As always, Fast Food Fridays, especially with our new "menu" is meant to give you ideas to help you build a stronger business. I've been sharing these since February, and each "blue plate" special has offered help on a different aspect of your business.

Thanks to Excire, we expanded the menu in the SCU diner offering bigger entrees. Posts with more details also mean they take longer to enjoy but we're stepping away from fast food with concepts to help you increase reach and sales.  

Today's special is a little different because we're serving up a plate about advertising. So many times over the years I've heard stories about wasted money and poor results.

Most often the problem is the business invested too much in just one type of advertising without looking at all the other things they should have been doing. The result is almost always too much money spent on one vehicle and no coordination through a few other channels for reach.

Over the years I've heard so many photographers talk about advertising as if it was some strange new food they tried and didn't like. Look, my Dad hated lima beans, but that doesn't mean he gave up eating!  
 
The same logic applies to virtually ALL publications regardless of whether they're an Internet or printed media. I know a lot of you, especially those of you who are wedding photographers, get hit for advertising in upscale local printed magazines. For today's special, when I use the word "publication" it covers everything from websites to printed magazines and newspapers.

"We advertised once, but..." The whole statement is absurd. If you only ran an ad in a particular publication once you wasted your money, no matter how good a rate you had. Why? Just about every authority I've ever read has talked about a minimum of running an ad three times. Think about how much noise there is in our lives. You have to build awareness and consumer recall isn't going to happen with just a one time run.

Poor Results: You need to find out why your ad didn't pull well. Was it confusing? Was there too much copy? Did you hit the consumer with something exciting or could it have put a rock to sleep? Did your ad match the demographics of the web publication? Was there a sense of urgency for your target audience to respond?

Location, Location, Location: You've heard the expression as it relates to commercial real estate, but advertising in a publication is no different. Where was your ad in the publication?  With magazines, a lot of companies believe the forward third of the book is more prime than anywhere else. On a website that changes, but the concept is still the same - maximum visibility. Obviously, with a magazine, the inside and back covers are strong, but there are some other great locations...for example, opposite the Table of Contents or dead center of the magazine, if there's a tip-in subscription card or some other piece of literature.

Fractional vs. Full Page: A full-page ad will always drive your ego, but will it drive traffic to your business? I'm a huge fan of fractional ads but used in multiples on sequential pages. I learned this lesson from the master himself, Bruce Landau, who the industry sadly lost many years ago. When Bruce was the VP at Bogen he almost always ran multiple third-page ads, typically three in a row on the right-hand page. It was very effective and gave him as much, if not more bang for the buck than many of the big companies running full and double-page spreads.

Leveraging Editorial: Many of you get approached all the time by reps offering a great rate in local publications. They'll cut what seems like a great deal, but you can make it even better. Let them know you're interested in advertising, but you'd also like some editorial support. There are so many opportunities - a profile story about your business, a story about a particular application you specialize in or an article about a community fund-raiser you're involved with. Editorial in any publication has room to be less objective, as long as there's something newsworthy in the story.

Don't forget about links to enhance your online presence. A publication offering additional exposure with links in solid relevant editorial can drive traffic to your site, just like a good magazine article can drive traffic to your front door. Again, make it part of the negotiating process.

Ask to see the demographics: You need to know who the readership is before you spend your money. For example, if you were a cosmetic company launching a new nail polish would you advertise in "Guns and Ammo"? Anybody who says "yes," lock up for the day and go home.  For the rest of you, pay attention to the readership of the publication. We know that women make 98% of the purchase decisions to hire a professional photographer in the portrait/social categories. If that's where your expertise lies, then you want to be advertising in publications that reach women. The same applies to children and family photographers, fine art photographers, etc. Every specialty has its own audience with a few that overlap.

Advertising is just one part of the marketing equation. A print or online ad with a particular company followed by inactivity in any other area will never accomplish as much as it could.

Don't forget all the other components as shown on the right. Print and Internet advertising are only two of the areas targeting consumers.

This is where your blog comes in along with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Social media plays a huge role today in helping you expand your reach.

And, don't forget the look and feel of your website, community involvement, and publicity in your community. Direct mail, if done right, is another strong component.  The point is, you can never slow down on building your brand and for any campaign, you need 3-6 of the elements in the illustration above to be effective. 

Fast Food Fridays are brought to you by:

I've written dozens of posts and magazine articles over the years about getting the most out of every conference or convention you attend. Time is your most valuable commodity, and there's so much going on at a good trade show.

Next week many of us will be in New York for PhotoPlus Expo and while the platform speakers and classes are a necessity, make sure you pay attention to what your favorite companies are doing in their booth right on the trade show floor.

Tamron USA is a perfect example. They'll be offering a "Clean & Check," bonus rebates and are giving away an SP 70-200/2.8 G2 lens. But, my favorite activity in their booth is always the number of programs they have going on each day. 

Check out the live demos with some of the most respected artists in professional photography. Six times each day there's another program, but don't just go to watch or listen to the demo. Take the time before or after to introduce yourself.

Get to know the speakers and the staff at Tamron USA. Their tech team is second to none and will be there to help you with questions and ideas to raise the bar on the quality of your images. They need to be in your network, and each one has a pretty amazing talent for education and hands-on demonstrating.

