The Wedding Professional's Podcast Episode Fourteen - From Classroom to Camera: Ricky Kular's Success in Wedding Photography and Videography

What happens when a primary school teacher risks it all to chase his passion? Today, we share an engaging conversation with the talented Ricky Kular who moved from a stable teaching job to the unpredictable world of photography and videography. His leap of faith has paid off, as he's not only capturing precious moments, but also guiding couples through their big day with valuable insights on budgeting for a wedding.

Ricky's success story hasn't been without its tests. Balancing his photography career and maintaining his mental health has been a challenge that he overcame with the aid of self-care, balance and the support of his family. This episode offers an intimate look into Ricky's journey, revealing his work ethic, the significance of reliable equipment, and the power of social media in connecting him with clients. Ricky also touches on a life-changing comment from his friend Nicku, and how it turned his focus onto his business.

A fascinating aspect of this episode is Ricky's unique approach to wedding videos. Unlike the long films that are popular today, he chooses to make 45 minute to an hour-long films. He also candidly discusses the generational shift in Asian culture regarding wedding films. As an added bonus, Ricky opens up about his fondness for the DJ industry and how being open to new ideas and opportunities has contributed to his success. This episode is a testament to the importance of passion, balance, and resilience in one's professional journey. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with lessons that go beyond the lens.

Transcript

Andy: 0:01

Hello and welcome along. It's Andy, your host on this hero podcast. Hello everyone, and it's episode 14. This week, ricky Kula, freelance videographer, photographer. This episode probably a little bit more relaxed than some of the others that have been previous, mostly because I've known Ricky for donkey's years and our relationship is just kind of that way. We laugh and joke and I think some of that comes over in this podcast. So please enjoy me chatting to Ricky Kula. Here we are in Coventry for episode 14 of the Wedding Professionals podcast. Coventry notable, and I bet you didn't know this it's the birthplace of St George.

Ricky: 0:49

No way, didn't know that.

Andy: 0:51

So the voice you heard there, that is one, ricky Kula, freelance, extraordinaire, award-winning videographer. I don't know, have you had any awards? No, no awards. Not my thing. Andy, the worst videographer from Coventry, freelancer. Welcome to the pod, rick. Thanks, mate. Thank you for finding the time. We've had some fun organising this because you know, one minute you're off to Turkey and then you're doing this and you're doing that, and, oh man, I can't do it this week. So, so, anyway, we finally got you.

Ricky: 1:24

So thank you very, very much, no problem, happy to be here, mate.

Andy: 1:28

Now just tell the listeners what you do.

Ricky: 1:31

I'll shoot weddings now, joking. So yeah, I'm a photographer and cinematographer. Been in the game. This is my 11th year now, so yeah, been going strong. Love what I do basically.

Andy: 1:42

Excellent For my life. Maybe not many people actually kind of know this, but you were a teacher.

Ricky: 1:51

Yes, mate. So yeah, I started photography 11 years ago when my uncle had a studio in Leviton and he needed help, basically. So I was like, yeah, no problem, I'll give you a hand. And I learned a lot of the technical side of photography more than video and then kind of went on. People kept coming in asking for weddings. He was like nope, don't want to do it, don't want to do it. I thought, oh, I'll do it.

Ricky: 2:14

Ended up doing my first wedding for £150 and then kind of enjoyed it and then from there kind of went traveling and thought I was enjoying a bit of photography weren't really a big thing to me, just sort of on the side. And then I ended up going back in training for three years to be a teacher and thinking that would be my career, but kind of parallel. At the same time I had my first photography business, which did well and I, you know, got me through uni and then it got to the point where I got married at 30. I had graduated, got my first teaching job and I was six years in the game of shooting. And yeah, so for six years I did. I don't know how I did it, but I did teaching year two, monday to Friday, and then obviously working like a madman on the weekend. Yeah, I pretty much did nine, yeah, probably nine months a year, seven days a week.

Ricky: 3:03

I did for six years straight which at the time, me being me, I thought I was just, yeah, working hard and just getting my head down, but unfortunately kind of took a toll on my health and I basically I always remember this. So obviously family times really important to me you end up going holiday. My little one was just born and my wife was really looking forward to this holiday. We're in Mallorca and basically I just kind of collapsed man, like literally couldn't move my legs, just couldn't walk properly, you couldn't really move and quite scary actually. And then on reflection I'm kind of just realized that I was basically exhausted, yeah, and some changes had to be made and basically I kind of made the decision to leave teaching, which wasn't easy, obviously scary, even a full-time career which I was, you know, doing quite well at. But I basically made the jump and I haven't looked back since it's a huge thing to walk away from a guaranteed.

Andy: 3:55

You know, monday to Friday, 95 actually teaching isn't the 95, is it? That's the?

Ricky: 3:59

worst thing, you know you think you can work a nine to five, whatever, and still shoot on the weekends. But you know, sometimes in two days on the Saturday and Sunday we're clocking up 30 32 hours in two days yeah you're working 50 hours as a teacher. You any we talked about juggles my yards pre-events you easy in 100 hours a week, which isn't healthy for nine months a year but still stepping off the cliff and walking away from a guaranteed wage to relying on your own.

Andy: 4:24

Now, sifi, like just to get yourself work and everything. I think a massive, massive. I mean. I took the same step myself. You know I was very lucky. I had the support of my wife and everything. She gets another shower. So what were your feelings walking away from school on that last day?

Ricky: 4:42

I'm not gonna lie to you, man. I remember doing a Christmas do with all like the Midlands photographer that's on leave, teaching, leave, teaching. And that was the Christmas before COVID, right, and I built myself up, built myself up. I was like, yeah, I'm just gonna do it now, I'm just gonna do it. And, to be fair, my wife she's the one that basically forced look, not forced me, but pushed me to because she, she, knew what I could achieve. So she's always been like, go for it, go for it.

Ricky: 5:04

I mean, I'll be totally honest, I'm not, I'm not gonna sit here being like, yep, I just jumped straight into. It wasn't that kind of thing. You know, I've got a wife, I've got kids, I've got a mortgage to pay. So I think in my head it was always the exit plan, but I weren't stupid about it. I always made sure that, basically, you know, I got to a point where there's, you know, some of money in my bank account that say, covid did hit again, we'd be okay for a year, kind of thing. So I did it tactically, I did it clever, like I said, I'm not gonna sit here being one of those guys. Yep, I just jumped straight across. I didn't. But obviously I put plans in place that if anything did go wrong, I'm okay. And even at that point where I had, when I had a safety net of a year, I was still scared yeah, I was like do I do?

Ricky: 5:39

it today, do I not? And my wife's one, like basically stop being a wimp, just and just do it.

