If you have ever received an email reply from me that was sent at 1 or 2 am you may have wondered “what in the world is this girl doing working in the middle of the night?” The thing is, many women/mom photographers out there are just like me, balancing work and family means putting in late hours, after the kids are in bed. As much as I really am a night owl,and do enjoy the quite serenity of my home when everyone else in fast asleep, I think I need some help! As I sit here, currently at 1:42am, working, again, I find myself giggling quietly to myself at the sheer ridiculousness of my writing this post right now. C’est la vie, and it’s definitely MY life.
I was recently made aware of an amazing (and frankly, genius) new business called The Concierges when I read about them on a couple of other photographers blogs and immediately though “this is what I need!” What a concept, freelance outsourced business services, help for those who want to be free to spend more time focusing on what they love to do and less on what they have to do. Do not misunderstand me, I LOVE my job, and every aspect does afford me some degree of joy at the sheer accomplishment of what I have done. Photography is my passion, and running my business is a joy, but there are definitely aspects that I am not as skilled at, administration is not one of my gifts. Accepting my shortcomings in this area and allowing myself to let go of complete control and get the help I need will only make me a better photographer and business person in the end.
So you can imagine my delight when I came across this amazing business and realized that they were the answer to my prayers! I emailed them with some information about what I needed and had a reply from Laura in a matter of hours, awesome! Her enthusiasm for the projects I would need her help with made me instantly certain that this was the help I needed. Laura and her business partner Jenny have created something so exciting and so needed in the photography industry and it’s just the beginning!!
Meet Laura (amazing images by Bumble & Bloom Photography)
Q. Tell me a little bit about The Concierges, what do you do, and how did the concept for such a unique business come about?
The Concierges is a full-service, outsourced (in the US) business management service – with personality! We do everything from write blog posts to send invoices to answer clients calls to album design to marketing… basically, we do it all! We see so many gifted photographers get bogged down with studio management, instead of focusing on what they love to do – take photos! We find great joy in utilizing our talents in writing, marketing and client relations to support photographers, freeing them up to focus on their art and spend more time with their families.
Q. If you could spend one day in any place on the planet where and with whom would you go, and what would you do?
The Amalfi Coast with my husband! We’d start the morning off with breakfast at the docks while watching the fisherman bring in their catches, followed by a hike high above the city with beautiful views of the Italian islands and terraced gardens. After enjoying gelato on the beach in Positano, we would take the coastal bus, with it’s gorgeous Mediterranean views and sheer cliffs, to Sorrento and rent a vespa to explore the city. We’d end the day with fabulous seafood meal and limonclello on the waterfront.
Q. What’s playing on your iPod right now?
I have a pretty eclectic music collection! Right now my favs are: Sleepyhead by Passion Pit; Animal, Silvia, and Black & Blue by Miike Snow; the Wolfgang Amadeus album by Phoenix; the Aftermath album by Hillsong United; and the Speak Now and Fearless albums by Taylor Swift.
Q. Favorite current trend?
I love the return to all things vintage. From clothing, to interiors, to typography – it’s all about being classic and timeless.
Q. What would be your little guilty pleasure?
Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies 
I can’t resist them!
Q. Coffee, tea soda?
Tea. Hot, or cold with lemonade. Love me those Arnie Palmers!
