EPISODE SUMMARY
Today on the Dare to Develop Podcast, we welcome Erich and Amy McVey. Erich is a world-renowned photographer and named by Harper’s Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings as one of the best wedding photographers in the world. Amy has been behind the scenes helping move the business forward over many years. Together, they give some great tangible advice from how to stay inspired to laying out a roadmap of your business and your goals for the year. They also talk about the importance of reinvesting in your business and keeping those creative juices flowing.
ERICH AND AMY DARE YOU
Amy: I would challenge people in these times of the craziness in the wedding industry, with COVID to operate out of abundance rather than scarcity and not make decisions based on the worst-case scenario. Make decisions based on staying positive and with the thought in mind that everything’s going to be just fine. Because when we start operating, out of fear that really shines through and it puts negativity out into the world.
Erich: I would dare people to sit down with a cup of coffee or any hot or cold drink they prefer and a piece of paper and try to make a map of their year. What are their goals and what are some things that they’ve been putting off for a long time? And when you write those down, map out how to achieve them or how to make them happen.
FAST FACTS ABOUT ERICH AND AMY
What do you shoot with? What is your favorite tool in biz?
Erich: Contax645 and the GFX. The GFX for everything that’s not with flash.
Amy: I love an Excel spreadsheet. There’s nothing that can’t be solved with an Excel spreadsheet.
What’s your favorite post-wedding or event snack?
Erich: The worst fast food in the area for sure. Any McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr. It doesn’t matter.
Amy: On our first trip ever, we had to fly down to California to shoot at some properties down there and we got in late at night. When we got to the McDonald’s drive through, I ordered, and then I turned to him and said, what do you want? And he looks at me and he goes, don’t judge me for this. And then lists like 10 things, it was like a meal for a family of eight. And he ate it all and one of my cheeseburgers.
What’s your favorite wedding/creative pump up jam?
Amy: Honestly, we don’t listen to music before our wedding day. We’re usually driving to the wedding site, revealing the timeline and talking through game plan stuff.
Erich: “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone” from Paula Cole.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of your business?
Erich: We bought a foreclosure home a year ago and have had to redo everything about it over the course of last year. So I don’t know if it’s by choice or by necessity but, I actually do really love it. It’s another way to be creative.
Amy: Just family time with our daughter has been really fun.
What is one daring the leap you’ve taken in your business?
Erich: Switching from digital to film was the biggest, daring that we’ve taken in business. Because looking at those profit margins and thinking about how scary it is, not being able to see the image on the screen is like very frightening before you know what you’re getting yourself into. It took a lot to convince both of us that that was going to be the right move. But, my business would not be the same today if I hadn’t.
Amy: Quitting my corporate job since it did not make sense financially. I don’t think it was necessary at the time, career-wise for Erich for me to go on full time, but we both just knew I wasn’t happy where I was anymore. We knew long term it’s not what we wanted and so I was a big jump.
What is one thing you feel like the other person is really great at in your business?
Erich: Amy’s really good at making people feel heard and feel special and feeling like they’re the most important thing in the world and that they’re the only ones. She always has such good insight on any situation, whether it’s relationships or business or family or whatever.
Amy: Something Erich is incredibly good at is being an original, his personality outside of his career. He is one of a kind and has no hesitation in just being himself. He knows exactly who he is and who he wants to be, and he stays true to that at all times without having the sway of social pressure or comparison.
Where can our listeners find you?
Website: http://www.erichmcvey.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erichmcvey/
Do you have any special announcements / offers for our listeners?
We’re always here if somebody has a question or wants to reach out. And I think most importantly, if anybody’s looking for an educational resource, we have an online photography course through “if I made”. Overall and comprehensive is the business of photography. It’s also creating and cultivating your craft as an artist.
RESOURCE LINKS
Jose Villa // Erich’s Online Course on If I Made // Make and Stow Wood Boxes
OTHER D2D EPISODES YOU MIGHT LIKE
We dare you to check out the other Dare to Develop Podcast episodes including 000: Welcome to Dare to Develop where you get to meet your hosts Kristine Herman and Ashley Baumgartner.