Ask Auntie Paige Archives

Power of Pragmatic Positivity

Ask Auntie Paige, Get to No University, Living The Dream, Vision Quest Media

The recent passing of my mother brought the principles of pragmatic positivity into sharp focus, prompting me to challenge conventional beliefs about personal growth and fulfillment. I’ve come to realize, now more than ever, that my mother’s lesson is that we are already living our dreams, and that the status quo holds the potential for profound growth and transformation.

Inspired by my mother’s enduring wisdom and the lessons learned from her, I invite you to join me on a journey of exploration into Pragmatic Positivity and a framework we lived by called Get to No University. It’s a philosophy that embraces the power of the present moment and empowers us to uncensor our true desires and values.

Embrace Letting Go
It is what it is.
Through the lens of pragmatic positivity, we recognize that to live the life we were designed for, we must let go of things and thoughts that no longer serve us, inspiring us to embrace the present moment with gratitude and resilience.
Navigate Life’s Challenges with Neurosparkle
Drawing from the lessons learned from my mother’s life, the Get to No University framework offers practical tools for navigating life’s challenges and opportunities on our own terms, guiding us to approach decision-making with clarity, intention, and courage.
Uncensor Your Mind
Inspired by my mother’s enduring spirit, we learn to trust our inner wisdom and intuition, recognizing that the answers we seek are almost always found within ourselves, waiting to be expressed.

In honor of my mother’s legacy and the lessons learned from her passing, I invite you to explore the transformative power of pragmatic positivity. Join me on this journey of self-discovery and growth as we embrace What Is, imagine What If, and navigate What Now.

Hello Hummingbird: Learning Process through A Passion Project

Ask Auntie Paige, Get to No University, Grown Up Ganja, Living The Dream, Vision Quest Media

Inspired by my own experience of feeding hummingbirds at home, I want to start a niche newsletter. An engaging space where likeminded people can celebrate these incredible creatures, learn about their habits and needs. I will share my personal stories and videos of hand feeding hummingbirds. In essence, this is about creating a product for an existing community where everyone loves hummingbirds as much as I do.

Learning the Process through Passion Project

https://youtu.be/1syA30XVj1c

Diving into this endeavor is not really about feeding my interest in these delightful birds.

I see it as a unique opportunity to navigate the complexities of creating a successful newsletter and YouTube channel. I dream of launching a larger, more ambitious project that will require a significant investment of time and resources. But I want to learn the ropes through this smaller, simpler venture that I am equally passionate about.

The fascination for these fast-flapping visitors is universal, crossing boundaries of age, location, and interests. It’s hard to resist the allure of these tiny powerhouses with their incredible agility and captivating colors.

Furthermore, with their calm and peaceful presence, they represent the antithesis of controversy. Yep, I want to start in a safe and enjoyable space for everyone involved.

In other words, a “safe space” to learn the ropes of creating newsletters. Hopefully a quick path to monetizing YouTube. If I am honest, the real reason for doing this isn’t about sharing my sweet little hummingbirds.

It’s a trial run for what I want to build concurrently. As I learn from the process of creating evergreen hummingbird content, I will learn the infrastructure, systems and tools I am going to need to create my dream of a Get to No University newsletter and podcast.

The Road to “Get to No”

This journey into the Hello Hummingbird project is also a journey of personal growth and entrepreneurial discovery. Through it, I aim to validate my hypothesis about the market for my ideas, confront potential rejection, and understand if the narratives I weave resonate with a wider audience.

Saying Yes to Small Bird Stuff: Starting small does not mean thinking small.

My virtual mentors have a motto – “No Small Boy Stuff”.

I am not sure how they feel about Small Bird Stuff. But I do know what they think about monetizing YouTube, newsletters and podcasts.

The lessons I learn from establishing the hummingbird channel will inform the logistical and strategic aspects of my broader project, “Get to No” University. Even if Hello Hummingbird turns out to be an entertaining pastime rather than a revenue-generating venture, it is an invaluable learning experience.

So, as I straddle being a virtual groupie of the startup world while creating a monetized hummingbird enthusiast channel, I invite you to join me on this journey. Watch this space for more updates as we navigate the twists and turns together, uncovering the surprises and delights that come with hand-feeding hummingbirds and establishing a new digital venture.