Ricky: 5:45

Wives are brilliant things, yeah amazing and at the time I mean I'm massive and my kids I love being that a dad, I'm bizarre with my children and it was to the point where, like I couldn't, even as a teacher I mean teachers will get this like you can't even take your kid to school ever like, obviously, when they have school holidays, you have your school holidays, but and I to me that was a big thing. So my wife said she's like look, you always want to take your daughter to school and this is what it's gonna take, so just just do it. So I just walked in. I want to spend more time with my family. The little one was at childcare. Like what do we do with childcare?

Andy: 6:12

I was like you know, it all ticks all the box in just the right time yeah, so now you you've got free time during the week to do the school runs and that sort of stuff. That's it, bro. So every year.

Ricky: 6:22

So, like you know, I I mean in our industry you know it's tough. We work weekends. I mean I have got. I'm a guy that has balance. I think. I think I do my best because I'm not around weekends all the time. I do my best to make sure we do do things in the week and I have that time with my children. So like, for example, monday is I do not work period all my customers.

Ricky: 6:42

They know this soon as they book me like guys. Just to let you know, mondays is my family day and, yeah, my little one doesn't go to nursery or anything on that day. So, yeah, we always do something nice on Monday. Monday to me is like a Saturday.

Andy: 6:51

I think that's good actually, just to take one day out and just go nope, I'm not doing. It doesn't matter what's going on, I'm not working that day, 100% me.

Ricky: 6:59

And even like I'll be honest, if a bank holiday comes I might do a little bit of work. But yeah, I'm absolutely. Someone could offer me an X amount of £1,000 wedding. I'm like, no, sorry, I'm not interested.

Andy: 7:08

Yeah good man, just take me back then to that very, very first wedding. How many years ago, 12 years ago, 13 years?

Ricky: 7:16

ago 11 and a half, now 11 yeah so how did you, what were you doing? Photography I was doing photography at the time. Okay, I only got into film, probably around that same sort of time. Film was a different story, but yeah, photography is me and my mate. We both worked in the studio and he was like another friend had come in. He's like make, please, shoot my wedding. Like you know, we're struggling to find someone. X, y Zed. He's like I've never done a wedding before struggling to find someone cheap.

Ricky: 7:39

Yeah, basically yeah, and I ended up going to this absolutely stunning place in Oxford cheer is a night. It's a beautiful I can't remember the name now, but it's a beautiful like Manor House and I was like, look, I'll do your wedding, but I need a lens. So I didn't even have a lens at the time. So game like 220 pound to buy a Canon 18 to 55 lens or whatever yeah and I managed to shoot the wedding.

Ricky: 8:00

Yeah, so yeah, that that was it, man. I just, we just did. It was like, actually, this is all right and you learn a lot along the way yeah, of course.

Andy: 8:08

Um. Have you still got the imagery from that wedding? Probably, yeah and if you look back at it now. How do you?

Ricky: 8:14

yeah, I mean I haven't. I haven't done it, but you know I'm gonna do that today. But I often do look back. You know, even on Instagram you look back five years ago stuff that you posted then it's like what? Like, things change, especially in that industry. You know, technology changes, knowledge changes. Like I'm big on investing in myself, so I always tried my best to go and workshops and and learn things and, and you know, it all comes together to the point where, at the time, you're creating something that you're really, really proud of. So that's what matters really. I think at the time you're in the place where you're supposed to be to the best of your ability.

Ricky: 8:44

At that time yeah and you know, you can, you know, hopefully you only get better and better and better and so starting out as a freelancer, then working for other people mostly, or for yourself yeah, so I mean I always had, I always. To be fair, ricky Kula photography is my third company. You know actually, um, my first one was my, my mate that we shot that first wedding okay, and obviously we just kind of you know he did his.

Ricky: 9:06

He went into like sort of corporate stuff, what, what was that called? It was called CUDA KUDER. I remember the logo. Actually it was a nice logo, but yeah okay, we just probably did two weddings a year three a year combination of two names. Yeah, yeah, it was, it was yeah, his surname, my surname joined together okay we had good times.

Ricky: 9:20

I learned a lot, I think, in business. All my lessons have been given to me, um to get me to where I am now basically. So that was my first sort of business. And then I was probably freelancing more, probably, like I said, doing two, three weddings on my own, probably freelancing quite a lot, um at that time. But that's where I think film came into it, because I think there's probably more photographers around then and less film people and I kind of learned a bit of film. So I've got more film work at that time.

Andy: 9:46

Okay.

Ricky: 9:47

And equipment was different back then. Obviously, man, we were shooting on those glidecams and sliders and all that stuff, right, um. And then, yes, I was freelancing a lot for a lot of people, which was what I've learned now, which was bad for my business growth because obviously, if you're shooting for everyone else all the time every weekend, you know you're not free to shoot at the weddings. And my philosophy at that time was if I'm shooting for jibs tv, for example, like I'm not going to take another wedding on, even if I get a sort of inquiry for that day.

Ricky: 10:15

I was quite loyal in that sense that if people booked me, they booked me, and unfortunately my diary got booked up so much with the freelance that I didn't really have much space to do mine.

Andy: 10:24

So how do you go about putting yourself out there as a freelancer? Because from nothing. How do you find people that want to book you?

Ricky: 10:31

So for freelance, I think I'll be totally honest. I think it's all down to reputation. Okay, me and am always talk about this. We always used to say, like you know, they got three things. You got like work ethic, um equipment and sort of what was the other thing? Work ethic equipment. There's another one, I've totally forgot, it's gone out my mind, but basically we used to rank them um. It's like someone could have the most expensive, amazing cameras in the world and you think, yeah, they're a great freelancer, but they're the first one to like an uncle I just happened. They're just sat on their phone like watching their phone, kind of thing, whereas, oh, reliability, I think was either one.

Ricky: 11:03

So, okay, I believe it was either one and me and him always agreed always be like work Ethic first, reliability, then equipment comes last.

Ricky: 11:08

Okay like it's all about your ethics and and how you. You know, whenever I've freelanced and it's always been, and you know our freelance for the best companies in the country and it's always been my ethics if I'm shooting for you, I treat that as if it's my own job and I'll give them 1 million percent and I'll go all out. I'll treat your customers like they're my customers To an extent. Obviously I wouldn't want to step on your toes. Obviously that's your customer, but you know I make them feel comfortable, sure, and I think people see that. And then you know, and ultimately they'll probably see the work you produce and it just kind of snowballs. It always just snowballs.

Andy: 11:37

But again just get him back. Um, you say you've shot this first wedding you only make. You've probably done two or three others. Are you making contacts along the way that you? Later want to utilize and shoot for.

Ricky: 11:51

Yeah, definitely, I think I think we did, as, as you know, you're shooting. Obviously, if we were doing photography the other film guys at the wedding, you connect with them. But I think the the biggest thing was you. From that one wedding I did, for example, I would have created something that would have posted online, for example.

Ricky: 12:05

Yeah and then people realized oh, rick's actually shooting weddings now. People see that work, they might like it and think actually, you know, this is quite nice to get in touch, we need to shoot, are you available? And that's how it kind of you know.

