We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Phern Cain a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Phern, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Definitely my daughter. I want her to see my processes – to understand that failure and mistakes are part of the journey. It makes you stronger every time you get up. I want her to see that her dreams are possible, and I would be a bad example if I stayed defeated.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
The most important thing to me about my business is my client experience and the real connections I have the privilege of making. When I get hired for a wedding, I get to work and be connected with these couples for months and months before their wedding day. The best part about it is that it’s not uncommon for me to meet up with them for coffee or lunch long after their wedding has passed. I think that’s really special.
I am still learning all about the business side of photography, and what I REALLY want my brand to be like, but I think I’m really close. I’m working hard to learn about new ways to serve my people better and fine tuning my processes so that I can improve the experience people have working with me.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the first one for me is my comfortability in giving direction. A LOT of clients that I get to work with mention how they’re not “models” or they’re “awkward” in front of the camera, but when they get their images back, they’re shocked at how much they love them. I really think this is because I understand how to direct people to get the reaction or movement I’m looking for in the shot.
The next one that really helps me work weddings would be my planning skills. I LOVE helping plan the timeline for the day of the wedding. Each couple has a different idea of what they want the day to be like with incorporation a variety of unique things. It’s like a puzzle for me to lay out for them a perfectly curated and timed day that includes being able to photograph everything that is meaningful for them.
Lastly, my editing is something I get compliments on constantly. I’ve been editing photos since I was 16 years old. I feel lucky having ten whole years of figuring out the style I really want to stick with. It definitely took some time, and there were lots of frustrating moments trying to figure it out, but I feel like I am finally where I want to be.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
A few years ago, I was in a really dark place and I turned back to reading to escape. I was recommended a self-help healing book and from there, I ended up reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.
It’s a book all about making new habits, and breaking ones you want to part with. The biggest thing I took away from it was that you do not have to improve all areas of your life/business all at once. Just focus on bettering 1% of it. Once you have that habit in place, focus on the next 1%.
This keeps me from being overwhelmed at the thought of the LONG journey I still have. Everything takes time, and being 1% better everyday is better than staying where you are.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thewildphern.com
- Instagram: @thewildphern
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewildphern
