Today it is all bout getting married and getting breath-taking photos for the most best price.
Finding a professional yet affordable wedding photographer in Cranbrook, BC, can be difficult if you don't know where to look. After you look for hours online you come to the conclusion that quite a few photographers will charge upwards of $3,000 for one day of wedding photos.  So, we took it upon ourselves to look for the best photographer at the best price for weddings and all other type of events.  And we have come up with Abby Lee Art Photography.  Known for quality work and a fair price (starting at $1,150) for all your Cranbrook Wedding Photography needs.
For exact pricing please follow this link to Abby's website:  Wedding Photography Cranbrook
Telephone:  250-402-3069

Many people have a dream of starting their own business and quite a few do take the plunge to put that dream into action.  A few succeed and do well to get off the ground and be profitable and grow.  The majority, however, has a hard time making the business work or, at least, not very well.  I want to look at why many fail and some succeed at starting their own business and enjoy the self-employed life.

In no particular order, here are 5 reasons why many fail at being self-employed and running  their own company.

When you start your own business you do not want to borrow starting capital from a bank.  The reason for this is two-fold:
1) When you fail, you will have to re-pay the loan and the last thing you want is this extra pressure to succeed
2) If it isn't your own money, you will tend to spend it unwisely.  Hard earned money has more value and you won't squander it on unnecessary things at the beginning of your start-up.

I see this all the time.  People think they have to make $50,000 profit in the first year.  Big mistake.  It is a little bit like gambling:  You want to make a nice living right away and are then willing to invest a lot of money in machinery or employees right away.  The business model has to be tested first for 1 year at least before you make bold investment choices.  So, start slow and aim for $500-1,000 profit a month in the first year at most.  You can always scale up later.

Similar to the last point but many people make this mistake in the 2nd and 3rd years usually.  Things might be going fairly well after the first year and you say to yourself:  I should hire someone, so I can do less or the more important things.  Stop right there.  Just think of how much a full-time employee is going to cost you - $32,000 in Canada and that's best case scenario.  Now you have to make $32,000 more profit that year just to break even.  And now you are also a people manager with the emotional issues attached to that.  Wait with employees until you have a track record of making $100,000 profit a year for 2 years in a row at least.

This is my biggest issue with so many start-ups.  Nobody wants to be frugal.  Everybody wants their business to look super-professional right from the start.  Why?  Be humble and buy your supplies (office supplies, etc) in second-hand stores.  Use your own used car instead of a business car.  Shop around for quotes to make sure you get the lowest one.  In the beginning all of that frugalness is super-important.  You have no income coming in, yet but many people spend their capital like it grows on trees.  Then, after the first year they wonder why it is so tough to be profitable.  I personally don't trust any new business that throws money around.

Yes, everybody knows that the internet is useful for business in general.  But I think most self-employed wannabes are not seeing the full potential.  Through the internet you now have access to the whole world and their supplies/products.   You got endless advice and tips from people who have started their own business and made mistakes.  Your have websites that can be designed and search engine optimized in such a way that your products (if your business sells any) sell themselves if you rank high enough.  And the best thing about the internet is that it is cheap to work with if you learn how to do websites and marketing yourself.

Start small, be flexible, be frugal, learn from others and don't go to fast.  That way you will have a much better rate of success.

Author of:  Creston Photographers and Frameless Doors Canada

Flush Doors is the newest Window and Door Supplier in Creston.  They can supply a wide range of interior doors including unique European Doors and Frameless Doors with Hidden Hinges.  Here is a list of what you can choose from:

A wide variety of standard trimmed doors in many different finishes and colours.  Butt hinges or Hidden Hinges are possible.  Wood Veneers range from Beech to Walnut and everything in between.  Custom Sizes are no problem.  Door Handles and Door Frames are included with the doors.

Frameless Doors have an invisible frame without any casing or trim. All you will see after installation is the door slab in the wall (with a 1/8" gap between door and wall).  It is a modern door look that many contemporary designers are after these days.

Flush Doors have a flat, smooth surface and have a frame and trim that sits in the same plane as the wall.  While you still have a visible frame and casing, you will get a more modern look than with a standard interior door from Creston suppliers.

Flush Doors offers a wide variety of glass inserts.  More standard full lite and half lite glass inserts but also the European style glass inserts that go all the way from top to bottom of the door without any rails.

