As an entrepreneur, you wake up every day with the passion, determination, and willpower to do work that matters and leaves a meaningful impact on the world. But those days are often coupled with exhausted, grueling work that sometimes feels like the needle just isn't moving. Sometimes that feeling isn't just days, it feels like months, and for many, it's felt like that for years. So what can small business owners do, or where can creatives go to get recharged, find inspiration, and get connected with other people like them to stay motivated along this journey?

Conferences—more specifically, Spark, the conference for Showit creatives.

So what is Spark, anyway? It's the new Showit user conference for creative small businesses. After 10 years of experience hosting the United Conference for photographers, we recognized the value of creating a conference where every creative person could connect with others, learn with others, and recharge their businesses.  Creative businesses want to thrive, and we believe that top-notch education and genuine, in-person connection, is how we can help you build or re-energize your business so it’s thriving. 

So why should you attend Spark? Well, for countless reasons, but here are 5 really important ones!

1. Get the energy boost you need to keep running your business.

If you get the feeling that your business is running you and not the other way around, you need to be at Spark this year.  Being present at Spark this year will kindle new ideas and new relationships that could quite literally spark new life into your business. With that kind of energy, you'll have more time for the things that really matter in your life, and growing your business will no longer feel like a gas guzzler!  Don't let your business be a rut you're stuck in, or an endless cycle of exhaustion. Come join us and get the boost you need to take your business to new places.

2. Discover your people. 

The entrepreneurs' journey tends to feel like an isolated one. We completely understand. Here’s the good news: Spark is a place where creatives gather, connect and recharge. We've built communities around Showit for the past 10 years, hosting a conference for photographers, but also included creatives from other industries to invest in them. Now with Spark, there is a place to build new relationships with others who share similar experiences and know what it means to build and operate a creative business.  Together, you can build each other up, learn from one another and make this whole running a creative business thing not feel like a deserted island you have to survive on. 

3.  Get real, practical advice on how to make your business successful.  

If you’re going to spend your time and money to learn at a conference, you want to make sure you’re going to get a meaningful return on that investment—1000% agree. Spark is going to be full of some of the creative industry's best educators, who are coming to pour everything they've learned through experience into you and your business for 4 days!  From Sunday to Wednesday, you'll be taking notes and learning from educators who have been where you've been and built creative businesses from the ground up. So you can rest assured that when you leave, you’ll have new tools you can use to build a thriving, sustainable business.

4. Get the tools to give your site the makeover it needs.

Let’s be honest. We couldn’t create a conference without talking about websites. It’s literally what we do! Here at Showit, we love websites, but even more than that, we love making websites WORK for you!  Our support pros will be on-site and available at the  Showit Support Bar. Additionally there will be hands-on learning labs with some of our amazing Design Partners to equip you with the tools to build the website of your dreams. Get the website you've been working on in your spare time out of the dark and launched into the world.  

5.  Now is the time to invest in yourself.  

You want to know how successful, creative small business owners do it? How do they make it look so easy, or always seem to know the right people, or end up in the right place at the right time? It’s not a coincidence, it's an investment. Successful people invest in themselves—personally and professionally. While investing in your business is great for taxes (hello write offs!), investing in business education is essential to growth.  This year, we have leading creatives, educators, and business strategists, like Natalie Franke, Jasmine Star, Danielle Coke and many others to share their wisdom, share their hearts, and share their tools so that  you get the spark that leads to new life and new heights in your business. 

Are you convinced yet? Trust us, Spark is THE conference you want to be at this November. Spark will be held at the Buttes Resort in Tempe, Arizona from November 6-9th, 2022. To make sure you don't miss it, REGISTER TODAY.

Do you resolve every month to take amazing photos of your kids without a fancy camera? If think you need to be a professional, you are wrong! To take better photos of your kids, you just have to know the tricks of the professionals! Just a few tricks, in fact, and you'll be shooting on that iPhone like it's a DSLR in no time. So get ready for ten tips for taking better photos of your kids!

Honestly, you DON'T need your DSLR hanging around all the time. It might even be weighing you down with guilt! Do you think the only way to get amazing images of your kids is to haul it around in your diaper bag? Cause you are wrong! Just to be clear – this is NOT a good idea, you will quickly learn by pulling sticky things off your lenses. Plus, let's be honest, those things are HEAVY! Get the job done in a way that also compliments your chaotic lifestyle chasing kids, and running a business!

Just a few tricks, in fact, and you'll be shooting on that iPhone like it's a DSLR in no time! The results of taking better photos of your kids? Amazingly frame-able photos of your kiddos straight from your phone! Here's some of favorite tips of the professionals for taking better photos of your kiddos!

“The best camera you've got is the one you've got with you.”