You'll find the Tamron team just two booths from the front entrance of the trade show in booth 819. And, while you're there check out all the members of the Tamron family of outstanding lenses. They're manufacturing some of the finest glass in imaging today.

For example, check out the new SP 70-200mm F/2.8 lens they're giving away at the show. Just click on the banner below and then scroll through their website for the rest of their line. Then, at the show, check out those focal lengths on your wishlist, not currently in your camera bag!

​See you in NYC!

Just trust me on this and grab a morning or afternoon coffee and sit back for a chuckle break.

I shared this video put together by Ben Aaron five years ago but it's such a classic, and the epitome of spirit and humor in a group of senior citizens in New Jersey. There's even a short story about how I wound up using it.

Ben Aaron is no stranger to the media in the NY/Nj area. "Benjamin "Ben" Aron Colonomos is a New York City-based media personality formerly for NBCUniversal's LXTV and WNBC's New York Live, and for the nationally syndicated Crazy Talk television series." I've never met Aaron, but did talk to him on the phone.

I've been active with the Friendship Centers here in Sarasota and for several years published their blog. Looking for fun senior content one morning five years ago I stumbled across this video. I loved it and even though it was posted on Ben's YouTube channel, I called him directly to make sure it was okay to use with a blog post for the Friendship Centers.

Today I'm active on the Board of the Friendship Centers and the enthusiasm of the people I've met and worked with for so many years amazes me. From 250,000 meals on wheels delivered in past years to thousands of people who have been helped through Health Services, adult day care and a never-ending stream of special programs, the organization has played a huge role in the area.

Sharing this video is also a great way to remind you to get involved in your community. People like supporting companies they perceive as giving back. So, use your blog to remind your target audience that you're more than just an artist - you're an active member of the community!

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

A few weeks ago I was introduced to Luminar 2018 and it's had a significant impact on my images, but let's set the stage. I do not profess to be a professional photographer. However, having hung out most of my career with some of the finest photographers in the world, I know more than I let on. My passion is helping you with the business and marketing side of imaging but I'll match my love for the craft with anybody when it comes to enjoying life with a camera in my hands and having fun. Remember "fun?" It's one of those words too often lost today in the stress of running a business.

Using Skylum's Luminar 2018 I'm back to having more fun with my images. But I refuse to become a filter junkie, and most of the photos I've been sharing I'm only using one or two of their presets, most often for better clarity.

We're launching "Luminar Corner" this week as Skylum becomes a new partner with SCU. Every Wednesday Charmia Young and I are going to share one new image using a different Luminar tool. 

Today's Image: I'm featuring two Luminar tools - first I love the slider bar that allows you to see the before and after on every image. I used two filters on the original image, the "clarity" preset and the "structure" filter. I liked the result, and when I shared the image in one of the Facebook forums I got the following response:

I'm afraid you went a bit too far on the sharpening, look at the grain in the clouds. If you would have pushed your aperture to about 11 and put the camera on a tripod, you could have gotten a cleaner image.

Here's my point...first the image was in my archives from two years ago, captured with a LUMIX FZ300 during a walk on the beach after a storm. I was pulled it into Luminar and found a look I liked. The grain and exaggerated sharpness were part of the way I wanted it to look. I know what I could have done to make it stronger at the point of capture, but this image was the look I was going for, and I'm reminded of my favorite quote from Dean Collins:

To check out the complete Skylum lineup and learn what all the buzz is about, just click on the banner below. 

Note: I'm not sure what's gotten me on this reoccurring theme of "time" lately - maybe it's because the year is coming to a close. There are so many photographers who I've talked to lately who seem to be caught in "analysis paralysis" and panic about what to do for a strong finish, as well as start the new year.

In 2008 Sheila and I were wandering around Laguna Niguel in California and walked into one of the shops on the main drag. I loved this print by Brian Andreas, and over the years we added two more. But the fun of this one goes to what's become my philosophy on life, and it's on my mind this morning. 

We all spend so much time chasing time. We stress over the little stuff. We respond to interruptions all day long by people and things that don't matter. We often chase them like the never-ending growth of weeds in a garden.

Many of you spend time in Facebook forums arguing meaningless points, most of the time with people you don't know. Over and again I see a troll throw out the bait and you take it and run with it. Then, I'm guessing at the end of the day you're aggravated you didn't get as much done as you had hoped - all because you stressed over what some jackass said that you didn't agree with.

Well, that same jackass is hiding behind the anonymity of his or her computer screen, and loving every minute of the battle. They're more than likely quite pleased with themselves, and your loss of control just fed their egos!

And that brings me to a quote by an unknown author. I shared it yesterday morning on Twitter. 

Here's the solution - so many of you need to grow a thicker skin. Stop letting people steal your time and attention. And yes, I'm guilty too. It's hard to walk away from a fight when you know the other person is so wrong, but as my buddy, Levi Sim has said, and I've quoted him dozens of times - "Act as if your grandmother is watching!"

We're headed into the true seasonality of the fourth quarter, and you need to focus on your marketing, creativity and skill set. There's plenty of time to still make 2018 a spectacular year, but only if you focus on what really matters.

All of you understand depth of field in your camera - so, it's time to work on the depth of field in your life - stop trying to be everything to everybody. Narrow your depth of field to what's most important in your life and business, and then enjoy the results in the spectacular image you're going to capture!

