In July 2002 I had the honor of becoming president of Rangefinder Publishing. This was the last magazine before a new team started to build a bigger and better publication, although Bill Hurter was always the driving force. (He's missed by so many of us today.) At the time my responsibilities included WPPI and Rangefinder Magazine. The magazine grew to a record-breaking 350+ pages over the next seven years.
Although my career on the professional side of the business started in 1987 at Hasselblad USA, joining RF/WPPI created some of my career's strongest friendships. Even this page sharing the work of the four winners on this 2002 recap from the magazine has four old friends, Joe Buissink, "Sklooty," Frank Cava and Joe Photo. Five years later Joe and I wrote a book together. I still catch up to him and "Sklooty" at various shows, and Joe Photo and I connected on Facebook not too long ago. Joe Photo and Michele Celentano co-hosted the WPPI awards program for several years. I didn't know Frank Cava as well as his brother Anthony, but I certainly knew his work and together their images were regular winners in WPPI competition. And the fact that this scan is from the 2002 print competition is even more fun for me. I've written a lot about print comp - the judging event is one of the most valuable programs you can attend! For WPPI it's always before the trade show. The reason it's so helpful is all about your education. You've got multiple judges in each category and the opportunity to listen to their critique of every print. It's an incredible experience. I had a lot of fun going through this old issue, and it's all thanks to Throwback Thursday. Take the time today and pick up a photographic magazine ten years or older. You'll be amazed at the changes in style, technology and even the ads are fun to review. It will also give you a better appreciation for all the creative tools you have today, and just how much the styles and technology have changed! Happy Throwback Thursday!
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I started blogging in 2009, and thanks to help from several very good friends we launched SCU in 2013. The blog has grown, but sadly so has my list of frustrations. While some of you are focused on the ingredients to build a successful business, there are some of you who still don't get it. Today I was reading through some of the posts on Facebook, and it was all I could do not to get involved in some of the discussions. I stayed clear, but it's obvious somewhere along life's path a bunch of people took wrong turns. This is a back to basics kind of time in business when a hand-written thank you note is going to carry more weight than a new design for your home page. It's a time when sincerity tops technology and fulfilling a promise will be talked about long after that new lens you just bought. While many of you are motivated, passionate and doing everything you can to build your business, new relationships and your skill set, here are some of the knuckleheads who put me in rant mode:
If these sound like anybody you know, let's all chip in and get them some professional help. The photographic industry is made up of some incredibly talented artists, and just like all those old westerns I watched as a kid, there's always going to be a faster gun. There's always going to be somebody out there pushing the edge of the envelope. These exceptional artists have a passion that drives them and a desire to shoot in a way nobody else would, and they keep many of us motivated by their creativity. I found a great quote that seems to fit this post and since my grandfather was the one who taught me about a firm handshake and eye contact: "My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was less competition there." Indira Gandhi Thanks for letting me rant - wishing everybody a troll-less finish to the week!
"The best camera is the one that's with you." - Chase Jarvis Intro by Chamira Young The above quote is from photographer Chase Jarvis (and it's also the title of his past book!). Needless to say, it couldn't be more true, especially in an age where everyone has their cell phone on them 99.99% of the time. We're in an age where many view these little machines as not just an accessory, but as an extension of themselves. As a photographer, I'll readily admit that I don't carry my hefty DSLR camera with me everywhere I go, but you better believe I have my cell phone with me just about all the time. There have been times when I've been out for an innocent errand or walk in the park, and an unexpectedly interesting scene enfolds before me. Before I realize it, I'm reaching for my cell phone to capture that moment. Whether you consider yourself a hobbyist or pro, knowing how to use your cell phone camera is a must these days. The story behind an image is as important as the image itself, so make sure you know how to effectively use that little camera so that you can be ready to capture all of life's precious moments. Kathy at Photodex has some great tips to make the most of these increasingly powerful little machines. By Kathy at Photodex Who doesn’t have a smartphone these days! This means you’re walking around with another camera conveniently located in your pocket. So…why not learn how to use it. Just another perk to owning a smartphone. If you know what you’re doing then you can get some nice high-quality results! Take a look at a few tips below to get you started on photographing with your smartphone. Some may sound pretty basic and obvious, but it doesn’t hurt to have a little reminder. Plus, they do make a difference.
Photodex is all about the tools to help you become a better storyteller. They never slow down on their focus to help you raise the bar on your business, presentations and finding new ways to help you streamline the creative process. Visit their blog where you'll find outstanding new content being shared every day.