Get a quote from Flush Doors in Creston.
Visit our website at:  Creston Doors

Being a Photographer in Creston, BC certainly has many advantages but also a few disadvantages.  As with any small community you have less potential customers.  But that also means that there are fewer photographers that you have to compete against.  A small Rocky Mountain town like Creston that is at least one hour driving time from the nearest other town means that most people will stay in town when they look for a service like a photographer.  That goes for most other service businesses as well (especially in the winter months when the passes are potentially full of snow).
The availability of nature and wildlife in the immediate vicinity is a big plus for nature photographers in a town like Creston.  In a city you might have to drive for hours to get to take pictures of a bear or moose.  The scenery is also beautiful for photography with mountains, rivers and lakes as backdrops.
Photographing people, be it families, babies, couples, children or individual portraits, is no different from being a photographer in a larger community or city.
Due to the smaller size of a town like Creston, travel distances and traffic are much smaller compared to a city.  That means less stress for the photographers and their clients which leads to much more relaxed atmosphere during the photo shoot.
Small towns like Creston also allow you to work in your own home photography studio.  That ii something that city people sometimes frown upon because they want to see a grand-scale impressive studio.
Focusing on maternity photography and baby pictures has become a thing and if you should live in a retirement community you will have less opportunity to take baby photographs.  So, in that case, a larger city with a younger population would work better.
Lastly, we have word-of-mouth.  Small places like Creston will always have stronger word-of-mouth business for a photographer than a large city will.  When everybody knows each other (almost) then word-of-mouth can be a blessing or curse depending on how your last few photography projects went.  Many small business owners (like myself) can certainly relate to that.

Family and maternity portrait photography is more than just a professional service—it's an art form that captures the essence of love, growth, and timeless memories. Portraits serve as a visual representation of a family’s journey, marking key moments in life and offering families a way to preserve their beloved memories. Whether it’s the excitement of expecting a child or the bond between family members off all ages, portrait photography allows individuals to relive these beautiful moments when they have long forgotten them.

Cranbrook family portraits have been a staple for generations, offering a way to celebrate unity and togetherness. A family photograph freezes a moment in time, allowing future generations to look back and understand their own history. Family photos often become heirlooms, passed down through generations, reminding families of their shared experiences and connections.
Photo sessions can capture relationships—the bonds between parents, siblings, and extended family members. In a world where technology often dominates our attention, a family portrait offers a meaningful and tangible reminder of who we are and where we come from. Family photography can also serve as a source of empowerment and affirmation, showing individuals that they are loved and valued.

Cranbrook Maternity photography, on the other hand, celebrates the beauty of pregnancy and the anticipation of a new life. Expecting mothers often go through physical and emotional transformations, and a maternity portrait session can provide a moment of reflection and appreciation for the miracle of life. These photographs allow women to embrace their changing bodies and capture their journey until childbirth.
Maternity portraits Creston often include soft, intimate settings, with an emphasis on the glow and radiance that comes with pregnancy. The mother-to-be is usually the focal point, but many photographers will also include partners or siblings to highlight the fact that everybody is excited. The beauty of maternity photography lies in its ability to make women feel beautiful and confident as they approach a new chapter in their lives.

A skilled Creston photographer is essential to both family and maternity portraits. They must be able to not only handle the technical aspects—such as lighting, composition, and posing—but also create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for their subjects (just like in modeling). Especially in family sessions, the ability to interact with children and keep them engaged is crucial. In maternity photography, it’s important to make the mother feel comfortable and beautiful while guiding her through flattering poses.
The photographer's role extends beyond taking pictures; they are responsible for directing the session and making clients feel at ease. By building a rapport with the family or the mother-to-be, a photographer ensures that the resulting images reflect authentic emotions and connections.

Whether it's capturing a family in a cozy home setting, at a favorite park, or during a maternity shoot bathed in natural light, family and maternity portraits offer a unique opportunity to create lasting memories. These photos encapsulate fleeting moments of joy, love, and connection. When families look back at these portraits years later, they are reminded of the growth, love, and transformation that have shaped their lives.
In a world where moments often slip away too quickly, family and maternity portrait photography Creston serves as a timeless reminder of life's most meaningful chapters. These images not only document significant milestones but also become cherished heirlooms that families can treasure for generations to come.

We now offer tilt and turn windows canada and tilt and turn windows calgary.  We have a Vinyl (PVC) series of windows and an Aluminium series of tilt and turn windows and doors.

Now offering Modern and Contemporary Interior Doors in Calgary, Alberta.  Visit our website for door design ideas and feel free to call us with any questions you might have.  We are currently expanding our Canadian showroom locations and Calgary is our next destination.
We have a wide variety of Swing Doors, Double Doors, Closet Doors, Barn Doors and Pocket Doors. Door materials include Wood, Glass and Laminate Veneers.  We supply a variety of hinges such as Concealed Hinges and Hidden Door Frames for that Frameless Door look.
If you want something beautiful and different, think MID - Modern Interior Doors.


www.moderninteriordoor.com

Our Etsy Website is now here.

We feature Victoria's most extensive Barn Door Collection.  Hidden Tracks, as seen above, are just one possibility to upgrade your home.  You can select from 100's of door designs from High-Gloss Modern to Traditional.
Interior Barn Doors are our speciality.  We are happy to help you find beautiful door solutions.
For Barn Doors:  MID Modern Interior Doors

I have discovered a new company in Vancouver, BC, Canada that offers Freestanding Wood Bathtubs and Wood Sinks.  They have a incredible selection and a lots of Wood Types to choose from. I enjoyed the warmth and natural look of the bathroom. Definitely worth looking into it if you want to transform your bath into a more natural, relaxation-focused room.
The added bonus is that all their Wooden Bathtubs and Wooden Sinks are made in Germany and shipped directly to your home.

Have a look at their website:     www.thewoodenbathroom.com