My boss and lover, Melissa, called to ask my sister and I to come to her office. When we arrived, she said a model agency had an interest in Sarah to model some eyewear for an up and coming eyeglasses company. Sarah was excited about getting her first modeling job, but modeling eyeglasses wasn't exactly the sexy, glamorous photo shoot she had envisioned. She didn't even wear eyeglasses!
When we arrived at Melissa's office, she told me she had three women who were very interested in having some boudoir photographs. She explained to them that I was extremely busy right now, but I would have my receptionist call them to schedule an appointment. Two things were wrong about that statement. First, I wasn't extremely busy, and second, I didn't have a receptionist to call them back. I explained that to Melissa and she said, "Oh, John. You're a very good photographer but you have a lot to learn about business. You don't want people to think you're sitting around waiting on someone to call. These women are used to calling for restaurant reservations and being told it would be a three or four day wait. They want to feel like you are doing them a favor by taking their business, not the other way around. They want to feel like they're dealing with an exclusive photographer. They will tell their friends that they had some great photos taken, and when their friends show an interest, they will be told that you are very exclusive, and they should expect a delay before you can see them. If someone calls and asks for photos, and you tell them they can come in the same afternoon, they will think you are some hack who sits around all day waiting on someone to call. Understand?"
"Yeah, I guess. So, what should I do? Should I call them back and set up an appointment?"
"No. You should never call your clients. Give your schedule to your receptionist and have her call back to make the appointment. Make sure to have her tell them you are not available until next week."
"Uh, Melissa, I don't have a receptionist."
"Oh! You haven't met her yet? Have Julie take you next door so you can meet her. Give her your class schedule and go over any other appointments you might have and have her call the first name on the list. I already gave her the names and phone numbers of your first three clients."
Melissa continued, "Okay. Now for Sarah. I have a photo shoot arranged for you to model some eyeglasses. I told them I would get back to them, so I need your class schedule so we can set a time and date. I know it's not a sexy swimwear shoot, but it's your first job. In the beginning, you need to take whatever you can get. The job didn't come directly from the eyeglass company, it came from an advertising agency, so if they like what they see, they may have you model some other products.
John, go meet your receptionist and then come back here so we can chat some more."
I got up and went through the door to Julie's desk where I asked her if she could introduce me to my new receptionist. "Sure John, I'd be happy to. She's an old friend of mine. Follow me."
We walked next door to my new office where Julie introduced me to my new receptionist. "John, I'd like you to meet Amy. We went to college together for two years, then we dropped out and went to secretarial school. Amy, this is your new boss, John."
Amy flashed me a million-dollar smile, and I swear her eyes were sparkling. I hate to guess a woman's age, because I'm usually wrong, but in my mind, I guessed she was between twenty-five and thirty. She was very well dressed, or more accurately, professionally dressed. She had dark brown hair that hung to her shoulders and green eyes. She was beautiful. I said, "I'm very glad to meet you Amy. Do you mind if I sit?"
Amy and Julie both laughed and then Amy said, "Go ahead, sir, but you don't need to ask. It's your office!"
I blushed as I realized how stupid that must have sounded. I answered, "Yeah, I guess that's right. You'll have to forgive me, but I've never had my own office before. Oh, and you don't have to call me sir. John will be fine."
Julie said, "I'll leave you two to get acquainted. I should get back to my desk." When she walked out, I said, "So, Amy, tell me a little about yourself, if you don't mind."
"Of course. My name is Amy Hayes, I'm 31 years old, and for the past six years, I worked for a lawyer. I grew up in Encinitas and, like Julie said, I went to San Diego State with her for two years until we discovered we could make more money as a secretary than we could with a degree. Plus, we didn't have to worry about paying back a huge tuition loan debt. I'm single. I have never been married and have never had children. That's about it."
"Wow, forgive me for being so bold, but I can't believe a woman as beautiful as you has never been married."
"Thank you, John. Julie said you were sweet. I met a guy my first year in college and he asked me to marry him. I accepted, but before we could get married, he died in a skydiving accident. It took me a long time to get over that, and I just never got serious with another guy."
"I am so sorry, Amy. I didn't mean to bring up old wounds."
"It's okay. You didn't know, and I have gotten past that."
"So, you said you worked for a lawyer for six years. What happened there?"
"He just got indicted for jury tampering. Apparently, he was paying off jury members to swing decisions his way. He was disbarred and is looking at ten years in prison. The FBI came in and seized his computers and shut down the office, so I found myself out of a job. This job came along at just the right time."
"Well, I'm glad we could help. Let me tell you a little about myself. I grew up in San Jose, came down here for college, and I think I'll probably stay. I like San Diego County. I'm a Junior this year, studying Fine Arts, and more specifically, photography. I never thought I would have my own photography business before I even graduated, but I was encouraged to get started early. I assume you've met Melissa?"
"Yes, Julie introduced me, and, as a matter of fact, Melissa interviewed me and then hired me. I know I will be working for you, so I hope there wasn't a problem with her hiring me before you got a chance to interview me."
"No, not at all. I trust Melissa implicitly. She told me she gave you the names and numbers of three women who want to have some photos made. Let me give you my class schedule, then you can call them and schedule an appointment. Tell them there's no way I could fit them in until next week. Whatever you do, don't let them know I'm still in school. Melissa said they should believe that the reason I can't fit them in until next week is because I'm so busy with other clients. She said they should believe I'm an experienced, much sought after photographer. Also, schedule their appointments for after 11:00 am, and before 4:00 pm. Any questions?"
She said she was good, so I left and went back to Melissa's office. When I walked in, I noticed Sarah didn't look happy. I asked, "What's up?"
Melissa answered, "Sarah's not happy about doing a photo shoot unless you're the photographer."
I sat down next to Sarah and said, "Sarah, you said you wanted to be a model. You have been given a chance and you have to take it. You can't expect an agency to hire you and then hire me to take the photos. After all, the name of my business is 'Intimate Portraits'. I don't do advertising photography. Just arrange for the shoot, follow the photographer's direction, just like you did with me, and you will be great. Just think, if they like you, this will only be the start of a long career."
"Okay. I guess you're right. I just wish you could be the photographer, but I understand that's not possible. I'm gonna dazzle them so much, they will be begging me to model their other products."
"That's my girl. I know you're going to do a great job." I then looked at Melissa and said, "Thanks for hiring Amy. She has a lot of experience and I'm sure she will do a great job. Thanks also for getting Sarah this job. Oh, and thanks for getting me my first three clients. I did what you said. I told Amy to call them and tell them I couldn't see them until next week because I was so busy. She has my schedule and will set up the appointments. It seems like I could sit here all day and think of other things to thank you for. Just let me say thank you for everything and leave it at that."
"I appreciate your kind words, but you don't need to thank me. Like I told you before, I am a very good businesswoman, and I can spot a potential for making money. I have no doubt that you will be successful, and once we sign a partnership agreement, I will be more successful, too. Now, let me tell you about your new clients. The three women you will see next week are not what you would call 'young chicks', but they have enough money to keep themselves looking good. They have personal trainers, so they maintain a great body, and I'm sure they have probably had some Botox treatments. In other words, they are vain. Keep that in mind when you are taking their photos. Try to stroke their egos and tell them how great they look. Offer them some wine to make them comfortable. I'm sure that if you can make them happy, they will tell all their friends. In a couple of weeks, you will have more business than you would ever believe possible."
Melissa let that sink in for a minute and then continued, "You need a website. Do you know anyone who can help you with that?"
 
                             
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                