Andy: 12:14

So the, so the social media aspect of it plays a huge part.

Ricky: 12:19

Absolutely massive. I think back then it didn't. I remember like struggling to get leads because Social media wasn't really the forefront of business back then.

Ricky: 12:26

Like me, come on you're talking 11 to hour years ago. Um, it was a kind of networking. You go to weddings, you meet other people, you know that sort of viable working with other industry professionals, and whereas now it's a total different ballgame. I think you know Social media has such a big, big, big Place in the whole of the wedding industry not in photo and video. It, you know, it's the basis showcase of what everyone does in one place really. And you know, I mean I think it's dangerous in some aspects because people can look at things and not get misled but you don't believe everything you see on social media, you know, sometimes, because On on social media you can see how good someone's work is, but you can't see how reliable they are, for example.

Andy: 13:05

Yeah, true.

Ricky: 13:06

So it's important to do your homework. But yeah, social media is absolutely massive and I understand.

Andy: 13:09

Well, you're quite big in this, aren't you? Because you're sort of peering into the camera. Okay, what's up, guys? I'm here today at so and so so.

Ricky: 13:19

I think what happened like I'll be honest, like, even though it's my 11th year, I think the last probably four years I did, okay, right Few weddings probably go back four years ago, to my second brand, which was called syneca, which was supposed to be like a cinema but with a cave or like obviously cool, uh, but yeah but basically that's what it was.

Andy: 13:34

Oh right, okay, what happened was I couldn't After sort of research.

Ricky: 13:39

People couldn't say the name.

Ricky: 13:40

They're like always this yeah, signee, and I was like well, so he's not right here and at the time I was teaching and obviously being a dad and being a husband and I didn't really have time then when lockdown happened. Obviously that's probably what seven years ago Well, no, sorry, seven years into my into my career, I've learned so much. I've learned so much about branding and I kind of knew where I wanted to go and I think nick was on that actually said it to me, life-changing comment. He goes like I was struggling man, I was working so much, um, and he said rick, come on. He's like you're doing 50% teaching, 50% shooting, right. He's like You're doing all right. I said, yeah, you know I'm doing pretty decent. He's like well, imagine if you did 100% film, I don't know what you could do then and I was like, whoa, that's so true.

Ricky: 14:22

Who's who said this to you, know from usr.

Andy: 14:24

Okay, yeah, we're having a conversation after a gig, yeah.

Ricky: 14:28

Yeah, shout out to nico. Um, yeah, he basically said something along those lines. It's always stuck in my mind and then as soon as I left teaching, I sort of I wasn't a man in the business, I became a man on the business and I really sort of Used my set of skills to basically build the business. I weren't constantly just shooting, editing, shooting, editing, shooting, editing.

Ricky: 14:45

Yeah it's more about okay, where can I take this brand and where are we going to go with it? And you know, of all the things I've learned, I have a very close circle of industry friends, so shout out to all of them. Um, but basically I've just amalgamated everything that I knew and you know I was doing like. You know, last few years we've been doing real really well, touch wood, and I think a lot of that has because I made that decision. To be like my usp is basically my personality. Yeah, you know, I'm a bit of a out there kind of guy, like your confidence, and I thought my wife was like we'll show it, like you need to show that. And, um, my in-laws and you know they quite big on social media, so they kind of had a good chat with me and I was like let's just try it, See what happens yeah and and I sat talking to jazz joe howl actually a few weeks ago and he was saying you know, you know I see you stuff.

Ricky: 15:31

And I was like yeah, Do you know? I just post More about me and my personality, what I'm into and what the customer's buying into as me as a person, as opposed to here's some nice pictures or here's a nice video and it's, you know, it's working.

Andy: 15:43

So yeah, yeah, no, no question, it's um, it does work very well. I'm quite envious of of your ability just appear into a camera and and talk rubbish.

Ricky: 15:52

It is scary. It is scary, but yeah, you just do it right.

Andy: 15:56

Um, so, along the way, have there been other photographers or videographers that have inspired you? Uh, when you look at their work, do you think, oh wow.

Ricky: 16:05

Yeah, I mean, I'll be honest if you're going back to 1 million percent. I think when I first started as my first freelance job, money was there. Pavela Shout out to money and you know that's going back 10 years.

Ricky: 16:17

Yeah and I used to shoot with him and back then he was a talented guy. I mean we was using cannons but we were using like monopods is like steady cows, all this crazy stuff that we're doing and you know it's. It was nice to be in that environment. I think Through the years I used to look at other people's work. Yeah, you know, but going back to the sort of the brand now, ricky, cooler, which is what three, four years old now, I've kind of gone into a different sort of wavelength. I appreciate good work of his out there, like if it comes up and if you know if mani's posting something, or am I for make it reals posting something. You know very close friends of mine, you know I'd show a bit of support and follow. But my kind of mindset is I don't really look at other people doing further in video. I kind of just my mindset is it's nice to show appreciation but I'm, you know, I don't want to get consumed and just looking at other people's stuff.

Ricky: 17:01

And you know, you know, consuming everyone else's stuff, it's just, yeah, it's not my vibe man. I just I just Like, said I do really appreciate when people are doing good work and now and again I will jump on or, if you know, so it's her and says post is something I'll show a bit of support, but I'm not the kind of guy that sits there scorning Instagram looking at certain people and looking at all their work. Yeah, it's not something that I do.

Andy: 17:21

So what would you say? Your sort of style is Are you a cinematic shooter?

Ricky: 17:26

So it's okay. So, film wise, I think we don't really spoke much about film, but I think my first style is obviously you know I'm obsessed with light my favorite thing in shooting wedding I know it sounds really really weird, but, um, my favorite thing is basically being in a really rubbish situation.

Ricky: 17:45

Yeah like in the worst conditions ever. Lights horrible Like the most dingiest. I've done portraits in bathrooms before, dude, like I've. Like it had nowhere so about to open the door. Light it in a certain way, just, and that's what gives me a buzz and that's like my favorite making something out of nothing. Yeah, out of nothing because obviously you know I've traveled all over the world. Luckily now if I'm in the middle of venice and you know, With that backdrop like it's not as hard as being that wrong a little Hall in, you know, birmingham.

Ricky: 18:12

Yeah, you got to kind of create something and you know you always want to create something for the customer and you want some for them to have something special, so that's something that really, really buzzes me. On photo and video, both, and my first style is very, yeah, you know, it's natural I'm obsessed with light. I love creating stuff that's different and it's similar on the film side. But my film side, I kind of lost my passion, to be honest, about Three years ago. I was kind of like just making these long films and it was just like I just I didn't want to like.

Ricky: 18:37

It weren't really I went enthusiastic about it. I was like I was doing it, it was fine and obviously I was getting paid to do it, so obviously you got a job to do and be professional. But my heart just went in it and I and I really reflected and this is going back to me being on the business and not in the business and I and I was like, right, what can I do here? Like what would really really excite me? And on the film side, the most exciting thing was trailers.