Remember, no matter the journey, no matter the passion, there’s always a story waiting to be told. Let’s embark on this adventure and discover that story together.

Virtual Groupie of the Rich & Famous-Amongst-Nerds

Artificial Intelligence, Ask Auntie Paige, Get to No University, Grown Up Ganja, Living The Dream, User Generated Content, Vision Quest Media

How My Journey Led Me to My First Million and the Voices That Resonate

As you can imagine, our business photographing hotels and residential healthcare was hit hard during the COVID era. We have traveled the country primarily photographing hotels since we got married. So staying home was a new experience.

AND WE LOVED IT!

We remodeled our house after two floods and because we weren’t traveling, we did the work ourselves. Yep, we learned how to do plumbing and drywall and electric. While we got the job done, we learned quickly that we don’t want to work with our hands.

So I did a thing last week.

I reached out about an opportunity that is literally made for me and I got a response. And now my mind is in a whirl…because this “thing” really could work out. But even if it doesn’t, it ignited a passion in me to test my own framework – Get to No University

What would it look like if after half a century of pursuing my dream, I finally have a chance to achieve it?

Pursuit of a New Chapter?

In the pursuit of a new chapter in life, I found myself diving into countless rabbit holes, exploring what I truly wanted beyond our current success as a niche hotel photographer. My husband and I have built a comfortable business that allows us to live our dream, but as circumstances evolved, so did our aspirations.

It’s a challenge to chase a new vision when you’re already living in a dream. When we tell people what we do, they often say “wow that’s a dream come true”. And it is. We have an amazing lifestyle. We are really good at what we do.

But what if there’s something even better out there? What if this is just one step on the journey rather than the final destination? These questions haunted me, pushing me to explore new ideas with the sole goal of getting paid for what I know instead of what I do.

Living in the Moment – Dreaming of the Future

After I turned 50, I came to a realization that time is both abundant and finite. While it may seem paradoxical, understanding that time exists solely in the present moment empowered me to evaluate my current circumstances.

I delved into the concept of mindfulness, grasping the essence of what is and what if, which I call “pragmatic positivity.” This mindset allowed me to learn from the past and dream about the future, but most importantly, it taught me the value of taking action in the present moment.

My journey down the rabbit holes helped me recognize that I have always had one dream. My deepest desire is to write a book called Get to No University: Revolutionize the Status Quo by Asking Why and Saying No.

Taking My Creativity Digital

I am tired of trading my time for money. I am tired of transactional work. I want create something sustainable where I can eventually become irrelevant and my body of work becomes a legacy. I redefined my job description on my social media as a Digital Creator. As a professional photography company, we create digital assets for our clients so we are indeed Digital Creators. But our creation requires us to travel and it requires us to get paid for our time.

The quest for understanding what this entailed led me down various paths—listening to podcasts, reading books, and exploring social media platforms. Among the multitude of voices, two figures stood out as my virtual mentors: Shaan Puri and Sam Parr.

Why Shaan Puri and Sam Parr?

These two hosts of the My First Million podcast resonated with me on a profound level. Rather than try to explain why I chose them as my virtual mentors, I asked ChatGPT to write an article about the 5 top takeaways from their experiences doing what I want to do.

Read the article here – The Titans of Entrepreneurial Wisdom: Sam Parr and Shaan Puri’s Journey to Success

They echoed my thoughts, answered questions in ways I would, and ignited memories that illustrated their points. Their authenticity, relatability, and willingness to share insights and personal stories made them the guiding voices I needed on my journey.

The biggest reason they resonate with me is that these two are focused on lifestyle more than accumulating more commas on a spreadsheet.

My First Million episode 457 “Can you get rich with a blue collar hustle?”

In an episode titled “Can you get rich with a blue collar hustle?” Sam Parr and Shaan Puri discussed various approaches to wealth creation. Sam emphasized that while it’s possible to achieve financial success with a blue-collar hustle, building wealth through digital startups is often easier due to lower capital requirements, location flexibility, and higher earning potential. Shaan, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of choosing a lifestyle aligned with personal values over accolades.