It's Mirrorless Monday, and LUMIX Ambassador, Paul Mango is in the spotlight. Paul's an accomplished photographer and I loved this image because it was so different from the usual shots I've seen of mountain ranges and landscapes. In addition, he captured the photograph with one of my favorite LUMIX cameras, the GX85. 

The GX85 is compact and because it's a camera body, you've got the ability to use interchangeable lenses. The photograph was captured at Grand Lake, outside Rocky Mountain National Park. It was dusk and Paul used the GX85 with the LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm, F4.0-6.3 lens. 

​Click on either thumbnail below for more information. And check out the GX85 Overview video - it's a little over a minute, but packed with information about the features of this amazing little camera!

Follow Paul along with the rest of the LUMIX Ambassadors. He's part of one of the most diverse and creative teams in photography. Keep track of what they're working on, along with their adventures. This is a remarkable group of artists and they need to be on your radar.  

We started the "Why?" series to introduce you to some of the most respected artists and educators in professional photography but with each new episode the dynamics keep expanding. Mark Toal, one of our past guests on "Why?" compared the challenge of picking one of his favorite images to being asked, "Which of your children do you love more?" It's an impossible task.

Pye Jirsa shares two of his favorites in this new episode, and right from the beginning, he comments on the images not being his "most dramatic, epic or impressive", but at the very top of the charts because of the reaction from his clients. And, that's what makes the "Why?" series, so special and fun to share.

Great images aren't just about technique but the reaction from the client. Being a professional photographer is about building relationships, not just capturing memories. With these images from Pye's favorite list, he not only captured a memory, but he also created one.

Based out of Southern California, Pye is part of the award-winning team of Lin and Jirsa. He's no stranger to SCU and over the past two years, thanks to Profoto, we've shared at least ten different posts and videos featuring Pye as one of the industry's finest educators. Even with this short podcast, you'll pick up more tips on lighting.

Looking for outstanding educational content? Check out the SLR Lounge with a click on either of Pye's images in this post. And, take the time to look at the Lin and Jirsa galleries featuring dozens of beautiful photographs. Their galleries are a blueprint demonstrating one of the most important aspects of building a successful business as a professional photographer - they know how to tell each story!

Pye captured the images with Profoto's Off-Camera Flash System. Just click on the banner below to visit Profoto's website, and then get yourself into a Profoto dealer or rental house, and take the finest gear in lighting today for your own test drive!

It's a beautiful Sunday morning in south Florida and one of those days where the humidity has finally dropped, the smell of devastation from the red tide is gone, and there isn't a cloud in the sky. It's one of those days you'd love to be able to bottle and share around the world where storms, fires, and earthquakes have left a painful path of destruction. In other words, for so many of us not affected by all the natural disasters in the news lately, I just feel lucky and appreciate the life Sheila, and I have.

I'm not sure what got me thinking about aging this morning but to survive it truly is an art form. It takes guts to enjoy the process. The truth is, except for my body creaking for ten minutes when I get up each morning I don't feel any older, and according to my wife and friends, there are some pretty funny times when I'm low on the maturity I should have for an "old fart."
 
A few years back, we were out for dinner with a couple who were our age but acted ten years older. Everything they talked about was aging-related - from what they don't eat anymore to their interests. So, I'm sitting here this morning thinking about what's kept us feeling younger...

• Laughter - We laugh a lot, usually over something absurd one of us has said or done. So often it's related to one of us saying something and the other hearing something entirely different. Sheila might ask, "What do you want for lunch?" but I answer, "My hunch about what?" That kicks off a stretch of hysterical laughter and at least one of us proclaiming how funny it's going to be getting old together.
• Exercise - On June 29, 2017, we started walking every morning for half an hour. We take Sunday mornings off, but we've rarely missed a day, and it does make a difference. We often walk before the sun comes up, which gives us a chance to catch some stunning sunrises like the one above. But there's one more aspect to the morning walk that I love - the conversation during the walk. It always starts with one of us asking, "So, what's going on in your world today?"
• Conversations during meals - It might sound simple, but ever notice couples at dinner in restaurants who don't talk to each other? Often they don't even look at each other - they order, eat, pay the bill and leave. We refuse to become one of those couples. 
• Don't take life too seriously - Obviously, there are times when one of us is stressed, but together we help keep things in perspective. There's a lot of predictability in life, but there's also a lot of surprises, both good and bad. We've somehow developed a partnership in working on things we can change and letting things go that we just can't.
• Stop right fighting - Okay, I admit, I've watched Dr. Phil a little, but his line of "Would you rather be happy or right?" is an ongoing mantra. I grew up a right-fighter in a family of pros, and there was a point where happiness finally became a priority. 
• Surround yourself with positive people - I've written a lot about this over the years, and I feel very blessed to have some remarkable friends who have helped me keep the naysayers at bay. We refer to our house as having a moat around it to keep out the negative people who disrupt our lives, challenge our dreams and live to remind us of our imperfections. When they do sneak in, we laugh about who left the drawbridge down!
• Great music - our tastes are as eclectic as our decorating - a mix of rock, folk, Broadway, new age and Jack Johnson, Jim Brickman, Eva Cassidy, Country and Crosby, Stills and Nash. We've got multiple Alexas playing all day every day, and on Sunday mornings, because it goes back to what Sheila enjoyed as a kid, one of the classic gospel stations are usually playing.

"Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude."
Zig Ziglar

And there you have it - the secret starts with your attitude. I can't change the fact that I'm growing older and nothing is going to stop the clock. I love our life, and even with its imperfections and challenges, it's the only one we've got. I remember saying to my Dad once, "You never told me as I got older I'd be waking up twice a night to use the bathroom!" He smiled, winked at me and said, "At least you wake up!"

Wishing everybody a day filled with smiles, time with friends and family and especially time to appreciate the life you've got and the potential to take any path on any journey you want! Go for those eleven-second hugs I always write about. If you're tuning in late as a new reader, I read an article several years ago in AARP Magazine that said hugs lasting eleven-seconds or longer are therapeutic. Try it, and you'll see what they meant!

Most important of all learn to cherish time - it's the one commodity that once spent you can never get back. You don't have to focus on every second, just don't waste it worrying about what's going to happen tomorrow!

Note: The sunrise image was captured with a LUMIX FZ1000 in IA mode, f3.0 @ 1/200 ISO 125 I'm using Luminar2018 a lot and love the results, especially with a couple of their presets. I used the "clarity booster" which brings out a little more detail in the sky without over-saturated the color. I just wanted to share the way it actually looked. #WhereLumixGoes #MadeWithLuminar

We launched the Fast Food Friday series to give you quick ideas on fine-tuning your business. I called it Fast Food Friday because everybody understands the concept of a no-brainer decision to grab something at McDonalds, Arby's or my new favorite, Chick-fil-A. They're fast, easy and it doesn't take a whole lot of brain power to figure out what you're having for lunch.

A few weeks ago, thanks to Excire, we expanded the menu in the SCU diner offering full entrees, posts with more details and content to help you build a stronger business. Today's special is a perfect example.

​With the Photo Plus Expo show coming up in two weeks in NYC, now's the time for you to make sure you plan your trip BEFORE you get there. Plus, IUSA, WPPI, and ShutterFest all come along during the first few months of the new year.

Time is your most valuable commodity.  If you plan each trip you'll not only spend your money wiser, but you'll come home energized, better prepared to take on the challenges of being a photographer and business owner.

​It's essential for you to attend as many conventions/conferences each year as possible, but you might be surprised at why I believe that so strongly.

• Networking - a convention is an opportunity for you to network, but not just with other photographers, but the staff at EVERY vendor whose products and services you use.
• Education - photography is a career choice where you have to keep learning - your education is critical, and a good convention offers you a great selection of programming.
• New Products - This is especially important this year. Remember, 2018 was a Photokina year, and many of the major manufacturers introduced new products just a month ago in Germany.
• Recharging your battery - A good convention is a chance to energize your ideas about photography, marketing, and business. With a new year on the horizon, you've got to feed your heart and get time with old and new friends. You need to celebrate and appreciate the career path you're on, regardless of how long you've been on the "journey."

 
So, let's get specific and come up with things to think about and do while you're at the next convention:
​

• Why are you going? I know that sounds incredibly basic, but some of you go to party, others to buy and more of you to learn and network. Figure out what the most important thing is you want to get out of each show before you get there.
• Who are the companies whose products/services you use? Take a few minutes and look around your office, studio or the trunk of your car. Isolate every product you use as a photographer, and put the manufacturer's name on a list. Now, look at every company whose services you use. Your lab, frame company, web design, album company, etc. should all be on the list. Your first goal BEFORE you get to the show is to isolate every company that's involved in your business. 
• What products/services do you need? Last on the pre-show list, are there products you need for your business or new services you require? One year at WPPI many years ago, 45 album companies were exhibiting and probably 25-30 labs. If you're looking for new companies and products, this is the time to go exploring.
• Now hit the convention/conference's website! Get to know who's going to be at the show from your vendor/supplier lists. Your goal is to meet at least one staff member at every company on the list. This is a critical component in building an effective network.
• How's your credit line? Whether you're in a buying mode or not, take the time to establish a credit line with any of the major financing companies. Or, at the very least check the balance on all your credit cards. If you see something you want to purchase at the convention, it's a lot less stressful if you already know what you've got to spend.
• Print Judging: If you're in early enough and the convention offers print judging open to the public, make it a point to attend. It's one of the most valuable educational experiences you can have.  
• Walk through the print exhibit. This is a terrific time to get a feel for the trends in imaging because you'll see just about everything in the images being shared and you'll also "meet" artists who you might not have heard of.
• Don't be a storm-trooper! Start in one corner of the convention and walk every aisle. You'll have a chance to meet more people, see more products and learn about concepts you might not realize were in the market.
• Wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated. You're going to be on your feet all day - respect the importance of staying on the top of your game.
• Bring business cards and some images. Personally, I've always liked being shown a 5x7 or 6x9 collage with 2-3 images with the photographer's address and contact information. Unless you've made an appointment in advance, most exhibitors don't have the time to look at a portfolio, or an iPad chocked full of images. However, leaving a cardstock piece or brochure with a vendor and contacting them after the show can be very effective.
• Make plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings NOW. Reservations don't come easy in any convention city. Even if you don't know who might join you, have a couple of dinner reservations regardless.   
• Pay attention to those key vendors who you want to see and what's going on in their booth. Many of the exhibitors have guest speakers sharing great information in smaller more intimate venues, right on the trade show floor.
• You snooze you lose! Look I was young and stupid once too, and there are few things as fun as going out with friends and bar-hopping at a convention. However, you're at the show for a reason. If you need to sleep in late the following morning, your evening out with friends might become the most expensive investment you make in the show if you miss appointments or presentations you had planned to attend.
• Look over the programming. Plan which speakers you want to hear in advance. Plus, always pick at least 1-2 programs completely separate from your core specialty. Your growth as an artist and business owner will always be with presentations outside your comfort zone.
• Bring a camera...a real camera. Sure phones are fine, but you want to get some images you might want to use later on for press releases, your blog, Facebook, etc. You don't need your regular gear, but a decent camera will always produce better images than your cell phone. Look for opportunities for pictures with vendors and those speakers you admire. Your goal is to build a stash of photographs of you at the show for use in PR releases and blog content later on.
• Talk to the people around you when you attend any program. A photography convention is unique because you're all there for the same reasons. Make it a point to get to know the people sitting on either side of you. It's amazing what you can learn by just talking to each other.
• Talk to the icons! I'm always amazed by how many of you are intimidated by your favorite photographers. The truth is they're there to teach and meet other photographers interested in their work. Just walk up and introduce yourself and thank them for whatever inspiration they've given you. Honestly, they don't bite, but be respectful and don't charge into a conversation when you see them already occupied - just wait your turn!

