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The Power of Networking

The Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell Story

By Ashleigh Cropper

February 14^th, 2018

Who are Ben and Lauren?!

I get asked many questions about my business, but the number one question to date would be:

"How did you become Ben and Lauren's photographer?"

Back up a second, do you know who I am talking about?! If you are a Bachelor fan (part of Bachelor Nation, right?) then I am sure you know just who I am talking about. But if not, then Ben Higgins was a single guy, who was chosen after being on an earlier season of "The Bachelorette", to take on the role as "The Bachelor" on ABC's hit show. It's pretty much a crazy fest (in my opinion, but also SO entertaining) of 25-30 women who are fighting to win the bachelor's attention and ultimately, love. You cross your fingers that by the end of this two month journey, the bachelor finds his love and he proposes! Well, it happened for Ben Higgens, who got down on one knee and proposed to the cute girl from Portland, Oregon. Lauren said yes, and then quickly after she moved to his home of Denver, Colorado to start a life together.

Ben and Lauren went on to work with ABC again for their own spin off show called "Ben and Lauren, Happily Ever After". The show was filmed over a period of time two summer's ago (2016) from Denver, to wherever else they were headed in their "day-to-day life". Kind of like a behind-the-scenes of what happens post "The Bachelor".

Anyway, I landed the opportunity to be Lauren Bushnell's photographer. Is that a big deal you ask? Well yes, for many reasons it was a huge opportunity and I want to share with you how it happened and show you the power of networking.

How this Even started.

Sitting at my computer, I took a big gulp, sent out an email to a planner that everyone talks about in town. I'd been wanting to meet her for a long time, so I crossed my fingers, clicked 'send' and hoped that she might just mayyyybe want to respond to me. I invited her to coffee because I was newer in town, wanted to understand the industry, and get to know some people. This was networking set-up #1 - Wedding planner (watch for these as you read along).

We met for coffee and as I sat their, her friend, a local who owns the juice bar in town, happened to walk by. They said hi to each other, and then ran threw a few items they still had yet to do for a fundraiser event in the coming week.

"OH CRAP! We don't have a photographer yet!"

Said the planner. Then they both looked to me....

"You wouldn't want to help us out, would you?!"

Of course I said "yes". So I did, and made some industry connections. But that's just the beginning. This friend of the planner was networking set-up #2 - Organizer of fundraiser.

At the fundraiser I met the team behind "Boulder Lifestyle" Magazine, a local publication that covers all things Boulder. The photos I took for the fundraiser were passed along to the magazine to do a little feature on the fundraiser. They loved those images so much, that one of them ended up on the magazine's front cover that month. Networking set-up #3 - Publisher of "Boulder Lifestyle" Magazine.

BUT THEN...(this is going to get really good!) Boulder Lifestyle Magazine reached out and said they wanted to know if I would be willing to do some freelance work with them. Of course! I wanted to meet people, understand this area more, and just get out and work. I found myself at a collaborative shoot one day in my hometown of Louisville, CO. The owner of a nice, higher end boutique mentioned she had a big surprise happening soon!

Glancing side-to-side and in a low tone, she said that Lauren Bushnell was filming her show and that she, the boutique owner, was going to be styling her! They also had a styled shoot with her, and what do ya know? They didn't have a photographer yet. "Hello, I am a photographer and in order to do a styled shoot you need photos!" Without hesitation (actually, I got way overly excited!) I said I would love to be the photographer if someone else wasn't already lined up. Luckily, no one was! Networking set-up #4 - Boutique Owner!

So there I was on a Friday in the middle of August photographing Lauren Bushnell. Both being from Oregon, we clicked instantly (people from the PNW get it).

I honestly didn't think it would go any further than what just happened. But Lauren said at the end of our shoot that should would love to work with me. From then on, we had a great working relationship while she and Ben were still together (spoiler, they broke up.) Networking set-up #5 - Lauren!

It went so far as to having my images on her Instagram page. 1.4 million Instagram followers and fan girls can really do your work some good when shared on such a large social media network. She used my work on her lifestyle blog here. And then I had my big TV debut with Ben and Lauren on their spin off show. I photographed Lauren on TV to show how she created content for her blog. I also did a little engagement session with her and Ben, but that didn't air sadly.

The Power of Networking.

What I learned from this experience:

1) You are the initiator: You always will have to push yourself and even start the process. Yes, there are times people will reach out to you for coffee, but if you really want to know someone you have to get the gumption to do it. Maybe refrain from trying to cold-call Martha Stewart just yet, but start meeting someone. Is it hard?...yes, totally! Scary? duh! Will you feel uncomfortable, I will guess yes again. Just do it!

2) Right place at the right time: You may not see the outcome of your networking for years down the road. Or you may be somewhere talking with someone because of your networking that will get you a foot in the door, just as you may needed. It could also totally exceed your wildest dreams of what may happen! You know what's hardly ever the right place and time? Your office, your bedroom, your couch, etc.... You can't be in the right place at the right time if you never get out and try to be. It's a long term investment, but start planting seeds!

3) In person: I have learned from moving to a state where I did not have a single friend or family member around, that it is essential to actually meet face-to-face. If you send an email, and they are not willing to get together and just want to chat on the phone, I recommend doing all you can to fit in a coffee date, or a hike, or a run together. Find something they HAVE to do during their day (i.e. they always go for lunch time runs). Then offer to do that with them. Sound weird? Get over it! They probably won't mind the company, and you just fit right into their schedule. Everyone has to eat, invite them to lunch...or even bring lunch to them! In person connection will always be more powerful than an email, text, even a phone call.

4) Let your connections build on one another: I could have sent out that email to the planner, but said I was busy the day of the fund raiser. I made sure that the connection I was making there would help me to find more connections. Always be open to ways that the connections you have already can lead you to more.

Business Rewards.

If we back up and look at this crazy, long list of how everything came to be, it started with that one, single email I sent to the planner asking if I could take her out for coffee. If I hadn't put myself out there and sent that email, I am sure none of these opportunities would have happened! Think of that! I literally would not have had the chance to photograph Ben and Lauren on TV if I hadn't sent that one single email!

I will be transparent here and say, if you read this far let me share just a bit more that will really nail it in! I booked three weddings because of people finding me through Lauren Bushnell (that I know of) and I have photographed at least eight engagement sessions as well. I have also had people in the industry trust me quicker, and take me more seriously (including my family). Getting up the gumption to meet people provides you that social proof that you aught to be taken seriously, and sometimes, as was the case here, can lead to some pretty amazing outcomes.