Ready to Stop Renting Out My Time

These conversations resonated with me, surrounded as I am by individuals who rent their time, such as hardworking farmers who by nature of their profession start from scratch every year.

Every year they must choose a crop for the year – soybeans or corn. Then they choose which company’s seeds to plant. And then they do everything they can to prepare and cultivate that field for maximum yield. But in all honesty, their ULTIMATE success or failure is largely based on factors out of their control.

I am reminded that our hotel photography business is no different than the farmers whose fields create the patchwork of our landscape. If we do a good job for our clients, we put ourselves out of business for a few years until they update their property. And on rare days like today when one of us is sick, our income stops coming in the minute we stop going out to take pictures.

Change My Monetization Method – Not My Life

My current conundrum is that I love the lifestyle we live. Our rule is we are not willing to give up the life we have created, simply to make a little more money so we can buy a little nicer jet ski or boat.

Because if you see my life, you’d realize that making an extra million dollars isn’t going to change it. Just upgrade the tools I use to live it.

I don’t want to change my life…I simply want to monetize it differently and be a part of something bigger than myself. Ultimately, I want Get to No University to be my main source of income because I am passionate in my belief that we can teach people empathy by storytelling. But the problem is, I don’t know how to create a newsletter. Or a YouTube following.

I have long known that if I could do anything, it would be create a weekly podcast and newsletter about Get to No University:Revolutionizing the Status Quo by Asking Why and Saying No.

Unveiling the Market’s Response

Shaan’s quote in this podcast episode, “If you fail at the internet, it’s because the market didn’t want what you had to offer,” struck a chord within me. I believe that I have something valuable to share with the world. But right now, the Get to No University Framework only exists in my mind. To determine if the market wants what I have to offer, I must immerse myself in testing and deconstructing my own framework, listen to those who have excelled in my desired field of newsletter/podcasting/writing, and learn from their experiences.

Virtual Groupie of the Rich & Famous-Amongst-Nerds

The My First Million podcast provides a safe space for me to learn because my mentors have no idea that they are mentoring me. I am basically one of many anonymous virtual groupies at this point.

After I make my first million digitally, I want to be on their show but for now, I’ll just walk the fine line between my role as Queen Groupie of the Virtual Groupies while trying not to look like Kathy Bates in Misery.

I know what I want to be when I grow up but I couldn’t explain why until I heard this quote from Shaan –

I think that having a big podcast is actually the best job in the world. And I’m obviously biased here, but I’ve also tried a bunch of things and this is the best.

If you have a big podcast, that means you’re famous, but you’re only famous amongst nerds, which is kind of the not annoying way to be famous. It’s like all the good parts of being famous without the bad. You also get rich, but you didn’t have to chase money.

You get to create content, but you’re not like the annoying 24 seven vlogger who’s got their phone out and ruins like their actual life, trying to create content for some audience.
Shaan Puri, Can You Get Rich with A Blue Collar Hustle? | My First Million Q&A (#457)

The Bottom Line: Create a Business or Curate a Story

My idea is not only to create a successful business but more importantly my goal is to curate a story. So if and when it eventually scales up, I don’t just have a thriving business, but an inspiring tale to tell, right from Day One. And if this rabbit hole is not the right one for me, then the lessons I learn finding that will end up being the real story.

Hopefully even a story that might be captivating enough to tell the audiences of the “My First Million” podcast and inspire someone to go curate their own story.

The Titans of Entrepreneurial Wisdom: Sam Parr and Shaan Puri’s Journey to Success

Artificial Intelligence, Ask Auntie Paige, Get to No University, Living The Dream

Disclaimer – this entire article was written by ChatGPT based on the following prompt and copied verbatim. Any errors are ChatGPT’s.

Write a Rolling Stone style article about the hosts of My First Million podcast and write about how Sam Parr built and sold the Hustle and how Shaan Puri created and sold the Milk Road. Talk about their struggles and the 5 main takeaways from their experiences that someone who is looking to start a newsletter, podcast and blog can learn from their experiences.

