You work so hard to maintain a thriving, successful wedding photography brand. Your work is exceptional, your calendar is full, and your client experience is stellar. Everything you have worked so hard for has come to fruition.
You, my friend, have arrived. You are a self-employed artist and are living the dream.
But, let’s be real for a minute.
Aren’t you feeling a teeny, tiny bit overworked? You book as many weddings as your schedule allows and you edit late into the night, every night (watching Schitt’s Creek or The Office on repeat).
Double and triple-headers are becoming more common, and you’re single-handedly keeping CBD muscle rub in business with all of your post-wedding aches and pains (hello, wedding hangover).
You thought being successful would feel more... successful.
Hello, weary wedding photographer! Yes, you, with the cold cup of coffee. I’m talking to you.
The truth is that if you are the only one in your business, then you are maxed out on growth. Being the sole employee makes sense when you start your business, but at some point, you will max out being an operation of one and need to plan how you'll grow.
You’ve been thinking about bringing on a team of associates, but don’t know where to begin.
Not sure what's next?
Your calendar is filling up for 2024 and even 2025 weddings, and you’re turning away couples who are inquiring about dates you’re unavailable.
Calendar at capacity?
You’re ready to scale your business, but just the idea of booking more weddings for yourself makes you want to cry.
Over-scheduled stress?
Are you struggling with...
Make MORE money by shooting less. Yes, it's real.
I raised my income by 41% the first year I hired an associate.
Last year, I brought in MORE THAN TRIPLE the revenue I'd be making if I were only booking weddings for myself.
I'm here to show you how it's done.
You can do other forms of photography during the week, which is great, but it still means more time away from home, more content, and more work. Haven’t we already established that you’re working too much?
You can raise your prices (if you’re fully booked, this is your sign you should absolutely raise your prices!). But increasing your prices will only narrowly add to your bottom line.
You can book more weddings. But we all know there are only so many weekends in a year. And truly, do you want to add any more weddings to your already-packed calendar?
There are other ways to bring in extra income...
My life came to a head when, in 2014, I found myself working six weddings in 10 days. Yes, really. It was bananas. Even before that sixth wedding client had cut the cake and tossed the bouquet, I knew something had to change.
I was just like you: Working every weekend, taking 40 weddings a year, and turning away business on days I was already booked. I was leaving money on the table and running myself into the ground.
Hi, I'm Emily, your previously overworked photographer and now business boss of a team of associates.
Fast forward to today. I shoot a maximum of 8-10 weddings a year myself. My team of associates covers around 30 or more.
And I bring in an extra six figures each year compared to when I was shooting weddings solo. And I want to show you EXACTLY how you can have the same results.
After I had sufficiently recovered, I got back to work—but this time to figure out a way to keep the money coming in without sacrificing all of my time, my health, and my sanity.
The answer: associate photographers.
My gross income grew by leaps and bounds when I added associates to the Anna Delores brand.
In early 2014, I was working myself into the ground, all alone.
I began adding associates to my team by summer of that year, decreasing my own workload but adding more total weddings for the company.
In the first two years of adding associate photographers, I was able to DOUBLE my business income.
By the end of our 2022 season, we MORE THAN TRIPLED the revenue that would be coming in if I was only booking weddings for myself.
Those, my friend, are some serious stats.
Let’s talk MONEY, honey.
Cat Deline, Deline PhoToGraphy
I just brought on two associates, and I'm booking at least 10 additional weddings for my brand for next year—it’s because Emily gave me the confidence to go for it! She is approachable, her teaching style is great, and this program is worth the investment. She walked us through each step, even the hard ones and the difficult decisions.
Cat Deline, Deline Photography
I don't want to shoot 40 weddings a year anymore. I still want my couples to feel comfortable and taken care of, even if it's not with me. I had no idea how to put one foot in front of the other. Emily’s smooth, informative, well-laid-out coaching gives real life examples; I want to learn from someone who's been through the hard stuff and can help me as well.
It may sound like a dream.
But I promise it’s real, and I know because I’m doing it myself.
Imagine yourself on a beautiful, sunny Saturday. You’re finally catching up on some sleep, waking up slowly and feeling totally at ease. You roll out of bed, stretch, and instead of diving into the chaos of getting ready for another wedding shoot, you decide to crawl back under the covers, maybe snuggling up with your adorable pup for a while.
Rather than stressing about work, you shoot a text to a friend, making plans for a laid-back happy hour later. Because, let’s face it, that’s the only kind of plan you want to make today, if any!
Having a Saturday off is already pretty awesome, but you know what’s even better? Knowing that you’re not losing out on income by taking a break. You’re not just relaxing; you’re still making money.
You, my dear, sweet, SMART, business boss, actually have not one, but three weddings this weekend. But you’re not the one behind the camera — your associates have got it covered.
All you have to do is kick back, relax, and enjoy your well-deserved weekend off, all while your business takes care of itself.
It may sound like a dream.
But I promise it’s real, and I know because I’m actually doing it myself.
This can be you, too.
1. No work on a Saturday.
2. Still making money.
3. Enjoying your life.
Megan Ellis, Megan Ellis Photography
I was selling associate packages within two weeks of our first meeting. I was honestly so confused about how to market associates and Emily made it so much less overwhelming. She has so many amazing ideas and really takes the time to walk through everyone's own specific situation. I now have an associate team in both Knoxville and Key West!
Megan Ellis, Megan Ellis Photography
Emily is a wealth of information and a great confidence builder. I am not interested in continuing the grind of shooting weddings every weekend anymore. Likewise, I didn't want to walk away from this business that I have worked so hard to build and have been toying with the idea of building an associate team for awhile.