The one thing I find most frustrating with attendees at a big convention is they just haven't planned their trip. They got their tickets and made it to the show and then completely fall apart. Plan each convention experience so that you're not wasting time and even more important, your money!

Fast Food Friday's are brought to you by:

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​The impact of searching through old albums for throwback photographs often comes in what you can learn from the images themselves. And, the fun begins in what you find.

It's October and my Dad's birthday is coming up. On Halloween this year it would have been his 96th birthday. While he passed away almost three years ago, nothing takes away from the love I'll always have for him or the fun of looking through an old album.

The portrait above I'm guessing was taken around 1935 or 1936 putting him at thirteen or fourteen. But there are a few things in the process to appreciate. First, the hand-coloring by the photographer. Thanks to Luminar 2018, I was able to match the image almost exactly to the original print after scanning it. I love the slight touch of pink on his face, while the rest of the image was completely untouched. Second, check out the feel the photographer added with the narrow depth of field. And finally, comes the decision to give the backdrop a little color making it almost tropical - which is pretty funny considering the portrait would have been done in Cleveland!

But I didn't stop there in my search for a few fun old photographs. Going through another album, I found this one from Patrick Henry Junior High School. My guess is that Dad's about 16 here, but here's another piece of the fun of Throwback Thursday. The caption says it's Chorus Club. While I knew Dad was in the band, I had no idea until this morning that he sang in the chorus! 

And, over there on the far right is Pop!

One last thing that's fun for me. Dad had an almost full head of hair right up to the day he passed away. Years ago Joe Buissink shared a line about health challenges, "You can't hide from bad genes!" Well, you can't hide from good ones either. Although supposedly keeping your hair runs on the mother's side of the family tree, apparently I was lucky enough to get Dad's genes when it comes to hair!

​I've written so much about Throwback Thursday being a great marketing tool to remind your clients of how fast the kids are growing up, the family's changing and the magic of stopping time and capturing memories. But, sometimes searching for throwback images is all about your heart and putting a smile on your face that lasts all day long.

So, whether for your blog content or just for your own enjoyment, take the time once a week to look through those old photographs. It's a great way to remember the contribution photography makes to the world every day and how great it is to be a part of this amazing industry.

And as sappy as all of that sounds, it's exactly why I wake up every day and dive out of bed with a smile on my face!

I've shared a lot of these short Tamron introductory videos over the years, and they're especially effective at taking you through the features of each product. This one is interesting because the soundtrack is pure music without any narrative. But, Tamron has told the story of the ​New Generation SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens with great images, all through the eyes of Bastian Werner. 

Dispersed through the music, each feature of the new lens is hit with a simple single text slide, hitting hard on the durability of this new lens. In fact, on Tamron's website, they describe the moisture-resistant construction with wide-ranging features such as Fluorine Coating newly developed to enhance durability and make it possible to shoot under any type of shooting circumstances. 

Check out more of Bastian Werner's work with a click on either image I pulled from the video. His work is very diverse, primarily specializing in commercial and editorial clients with a list that's essentially the Who's Who of agencies and client brands.

​And check out the new 15-30mm lens with a visit to your Tamron dealer.

​If you're headed to PPE in New York later this month, you'll find Tamron in booth 819, just two booths from the front entrance to the show. There's always a lot going on in the Tamron booth, so make it one of your first stops at the show and check out some of the finest glass in photography today! ​

​Most people who walk their dogs always have a poop bag with them. Wherever your dog does his/her business, you respect your neighbors and pick it up. However, now and then there's one fool who thinks if the dog poops in the street, it's no big deal and we've got one of those in our neighborhood.