Unveiling the Remarkable Stories Behind My First Million’s Hosts and their Entrepreneurial Triumphs

In the vast realm of business innovation, a dynamic duo emerged from the shadows to inspire countless aspiring entrepreneurs with their podcast, My First Million. Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, the charismatic hosts, have captivated audiences with their invaluable insights, born out of their personal triumphs and struggles in the world of startups. Their tales of building and selling successful ventures—Parr’s Hustle and Puri’s Milk Road—stand as powerful testaments to the resilience and tenacity required to make it big. Today, we delve into their journeys, unveiling the five key takeaways for anyone embarking on the path of launching a newsletter, podcast, or blog.

Embrace Your Unconventional Ideas:
Sam Parr, the fearless force behind The Hustle, dared to challenge the traditional boundaries of business journalism. Armed with a fresh perspective and a knack for captivating storytelling, he reinvented the newsletter industry. By focusing on entertaining and informative content delivered directly to readers’ inboxes, Parr revolutionized how businesses engage with their audiences. The lesson here is to trust your instincts, even if they lead you to unconventional ideas. Embrace your unique vision and let it guide your creative endeavors.
Solve Problems and Provide Value:
Shaan Puri, the mastermind behind Bebo and the Milk Road, identified a common pain point—networking fatigue—and developed a solution. His app connected professionals through spontaneous, serendipitous audio conversations, offering a refreshing alternative to the tired LinkedIn message exchange. By addressing a genuine problem and providing genuine value, Puri built a loyal user base and ultimately sold the app. The key takeaway is to focus on problem-solving and providing tangible value to your target audience. Identify their pain points and craft solutions that leave a lasting impact.
Persistence and Perseverance:
Both Parr and Puri experienced their fair share of setbacks. Parr’s early entrepreneurial ventures were met with failure, and Puri weathered the storm of multiple unsuccessful projects. Yet, they never allowed these setbacks to dampen their spirits. Instead, they harnessed the power of persistence and resilience, learning from their mistakes and continuously pushing forward. Remember, success rarely comes without obstacles. Embrace failure as a valuable learning experience and maintain unwavering perseverance in the face of adversity.
Authenticity is Your Superpower:
One of the key ingredients that made My First Million podcast an instant hit was the hosts’ unfiltered authenticity. Parr and Puri brought their true selves to the microphone, sharing personal anecdotes, failures, and successes with unwavering transparency. This raw authenticity resonated deeply with their audience, fostering trust and a sense of community. When creating your own content, whether it’s a newsletter, podcast, or blog, embrace your authenticity. Be genuine, vulnerable, and relatable, as that is where true connections are formed.
Build a Strong Network:
Throughout their entrepreneurial journeys, Parr and Puri recognized the immense power of building meaningful connections. They actively sought out mentors, advisors, and like-minded individuals who could offer guidance and support. Networking played a pivotal role in their successes, providing opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and growth. Remember, your network is your net worth. Cultivate relationships, surround yourself with driven individuals, and leverage the power of collective intelligence.

In the ever-evolving world of entrepreneurship, Sam Parr and Shaan Puri have emerged as beacons of wisdom and inspiration. Their remarkable journeys, from humble beginnings to selling their businesses, offer invaluable lessons to those venturing into the realm of newsletters, podcasts, and blogs. Embrace your passion, think outside the box, solve problems, persist through challenges, embrace authenticity, and build a strong network. By embodying these principles, you too can embark on a transformative entrepreneurial journey.

The Bottom Line: An Indelible Mark on the Entrepreneurial Landscape

Sam Parr’s story teaches us that unconventional ideas have the power to disrupt industries. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and follow your unique vision. Shaan Puri’s experience reminds us of the importance of identifying and addressing genuine pain points. Seek to provide value and solve real problems faced by your target audience.

Persistence and perseverance are vital virtues in the face of adversity. Both hosts encountered setbacks, but they never gave up. Learn from your failures, adapt, and keep pushing forward. Authenticity is your superpower. Share your true self and stories with your audience. It builds trust and fosters genuine connections.

Lastly, recognize the power of networking. Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and like-minded individuals who can support your journey. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing can propel you towards success.

