Not an Overnight Success with Erich McVey (Part I)

In this two part series, I’m chatting with beloved photographer, Erich McVey about all things photography. We’re diving into all of your burning questions about how he got to where he is now, how and why he chose film, and what marketing strategies allowed him to shoot all over the world. Hit play to dive into part one of this open conversation.

About Erich:

Erich is a wedding, portrait and editorial film photographer with a love for medium format cameras, natural light and incredible scenery.

Using an approach that combines documentary and fine art styles, Erich captures beautiful, honest, and timeless images.

Named by Harper’s Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings as one of the best wedding photographers in the world, and twice selected as film photographer of the year by Belle Lumiere Magazine, Erich’s work has been featured in top wedding publications; including Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine, Brides Magazine, Magnolia Rouge Magazine, Flutter Magazine, Pacific Weddings Magazine, Weddings Unveiled Magazine, Bella Lumiere Magazine,  Style Me Pretty, Once Wed, Snippet & Ink, Ruffled, and The Knot, as well as the LA Times, and Design Sponge.

Growing a Photography Business:

• Don’t compare where you’re at to someone else. Take it day by day, and do your best with each job, and you’ll get there. Everyone has to start somewhere. Your journey will not be the same as someone else’s.
• You have to listen to your soul about what YOU enjoy doing. You cannot force yourself to do something that you don’t enjoy just because you’re scared or it’s too expensive, because you’ll burn out.
• Finding a gear set-up that represents you and your style, and “feels like home” to you is SO important to developing your style and loving what you create. Don’t just go for the cameras that everyone else uses because it works for them.

Jumping into Film Photography:

• Do all of the wrong things before jumping in head first into film. Practice, practice, practice!
• Don’t have the cost in the back of your mind as you’re shooting. That kills your creativity. Reframe the way you look at it – film is saving you time editing later. Time is money too!
• Do your due diligence when learning film by learning from the right people. Paying to learn from true masters is proven to be such an amazing first step to learning the art and becoming a master yourself.

Marketing For Where You Want to Shoot:

• Target specific locations that you want to book with styled shoots and SEO
• Reach out to venues and planners where you want to shoot and collaborate

Nobody just gets lucky. There are a ton of great artists and entrepreneurs, but you have to pair that with hard work to find great success.

For more ways to listen to this episode – CLICK HERE!

Check It Out!

• Follow Erich McVey on Instagram
• Visit Erich McVey’s Website
• Learn More about Erich’s Course: Wedding Photography With Erich McVey