Well, the analogy of pet owners and poop got me thinking about business owners and how, instead of taking responsibility for the problem, point the finger the other way. If it's not their fault then why try and fix it?

Here are some typical scenarios:

• A client contacted you via email. You saw the correspondence but never replied. Now they're upset to have not heard from you and in an attempt to dodge the problem your spam filter gets blamed.
• You were already booked on the date a potential client asked you about, but you promised them a referral. Weeks later you find out the photographer you contacted about them never followed up. 
• Business has been slow, but you blame the challenges on the competition, customer trends and some less than ethical competitors.

Well, let's solve all three scenarios, with or without a poop bag!

• These days blaming your spam filter on anything is the equivalent of the dog ate my term paper. Spam filters do create a problem but get in the habit of a fast run-through every day - before you delete everything.
• You contacted another photographer and gave them a referral - so, it's still your client, and you have the potential for so much goodwill. All it takes is a phone call a day or two later to find out if they heard from the photographer you suggested, and if not follow up.
• There are obviously times when business is slow, and the problem is outside your control, but it's rare there isn't something proactive you can do. Take responsibility for your business and marketing - it's the face in the mirror each morning that has the responsibility to be creative and look for help when there's a problem.

It's only a little rant this morning, but the comparison between photographers who blame every challenge on somebody or something else fits right in with people who don't pick up after their pets! 

Responsibility finds a way. Irresponsibility makes excuses.
Gene Bedley

Photo Credit: Cantrell Portrait Design

A few weeks ago Profoto announced a new member of their Off-Camera Flash System family, the new B10. There's a lot of buzz out there about this remarkable new light. Creating all the noise are some of the most diverse artists in the industry, and I love the way Profoto announces a new product to build the backstory.

One aspect of the new launch is a series of short videos featuring photographers from all over the world taking the B10 for a test drive. Over and again, the work being shared is pretty interesting, and you can learn so much watching other photographers work.

In this new video, French photographer, Little Shao takes the B10 to Seoul and spends a day with a group of epic breakdancers. In under three minutes, he shares several of his favorite images together with some good solid narrative of what's in his mind's eye each time he clicks the shutter.

Find out more about the new B10 with a click on the banner below. And, finding a Profoto dealer is just click away. To see more of Little Shao's work click on any of his images.

​Profoto never slows down in their product development to provide photographers with the very best tools to raise the bar on the quality of their images. Today photographers have the most creative tools in the history of photography. And, Profoto is helping you take control of the light to a new level!

Intro by Skip Cohen

There's so much great content I've stumbled upon taking a daily scroll through the Internet. Suzette Allen shared this image over the weekend, but it deserves a little backstory from an outsider's perspective on the creativity of a terrific friend.

"Ms Bubble Trailer" has become an important part of Suzette and husband, Jonny's life. Although I've never met her personally, she could easily be a character in a book series, because she's been a part of one adventure after another. She's been all over the country including two trips to Burning Man, but that's only part of Ms Bubble Trailer's story.

Suzette's love for imaging is unstoppable. She never slows down in letting her mind's eye visions run free. Put a camera in her hands and, she's the equivalent of a kid who just can't sit still. And, be along with her when the creative juices are flowing, and you can't help but catch the "bug."

I've written this so many times in the past, the best part of the industry has nothing to do with photography, but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft." Suzette, Jonny, Sheila and I have hung out a lot together, and every time it's a kick!

I'm not a tennis player, but they say when you play with somebody better than you, your game improves.  Hanging out with Suzette and Jonny, their passion for life, creativity, and spirituality have had an impact on me, my photography and even my love for the craft.

Suzette's shooting with the new LUMIX G9 and the LUMIX 7-14 mm lens. Just click on either thumbnail below for more information. And, when I asked her for the okay to share this image, she told me she was doing a blog post  to share more of the detail on how it was created! Her blogs need to be on your radar.

Suzette and Jonny are LUMIX Ambassadors, and part of one of the most diverse and creative teams in photography. Keep track of what they're working on, along with their adventures. You'll never be disappointed! 

#WhereLumixGoes #LumixG9

It's Marketing Monday and the perfect time of year to share a post out of the archives about selling prints. I'm still surprised at the number of photographers who claim they can't sell prints, especially when we're got such a great selection of unique materials and technique available through the professional labs. 

For example, two months ago I shared a post about Bay Photo's Performance EXT Metal prints. It's been outside my home in the hot sun and rain since then and still looks like it just came out of the box. It doesn't need to even be hosed down or cleaned and continues to be a talking point every time we've got friends over.

Well, it's October and the seasonality of the fourth quarter is on your doorstep. You've got an opportunity to sell more prints, increase revenue and bring the close of 2018 to a stunning ending by offering your clients new opportunities and ways to display their images.

But, it won't happen if you don't put in an effort to help educate them! It's up to you to help your clients understand the power of a print.

A few years ago at PPE in NYC, I got into a discussion with Bryan Caporicci and Rob Nowell of Sprouting Photographer. The topic was the importance of printed images. Bryan hit me with an idea that's brilliant. Listen carefully, because he's sharing it and invited all of you to steal the idea.  