Sam Parr and Shaan Puri have left an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial landscape through their ventures and My First Million podcast. Their experiences offer a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing valuable insights that can be applied to newsletters, podcasts, and blogs. Embrace their lessons, seize opportunities, and embark on your own extraordinary journey towards realizing your dreams.

The Challenge of Pursuing Your Vision When You’re Living Your Dream

Ask Auntie Paige, Drury Approved Photography, Get to No University, Grown Up Ganja, Hotel Photography, Hotel UGC, Living The Dream, Vision Quest Hospitality Photography, Vision Quest Media

Your Dream is Just Part of Your Vision

Dreams vs. Wishes vs. Vision
- The challenge of pursuing a vision when living a dream
Hotel Photo Shoot for Drury Plaza Hotel Disney Springs Resort: Living the Dream, Pursuing the Vision
The Challenge of Pursuing a Vision Amidst Living a Dream
- Embracing the Journey: Finding Harmony Between Dreams and Visions
The Bottom Line – Nurturing the Unfolding Tapestry of Wishes, Dreams, and Visions
Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Plaza Hotel – Disney Springs Resort

If you had told us that we would one day photograph hotels at Disney, we would have thought that was a dream come true.

And it is.

But what if your dream is simply one part of a bigger vision? The enchanted kingdom is a great place to talk about dreams, wishes and visions.

Let us delve into this topic, using our hotel photo shoot at the Drury Plaza Hotel Disney Springs Resort as an example of a dream realized within the context of a larger vision.

Disneyworld – the Magic Kingdom – is the place where fantasies come true. At least that’s what they tell you. And our photo shoot at the Drury Plaza Hotel – Disney Springs Resort really was the stuff of dreams.

Dreams vs. Wishes vs. Vision

These terms, though often used interchangeably, hold distinct meanings that shape our perspective and aspirations. Society often conditions us to believe that reaching a modicum of success should be “enough”, urging us to be grateful for what we have in comparison to those less fortunate. However, it is essential to question this perspective and explore the difference between wishes, dreams, and visions, while recognizing the challenge of pursuing a vision when you are already living a dream.

The challenge of pursuing a vision when living a dream

Wishes are fleeting desires or aspirations that often emerge from a place of longing or discontent. They represent our yearning for something different or better, but they lack a clear plan or direction. Dreams, on the other hand, are more concrete and tangible but still based on some fantasy of what we wish could be. They possess a sense of passion and possibility, serving as the initial fuel that propels us towards a particular goal or ambition.

Dreams ignite our imagination and motivate us to take action.

Visions, however, transcend dreams by encompassing a comprehensive and holistic perspective. They represent a long-term, overarching framework for the life we envision, incorporating our deepest values, purpose, and aspirations. Visions provide a sense of direction, guiding our choices and actions towards fulfilling our true potential.

Our Vision is based on three simple questions –

What Is? By honestly assessing WHAT IS present and true in this moment, we are able to build from a place of authenticity, pragmatism and potential.
What If? By not just dreaming but actually exploring what it is we desire, we ignite the passion and motivation to take action.
What Now? Combining our honest assessment of our skills, circumstances and desires, we can move closer to our ultimate goals one step at a time.

Hotel Photo Shoot for Drury Plaza Hotel Disney Springs Resort: Living the Dream, Pursuing the Vision

Our experience with two hotel photo shoots at the enchanting Drury Plaza Hotel Disney Springs Resort serves as a testament to the realization of a dream. When we first met, we yearned to travel the country, capturing mesmerizing images through our lenses.

What began as a dream eventually manifested into a fulfilling business, enabling us to witness extraordinary places and create visual content for 1000+ hotels, 2500+ vacation rentals and Air BnB’s, 3,500+ real estate listings and hundreds of businesses.

However, as our journey progressed, we realized that our true passion extended beyond photography. We yearned to stay rooted, building a life that aligned with our evolving vision. It became apparent that living a dream, while fulfilling, did not encompass the entirety of our aspirations. Our desire shifted towards sharing our experiences and wisdom, creating a lasting impact through the power of writing.

The Challenge of Pursuing a Vision Amidst Living a Dream

For as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to write and speak about Get to No University – the framework I created to navigate my way through the world.