Ricky: 18:56

Right, like making something that's absolutely stunning in two minutes and getting all those amazing shots and yeah, and creating something that's very, very, you know, beautiful. And I always even I think my, my film trailer style is still I still use the same things, like it always at the end when the beat finishes it would just go to black, like things like that. I have a certain thing that I do in my films, but that's when I basically thought of my 60 minute film. So I don't actually make long edits anymore, I only specialize in making short form, really create a 45 minutes to an hour and for some people they're like, whoa, we're only gonna get 45 minutes an hour. I'm like that's cool.

Ricky: 19:31

It's not for everyone, but I'm after the people that it is for and you know I'm doing, I say 25, 30 percent of my business a year is still making those short films and I'm really happy with that.

Andy: 19:42

This is something that amazes me about the kind of Asian wedding market video wise is the fact that there's you know, I'll exaggerate 14 hours of dancing and you've got to get every single frame right to the very end, and there's a lot of people that do shoot like that, and it's just like who is ever gonna sit down and watch all that? You know what I mean. Who's gonna sit and watch all that? I?

Ricky: 20:05

think. I think, to be honest, mate, I think it comes down to generation, generational differences. I think there's a massive what's the word? I think? The different generations, especially in Asian culture, they have different expectations of film. Okay like you know, like when they got married, they had a 10 hour film on five. Vhs is a picture.

Ricky: 20:24

Yeah and then cinematography came out. We're trying to create something that's, you know, nice and cinematic and like, don't get me wrong, there's people that do amazing job. I'm after examples amazing what he does in terms of making long-form edit but still make it quite creative. But At the same time, for me, like I said, it's not I'm not putting anyone down, but for me my heart went in it like, except for some people, that's absolutely great. I still turn around to people on a daily basis and I'm like well, this is my film product. They're like wow, you know my mom and dad might not be happy. That was absolutely fine. Like you know, it's no problem at all. You know, I am blessed that I do photo and video so I can still you know what talk to them about the photography side and recommend someone that is good at the long-form edits.

Andy: 20:59

Yeah.

Ricky: 21:00

I think it's definitely a cultural thing that they want the parents to be like. The parents are happy that they've got it all Covered and it is on a film somewhere.

Ricky: 21:08

So yeah, despite, despite the fact that probably nobody will watch, I've been, that's the thing that I was the people always watch their trailers and I was like, hang on, like I Like I text all my industry friends, like I'll say to them like dude, I've just made the best film in my life, and then next time that dude I just made, yeah, come that passionate about it and it and it is amazing.

Andy: 21:26

Yeah.

Ricky: 21:27

I'm quite protective over it because I do feel, like you know, I'm pioneering and I'm specializing in that, in that sort of sector. I feel like a lot of people gonna start copying it when they when it starts coming around. But at the minute I'm so proud of what I'm creating and it's absolutely like it's watching a movie, a feature film, yeah you don't have to press fast forward. You don't have to rewind it and it's because there are no dull moments.

Andy: 21:46

Yeah, and it's just pure.

Ricky: 21:47

It's like watching a full-on movie. I use proper like movie music when I don't use no like yeah, you know traditional songs and the way you've pieced it together.

Ricky: 21:54

It took a long time for me to figure out. In fact, I swear about eight years ago I had a conversation. You know I've got this idea. I know you probably remember I got this idea. But you know the dance floor. How am I gonna get over the dance floor? Can't get my head around it. And then after, like I said, after deep Reflection, actually I've got an idea here and it worked.

Andy: 22:09

Yeah, can't disagree with that. So Talk to me about advice that you would have for couples.

Ricky: 22:17

So I think generally cost the whole wedding industry. You know everyone is amazing what they did. I've said that before already in this podcast that you know there's so many talented individuals out there, no matter what sector they're in, whether it's makeup, decor, photography, djing, whatever it might be. I know I'm just loads there, but I'm just talking.

Andy: 22:33

Well, that's the point of the pod really is to showcase all these.

Ricky: 22:36

You know, yeah, and like you know they are all amazing at what they do, but I think, I mean, everyone has a budget, right.

Ricky: 22:42

Everyone, literally, you know, has their own budget, which absolutely fine, and there's, you know, there's there's people out there that we hopefully would fit into your budget. But I think the most important thing definitely 1 billion percent that would say to couples planning their wedding is just do your research In terms of, like you know, instagram is great for showcasing stuff, but I think testimonials, a word of mouth for someone that's actually been through that experience and use those suppliers. If they turn around and said, yeah, you know what, they were absolutely brilliant, then that's worth a million pound, because you might then see someone on Instagram that you've never had any Connection, where you just see what's going on on on socials and you think, yeah, they're brilliant as well, but they're a thousand pound cheaper than the other guy. Okay, fair enough, if the other guy's not in your budget, then fair enough, you got to do what you got to do, but if they are within your budget, that recommendation is honestly priceless.

Andy: 23:28

Do you think that thousand pound cheaper is reflective of a level of talent or a lack of confidence in their own product, or what would they count for that?

Ricky: 23:39

Good question. To be fair, dude, I think Me, personally speaking, you know, I think it comes down to the individuals and Especially, you know I've been through the charging 200 pound to a wedding, to charging what I do now.

Andy: 23:52

So many speaking from my perspective, but I know eight grand for a wedding to lose Christmas.

Ricky: 23:58

He doesn't know my price, but, uh, I think it comes down to what the person values of their time. Like you might get you know younger teams out there that I do what they do, which is fab, like we were all there one day, and they might be charging you know less, because that's what they're hungry for and that's what they're doing, but I think the more experience we get is we value our time right.

Ricky: 24:19

Yeah like I'll be honest with you. Like if someone said to me I'll, you're free that weekend, I'll just do a thousand pound you, but I could probably still earn a fair amount of money that weekend. But to me I'm like, I value my time, that's time I could spend with my kids, and you can't put money like it's not.

Andy: 24:32

We're back to that, really, aren't we?

Ricky: 24:34

and you're back to like you know it's not just taking photos, it's what training have you been on? What equipment have you used over the years? What mistakes have you made? What feedback have you had from parents saying oh, actually, you know, I would have liked you to do it this way and you put that all together to become where you are now?

Andy: 24:47

And it's the same with DJs.

Ricky: 24:48

You know they might have been through like certain experiences, had feedback. They've grown and they've been on training. They use different equipment. Same as maker pies. You know they've been on certain workshops and learn their skill set, have certain, you know, makeup that they use. That might be more expensive and if they charge that price because they value that time, then fantastic. Now I do think there is an issue where there's people that Go the other way and they're a thousand pound or the same level, for example, in terms of you know they might not have the experience, they might not have the.