When Bryan works a bridal fair, he hands each bride a floppy disk, labeled with his contact information and says, "I'd love to show you some of my images. Here's a collection of some of my best!"  The brides look at him like he's from another planet and ask, "What am I supposed to do with this?" They have no idea what to do with a floppy disk.

**POOF**  Bryan's got an instant connection to explaining why printed images are so important. After all, who's to say a DVD is going to play on anything twenty years from now and who knows what a jump drive will look like. In fact, if you were to receive anything on a floppy disk right now, what would you do with it?
 
Need another tool? I've shared this in other posts in the past, but it's time to remind many of you again. Michele Celentano has offered every photographer the right to reprint "I Believe." She wrote it at least five years ago. She uses it as part of her presentation package. It's printed on nice stock and tucked into each folder she gives her clients. She talks very openly about why she believes in printed images in her "Mind Your Own Business" webcast.

Just click the screenshot of Michele from the webcast if you haven't heard Michele talk about the importance of printing your work.

So, here it is, you've got Bryan's floppy disk idea; Michele's "I Believe," which you can print and share with clients and the idea of framing a jump drive, which started as a joke to make the point.  Here's another idea. In support of the whole concept of printing images, Bryan put together the one minute video below a long time ago, which again makes the point. All of you can make your own demo video, just frame some DVDs and jump drives!

And for those of you who like everything either black or white - it's never going to happen. Clients are always going to want digital files for their Facebook pages, websites, cell phones, etc. The Internet has changed the way we share images, but we don't have to give up on prints.  

Printing images is absolutely NOT dead - everyone just has to do a better job of planting the seed with their clients.

It's Sunday morning, and as usual, I have no idea where this post is going. I love staying away from the topic of business, taking the time to write about something outside photography.  This post each Sunday morning is often more for my benefit than you, my readers. It's therapeutic to step away from the business and write about something different. What always surprises me is how much Sunday Morning Reflections hits on things you're all feeling.
 
Sheila and I are having a spectacular weekend but there's absolutely nothing particularly unique; we just wanted to spend time together. In fact, it's an entirely boring weekend by most of your standards. It's the appreciation for our ability to slow the world down and savor our time that makes it unique. If I listed what we've done over the last couple of days it would put a rock to sleep!

And that brings me right to today's point - when was the last time you took time out to enjoy whoever that very best friend in your life is? When did you last shut off the outside world and savor time with that one person who's most special in your life?  

The best kind of people are the ones who come into your life and make you see the sun, where you once saw clouds. The people that believe in you so much, you start to believe in you too.
The people who love you simply for being you.
The once in a lifetime kind of people.
Author Unknown

Time is our most valuable commodity, but as I shared last weekend, it's not wasted time if you enjoy wasting it. So, take the time today and block out everything that pulls you away from that person or people most special in your life. Make today's schedule boring by everybody else's standards but yours.

Clear your head of everything to do with business. It will all be there tomorrow. The same way you can block a troll on Facebook - block all those thoughts that get in the way of your smile.  Celebrate your life, your friends and family. Let's make this a day where we do nothing except smile and cherish somebody special. 

Wishing everybody a perfect day defined by whatever definition is in your heart exclusively - nobody else's. Go for those therapeutic eleven-second hugs, and appreciate the deafening smile and twinkle in your eyes when you take the time to appreciate those people most special in your life.

​Happy Sunday everybody!

"You don't become what you want, you become what you believe."
Oprah

I don't usually post on Saturday, but while doing a little work for next week, I ran across the quote above. Just recently I've had a couple of conversations with photographers who are frustrated with success not coming fast enough. They're thinking about making a career change, and the issue is purely timing and they're ready to give up.

Whatever your goal in life, short-term or long, you've got to believe in yourself, and to believe in yourself you have to love the journey. You have to recognize the importance of patience, and at the same time NEVER slow down on building your skill set. Last but not least, get rid of the naysayers in your life and surround yourself with positive people. Which brings me to another great quote I found from Oprah:

Fast Food Fridays are all about things to help you fine-tune your business and create stronger branding and awareness in your community. And, we're at the very beginning of the fourth quarter with great seasonality to close the year.

There are so many things you can do to create strong awareness for your business and in turn, not only close this year with a good finish but set the stage for 2019.

It's time for another entree from the new menu at the SCU Diner.

​I want to focus on promotions, but with a very different approach. Let's look at some of the things photographers think about when it's too late, after the promotion is over.

​We all do it - We "Monday Morning Quarterback" our disappointments. Although every promotion can be done better, it accomplishes nothing to "should" on yourself.

We'll never completely get away from realizing things that were missed and playing "Monday Morning QB," but let's see if today's "blue plate special" can help you become a little more proactive on the front end. I'm hoping by thinking about what you might miss before you even do the promotion it'll help you create a stronger concept, right from the start.

Did the program have value? Recently I got a direct mail piece from one company offering a $5 off coupon and another with 10% off. Does $5 or 10% off anything these days get you excited?  Think about the value of what you're going to offer. Within photography, I've seen photographers offer something free from their lab. The concept would be fine, except the target audience doesn't know the product. You have to create promotions that get people excited, and they have to recognize the value of your offer.  

If you're thinking about offering free goods, then spend a few months in advance with the product in your price list. Use your blog to talk about what it is and show examples. Establish value on the promotional product BEFORE you share it as part of a campaign.