The SAVE20WITHSKIP code is still active - so, put it in the code box when you purchase any Photodex product for a 20% discount. Andre Costantini is shooting mirrorless with Tamron's new 28-75mm Di III RXD Sony Full Frame Mirrorless lens. He shares a lot of good insight in this short video while walking one of the largest glaciers in the world in Iceland, Vatnajökull. Tamron never slows down in manufacturing outstanding optics. They're also on a never-ending quest to help photographers be more creative and capture the very best images. Check out the new 28-75 lens along with the entire Tamron family of lenses and outstanding glass! And, put Tamron USA's calendar on your radar! Just in June alone, there are twenty-five different workshops and events taking place across the U.S. Check out the complete event calendar with a click on the banner below! Profoto manufactures some of the finest lighting equipment in the world, but they also stay focused on excellent education and creative ways to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images. This short video is part of their "Master Series" on YouTube. It's an interview with Albert Watson, and I've shared a couple of their previously released background stories here at SCU. While we all know and recognize so many of his images, there's something remarkable about hearing the story directly from Albert. And, there's a sidebar to every story which further emphasizes the importance of knowing your gear and the craft. The final image of "Golden Boy" was the result of two Polaroids and only four frames. That's all Albert Watson had to work with when the subject didn't want to be photographed any longer. (Remember, this image was captured in 1990. There was no digital photography and the Polaroids were the only way to get a proof shot before the final image.) To read the complete article that goes with the video below, click on "Golden Boy" to the right. If you haven't visited Profoto's YouTube channels, it's time to wander over. There are 147 videos in the ProfotoUS channel and 216 in the Profoto Global channel. While there's some overlap, you'll find a wealth of unique content and information on both channels to help you become a better photographer! Hit the subscribe button to stay on top of every new release! And, if you haven't checked out all the inspirational stories on the Profoto website, what are you waiting for? Every week there's new content being added giving you a chance to be inspired at your own pace from some of the finest photographers and educators around the world. After so many years of posts about Memorial Day, I had some fun this morning going back through the SCU archives. I originally shared this post in 2015. Each new year it seems like we get farther and farther away from what the holiday was originally meant to represent. I feel like it was only yesterday I was getting ready for the Memorial Day Parade in my hometown of Painesville, Ohio. Being in the marching band, and our uniforms being 100% wool, all we wanted was a cold late May day. I'm not sure any of us really understood the meaning of Memorial Day, other than it signified the start of summer! And things haven't changed very much. It seems the real meaning of the holiday is a little lost. Here's a short history lesson from Wikipedia... Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans — established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. So, on this Memorial Day in 2018, it's a time to honor those who not only died fighting for our country and democracy, but those who have served and continue to serve. My Dad passed away at 93 and served in WWII but a couple of years before he died we did a trip together to Washington D.C. with HonorFlight.org. It was an amazing memory-making trip that can never be topped. To our son Brian who continues to serve, my brother-in-law Randy who never takes off his Marine baseball hat and to so many friends and associates who have served in the military - thank you for your sacrifices and your love for freedom. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 640 WWII veterans die each day. Our time to express our thanks to these brave men and women is running out. Honor Flight has 131 hubs in 45 states and since 2005 has transported over 180,000 veterans to Washington and over 120,000 accompanying guardians on their trips. To find out more about HonorFlight.org, and how you can volunteer or get a veteran from your family on one of the trips, just click their banner on the right. HonorFlight.org has a great tag line... “We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they walk by.” Will Rogers It's Sunday morning, and I'm especially off-track, but with a topic so many of us can identify with. I woke up to another day of storms in Florida and the first tropical storm warning of the season. That got me thinking about the fear the media keeps creating and in turn how we all deal with anxiety in general.