Ricky: 25:17

I'll tell you where it works. Freelance. Let me tell you some about freelance. Okay, so when I started out not started out, sorry, that's the wrong thing to say is Say I was charging X amount of money and not gonna tell what people used to charge for freelancing, because I don't want to tell people. But what would happen was the standard rate was probably 10 pound an hour cheaper, right, and just because I was charging what I thought I was Worth, yeah, and I say for example had 25,000 worth of equipment.

Ricky: 25:43

85,000 worth of equipment. Eight years experience, decent. There's people that had One camera with like one thousand pounds of experience one year. Sorry, one year experience. One thousand worth of equipment. And then they think or rick's charging, that's option, charges same. Okay and that's what happens and that's where the mismatches can't happen, which is why customers again probably need to do the research.

Ricky: 26:05

Yeah, just because so-and-so is charging that so-and-so is charging that, it because they could look at them. But while they're charging, that's, I'm sure, charges same. They haven't actually Looked and and thought about their thought process and they actually I'm worth this amount of money, so that's what I'm gonna charge. Yeah which for me, I know I've worked mine out and I'm happy with what I do and I'm not gonna devalue myself. I think it's out of order on clients as well. Sometimes.

Ricky: 26:25

Yeah, I'm not gonna charge X amount to someone and then charge 2,000 less to someone else because it's unfair, right?

Andy: 26:32

Well, yeah, and also I mean, I've had the same thing where somebody sort of oh, will you do it? You know, knock off, it's my first time, I'm gonna give you lots of work. And can you do the first one like half-priced as I say? Well, no, because if I'm standing there, having offered it this for half price, and then somebody else is, and I'm gonna stand there for the whole evening thinking I could be somewhere else earning the proper you know the proper level and that's why I don't, don't discount but I think that's where customers they need to do their research, because it's a minefield.

Ricky: 27:02

Yeah and, like I said, the only way of getting through it is, I think, personally, like so this is my personal opinion is Getting valued feedback. And the other thing to tell is if you see, I'll tell you. Another way you can tell is that if people are you know, say, for example, you see me at a wedding and I posted I've done mr Jibs's wedding, here we are, this is Ricky Kula, it's Saturday, we're at mr Jibs wedding. But then say, a year later you say, oh, this is Ricky Kula again and I'm at mr Jibs's sister's wedding. And, dude, here's mr Jib from last year. Yeah, great. Whatever you see stuff like that on social, that's a good indicator because the company is retaining business, because they've done a good job.

Ricky: 27:39

Yeah that's another way of you know telling that if, if a person's in with a family and they're doing regular family for that work, you see in regular pictures or things from that person or you see them as a guest, you're seeing them at all these weddings, that's a good indicator.

Andy: 27:53

Well, I think Jeff talked about that on the Toastmaster episode when he was. I asked him you know, when did he feel he had arrived? And he said when the family rebooked for another event after. And then he thought okay, yeah, this is legit.

Andy: 28:06

Which I said that, okay, it's half time break in time, and here we go again. Just please share the podcast. If you're listening, you're enjoying it. Um, I mean, you can send me cash if you like. That's very nice, that would support it. But the biggest support is sharing it, uh, on any social media stream you care to mention. The pod is available on all major platforms. So, um, please share it out there, rate it, do whatever you can just to support it. Uh, and let's just keep getting the word out and showcasing some of the fabulous people that work in our business. Um, having said all that, uh, let's get back to uh, ricky, so what would you say? Your percentage is between photo and video.

Ricky: 28:53

I'd say at the minute I'm probably doing 75 for a 25 ish video and. I'm really happy with that, because I don't know whether people know this, but film editing is way more time demanding than photo editing. I'm not saying it's easier, but I'm just saying it absorbs a lot more time. Yeah, and for me. I'm absolutely massive on service. I don't want to sit here blowing my own trumpet, but that's the biggest thing to me.

Andy: 29:15

Well, you might as well sit here blowing your own trumpet. Nobody else is going to Boom boom.

Ricky: 29:19

Fun and bro, it don't matter. But no, I am really really huge on like on service and I feel like when you're constantly editing film, that absorbs all your time.

Andy: 29:28

Yeah.

Ricky: 29:29

And again you don't have time spent on your business.

Ricky: 29:31

Yeah, and that's the most important thing. I mean, I think you've got the best. Some of the best best photographers might not necessarily have the best business acumen and therefore they might have the best service, or vice versa, you might have someone that's really, really good at business and really good at their customer service. Might not be the best shooter in the world, but they still create a good product and it's one of those. I mean people are passionate about it and for them, if their drive is like I just want to create amazing stuff, fantastic For me, I want a bit of a balance.

Ricky: 29:55

You know I love creating, I love going into you know different couples, different environments and and do what I do. And a lot of it is my mind, to be honest, the way I would go in and you know the bullies happening, for example, I'd be like I wouldn't even really care about the bullies. I'll get a shot, but my first impression was mom I would have clocked where she is just to get that tear. So a lot of it is about the thought process as opposed to what settings I'm using. Shall I shoot shallow, shall I use this. It's more about documenting, capturing moment.

Ricky: 30:25

Freezing that time for them to look back on years to come. And it's actually really funny. Actually, I did a wedding recently and a gentleman had passed away in the family and I turned to the second wedding, not knowing it was the same family, and they'd printed a photo of the gentleman. He's a lovely, lovely man and I actually shot that photo like seven years ago. And they've actually blown it up and had it presented on this wedding day. And that's what we do is we would capture moments, of capturing time.

Andy: 30:50

We absolutely do, and it's a privilege to I was off my day. We absolutely do, and it's a privilege, I think, for us to be in that position. What was your first job when you left school? Did you go straight into the photo studio with you?

Ricky: 31:02

No, so I had a bit of a talk about it. Talk about it, we didn't have the. You know, mom worked really hard but she was a single parent. So basically, when I left school I went to uni first time but had to end up working. Had like four jobs at the time and then that was one of them basically. But I was just doing bits of Bob's just to you know, get money in that year, young kid, then you just keep working hard, don't you? And then, kind of.

Ricky: 31:22

Then, like I said, I went traveling, I was like I'm not really doing anything in my life. I learned my skills from the studio and then I always, like, wanted to be a teacher. First time I went to uni was to be a teacher. You know, it was just what my passion was, kind of thing. And then, yeah, that was it. I came back and then it just all.

Andy: 31:38

Do you ever drive past your old school and look in and think, oh, I wish I was in there today?

Ricky: 31:43

It's actually funny, I've actually shot some stuff for that school, like.

Andy: 31:46

I was like I'm back here to shoot.

Ricky: 31:48

So I've done some corporate stuff for other schools, like I've made films for them. But yeah, I've been back to like do drone stuff for them, because there's some lessons that I did where, like, the kids would make you know a bicycle, like remember art attack?

Andy: 31:59

Yes.

Ricky: 31:59

When they'd make something like they'd shoot down.

