7 BOOKS THAT WILL HELP YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS THIS YEAR

June 14, 2019

As a kid, I loved the book fair and the library. Like …. a lot.

Every summer I would breeze through those reading challenges that rewarded you with a Great America pass with ease. It could be my obsession with checking things off lists or adding a gold sticker to the chart …. but I was a reading addict.

It turns out that as an adult, I still have a love affair with learning and books, and I make it a point to read as many business books I can get my hands on each year. (I just found out from reading Captivate that one of my core values is knowledge — total game changer for me!)

Below are my 7 must-read books for creative entrepreneurs. Read these babies, take notes …. you are basically hacking your way to an MBA.

WEDDING + ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY BUCKET LIST

May 1, 2015

I’m a firm believer that if you want something, you have to send it out into the universe. Ask for it. Believe in it. And visualize it. Do I sound like the Secret? That book may be my jam …. :)

So I’m sending out this list. Putting in on the internet. Sharing it with you. I’m asking for these things, and I hope that I’ll be blessed enough to receive them.

I want to photograph :

>> An engagement session in the rain (minus the umbrellas)

>> An elopement … preferably in the mountains … but an open field, river or beach would also make me giddy with excitement

>> A destination wedding somewhere exotic (Thailand, Bali, South Africa … yes, yes, yes)

>> A bouquet with protea (my new favorite bloom)

>> A boho wedding. Bare-feet encouraged

>> An engagement session in the desert with cacti, please!

>> A boudoir shoot with lace, fringe and lots of blooms

>> A table covered in drift wood

>> A bride with a floral crown

>> A Chicago wedding at Salvage One or Ignite Glass Studios

>> A reception complete with tee-pees and a camp fire

Are you planning a wedding with any of the above? If so, let’s be friends … please! Any couples whose style or wedding match something on this list will be getting a very special bonus gift from me in their collection. Contact me at brittany@brittanybekas.com with the details of what you are planning to learn more.

HELLO, SALE ….

April 7, 2015

You guys, I have a confession. It took me one whole year to print my photos from our South East Asia trip. And when I say “print”, I mean, I printed 25 photos and put them in frames in our apartment. I still haven’t printed a full album of photos or a nice book that we can flip through. Instead, I have hundreds of photos sitting in a folder on my computer.

So yes, I am guilty of it. Leaving my beautiful memories sitting on my computer. But this month, I am getting it all done! I’m printing, organizing and framing all the photos from our Abu Dhabi, South Africa, Switzerland and Italy trip AND South East Asia. So in honor of me getting it done … I’m offering 15% off prints, canvases and metals in my galleries. Sale ends 4/21/15 because I want you to get this off your list this month too.

And if you are like me, you can do it all from the comfort of your couch in your sweats. Yes!

Head to your gallery so you can fill in those blank frames on the wall. ;) If you need the link to your gallery or help with ordering, email me at brittany@brittanybekas.com.

WHAT IS IN MY TRAVEL CAMERA BAG

March 13, 2015

Confession: I am a bag lady. But you might have already known that.

When I head to the suburbs to visit my parents for the weekend, I somehow arrive with at least 3 bags (yes, for one night … no one knows why), and then when I get back to our apartment in Chicago, I have 7. It drives Phil crazy. I always try to justify it by the fact that I went grocery shopping or I had to pick up a “few” things at Target. But the bottom line is, I have a bag problem. (The first step is admitting it, right?)

So when it comes to packing up THE most important thing (my camera!) I bring on all our extended trips, I get a little anxious. I am used to having my huge suitcase on wheels with all my lenses, backup camera bodies, extra batteries, flashes, light stands, etc, but that is usually not an option for me (unless I am traveling for a wedding / shoot).

Here is a little look at what is in my travel camera bag, and what I think works for photographers when traveling.

> Nikon D600 camera body

> Nikon 50mm f1.4 lens

> Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 lens

> Nikon 35mm f1.4 lens

> (2) Nikon camera batteries + charger

> Leopard print camera strap (I normally don’t shoot with a camera strap, but when traveling it is a must!)

> Remote camera triggers (mine are from Calumet)

> Canon Powershot S120 (It shoots HD movies + RAW files in manual, great for when I don’t want to lug my full kit)

> 3 neoprene lens bags

> 1 neoprene camera bag (for when I just want to toss my camera + 50mm inside a larger tote bag)

> SD card case + tons of SanDisk 32 GB SD cards

> SD card reader

> 1 GB WD My Passport external hard drive + hard carrying case

> Camera blower for cleaning + pre-moistened lens clothes

> iPhone 6

> Selfie stick

A few things that are not pictured that I also include in my bag is a GoPro with underwater housing, ziploc bags (in case it rains, and you want to protect your camera / gear), and my MeFoto Roadtrip travel tripod.

I pack all my gear inside my Lowepro passport sling bag. It is the perfect bag for afternoons exploring new places and it has enough room for things like my wallet, chapstick, hotel keys, etc.

Your kit might vary depending on where you are going and what you will be shooting, but this kit has been working perfect for me on our recent trips. The bag can get a little heavy, so I only take what gear I need with me each day.

Make sure your gear is insured internationally before you travel abroad. I always have a peace of mind that all my equipment is insured in case of theft or accident when we travel.

Keep chasing your wanderlust.

CUSTOM SMARTPHONE + TABLET GALLERY APPS // iphone + andriod

April 30, 2014

Ok, so do you remember when you used to carry around those plastic photo cases in your wallet full of all the VIPs in your life?! You know, the days pre-Facebook or Instagram where you actually had to have a physical photo on you to show someone. If you don’t remember, then you are clearly way younger than me …. but I remember I carried those wallets around with me EVERYWHERE. I never knew when I would need to show someone a picture of my hot BFF.

But let’s face it. No one does that anymore. If you can’t show someone a photo of your dog, baby or love of your life on your phone, then people may or may not believe you that Charley / Payton / Mike even exist. Ok, maybe not that extreme … but it seems like if it isn’t on Facebook / Instagram or on your phone … it didn’t happen, right?

Now as much as I love for all my clients to have physical prints from their sessions with me, I realize that it is sometimes MORE important for them to always have their images with them. Which is why one of my favorite products that all of my 2014 clients receive is their very own custom smartphone gallery app. This little app also works great on tablets.

It is an app custom designed for each client with photos from their wedding / session. You just download it on to your phone and/or tablet, and you always have your photos with you. Best of all, the app is designed so you can share with with friends and family. So all those loved ones who are out of state or your Mom who loves to brag about you, can add the app to their phones so they can whip out their phones to show you off. No more plastic wallets for them. ;)

custom smartphone / tablet photo gallery app // brittany bekas photography - www.brittanybekas.com // wedding + lifestyle photographer based in Chicago, Illinois

Want your own custom app? Just mentioned it when you book your wedding or lifestyle session with me, and I promise, I’ll hook you up. ;)