-Said every professional photographer who also has kids…

Psst…just a note – these images were all shot on an iPhone X or older. “The best camera you've got is the one you've got with you.” Don't skim over the amount of truth that is in this statement. Like we mentioned earlier, don't shy away from using your phone thinking it isn't good enough. Don't do that. Yes – you!

1. Find Inspiration

Maybe you are wanting some nostalgic photos. Then look to find inspiration in Norman Rockwell's work. Did you know he was actually a photographer as well? He pieced his paintings and illustrations together using original photographs he took himself. So there you go. You are on your way to being the next Norman Rockwell!

2. Don't Rush It

Make it stress free by making sure you're not in a hurry, giving your kids simple cues like “give each other a hug” that are playful and fun. Have low expectations of everyone, including yourself. Instead of “We are going to take great photos!”, approach it with “we're going to take a walk and I'm taking my camera.”

3. Find Beauty in the Everyday

Take a minute to find the beauty in everyday life. Try challenging yourself to document the daily activities you do together. Everything from breakfast to bath time can turn into a beautiful opportunity! Playtime is usually one of the best times to have your camera handy!

4. Understand Composition

Composition is everything! Often times, parents tend to photograph REALY close to the action. I encourage everyone to take one up close, but then, take a step back to see the whole picture. Using leading lines or ‘the rule of thirds' can add a lot of interest to your images.

5. Let the Light Shine

Good light – the actual secret to finding great light is to look at the faces. Good light is achieved when the face is lit evenly (no bright spots or shadow spots). Pro tip – if they're squinting – it's too bright. Take a look around and find a nice shadow on the ground and place them there. I always look for shade or use a rising or setting sun.

6. What's That Behind You?

Find great backgrounds! Great backgrounds are found in so many places! Great backgrounds are simple, free of distractions and easily separate your subject from the background. Walls can be used as great backdrops for photos – however, they can also be challenging. They may make the photo look super flat. If you're using a wall, have your subjects take two to three big steps forward. This helps your subject to not get lost in the wall.

7. Get Down!

Get down on their level! Make sure your lens is even with their eyes. This helps make sure your subjects are photographed at a flattering angle! This goes for getting great photos of your kids, as well as any subject you are photographing.

8. Are You Ready?

Have a camera ready at all times. If you have one, keep a DSLR in your living area as well as your phone with you when you're doing activities around the house. Whichever camera is closest, that's the one to grab!

9. Be a Storyteller

Focus on the story – your photos can tell important stories. A first flight, the relationship between siblings or friends, and with parents! Which leads us to our last tip to taking better photos of your kids…

10. How do You Want to be Remembered?

Get yourself in there! Use mirrors, selfie mode, or have a friend or family member take a photo of you, too! Someday your kids will look back on these images and want to see your face too! Don't worry about looking perfect, or wondering if you are a narcissist for taking selfies. These are memories for your family to treasure forever!

Most important tip to taking good pics of your kids

Remember that great memories aren't made up of perfect photographs. Your images don't have to be perfect to hold deep value. So don't worry about chocolate stains on your child's face – or even on yours! But these tips can help you to get closer to photos you're proud to pass down. So, go on now and take better photos of your kids!

If you are looking for more inspiration, check out this Pinterest Board filled with images of kids and families!

And if you are wanting some more photography tips, this is a great article on shooting in bright light! (remember tip 5!)

Are you a wedding photographer looking for new clients? Well then, it's time to get your hashtag on! We have broken down 15 Social Media Hashtags for Wedding Photographers to use when posting to attract more clients.

Hashawhhaaa?

Hashtags on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter can help boost your networking opportunities along. It will also help your ideal bride to find you! And along those same lines, using hashtags can instantly connect you with vendors and publications as well. Applying smart hashtags to your posts is one of the fastest ways to grow your business.

No Research Needed

Bonus, it requires very little time. Presently, it requires even less since we have done the work for you!

Our Community Development Team spends a lot for time online connecting with wedding photographers, such as yourselves. Over the years, we have come to see patterns and movement within certain groups of hashtags. Below you will find a complete list of hashtags for wedding photographers to use on your social media platforms. Moreover, please note hashtags work particularly well when concentrating on Instagram. So, no worries. We've got your back. Our team has done the research, so you don't have to!

Quick Tip

This may seem like old news to some of you, so if you have been using hashtags religiously to boost your Instagram game, then skip past this tip. But for our beloved newbie entrepreneurs, we have a simple tip on how to post hashtags quickly and painlessly.

Open up the ‘Notes App' in your phone. Starting a new page, you want to add all of your hashtags. You are allowed to use up to 30 hashtags per caption. That doesn't mean you have to use that many, and it also doesn't mean you have to use hashtags for every single one of your posts either. So, put all the hashtags that you use the most frequently in your notes, and then you can copy and paste them into your caption. Or better yet, to not make your caption look too cluttered, post your hashtags in the first comment under your caption.