Did people understand the concept? One of the most difficult challenges we all have is explaining/describing something. Here's a good example. I took a speech class in college, and the assignment was to explain to somebody how to put on a coat. We had to assume they knew nothing about what it was, what sleeves or a collar were or what was the inside or outside. It was almost impossible.

Sadly, that's the way many of you write up a promotional offer. You assume your clients understand what you're talking about. The best way to resolve a challenge like this is to write up your offer and then read it out loud. Next, have somebody else read it. Then, read it again and last on the list, get another person to read it. Most effective of all, get your "proof-readers" from outside the business.  

Did you price it right? There are sensitive pricing thresholds throughout the consumer world. There is no specific formula in photography because every market is different. You need to pay attention to the demographics of your audience and then price things accordingly. Do a little research before you launch and as I once heard Denis Reggie say, "Don't price things on what you can afford. It was years before I could afford myself!" You've got to look at your target audience.

Pricing in itself is a challenge, and you might want to read this post from my buddy Bryan Caporicci several years ago. He did a great job of talking about pricing in general, but the same principles apply to promotional offers.

Did people know about it? This is one of the most common problems. You created a promotion but did a horrible job of getting the word out. Remember you have to keep getting your message out there again and again. Utilize every vehicle at your disposal including email, direct mail, advertising, your blog, partnership marketing and publicity, just to name a few. You have to use all of them at the same time to get your message out to your target audience and get through the noise.

What were your competitors doing at the same time? You can't avoid this because you don't have control over your competitor's business, but look at the community when you launched your promotion. Then, do your best to find windows unique to your reach with minimal noise. Check out this guest post from Bruce Berg on the Lane County Children's Contest. It's five years old and still completely valid! Here are three studios working together during the first quarter to create excitement at a time when the market couldn't be slower.

How did you present the idea? It's a combination of design, timing and with printed material, being a wordsmith. Think about things from the perspective of your target audience. Did your presentation get their attention?

There's a great line I heard thirty years ago from Ed Foreman, a motivational business speaker from Texas. I've shared it many times in previous posts.

               "if I can see the world through my client's eyes, then I can sell my client what my client buys!"

I guarantee somebody out there just rolled their eyes and said, "put yourself in their shoes." You don't need to be in their shoes - it's only going to make your feet hurt.

For most of you, your target audience is "mom" - that means you need to see the world through her eyes. You need to understand what's important to her; where she needs help; and the things she worries about regarding her family, children growing up, etc. "Moms" wear multiple hats and it's your job to understand the importance of each one.

Successful promotions don't happen overnight. It's a process, often of trial and error. The days of just putting together a great two-for-one offer and then sitting back and waiting for consumers to charge through your doors are long gone. You have to create excitement, have value and above all have a product people want!
 
Be patient - keep trying new combinations of offers with value - pay attention to how your message is received and keep fine-tuning your process.

Fast Food Fridays are brought to you by:

Every morning on Twitter, usually at 7:30, I share a quote generally about something related to the challenges of being in business. The idea of sharing quotes started years ago when it was a great way to build followers on Twitter, but today, it's become part of my morning routine. Reading a quote that's inspirational helps charge my battery for the day ahead. 

For those of you who can't start the day without a cup of coffee, my scroll through cyberspace, and reading great quotes has become my Starbucks! Each quote gets me thinking about some aspect of my life and business. And, the inspiration gets me in the mood for whatever the day ahead is about to bring.  

A few years back I spoke to a group of photographers at a local association and was excited to catch up to an old friend who I'd met years before through PPA. He was a great photographer specializing in portraiture, mostly seniors. Well, I was shocked to talk to him and found out he'd given up on photography as a career and gone back to working for a local retailer, completely outside imaging. When I read today's quote, it took me right back to talking with him and sensing his loss of creativity and definitely an aging soul.

I know there are times when we're all faced with situations we need to walk away from, but when it's something you're passionate about, you need to weigh all the alternatives. 

I have looked in the mirror every day and asked myself,
"If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I'm about to do today?"
And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row,
I know I need to change something!"
Steve Jobs

There's nothing more I can add to Steve Jobs helping me make the point. Wishing everybody a terrific Wednesday and a day filled with projects and people who help make your life richer.

"So the next time you're traveling and the conditions aren't ideal, don't get discouraged.
Keep shooting, take chances and embrace the unexpected."
Ken Hubbard

That's Ken Hubbard's closing comment in the video below, as he and Armando Flores hit Glacier National Park in Montana. A lightning strike ignited a small part of the park, and the fires added a layer of haze over every location they go to photograph.

This video is one of the best in the Tamron series to date because it's loaded with good solid, helpful content. There are so many things outside a photographer's control, leaving artists with the need to draw from their skill set.

With each image, Armando expresses a little frustration with the scene not being what he was expecting but then shares his mind's eye vision in how to salvage the moment. The images included in the video are stunning and the perfect reminder that great artists never give up on capturing beautiful images.

Armando's working with Tamron's SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens. For more information click on the banner below. And, check out the schedule for all the upcoming events/workshops this month.

​There's a lot to choose from, and each program gives you an opportunity to expand your network with Tamron's Tech Team, and check out what all the buzz is about with Tamron's family of outstanding lenses.