It’s amazing–the larger I grow, the more I’m noticed! In Wal-Mart, at a restaurant (!), mowing my lawn without a shirt . . .my extra size makes me harder to miss. The Bulkier Bill also tends to move slower. I certainly don’t change directions as quickly as I used to. Former Bill–merely two thirds the man I am now–occasionally enjoyed scaling new heights as a rock-climber.

In my previous post, I told you about the big change at Beyond Photography–closing the storefront–and answered the “why?” question. I then promised to explain some of the “how-to” questions in this post. How will our business operate differently? In a word–skinnier.

The size of our studio has made us much more noticeable, but it’s difficult for us to move as well as we’d like.

Since opening our doors, we’ve operated as a traditional portrait/retail studio. This way of operating requires a high volume of customers, and must provide a good product to anyone. While there’s nothing wrong with this sort of business, it’s not what Sheree and I want, and it’s not what most of our clients want. I’ve been at the helm of a growing business, and frankly–I’m no good at being big! Most of my time is spent handling the details of running a business [if not for Sheree & Alana, we‘d be totally sunk!]. Photographically, I’m delivering good work to a high volume. A large business can be really good for any client. I’d like to be fantastic for a few. I wanna be skinny! Here is what the new, skinnier Beyond Photography will look like.

1. All of our contact information is still the same! If you’re reading this, you’re logged onto the best way to know everything that’s happening. We’ll still send mailers, but they’ll cover only a fraction of the information you’ll find at the website. Phone numbers & email won’t change.

2. As always, we’ll still shoot most of our work outdoors. You’ll find us at some really fabulous locations–in-state, throughout the country, and even internationally!

3. Our studio sessions, those you’ve seen in our shootroom, will now take place . . .at your home! Don’t’ think that your home can accommodate us? We’ll also regularly assemble our “shootroom” at some local businesses.

4. Thematic events/Quick Pics such as Easter, Christmas, Santa, etc., will be hosted at these local businesses, or at an outdoor locale. [Take note of the Days of Summer/Watermelon event on the calendar.]

5. How will we take portrait orders? Formerly, we’d schedule a time for clients to visit the studio, and project the images on the wall. While there, we’d walk through the session as the client placed their order. This process will stay the same, except we’ll take the projector to your home! As we discuss wall portraits, we’ll know exactly the size appropriate for the place it will hang.

6. When it’s time to deliver your portraits [yes, we’ll still sell frames], I’ll deliver them! If needed, we’ll discuss the shipping of your portraits via UPS.

7. What about the work itself? At the risk of sounding pompous . . . I think the quality of our photography is now better than ever [with great strides ahead!]. Over the last 30 months, I’ve spent a good deal of time [and money] on my own training as a Photographer. I know how to create a higher caliber of work, and now I’m committed to working only at that level.

In our bulky business, I’ve created a high volume of good work. As I get “skinnier,” and give each client more focused attention, I’m excited to create great work. Without a doubt–no one is as critical of my work as me. . .and I’ll only deliver work that I think is great. Will you see a difference? Stay tuned for the next blog entry. You’ll see.

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

Almost 7 years ago, Sheree and I opened the doors of Beyond Photography. It was an exciting beginning, and the excitement has only grown! We’re grateful for the fabulous people who’ve been with us since then, and for those who’ve joined in along the way. I’d love to take credit for the way I have built our business bigger and bigger. In reality, the people who hire us have grown our business! [Not to mention–if not for Sheree’s smarts, we’d have gone under in 4 months.]

That beginning is now ending . . . and another new beginning is here!

If you haven’t heard, we are closing our studio storefront. You can still find us at the present space, but only until the end of April. No–we are not going out of business! Beyond Photography is still a full-time studio, but soon to operate without a storefront. Check soon for the video on our site that explains the big change. I’m also blogging about the changes, trying to answer the questions I’ve heard. Before I explain the pragmatics/nuts & bolts of operating without a storefront, let me answer the “Why?” question. Why would we voluntarily choose to close the storefront of a growing business? It’s a professional and personal move. Let me start with the professional aspect.

100 years ago, when I was in Ninth Grade, I took my first Algebra class. It was so much fun, I decided to go through Algebra I–twice. [I like to think of it as "Algebra squared"] I’ve never been good with numbers. [Ironically, those classes taught me much about letters–letters like "D" and "F"] Conversely, I always enjoyed my English and Literature classes . . . and I found them fairly easy.

Like most, I spent time trying to strengthen my weaknesses [math], and coasted through my strengths [English]. It seems like a good strategy–find your shortcomings, and spend your best energy strengthening them. Right? Now that I’m older, I think it’s a good strategy . . . to make someone brilliantly mediocre, and to remain constantly frustrated.

Operating a studio storefront has been a tremendous education! I don’t have the time to list the reasons that I’m glad that we started in a studio. The storefront has clearly illustrated my strengths and weaknesses. We are now at a point in our growth that we’ve outgrown the need for a studio. It’s time to maximize our strengths. As soon as the storefront closes, I’ll have much more time! I’m looking forward to using this time to better serve my clients, and shoot the portraits I’ve envisioned, but haven’t had the proper time to create. Closing the storefront will dramatically decrease the volume of work we produce, and that’s okay. I’m excited to be great for a few people, instead of good for many.

On a personal level, it’s time for me to be great for a few people who matter most: Sheree, Carson, Harrison and Bella Grace.

As the studio has grown, I have desperately tried to operate it to the level my clients deserve [and done a really poor job of it–working in my weakness]. I am unspeakably grateful for the growth of the studio! Most of the new faces we see are people who’ve heard about us through a friend. That introduction is the highest compliment. Thank you!

My family has enjoyed the blessings of our growth . . . and also suffered through an exhausted, removed father/husband. I’m in a unique position to visit with many, many parents and grandparents. As we talk about their kids/grandkids, I hear the same thing every time: “It goes by too fast! Enjoy every minute of your little ones being little.” I always nod my head, think about the fun my kids are . . . and then I get back to work.

I know several men who work nonstop, and wear that as a badge of honor. They find satisfaction in the bonuses, the luxuries, the salary. It makes sense to me–I want all of those things, too! For the last few years, I have worked 7 days a week from October through mid-December. My day typically started around 4 a.m., stopped for about 2 hours for dinner & “family time,” then back to work till midnight. I’m thankful for the work, and I’m thankful for the money. At the end of the day, though, I wear my badges of honor: My 6-year-old has never been fishing. My 4-year-old has never gone camping. My 2-year-old girl has never served Daddy at a tea party. My wife gets the emotional leftover of an exhausted husband. My previous boss and dear friend told me several years ago: “Give your best to your work, but don’t give away your 100%.” Now I understand.

When we look at where we’ve been, and project where we’re going, the future looks great! We’re at an important crossroads in our business. To continue this growth, we need to hire a full-time employee, and a part-time/seasonal employee. Those employees would free up my time to spend more time behind the camera, and more time in Photoshop . . . and less time for my family.

So for us, we’re growing bigger by getting smaller. I’ll shoot fewer appointments, but give much bigger attention to those clients. In the next blog, I’ll explain some of the “how-to’s.” How will I meet clients? How will I help someone place their order? How will I host a seasonal event [Easter, Christmas, etc.]? How will clients contact me? How will I shoot a “studio” session? I’m proud to announce: All of those things are about to be better than they’ve ever been! This move is the best thing I can do for my clients. The blog after that, I’ll show you how the work itself will improve [buckle your seatbelt!]. Stay tuned. This new beginning is the start of something wonderful!

Disclaimer, just in case my parents & former teachers are reading: I really didn’t try very hard, at all, to strengthen the math weakness.