had for almost 10 years), a part-time assistant, and two contract photographers that I hire as needed.

Sure, there were learning curves and money mistakes along the way, and there were a few years that required almost more time and effort than when I was just offering digital galleries. However, what I have gained is a client base who I can call friends; I make real connections and solve real problems for them. I employ people and help them reach their own personal goals, and somehow, I have become a go-to for business advice in the local photog-community. My studio has allowed me to grow in my craft, and I can now officially call this a career, and not just a side hustle. The IPS business model isn’t for everyone, but I’m so glad I took the risk and did something against the norm. The rewards have been more than I could have anticipated!

Megan , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Megan Blasdel, and I am a South-Houston based family and senior photographer. I specialize in a full-service experience, which means my team and I help with everything from wardrobe styling, to planning sessions that perfectly reflect our clients’ personalities, to creating custom products for their homes. We can design full wall displays or coffee table books, and all are heirloom quality so they can be passed down to future generations.

Clients can expect a boutique customer-service experience in a laid-back style. Our goal is to make life easier for busy families, so they can spend more time making memories, and less time figuring out how to hold onto them.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I will admit the way I built my reputation in my was organic and not a conscious act on my part. But sitting down to think about it, the main ways I did it was via the Two C’s (of which i just coined): community involvement and consistency.

Even when I wasn’t the best at my craft, my community knew I would show up for them. I built a reputation for being a giver (something that is still a cornerstone of my brand), and people like to support the people who support their town. Consistency was also key because clients know what they will receive when they choose to work with me- from communication to turnaround time to finished product. The finished product has changed as I’ve grown in my business, but the rest has stayed the same. Over time, the Two C’s made me a trustworthy choice among my potential client base.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I swear by “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.” by Jen Sincero. I listened to it on audiobook- actually, I’ve listened to it three times now and every time I get something new out of it.

It covers everything from money mindset to believing you are both worthy and capable of realizing your big dreams, and it even teaches you how to adjust your mindset to start that journey. It’s a down-to-earth approach that works- I’m proof of it!

Lilleys on the Field

Elishia Lilley booked new family portraits with great forethought as to how to display the finished art. I’m really honored that my work will get to fill the custom-renovated niche they built! Style-wise, they also gave me some pointers as to their vision for the perfect portraits: main idea was something casual and livable — something rural, but not a full-on Boot-Scootin’-Boogie vibe. The park location was a great fit, as were their wardrobe choices. Elishia and McKenzee coordinated in red sweaters, while Sean kept to a rustic business-casual with just a hint of red in the plaid button-down.

Joining the family were two fur-babies: Kona, a 50-pound mix with lots of lab and retriever, and Sumi, a 25-pound mini golden doodle. They were so excited to be included! In fact, it took a while to get these wiggly pups settled, but once we did, it was 100% worth the wait! We loved the whole gallery and all its prints, and we can’t wait for their unboxing reaction.

Loving Role Models

Mom and Dad are the first big stars in our lives. We draw crayon tributes to them in childhood, and once we leave the nest in adulthood, we can cherish them again via years of photos documenting our lives with them. Sometimes, though, it’s important to schedule a professional session. Professional portraits can bring out the best in their subjects by optimizing the moment, the lighting, and more. Our client Nikki was excited to bring her parents in for a session with Megan at Jack Brooks Park in November 2021. You can see the sweet moments she froze in time- moments that kids and grandkids already cherish!

We were thrilled, when after seeing their gallery, Nikki said “the photos were absolutely beautiful and we will treasure them forever.” We were happy to be able to capture these special moments for you!

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Sleeping Willow

Everything about this session had an enchanted forest vibe — perfect for a cute little sprout named Willow!

Even Voice-Actors Need Headshots

Maybe some day, business cards will be sophisticated enough to play recorded greetings. But 'til then, aspiring voice-actors, podcasters, and radio hosts will still need professional photographs to help convey their personalities to would-be employers and investors.

The main idea of Hunter’s session was to get some sophisticated, fine-art style headshots. Along with that, we also took some time to grab some social media content- ones that showcase his laid-back, casual side. Dressed up or dressed down, indoors or out, glasses or sans, this client exudes awareness and a can-do attitude. We can vouch for his excellent communication skills, too: since he was so good at articulating what he needed, we were able to create a custom package that turned out to be a perfect fit!

With the session completed, edited, and delivered, recent graduate Hunter Guidroz is ready to launch! I’m both excited and honored to help put a face to the name (and the voice) of this super-cool guy! Check out his website: https://www.hunterguidroz.com