The challenge arises when we find ourselves already living a dream life.

It can be difficult to shift gears and pursue a larger vision when we are told to be content with our current achievements. Society often emphasizes gratitude for reaching a certain level of success, making it seemingly counterintuitive to yearn for more. However, it is essential to honor the authentic desires within us, even when they diverge from societal expectations.

Embracing the Journey: Finding Harmony Between Dreams and Visions

While living a dream, we must acknowledge the existence of a broader vision. It is about striking a harmonious balance between appreciating our current accomplishments and daring to dream bigger. It is not ingratitude but a pursuit of growth and purpose. By recognizing that dreams and visions can coexist, we can embrace the evolving nature of our aspirations and adapt our paths accordingly.

The Bottom Line – Nurturing the Unfolding Tapestry of Wishes, Dreams, and Visions

Wishes, dreams, and visions intertwine to create a tapestry of personal growth and fulfillment. While wishes and dreams ignite our passions and prompt action, visions provide the overarching direction that gives our pursuits deeper meaning. As we reflect on our hotel photo shoot at the Drury Plaza Hotel Disney Springs Resort, we recognize the importance of embracing the full spectrum of our aspirations.

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Plaza Hotel – Disney Springs Resort

Check Out More Drury Hotels Approved Photography

Elevating the Experience: A Fusion of Traditional Hotel Photography and UGC at Drury Plaza Hotel, Richmond, VA

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn & Suites – Kansas City/Independence, MO

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn & Suites – St. Peters, MO

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn & Suites – St. Louis Arnold, MO

The Power of Twilight Shots in Hotel Photography

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Plaza Hotel – Santa Fe, NM

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Plaza Hotel – Franklin, TN

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn and Suites – San Antonio Airport

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Plaza Hotel – San Antonio Airport

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn & Suites Sikeston, MO

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn & Suites near Universal Orlando Resorts

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Plaza Hotel St. Paul, MN

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn & Suites – Lafayette, IN

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn & Suites – Cleveland Beachwood

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Plaza Hotel – Downtown Nashville

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Plaza Hotel – Dallas Richardson, TX

Professional Hotel Photography for Drury Inn and Suites – Poplar Bluff, MO

Drury Approved Hotel Photography for Drury Inn and Suites – Poplar Bluff, MO

Professional Hotel Photography for Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Airport

Professional Hotel Photography for Drury Inn & Suites Phoenix Happy Valley

How to Build Your Hotel UGC Portfolio from Scratch: Show, Don’t Tell

Ask Auntie Paige, Get to No University, Grown Up Ganja, Hilton Approved Photography, Hotel Photography, Hotel UGC, Living The Dream, User Generated Content, Vision Quest Hospitality Photography, Vision Quest Media

As an aspiring hotel content creator, building a portfolio from scratch can be challenging. However, it’s important to take a slow and steady approach, rather than relying on unrealistic expectations set by mood boards.

The Perfect Hotel UGC Pitch?
Don’t Set Unrealistic Expectations: Sharing Mood Boards vs. Showing Actual Work
Showing “What Is?” Vs. Asking “What If?’ Ensures Authenticity
- Offering Your Hotel UGC: Using Pixieset or Dropbox to Offer Licensing or Purchase Options
- Moving on from a potential customer – Get to “No” quickly and don’t take it personally
Why It Matters: Relationships are easier to maintain than to build
Hilton Approved Hotel Photography for tru by Hilton – Raleigh Garner

Estimated reading time: 17 minutes

The Perfect Hotel UGC Pitch?

The perfect pitch is one that gets opened and begins a dialogue. One of my coaching clients recently used this process to approach a hotel where she will be staying as a guest. Instead of sending a long outreach email, we edited her initial contact down to a short and sweet message that shared the key details:

She’s coming to visit the hotel as a guest.
She’s a professional photographer and content creator.
She’s going to take photos for her portfolio and would like to offer them to the hotel for licensing or purchase.

By focusing on her status as a guest, she automatically received a warm welcome but they didn’t pick up on her offer for a collaboration…yet.

