Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in videography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Liam Hawryluk, Wedding Videographer of Springtide Media, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Springtide Media is a wedding videography company for couples who don't really want to pose or script this element of their day. Bridging the gap between totally natural classic reportage and a modern editorial style, I prefer to offer minimal guidance rather than full-on direction. In that sense, I'm discreet. Letting the wedding day unfold naturally creates an authentic look and feel that makes you feel as if you were living the day all over again.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Liam Hawryluk. I am based in Calgary, Alberta. I have been filming weddings since 2016, and since starting, I have filmed 200+ weddings. My approach works as I'm usually seen as simply another wedding guest. It allows me to document the day from the 'inside' rather than as an onlooker. You'll receive a true artistic story-driven account of your day that will be as beautiful and relevant in 50 years time as much as it is today. Timeless.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Some of my biggest accomplishments as a wedding videography business owner include the following:
- Building a reputation as a trusted and talented videographer in the wedding industry.
- Consistently producing high-quality videos that are creative, visually stunning, and emotionally powerful.
- Creating a loyal client base who recommend their services to others.
- Growing the business and expanding the team to include other talented videographers.
- Being recognized for our work through awards, publications, or other accolades.
- The most rewarding part of our work, however, is the ability to capture the memories of one of the most important days in a couple's life and to be able to preserve it for them for a lifetime.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a wedding videography business owner is managing client expectations. Weddings are highly emotional and personal events, and clients often have very specific ideas about how they want their wedding day to be captured on video. It can be challenging to balance these expectations with the technical and creative limitations of videography and to ensure that the final product meets the client's satisfaction. Additionally, there are other challenges, such as dealing with the pressure of capturing a once-in-a-lifetime event and dealing with unexpected events, such as bad weather or equipment failure during the big day.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Invest in quality equipment: The quality of your video equipment will directly impact the quality of your final product. Invest in high-end cameras, lenses, and audio equipment to ensure that your videos are sharp, clear, and well-lit. Additionally, it's important to have backup equipment in case of failure.
- Create a strong online presence: Your website and social media profiles are the first points of contact potential clients will have with your business. Make sure that your website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and includes a portfolio of your work. Use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to connect with potential clients and showcase your work.
- Develop a unique style and aesthetic: With so many wedding videographers out there, it's important to develop a unique style and aesthetic that sets you apart from the competition. This could be a specific shooting style, editing technique, or a specific type of music or storytelling.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.springtidemedia.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/springtide_media/?hl=en
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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