The reporter was VERY kind and polite on the phone but she kept asking me questions that I didn't understand why she needed to know. One question was about what I do to get business because she knew some people did portrait parties. I said - uh, no way, I would never do a portrait party - I don't feel that portrait party is something that would promote my business to the higher clientelle. I did tell her that word of mouth is huge for me. That is basically what gets most of my business. People like what they see and tell others. I did say that I have my pro lab print referral cards with the customer's child on them and my logo, so they can hand them out to their friends. (I did not say I print business cards - as if I was doing it from my home printer...)
She asked me what my kids' ages were and what their names and birthdates were (she said in case she uses their names and if the story gets bumped, she wants to quote their correct ages) - well, because my kids are older I'm sure that is one reason she didn't mention them! lololol!
What really bothered me then but especially now is she wanted to know what my husband does for a living. That, now looking back on things, was her trying to see if he had a decent job and that she could classify me as bored housewife living off of my husband's income, and me just doing this on the side. That really threw me because I was very clear to her that I am full time and have my own studio and that my kids really don't have anything to do with my business.
I went into this (forwarned by another photographer), knowing that there was a MWAC slant but that the other photographer tried to tell her the REAL TRUTH of the hard work and dedication there is to make a REAL business, and then she gave her my name because I had taken things a step further - I have a studio, I have steady business, I make really nice money with it.
So I was aware that there would be a MWAC slant but I was confident after the interview that she would not classify me as such because I told her my overhead, my startup costs, etc. We talked all about my studio, how cool it is that it is in a historic building in a trendy location, and it is just the perfect setup for me... etc.
So that's what the interview was like. The reporter was very nice but... she had her own agenda, most definitely.