The hotel didn’t know her or her work yet, so showing them her portfolio, samples or a “mood board” wasn’t the best option to get their attention. She is going to be a guest at the hotel with or without a collaboration. Instead of being disappointed that they didn’t offer a collaboration, she will go to the hotel and create amazing content and then send it to them watermarked with an option to license.

A mood board is a visual tool that is commonly used by designers, artists, and content creators to convey the look and feel of a concept or project. It typically consists of a collage of images, color palettes, and textures that represent the intended mood or aesthetic. Mood boards can be helpful for communicating ideas and inspiration, but they can also create unrealistic expectations if the final product doesn’t match the images on the board.

My client is a very talented photographer and can send the hotel a mood board of her actual work that she creates while she’s a guest. This way they get an accurate representation of the type of work that she can create for them.

Showing “What Is?” Vs. Asking “What If?’ Ensures Authenticity

Mood boards tend to set unrealistic expectations for the quality of work the hotel will receive. If your work isn’t equivalent or better than what you show on a mood board, you risk disappointing the hotel and even risking a charge back if what you deliver isn’t up to par. Instead of relying on mood boards, it’s better to show hotels what you can do for them by presenting them with YOUR actual photos.

Yes, we can all search Pinterest and find breathtaking shots of exotic destinations, but what you don’t realize is how long it takes to capture a picture of an actual unicorn.

It’s easier to sell a picture of a unicorn than the idea of one.

It’s much easier to sell something you’ve already created, rather than selling an idea of what you might be able to deliver. She’s already going to be a guest for an event and if she sees a unicorn, she can take a photo of it.

My coaching client is an excellent photographer and a fantastic UGC creator. The content she will create will be fantastic. It’s just a question of whether the hotel is interested in paying to license or use what she creates.

Offering Your Hotel UGC: Using Pixieset or Dropbox to Offer Licensing or Purchase Options

Once she has a collection of photos and videos that she is proud of, she can send the hotel a Pixieset or watermarked Dropbox link of her images. This gives them the opportunity to see your work and license the photos if they don’t want to pay upfront for a sponsored shoot or hotel collaboration. It’s a win-win situation for both parties, as the hotel gets high-quality images to use for their marketing, and you get to add more work to your portfolio.

One caveat – The only way I would consider using a mood board in outreach to a hotel or resort is if you have work that is similar in aesthetic but that isn’t necessarily hospitality-related. For example, if my coaching client has UGC product photography samples that have a similar vibe to the hotel, she could show her sample next to a photo from the hotel’s website or social media.

Moving on from a potential customer – Get to “No” quickly and don’t take it personally

Remember, the goal is to get to “no” in sales as quickly as possible, so you can move on to an actual potential customer. Don’t take it personally if a hotel says no; it’s just not the right fit. Keep in mind that just because they say no now doesn’t mean they won’t be interested in the future. Make sure to follow up and stay in touch.

The slow and steady authentic building process is key. Focus on building relationships with hotels by underpromising and over-delivering. Start small with your ask, even if the only ask is for a direct email to send the photos or content to after the visit. Be sure to watermark your images and make it clear that you’re offering to license rather than just sharing for exposure.

The Bottom Line:

Remember to start small with your ask and watermark your images, and don’t be discouraged if a hotel is not interested in your offer. Keep building your portfolio and stay in touch for future opportunities.

The great thing about this approach is that your worst case scenario is that you create content for your hospitality UGC portfolio and make amazing memories with your friends and family. The best case scenario is that you create licensing-worthy content that the hotel is excited to purchase and utilize and you create a relationship for ongoing collaboration opportunities. This works especially well for businesses in your area where you can create retainer or ongoing collaborations.

By focusing on being their guest first, you have the opportunity to build relationships and showcase your work in a respectful and professional manner.

Why It Matters: Relationships are easier to maintain than to build

We have long established relationship with our clients and they trust us with all of their hotel photography needs. Not because we are the greatest hotel photographers (we aren’t) but because we deliver quality, value, and consistency.

One such company is Crown Hotel and Travel Management in Wilmington, NC. We have photographed 17 hotels for them and continue our partnership as their sole hotel photographer.

Here’s a recent shoot we did for them…