WIBNI Member Profile- Cai Graham

Why did you start your own business?
I took time out of the IT industry to bring up the children and support a very busy husband. At 40 I hit a crossroads and felt that there was more to life than the school run. I wanted to get my identity back but the IT industry had left me behind.
Photography had always been a big factor in my life. I am a people person - and IT was just a bit too dry for me. I love interacting with people and making them happy. Photography suits me down to the ground!

What type of client do you work with?
I have a diverse range of clients. I photograph people. Fundamentally my business is a portrait business. I photograph Brides at their weddings and from there follow them and watch their families grow. I photograph Expectant Mums and their babies. I capture the milestones as they grow up taking their first steps as toddlers - all the way through to them reaching for independence and flying the nest and leaving home.
However I also have a commercial arm to my business; and I have been the Women in Business NI photographer for the past two years. I take photographs for corporate brochures and websites - helping companies show the human side of their companies. Clients like to see faces of who they are dealing with.

How do you develop new business opportunities?
My business is constantly evolving/ I learn from the big names in my industry. I attend our largest annual UK photographic convention where I have training regarding all areas of the photography business. There are 3 days of business workshops and 3 days of photography related seminars. This is a huge investment for me - but crucial to keep one step ahead.
The trade show displays all the latest products that are on offer; which allows me to provide exciting new lines to the clients.
Through Women in Business NI I was introduced to Heather Major from Business in the Community who was running the Business Connections programme. She put me in contact with Lyle English from CSS Training Services. Lyle is my Business Mentor and a tremendous help in steering me through the minefield of structuring my business so is it more robust and able to move forward.
Also through Women in Business NI I met Rosemary Morrison from Directus Business Training and Consultancy. We are analysing my client base and the markets I should be focussing on. This helps me to position my promotions with a greater understanding of how to target my products and services.
In today’s world we need to be so much more effective with our marketing techniques. Rosemary is also assisting me in creating my Marketing Campaign which I will be able to use throughout the year.

When did you join Women in Business NI?
I joined in 2009

Why did you join Women in Business NI?
I joined for greater networking opportunities. As the owner of a small business it can be very isolating working on your own. I joined, not only to try and drum up business but I wanted to gain support and guidance and to meet others in the same boat.

What are the advantages to you of being a member of Women in Business NI?
Like anything in life: the more you contribute - the more you benefit. For the first year I paid my membership and nothing happened; not surprisingly as I did not attend any of the events. The second year I decided to attend everything. Networking does not come naturally to me - so I was rather apprehensive however I was made to feel very welcome and it was apparent that the room was filled with like-minded people just wanting to make the right connections.
I have met many people through my Women in Business NI membership. On a personal level I have taken photographs of a member whilst on a hen weekend with some girlfriends in Fermanagh; and I was lucky enough to have taken a family portrait shoot for another member.
I have been able to refer a Women in Business NI colleague (Deborah Swain from Xperience) to a friend of mine who was having technical issue with her PC. I have also worked with Angela Brady (Brady Solicitors) who helped me draw up my clients contracts.
I also take Boudoir Photographs - which my clients tell me undoubtedly boosts their confidence and increases their self-esteem. Clients are pampered throughout the session and for these sessions I use a wonderful make-up artist Kerri Moore who I met at a Women in Business NI, Business Lunch. I have also been able to refer Kerri to a number of my brides.
I have supported CLIC Sargent in many of their events over the past few years and liaise closely with their Northern Ireland Events Fundraising Manager Claire McAuley, whom I met at a Women in Business NI event.

Do you think it’s important to be a member of an organisation which represents Women in Business NI only?
Personally I did not seek a ‘women only’ organisation. There are men on the Board and there are many great male speakers who I have listened to over the years.
But I found a networking organisation that welcomed me and supported me and ran events that interested me. The fact is, that this organisation is Women in Business NI.

Do you think you need to attend every event to make the membership worthwhile? If yes, why?
The more events that you attend the better it is to build your network. However you are not at a disadvantage if you are unable to attend some.

Would you recommend Women in Business NI to other businesswomen? If yes, why?
Yes I would highly recommend it. The best suggestion I can make is to come to an event as a guest and see if you like what you see. Contact either Eva Garland or visit the website and have a look at the events on the programme for the next 6 months.

Contact:
www.caigrahamphotography.co.uk
Info@caigrahamphotography.co.uk
 

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