Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Barber.
Rick, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
FinestFotos was borne out of a little Diner, named, Cindy’s Diner, in Scituate, Rhode Island during one of my Friend’s visits to me where we poured over many proposed titles of Businesses
We met online; she saw a Photographic talent in me that I always knew I had, yet, did not have the courage to pursue that career. My Friend convinced me that we could be Officers of the company. So, on Dec.1st, 2014 I move to Mckinney, TX. and officially began my Business on March 15th, 2015; I began my Business as a Commercial/Events Photographer. My second big Business decision was to join the McKinney Chamber of Commerce. Once I did that, I began to attend their “Links” meetings downtown McKinney, where I began to network with other McKinney Businesses. Almost a year later, I was asked to shoot my first Golf Tournament for a Non-profit business; that proved to be very successful again with more exposure, pardon my pun.
One of the biggest challenges from moving South and beginning my business for the very time in my life, it sure has been a struggle, which is very typical of new businesses.
I soon began to convey my Business Brand, which is: “I want to tell your Story; I want to be the Photographer of your choice”!
As Businesses got know me, I began to volunteer for Non-Profits just to get my name out there.
Little by little Folks began to see some of my work & value that. At a later date, I was hired by a local Yoga/Acupuncture company/ McKinney Chamber Member; she was my very first Sale as I asked to Shoot the Grand Opening for that Business. Other prosperous Businesses began to hire me, including Shooting Headshots for that Attorney; soon after I was hired to shoot 2 other Attorneys and resulted meeting Texas Congressman, Joe Barton.
Now that my Business Brand’s message was begun to get recognized, I progressed to expand to other networking groups; I eventually joined the Tri-County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The key for me, and in any business, is to connect, share, and prosper with other Businesses! That is my modus operandi and I continue along with the same vein. Sometimes, it takes sticking it out till my next sale when you don’t think another one will be waiting around the corner.
What I’ve left out of my Story is that fact, is I am grateful active member of the Professional Photographers of America: www.PPA.com.
PPA is the greatest support system where I can take advantage of the many Educational opportunities to improve my Marketing and Technical craft! I have grown to learn, PPA has my back! They are there for me and all PPA Photographers 24-7!
What is truly nice about the focus of my Business, is the diversity of it! I get to meet the most fascinating people from all backgrounds! For example, last year at this time I got to Shoot Holiday Family Portraits for a Dallas, Texas Police Detective and his Wife! Because he is a Detective, we mutually agreed to keep his Identity Completely Confidential; that was a very enjoyable evening! I felt honored to fulfill this obligation!
So, all in all, I have learned to take my Business one day at a time!
In my little spare time, I enjoy reading my Photography magazines and enjoying getting to know more and more about Texas and having moved from Rhode Island, it’s comforting to meet fellow Riders who have moved to Texas, in fact, a Colleague Photographer even came from RI.
FinestFotos Product lines include: Specialized Wood, Glass, Metal, Acrylic, and a newer, product, are Slate Prints.
In addition, I also produce Wrapped Canvasses.
If I can be of any assistance to anyone, here’s my email: Clickrick523@gmail.com. My Website is: www.FinestFotos.com.
My Customers receive Top Notch Quality Service! That is what stands me apart from those so-called, cheaper Cell phone amateur Photographers!
So, I always indulge “….to tell Your Story….” in FinestFotos!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My Struggles are finding the next Customer lurking around that next corner and having to do all my Business tasks alone, since I have not reached the point of hiring a Bookkeeper; now if a Business hired me for a Photographic Commission, that would be greatly appreciated and valued!
FinestFotos – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Those questions were mostly answered previously answered, except for the fact that my background is in Social Work which affords my Personality to be able to deal with almost any challenging Personality!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me, is asking all the right questions to discern who I Want to work with and not who I Need to work with!
I seek to work with High-end clients who:
- Value my Artwork.
- Respect & Trust me as a Professional Photographer.
Pricing:
- Headshot Sessions begin at: $250.00 per session.
- Commercial Rates are $1500.00-$10,000.00 daily depending on their needs.
- Products vary from $100.00 – $15,000.00 depending on the products requested.
Contact Info:
- Address: North Dallas, TX.
- Website: www.FinestFotos.com
- Phone: 972-375-4477
- Email: Clickrick523@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/#FinestFotos
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FinestFotos
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/FinestFotos
Image Credit:
FinestFotos
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