Ricky: 32:00

So I did that with kids and they'd like make a shape of like transport for their transport. I'd take drone shots of them. So I've been back in to do that. I still keep touch with some of my teacher friends. But, yeah, it's definitely, definitely the best decision I made because, going back to that Sorry, I know you've got questions there I think it's really important to talk about this.

Ricky: 32:17

Actually, it's basically about mental health, right, because I don't think guys talk about it enough. But in my head at the time I was like, yeah, I'm just working hard, I'm doing really like you know doing well, and you basically just keep going, keep going, keep going. To the point when my body just crashed and it weren't even a body thing, it was a mental thing where I just exhausted myself out and, yeah, I'm just going to talk about it, yeah, why not? And basically, when I hold a leg in, the same thing happened. I was like, right, there's no way in this world I can go on holiday and keep worrying about I'm going to get ill. Something needs to change. I thought originally it was just like a bit of anxiety because I've got two girls I love to bits and I was so stressed about what's going to happen if you go on holiday Kept going around and around. So I was like I want to talk to someone. So I spoke to a counsellor, thinking that that was the reason, and it wasn't. It's basically that I wasn't looking after myself physically and mentally. So, as you always, you know, I always remember her saying this to me. She said Ricky, you're on the, you're on the play with your kids and your wife, and the masks come down. And bearing in mind that I'm flat out, like I'm physically working as hard as I can Do my best, and she's like the gas mask come down, what are you going to do? I was like, well, put my kids in. She's like that's your problem. She's like, if you look after yourself first and put your mask on first, you save the whole plane. And that really, really stuck with me. And, and since that day, I'll make a conscious effort now to make time for myself. And by doing that, I'm a better father, I'm a better husband, I'm a better photographer, because I've got more energy to do it, which is why, like the last three weeks, I've taken off. I booked them off. We went to Turkey for a family holiday. I spent Father's Day on my kids, because just that little bit of time just to recuperate and you become a better person.

Ricky: 33:51

I think it's important, especially for men, because what's funny is like there might be a hundred people hearing this, there might be no, we are whatever it but then there might be that one person that actually can relate. And I'll tell you one thing I've openly spoke about my journey with mental health to all my industry friends and zero of them have turned around and been like whatever They've all been like. Yeah, I can relate to that. Yeah, I can understand what you're saying and it's actually really important that you know, especially us as industry. You know we're busy on weekends. We're not with our families, we don't have that time, we haven't got that balance. So you know we have to adjust, but it's a really important thing to, I think, speak about personally.

Andy: 34:24

Yeah, I think most of us probably, we're 100% aware of mental health and how important it is, but we don't, like you say A, we don't talk about it and B, we probably mostly ignore it and just think no. I've got to earn money, got to earn money. Got to earn money because, in your head, having enough in the bank to cover the mortgage for, you know, five years if there's another pandemic or something.

Ricky: 34:49

Yeah, definitely. I mean that's another thing that I've learned from my journey. I'm so, so happy I have, because I was so head down, work, work, work that I probably got another day is five. I've probably got another seven years of where, like, I'm her dad and I'm her world. Soon, as she gets 12, she'll be like right, I want to go to cinema sorry, dad not interested.

Ricky: 35:09

And like they are sorry, she's two and dude, like I'm with her twice a week, every week, quality time guaranteed, do whatever we want, it's happening. And for me it's like I don't want to spend the next seven, eight years trying to make my money, try and set my foundation so when they're growing up they're doing their own thing. I missed that journey. It's just finding that balance where get work okay, do okay. But for me personally, like I said, I'm not talking, like you know, it's my personal decision, but for me it's all about spending time with my family and cherishing those moments and and on a daily like basis, like it's what drives me man, like yeah, I'm working tonight, I probably I'm shooting on Saturday, but apart from that, you know, I'll spend time with the family and just make memories with them, because yeah.

Andy: 35:49

Life just goes because you never get a second chance at that. It's like the first dams yeah, you don't get a second crack at it. And if you're not here and you're not with your wife and your beautiful kids, you've missed it and it's too late. And suddenly they're growing up and, like you say, you know they're off to university and you missed a whole.

Ricky: 36:07

So, yeah, I was just enjoying the ride, man. So that's my definite drive at the minute is just to get business to the point where you know we're doing cool, but yeah, it's just spending time with the family.

Andy: 36:16

Is your job fun?

Ricky: 36:18

Yeah, you don't even know like you're seeking my stories. I'm not a fake person. That's one thing you could never say about me. But yeah, I do. You know it's nice when we turn up to weddings and you know you are leaving your family or whatever for the weekend. But my wife's really supportive of that, so she's always doing something with the family or something, so the kids are always doing something nice.

Ricky: 36:36

So I don't feel guilty, and my wife's really supportive. Ever since you know we've been together, she's always said, ricky, this is all I've ever known. She's like you know, she's really supportive. But yeah, back to your question. I do like on a weekend you get to see, obviously, all of us get together on the weekend?

Ricky: 36:51

Yeah, it's like being basically not a social. Obviously we're there to work, but the social side of it you're still having a laugh with your mate, it's still cracking a few jokes, and I'm lucky enough to sort of keep my circle close, like even my freelance. Now there's probably only three companies I freelance for. I'm used to back from day anyone, anyone, whatever, whatever, whatever whereas now if I do freelance which is, I'll be honest, quite rare now because I'm doing so well in terms of my own business that physically don't have the time.

Ricky: 37:15

but You've seen the same people, right and catching up with them and talking about like their families, and then at the same time, you pushing each other, like there's loads of shooters that I've been with, not that I'm competitive, but we'll be doing a couple shoot and I'm like, right in my head, I've got that light there, that backdrop there, that that that okay, cool, I've got my shot sorted. Some guys will have a chat and then it will get like Not competitive, but it just, it's just, it's nice. Like you know, one of my Industry friends might show me, you know, a shot that I've done, like, okay, that's nice, I shot it this way same pose, same lighting, same everything. Nice, we've created something like beautiful there, right, yeah?

Andy: 37:55

I'm different and different.

Ricky: 37:56

Yeah, and you know, and and obviously, like the social side, I always I'm a crack with the family, always, always. It's a really funny story actually. I never speak a word, up and jubbing till I got married. I remember doing one of my first weddings in Birmingham and he's basically talking to me and put jobs like dude. I don't understand what you're saying at that point, do you know?

Ricky: 38:14

what they say, it right, man? So I made a conscious effort of learning and you know, my wife knows a lot, so she teach me like words and that and doing weddings. I'd make mistakes and all like the, the, the older generation would laugh at me like God, they teach you the proper way of saying it, put it into context for me, and then I just learned there, whereas now I'm at the point where I have such a laugh with especially the older generation, like you know, getting the grandparents to hug each other, like pretending is their wedding day, like give a little kiss on the head, kind of thing, and they're cracking up and that's creating that moment. You know, and I'm talking in their home language. They understand, which makes them feel comfortable. But yeah, I actually love my job.

