Starting a business

Yup that's what I'm doing....and its going to be interesting.

The big news! My photography finally has a permanent home, and a name.

Evenstar.

Which took forever to decide on. More on that later.

But for now, check it out --> http://evenstarphotography.com/ or actually http://evenstarphotography.ca/ works too if you're still feeling patriotic after the olympics. Haha.

And you can email me at matt@evenstarphotography.com if you feel like it. Cause that would be fun.

Anyway, I'm just getting started, and its already overwhelming trying to sort stuff out. I'm not enthused about tax season next year.

I've been running ads on Craiglist and Used Victoria, learning how to advertise on Facebook and Google (just made my first ever Facebook ad...we'll see if it works at all) I have it targeted at engaged people who live within 50km of Victoria, which apparently is about 5,000. I pay depending on how many people click on the ad and go to my site. Like I said. We'll see. Kinda skeptical, not gonna lie.

What else...I did Jill and Nic's

engagement pictures

which turned out really well...I'm so happy with them...I was nervous...I mean I have tons of experience with taking pictures and I studied lots and everything, but only a few experiences with the "these pictures are super important so they better be good" type of situation. And yea, I love their pictures actually. They look so cute and happy and well, beautiful, so I am pleased.

Anyway, the good news is I have the intial business investment (basically) in all the equipment that I have collected. And now I have quite a collection of good portraits etc.

The bad news is I have to work on my self promotional skills. Apparently that's what its going to be all about. Which is lame. But hey, I guess people don't just randomly know you're a good photographer. Word of mouth+time is the formula it seems.

My website rules by the way, so you can buy matted and framed prints, lots of products and everything else your heart desires. Yup rock on. Order away. Haha. I might have to make an order just to test the system.

On and I'm also in the middle of moving and trying to find a day job too while I build up some clients and a reputation for myself here in Victoria. So I am officially going Bananas. More on all this later ~Matt