Below is the typed up version of the interview I did with Jared Bauman!!

So I did get requests for this interview to be shared - so here it is!! It's filled with helpful tidbits, so definitely read it through when you have the chance! FYI Michael and I are speaking at WPPI this year along with Jared, so this will be a great preview to some of things he might talk about! Here are our pictures so you can visualize us talking... :) hehe

-AC – I have 2 associate photographers and am looking to hire a studio manager and an intern. But I’m getting overwhelmed with managing so many people. What advice do you have?
JB - Implement A LOT of structure!! The more structure we introduce to everyone the more excited they get about the accountability. Also, make sure that everyone has a separate duty. If everyone has a specific job that they are in charge of individually – then there is no confusion. Also implement some sort of check & balance so that you can keep on top of everything.
AC – What would you say is the biggest thing when picking team members? Especially when it comes to interns, how do you choose people that will actually enhance your business and not take up more of your time than it’s worth?
JB- I always pick the best option (which is not necessarily the best person). I make sure that they are willing to work at least 4 months 8 hours/week.
AC – What do you have your interns do? I am nervous about giving them anything too important!
JB – Our interns do slideshows, (for the bride, venues, vendors) and I have them prepare disks for all the vendors and so forth. We have what’s called “work request forms” that we give to our interns that outline a job that needs to be done and specifics of the people and images they need to get. Everything that we need to get done goes down on paper!
AC – What does your studio manager do?
JB - Kristen does all the emails. We are on an exchange servers so all the emails that come in, Kristen goes through them and forwards onto me my emails, or Bronson his emails. Also, once the client is booked we hand it over to Kristen and she handles everything else. She handles all the day-to-day emails and phone calls.
AC – How long did it take to train Kristen when she first started?
JB – It took Kristen about a month to get up to speed.
AC – How did you find out about her?
JB – I found Kristen through getting the word out with friends and family that I needed someone and she was recommended. I find when you put out the word that you are looking for someone (rather than putting up an ad or what have you) you will end up getting people that aren’t job oriented but industry and career motivated.
AC – How many hours a week does Kristen work?
JB - Kristen works 40 hours a week.
AC – Tell me about your associate photographers.
JB – Well, we offer what is called a “Partner” photographer and a “Crew” photographer to our clients. My partner photographer, Bronson charges the same amount as me and gets a percentage of the monies earner minus the cost. My crew photographer (which is basically an associate photographer – we just didn’t want to call it that) gets paid an hourly rate for his time at the wedding and the engagement shoot. Overall, Bronson has a lot more responsibility, whereas my crew photographer basically gets to just show up and shoot!
AC – How do you come up with what to pay your people?
JB – I feel that paying your people more than you think they should be paid and treating them better than you think they should be treated is the best way to see great results and retain employees. In the end it works out 10 times more in your favor. Bronson and I have been working together for 4 ½ year. My crew photographer and studio manager have been here for a 1 ½ years.
AC – Tell me about your amazing office. Do you find that the overhead is worth it? Do you see a direct result from having an office?
JB - The office space is definitely expensive – and you don’t see the direct benefits but there are a lot peripheral benefits. For instance, 1. The credibility side is a big thing 2. Helps out with the high-end image 3. Putting images of your studio online (which we are getting on our website very soon) can help the bride who books over the phone still get a more tangible feeling about your business. 4. Having a place to work make you much more productive. It’s like a magazine ad – you may not see a direct relation to your brides booking, but chances are it’s raised your image and awareness more than you know!
AC – What is your booking policy?
JB – Okay, my Booking Policy – I tell everyone that the day is NOT booked until you sign the contract and get us a retainer. It’s also great for helping the process move forward more quickly if the client feels a sense of urgency. I make sure that each potential client knows that if someone else books over the phone, then I WILL take the job.
AC – How many hours a week do you work? How many months in a year?
JB - I work about 40 hours a week during the summer and about 20 hours during the winter. I take off about 3 months total a year. I generally take off for about a month every year during February and then get a few weeks off at Christmas, a few weeks off during the summer and then a week here or there. Many photographers are surprised to hear that I take this much time off, but I’ve realized that often times we THINK that we have to do certain things. When in reality if your clients know that your time is valuable they will work around you a lot more than you might think. In the same way I have structured the amount of time I check my email to certain times of the day so that I don’t find myself constantly check it and wasting time.
AC – What album company do you use?
JB – I use Leather Craftsmen
AC – What do you generally do for your sales presentation. Do you prequalify over the phone?
JB – I do chat with my clients over the phone and try to get a ballpark number so that neither of us are wasting our time. But I like to do most of my sales presentation over the phone in the studio.
AC – Do you advertise?
JB – Yes, I believe in advertising. I currently am advertising with two magazines and online with 5 different wedding websites.
AC – This has been SO helpful! Your business is so inspiring and I’m really looking forward to your Platform presentation at WPPI this year!