Andy: 38:50

I need to learn Punjabi myself.

Ricky: 38:51

Yeah, I reckon you should learn.

Andy: 38:53

What? Where do you think the pinnacle of your work is currently? What? What's your? I'm trying to find different ways to ask this question. Well, what? What would you say is the moment that you felt you'd arrived and you were legitimate in the business?

Ricky: 39:09

I think for me is a big thing. To me was destination stuff. So, obviously, as a teacher I had so many inquiries, people wanting me to go, but we're teaching, you can't book on your leave, like it's not one of those things that you can do, so I missed that on. Like I said, six years of potential at that experience. And you know, destination stuff is nice but it's hard because you are in the bright Sun, in the middle of a nice city or wherever you might be, and You've got a job to do.

Ricky: 39:35

Yeah and I did miss out on that experience and I think for me, I think last year I went away twice. I left in April 22. So that year I went away twice, but I do this year like this I've been away 11, 12 times. I'm in India next month, tuscany the month after, and it's nice to like, obviously, travel around and to be fair, and make sure you're better photographer, not for the glam of it, because it's not glamorous, it's hard work, it's proper, proper graph, but in terms of your skill set, what I've learned and being in our situations has really driven me to be a Better photographer.

Andy: 40:08

Okay, a video guy. Yeah, destinations are a great thing to do and I always kind of think, you know, when you're Abroad somewhere, and I just always stop for a moment and think do you know what somebody's paid? Somebody else has paid for me to come to this place and be here and shoot this wedding and it's just like what a privilege. I mean the Bahamas. I went to Bahamas with self and it's just like there for 10 days and you just think wow.

Andy: 40:32

Yeah, you know it's, like you say, very hard work and not a free holiday, but you get to see the world and it's and it's great. But talk to me about the challenging ones. She's you were talking earlier about shooting bride portrait in a bathroom or whatever to talk to me about Maybe one of your most challenging Environments to shoot in oh, mate, like I said, that was probably the worst.

Ricky: 40:53

I think we had a house where there wasn't. It was like a smaller house and they had loads of family from like India come over and there was literally like dude, every single room had just like nothing, no blank walls, everything was just like fooled with suitcases, blankets, as people do. Like you know, it's only a small sort of environment. I was like right, what am I gonna do here? So, yeah, I ended up basically opening the shower door, so it was a clean sort of backdrop behind, ended up putting a light Like in front in the bath in front, and just yeah, bang. That's no nice shots, you know they come out really, really good.

Ricky: 41:28

Yeah, I think I even got a couple of reflection shots. Like you never tell, it was shot in a bathroom and I don't think anyone else, I don't think the bride would ever want anyone to know that either, but yeah what can you do?

Andy: 41:37

We still Shout out to the ride Competition wise, as a free let. Well, you're sort of moving away from freelancing. I don't, yeah, I don't really freelance much anymore like this year.

Ricky: 41:51

I think I've done. I probably do two, yeah, all year, as the last year I did. I feel quite privileged, thank you, you did one for me, so I've got you, andy.

Andy: 41:58

Thank you, but as a freelancer, what do you think your competition? Are you elbowing each other out of the way to get jobs?

Ricky: 42:05

or now, I think in general may not just freelancing, I think, as as sort of what you call us Company directors as well, like I think generally across the industry there's, I think personally there's more Demand than there is supply, like there is so much business out there there's so many weddings each weekend like this. So, like you know, I'm blessed to be in a position that if I wanted to work on Sunday, which I don't just no one texts me but you know I could probably drop a text that saying guys, does anyone need an extra hand on Sunday?

Ricky: 42:35

I'm free and I'm guaranteed to get work.

Ricky: 42:36

So, I think we are lucky in that sense, especially, you know, from April to sort of October, september, there's plenty of work out there, sure. But yeah, I don't think, you know, even for, like, general clients, I don't think we are sort of Albany way for each other. Like you know, I would never, ever ask like, who have you inquired with? That's not my style at all. There's lots of people that would do that and I'll always honestly say you know, everyone's brilliant out there, everyone's creating what they do, and we are so lucky to be in such a creative industry where freelancers, photographers, video guys, like it's amazing what they do, dude.

Ricky: 43:09

Like yeah, man like come on, you're on the crane like us freaking at four o'clock in the morning with three hours sleep. Like the other thing is you got to remember is that we're creating absolute amazing stuff. Like one thing that really gets me is that people think, oh yeah, photographers is just photographers, all photographers just take pictures. But what they don't understand is how much time you've invested in ourselves, in our own knowledge and our experience. And Right, anyone can do a 16 hour day, right, cool, like we call work hard, have a hard day. But try doing a 16 hour day on three hours sleep, not being fed, having no water, and then having three hours sleep and doing the same thing again. So you're cracking up 32 hours worth of work on six hours sleep, with no food and no water, but you still create something else. That's amazing.

Andy: 43:50

Take a bloody bottle of water, but you know, sometimes sometimes I just try and rob yours, to be fair. So how do you? How do you think? No, I'm not gonna ask that actually.

Ricky: 44:09

When you say that you know that I usually win that no, I'll just show it.

Andy: 44:13

Edit that bit out. So obviously you're still yeah, you know young and fit and muscly and everything you know but um. So I can you imagine yourself doing this same thing in five years time? Or you know what, what? What's the ambitions for the Kula Empire?

Ricky: 44:31

To be fair, I'm working on something right and it's big, it's like it's a game changer it's, but I can't talk about it. I'm sorry.

Andy: 44:40

The reason, the point of a podcast, though.

Ricky: 44:42

Yeah, but the reason is that this is an absolute game changer for the industry, for us as a brand, um, yeah, it's kind of like the yeah it's gonna be big. So there's something big that's gonna happen In the next probably year or so. Um, with us as a brand, but I think, as a photography, asian wedding industry, it, I think it's gonna be a game changer for everyone.

Andy: 45:03

Well, at least drop a breadcrumb or two, then come on.

Ricky: 45:06

You can't, you can't, you can't just say that the reason why I don't want to say anything to anyone I haven't even told any of my best, best, best industry friends is that they're gonna copy it, of course.

Andy: 45:17

So I mean you know I want to make sure, because it's that much of a sick idea bro, I don't want anyone to be.

Ricky: 45:20

Uh yeah, have any inkling but there's no big happening for the brand. That's gonna enable me to work and in still work and enjoy what I do, but like I don't have to work as much.

Andy: 45:36

But yeah, sorry is this involving a?

Ricky: 45:37

I no nothing to do, that. This is just a business decision. Um, and how to? I think you know, one thing with with photographers is that they'll always come with a problem, and I don't know why. Like there might be a problem like oh, um, yeah, I'm just, I don't even, I can't even name one. Now I say, for example, they'll be like oh, uh, I haven't got, I'm not, I'm not. Replying back to my leads, example yeah, like in quick enough time.