Big Fish in a small Wedding Photographer Pond or Vice Versa

When applying hashtags to your images, Instagram will show you how many times each tag gets used. Making use of an oft used hashtag will likely increase searches for that particular hashtag. Be that as it may, many will argue that a less used hashtag will allow you to stand out. The question to ask yourself is if you want to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond. Might we suggest to splash around a bit in both ponds?

Location, Location, Location

No matter which side you choose on the pond discussion, it is imperative that you do focus on your location. For example, if you want to attract people getting married in Dallas, TX, you could use some of the following hashtags: #dallaswedding, #dallasweddingphotographer, #dallasbride, #texasbride… In the same way, you can search locations and other hashtags that are popular in the area you have chosen to focus your business in. Kenny Kim, a renowned destination photographer, once shared that he took a picture of a beautiful church he saw, so he took a picture of the church, used location specific hashtags, and a bride contacted him because that was the church she had chosen to get married in and looked for hashtags related to it. That is how powerful these hashtags can be if you use them properly!

Top 15 Wedding Photography Hashtags

1. Wedding photography related hashtags: #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #weddingphotos #weddingphoto
2. Your couple's hashtag : Your couple's custom hashtag means reaching directly to the bridesmaids, groomsmen and attendees of the wedding you're posting. This can often serve as an excellent way to attract future brides similar to your current bride. More often than not, a bride's friends turns into future brides for the photographer who really works their stuff during – and after, the wedding!
3. Wedding day related hashtags : #weddingday #wedding #realwedding #weddingdetails #weddingflorals #thedailywedding
4. Style hashtags : These hashtags can help you attract your ideal client by reaching the style of wedding they're searching for. #vintagewedding #elegantwedding #luxewedding #rusticwedding #bohowedding
5. Bride and groom hashtags : #couplesportraits #weddingcouple #bride #groom #brideandgroom
6. Wedding party hashtags: #bridalparty #bridesmaids #groomsmen #girltribe #tribe
7. Vendor hashtags : using hashtags from vendors can help you connect with them and often, they'll share your work too!
8. Designer hashtags: ring designers, dress, shoes (bride AND groom), tuxedo or suits designers, tag them all.
9. Publications : Publications like #theknot #weddingwire #junebugweddings often connect with photographers through their hashtags! Tag ones you love and that match your style.
10. Wedding details : These are great for attracting brides, as they're often searching these hashtags. #weddingcake #weddingdress #weddingshoes
11. Wedding inspirations : #weddingideas #weddinginspo #receptionideas
12. Descriptive hashtags: #beautiful #love #stunning #gorgeous
13. Location hashtags: Don't forget to tag your locations! Wedding venues and your city, state and other surrounding locations should be included!
14. Branding hashtags: Have hashtags for your brand? Use them! Especially your business name!
15. Photography related hashtags: #photograph #blackandwhite #film #fineartweddings #photo #portraits

At the end of the day, your hashtags will be as unique as your brand. Create your own set of hashtags specifically for your wedding photography business. When you get really hashtag-savvy, come back and we will dive deeper into hash-groups, hash-recall, and maybe we will do it over hash browns! Until then, happy hashing!

All photos by Showiteer Cassie Jones

When it comes to running a business and having a family – things can get a bit muddled. Especially when you have dinner to cook, a house to clean, children to get here and there, along with 5 weddings on your hard-drives to edit, and a double header coming up. It can get overwhelming. And fast. But hey- we've all been there. And isn't this kind of busy-ness better than the alternative? You know – having no weddings to edit and no weddings coming up?

If you're struggling with all the juggling this wedding season – here are three life saving tips that can help get you through with your sanity, and family, intact.

1. Meal Plan / Prep.

   Meal planning can be a game changer. Sitting down at the beginning of the week and planning out your meals saves you time, and sanity – from having to stress out about what you guys are going to eat, and it also saves you money at the grocery store! All the dollars you can save by not picking up more than you need is definitely a game changer. You can also take this game changer to the next level by prepping your meals ahead of time. When you're making chicken pot pie (shout out to the Southerners out there! We hear it's a staple for y'alls) – make two. Or three! Freeze the extras for when the days are long and you're in dire need of a ready-made meal. You can also meal prep your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But if that's just too much planning for your creative brain, rest assured, there's always pop tarts.

2. Blog Ahead.

   Writing blog posts ahead of time can be a huge time saver. If you're in the writing zone, write three or four blogs so that when you're busy pushing out those edits, your blog is already taken care of. To kick this up a notch, go ahead and make that social media calendar you've been needing to settle down on. You can plan out your blog, Instagram and Facebook posts in advance to help you when you're in need of time and motivation. Having 3-4 extra blog posts written as saved drafts can always get you out of a pinch! And if you're really struggling- have a few guest posts. Invite your blogger friends to help you out and get a feature spot to reach a new audience.