Megan Ellis, Megan Ellis Photography
Having been a business of one for so long, I was unsure of how to market this new service to potential clients. Enter Emily and Associate Teams Made Easy. I am now building associate teams in two locations and have plans to take only 10 weddings myself next year. It feels so amazing to be able to continue my business and work less!
01
Your calendar is fully booked (or close to it), and you are turning away inquiries.
Great question.
“So Emily," you ask, “how do I know if my business is ready for associates?"
And if you have to ask, spoiler alert—you’re probably ready! But just in case, here are five indicators of your readiness to start building your empire.
You are in demand.
02
Knowing your numbers is a critical component of running a successful associate team (and one we will talk about in depth during the program), so having a good grasp of your numbers is imperative.
“So Emily," you ask, “how do I know if my business is ready for associates?"
You understand your profits.
03
Using Excel for new client inquiries and payment due dates just isn’t going to cut it. CRMs help keep track of everything from invoicing to communication and will be the most low-stress way to manage your forthcoming growth.
“So Emily," you ask, “how do I know if my business is ready for associates?"
You're using a client relationship manager (CRM).
04
You're ready to be the boss instead of just the sole employee.
Having an associate team means letting go of control, delegating, and trusting your associates to be in charge on a wedding day. This isn’t for everyone so really ask yourself, do you want to be the boss?
“So Emily," you ask, “how do I know if my business is ready for associates?"
You want to actually be the ceo.
05
You know you and your business are destined for greatness. Some business owners are content with where they are, or are truly happy with their current workload and money coming in.
But if you aren’t feeling settled with where you are right now, don’t ignore that feeling.
“So Emily," you ask, “how do I know if my business is ready for associates?"
YOu have the ambition to grow.
You can keep booking more weddings.
Or keep raising your prices and hope you book more.
You can stay on the same path of overwork and exhaustion.
Or, you can make a change and start growing your team. This new season really can be the start of a beautiful business. One that you work ON instead of IN. One that fulfills you instead of burning you out.
One that you are excited about building.
You are at a crossroads in your business. It's time to make a choice, and something has to change.
This is not just another online course.
This is a LIVE, one-on-one coaching program for the most detailed, straightforward associate coaching available.
This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn exactly what to do (and what not to do) to get your associate program off of the ground and on to success.
Aligned Associates Blueprint
Let's start building your dream team.
The only comprehensive training that walks you through every step of building an associate program destined for success.
Book ONE associate wedding, and the program MORE than pays for itself.
✓ Market associate packages to prospective clients
✓ Price your associate packages for profit and sustainability
✓ Calculate how much to pay your associates
✓ Find the best candidates for your brand and conduct interviews
✓ On-board associates and prepare them for success with your company
✓ Create workflows and systems to ensure your associates give clients the same exceptional service you do
✓ Communicate effectively and efficiently to become the world’s best boss
You'll learn how to:
Coaching calls will be recorded and saved in your own online portal with unlimited forever access.
Online access to all content
Learn from my mistakes so you don’t waste time (and money). I’ll walk you through my tried and true process for finding the best associates for your brand.
Step-by-step hiring processes
We will meet for two live, one-on-0ne coaching calls with detailed and structured plans for how to add associates, tailored to your business. No topic is off limits!
Two comprehensive coaching calls
Here’s what you’ll get:
✓ Direct access to me for a full year to ask ANY questions you have, any time!
✓ Client email sequences for associate team wedding inquiries
✓ Associate pricing page example
✓ The same job descriptions I’ve used to hire my own associates
✓ Email templates and interview questions for job candidates
✓ Independent contractor agreement template
✓ The Anna Delores Associate Orientation Manual
In addition to one-on-one coaching calls, you'll receive:
valued at over $7000
All the included trainings, resources, and bonuses on their own add up to content
Your enrollment in the Aligned Associates blueprint gives you everything you need to launch, market, and manage your associate photography team for an investment of...
molly mccauley, molly + co
My biggest worry was finding associates that I could trust with my business and level of service, but with Emily’s guidance on hiring, onboarding, and training, I now can send my photographers into a wedding day knowing that our clients will truly get the Molly + Co experience.
MOLLY MCCAULEY, MOLLY + CO
I’ve considered adding associate photographers in the past and realized how much money was being left on the table. With the expansion of my business now serving both coasts, this was the perfect time to implement a more solid plan to keep business rolling in Southern California.
MOLLY MCCAULEY, MOLLY + CO
Enter Associate Teams Made Easy. Having access to Emily and her knowledge on how to successfully set up and run an associate program, I felt confident refining my associate offerings and taking on more volume without having to physically travel myself.
Good news: our calls are recorded so you can revisit them at any time, AND I will send you a summarized document (including any resources we discussed) for easy reference anytime.
You’ll have unlimited lifetime access to our recorded live coaching and materials included in the program, so you can always revisit any of the topics we cover.
What if I need to revisit the content we discuss on our live calls?
If you are booked to capacity, turning away inquiries, hope to diversify price offerings, or want to shoot fewer weddings, then you are probably ready to start hiring associates. If you aren’t sure, get the list of the five MUST HAVES delivered to your inbox!
HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM READY FOR AN ASSOCIATE PROGRAM?
Have questions? I've got you!
I’d love to help you get the answers you need. Please email me at emily@annadelores.com, and I’ll be glad to help!
HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION BEFORE SIGNING UP?
Michele Hastings, Nikkels Photography
I knew I was leaving money on the table if I didn't bring on a team of associates, plus I wanted to raise my own pricing but still serve my existing clientele. Emily's approach is comprehensive without feeling overwhelming, and now I have two associate photographers I trust to take care of my clients and produce beautiful photos for my brand!
Santa Barbara wedding photographers. Legacy-worthy wedding photography with a lifetime warranty: for the love of what it felt like.