Andy: 46:02

Okay, that's a problem.

Ricky: 46:02

Well, dude, why don't you uh, you know, Maybe hire? Some help or do some no, no, no, I can't do that. There's a very rich like no, no, no, no, no, no, no, can't do it, can't do it.

Ricky: 46:08

Whereas one thing I'll say to everyone is that never say no in our business, never say no just look at a situation, look at a problem and be like, okay, that's the problem, how can we solve this problem? Um, and that's been my mindset of since I've started this business and I've learned a lot about myself in terms of I always used to that guy said no, no, I ain't doing that, no, I can't do that, I'm not not interested in not doing that. But actually when you reflect the thing, actually here's a problem is business. What ideas have we got to get over this? All right, sweet, let's, let's go kind of thing again.

Ricky: 46:37

Like the same, my social media. Like I was rubbish at it, dude, like I'm old now, like all these young kids are like amazing at it, and I'm just like, what am I doing here? I was like, right, the problem is social media, right, I can teach myself a little bit about a little bit about it or whatever, and just try things and if things work, they work. But yeah, sorry about I can't disclose what's what's happening, but it's gonna be big. Well, uh, yeah, um, I will certainly not be able to do that.

Andy: 47:00

Look out for, yeah, um, I will certainly keep it. Does it involve me? Am I part of it?

Ricky: 47:06

No, sorry, you're good lad though.

Andy: 47:08

Okay, thank you very much, lad 63.

Ricky: 47:13

He's big, he's great.

Andy: 47:14

He's Ricky who loves me and in that word, so um you know what the final question is on on the podcast.

Ricky: 47:26

Uh, I do know this, I do know. Give me a second what you see again.

Andy: 47:29

This is when I find out who listens and who doesn't.

Ricky: 47:32

I do know this because no, that's it.

Andy: 47:35

I'm not even asking it.

Ricky: 47:37

No, I do know it. Isn't it something about what's next for no?

Andy: 47:41

that's not.

Ricky: 47:41

You've asked that question. I know you're gonna ask me. I'm like, yeah, I knew that. Okay, so assuming I could magically, oh, what other job would you do in the industry? Boom Told you, I was listening.

Andy: 47:54

So what would you do?

Ricky: 47:55

I would, 1 million percent, 1,000,000 billion percent, be a DJ Everybody wants to be a DJ. Yeah, man, I used to be a DJ back when I was younger, when I was working those four jobs. That was one of my jobs. And I don't know, man. It's funny because the first thing I ask my couples when they inquire is oh, who's the DJ? Because I know if it's so-and-so and so-and-so and so-and-so, it's gonna be a party right. And again it comes to people's perception that a DJ is just a DJ. No, they are not.

Ricky: 48:21

They are talented individuals that are amazing at what they do, same as all the people in the industry. People have to get off that platform where, oh, there's this DJ that charges X and there's this DJ that charges X. I'm just gonna go with that DJ. But why have you done any research on that DJ? Have you had any testimonials of how well they've done? Have you ever been in their presence? But, yeah, 1 million percent, be DJ.

Ricky: 48:40

Because I feel like they create the party man, like they take the whole crowd through a journey and if they're great jazz Joe, I'll actually said this to me the DJ and the photographers and the video guys. We're kind of joined, because if the DJ is raving, the video is gonna be sick and the picture is gonna be sick. If the party is a bit quiet, it's like, well, what have we got to shoot? We haven't really got anything to shoot. We have to end up doing other stuff. But, yeah, they're amazing individuals. I think. A big thing, though, is that I'm rubbish at, though, is Mike's skills. I'd never be able to talk to them like, but that's what makes Well, you've just spent 40 minutes talking.

Ricky: 49:16

I'm from like 600 people Imagine being like yeah, everyone rave, everyone say, oh yeah, I couldn't do that.

Andy: 49:25

I've just been told that the bride and groom are about ready to make their entrance. If you just kindly take to your seats?

Ricky: 49:31

I've just been told I think it's because when I used to be a DJ, when I used to talk to the mic, everyone used to just rip me. Everyone used to just take the mic out me the whole weekend. So I was like, yeah, but I would be a DJ because, like I said, I think it's a really fun thing to do. It's hard work. I see these boys, they're tired Like you really think they turn up at one, two o'clock in the afternoon. They don't. They're up from like four, five loading vans and loading, setting stuff up. But yeah, they're super talented.

Andy: 49:55

Who's your favourite?

Ricky: 49:56

Oh dude you can't ask me that question.

Andy: 49:59

I can, I just did.

Ricky: 50:01

No, I don't think I can answer that. Can I just like name at least three or four or five?

Andy: 50:04

Okay, give me your top three DJs.

Ricky: 50:06

I can't put them in order though. Okay, not in order, so this is disclaimer. Dude, I've got so many friends I don't know. You know how I said.

Andy: 50:16

I wasn't going to throw you under the bus.

Ricky: 50:18

Yeah, I feel like you throw me under the bus, but listen, I love all my DJ friends as a disclaimer, you're all amazing what you do. I'm just going on like my parties that I've had, but I definitely would have to say jazz Johar, yeah, nickoo.

Andy: 50:31

Yeah.

Ricky: 50:34

Jagd Climax.

Andy: 50:35

Can't believe you left out half Kudos.

Ricky: 50:37

Oh, this is what I mean. You put me in a different situation. I'm probably close to half than I'm, jazz Johar, but yeah, sorry, sorry, half, you're there as well, bro.

Andy: 50:44

I think I'm doing it. I'm with half this weekend. Yeah, is it good and it's going to be a great catch up. It's been ages since I've seen him so Sorry.

Ricky: 50:53

All the other DJs, you know I love you all. You're all amazing. Just now you put me in the spot and shot me gutted.

Andy: 51:00

Listen, man. Thank you very, very much for taking the time. It's been an absolute pleasure and I've got to say, actually one cup of tea. I don't know the hospitality services that are offered to the podcaster here.

Ricky: 51:15

Sorry wrong. I'm going to rang you saying do you want eggs and toast mate.

Andy: 51:17

Yeah, you did actually. Okay, leave that out, Cut that bit out, Okay. So yeah, thank you, it's been an absolute pleasure and I look forward to seeing you on another job somewhere soon.

Ricky: 51:30

No, it's been absolute pleasure, bro. Thank you for getting me involved.

Andy: 51:34

Cheers.

Ricky: 51:35

Bye.

Andy: 51:38

So there we go. Thanks for listening. Hope you enjoyed that. It was a nice relaxed chat with Ricky, probably one of my best friends in the business. Known him for years and he's always, always a good fun to be with. Again, just coming back to it. If you're enjoying it, if you're liking what you're listening to, then please share it out on any form of social media you care to do. Hashtag it wedding professionals podcast, twpp, whatever. Just do what you can please to help us out with this. Thanks very much and I'll see you on the next episode of the wedding professionals podcast. Bye, y'all.