3. Rest days.

   We all need rest. Usually we photographers take rest days when it's forced upon us – you know, when you get the flu or some other unplanned sickness. But really, rest days do us a LOT of good if they're planned. Take a day off. Schedule your posts, set your vacation responder on your email and unplug for the day. Have at least one of these a month and enjoy a good book that's not about business. Or re-watch The Notebook for the millionth time. Binge watch Netflix with popcorn and wine. Or take it outside and have a day full of R&R poolside with the kids. Whatever you do to rest and relax, make sure to plan to take the time to do it. It'll do wonders for your life and your business.

As with all things – a plan is a road map to success! Success in your business, but also in your personal life. It doesn't sound very fun or spontaneous. But do you know what is better than fun and spontaneity? Money in the bank, food on the table, and happy people to share your success with!

PC: The talented Cassie Jones of CassieJonesPhotography.com

It's winter. And for many photographers, that means cozying up by the fire with our laptops and a cup of coffee and working hard through those projects we want to get done before busy season starts. We're setting up shop for next year, updating galleries on our websites and our bridal guides, and anxiously waiting for Showit robots to show up.

When we're in this “working hard” stage of our business every year and not out shooting, sometimes our creative appetites aren't being fed. We're starving to do what we love and it can lead us to feelings of un-inspiration and winter doldrums.

We asked Showiteers what they do to stay inspired through the winter months! So while you're making sure 2017 is on the up and up, take a break from working on taxes, and writing blogs for days, and make sure to do a few things for yourself! Feed your creative soul so it doesn't get hangry!

Here are a few great ways how :

Showiteer Loren Jackson of Loren Jackson Photography loves to read books. She reads as many as she can!

Tori Watson says she “takes time to actually read for growth and inspiration. Look to areas outside of my industry for inspiration (home decor & style magazines, etc). Take the time to do other artistic endeavors – DIY art, rearrange home decor, make photobooks & prints of personal work.”

Callie Beale says she loves to “play outside and shoot for fun! I have blogged a few adventures! I've also been reading The Night Circus and I am really loving it! Also, Lara Casey's PowerSheets are just the best thing.”

We came up with our own list, a guide if you will to help you stay inspired! Here are 5 things you can do this winter to help keep you out of the winter blues!

1. Try a new art form. I recently started water coloring and I'm absolutely addicted. Next winter, my goal is to learn hand lettering. Because it's SO PRETTY.
2. Shoot for yourself and challenge yourself. You can find hundreds of photo challenges online, but recently I've really been inspired and challenging myself by taking one awesome photo of my children in our everyday. It's not glamorous at all and requires absolutely zero planning or cleaning, which I love.
3. Take a weekend trip or day trip. If it's not in your budget to jet off to Paris for the week, try finding a place a little closer to home. Go camping, try a new hiking trail. Get lost on back roads intentionally. And don't forget- take your camera!
4. Magazines. Magazines can be one of the best sources of inspiration. Fashion, food, you name it. Even the ads are full of imagery that is beautiful, and cutting edge. And the stories and articles are usually dripping with inspiration. Load up on a few the next time you check out at the supermarket.
5. Write. One of the biggest inspirations for me is to write. Anything and everything. I recently started a journal for my children and I'm absolutely loving going back through and reading it already. Expressing ourselves through words is sometimes hard, but once you get started and keep at it for a while, it becomes easier and easier!

We'd love to hear from you! What are YOU doing to keep your creativity fed this winter?

This past week, we asked Showiteers what their goals were for 2017 and believe me, they didn't disappoint! Setting goals for the new year has always been something that helped drive me through the winter months when shooting is slower and it's much more tempting to snuggle on the couch under fuzzy blankets and cuddle the winter away! If you need some inspiration for your new year's drive, check out what these Showiteers said were their goals for 2017!

Emma Smith : “Lots of vacations.”

Sabrina Fields : “To survive life with a toddler and a newborn (due in February). I feel like all other “goals” I may put in there pale in comparison. If I can keep everyone alive AND keep my business running, then I'll throw an awesome NYE party next year”

Ashley Durham : “Simplify – get rid of stuff in my life I don't need.”

Makayla Jade : Launching our online education program so we can have a pretty little (Showit!) space where photographers can have access to all the tips & tricks we have to offer (and avoid all the awful mistakes we made in our first few years of business)! THERE I said it! Now it must come true right!?

Joanna Moss : “I need to blog more consistently. And organize myself better!!”

We love these goals for 2017! What are yours?!