Well, it's a Melody Beattie morning, and ironically she wrote about fear for today, May 27. If you want to read the whole meditation, you'll have to buy the book since I've only selected a couple of paragraphs. It's time to stop punishing ourselves. Time to stop beating ourselves over the head with fear. This is the scenario. A fear enters our mind. Our mind takes it and runs with it. Something bad is going to happen. Something terrible and traumatic is on the way. We quickly review the traumas of our past and make the determination. Yes, it is very possible that this devastating event will happen. So we sit crouched in the present moment full of fear and dread. We worry the worst that could possibly happen, probably will. We begin to believe that it is most likely waiting at our doorstep, ready to pounce on us and steal our joy, our peace, our place and rhythm in the universe. She expanded the concept more and then closed with: Recognize and acknowledge your fear. Then release it. Let go of the energy. Stop punishing yourself. While life's seasons may not always be fair, they are trustworthy. And within each day, each moment of each season, there is a way of peace and joy. Do not allow fear of what if to ruin the joy of what is. And here's my point this morning. An old friend from Peru, Mario Fernandez was here last night. I haven't seen Mario in over twenty years, going back to his days as owner/publisher of Foto Imagen magazine, then based out of Miami. It was a great visit as both of us wandered up and down Memory Lane and our ever-changing lives and careers. Over and again we shared stories of events, projects, accomplishments and adventures that never would have happened had we given into fear and not taken a risk here and there. Well, I'm a year older today, and with each birthday I find myself reflecting on how much my life keeps changing. Don't let fear slow you down. Appreciate that gut feeling you get, respect it, but don't let it drown you in a sea of regrets. Embrace change, embrace those new opportunities that come into your life, and most of all remember, if it weren't for change there'd be no butterflies! Wishing everybody a beautiful Sunday, or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. Make it a day without fear and as Melody Beattie wrote, don't let anything ruin the joy of what is - this moment right now. Always go for those eleven-second hugs with the people most special in your life and appreciate the simplicity and the deafening silence of peace. Happy Sunday everybody! Fast Food Friday is all about ideas to help you fine-tune your business. And, while most of the dishes served each week are about being a professional photographer, many of them are universal to ANY company. Business is changing all the time. You have to pay attention to the trends, your audience and all the vehicles at your fingertips to help expand your reach. Thanks to social media, you have the same reach today that only small newspapers and magazines had a decade ago. There are so many different things that require a little attention. Yet, many of you have chosen to ignore some of the easiest things to change. While some of the Friday specials are short easy things to fix, today's blue-plate special is a little more complicated and a topic that's ongoing all year long. This is number fourteen in this series, and I want to give you some ideas on target marketing. As a professional photographer, you have to know your audience! It's Time to Define Your Target Audience!Every day we get emails that aren't relevant. They go into our spam folders or if snail mail into the recycling bin. There are companies like Macy's who are constantly sending out discount cards, and I remember Levin Furniture when we lived in Akron with a new discount offer every month. As a consumer, we were buried in analysis paralysis trying to figure out what the best deal on their prices really was. They were caught in what I call riptide marketing - unable to break free or change without a potential loss in business. So, let's come up with some ideas to help you get more targeted with your promotions:
There’s no such thing as knowing too much about your target audience. There’s a great line I’ve used for years, thanks to Ed Foreman, a motivational speaker from Texas: “If I can see the world through my client’s eyes, then I can sell my client what my client buys.” You've got to see the world through your client's eyes and understand what they're looking for. I heard Jerry Ghionis once talk about the secret to creating incredible images. The key is to photograph your subjects as if you were looking through the eyes of one of their loved ones. Well, marketing is no different - you've got to know your client and see the world through their eyes! Missed any of the past blue-plate specials? There are now fourteen specials in the series and lots more coming. If you missed any of them, just click on the menu to the right and take a scroll through the complete series. Some of them are more time-consuming than others, but each one will help you develop a more effective approach to a different aspect of your business. Let's make 2018 your best year yet! Images copyright Dave Frieder. All rights reserved. I was teaching a workshop at ShutterFest a couple of years ago when nobody in my class knew who Mary Ellen Mark was. Out of that frustration came the concept for this series. "Why?" is about introducing you to some of the most respected artists in photography. Some are relatively new to the craft, but doing amazing work, while others represent the veterans who have blazed a path of creativity and set so many of the standards we most respect. Every artist has shared a piece of wisdom related to their journey thus far. What started as a way for you to meet the industry's movers and shakers has grown to be a significant body of work thanks to their willingness to share. Dave Frieder joins me in this new episode. Dave and I go back a lot of years to my early Hasselblad days. His work centered around one unique passion, climbing and photographing all the bridges of New York...from the top! Over the years he's built a significant body of work, and currently is working on a fine art tabletop book anticipated to be published in the very near future. Click on either image to visit Dave's website. Check out more of his work and the detail of each of New York's famous bridges. Intro by Skip Cohen Over the last five years, I've shared many posts of my own and guest posts about Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I'm one of their ambassadors and couldn't be more proud to be associated with this fantastic group of people. As professional photographers, you can literally stop time and help your clients capture memories. Often these moments are the most precious in their lives and here's a prime example from Gina Harris, who today is CEO of NILMDTS. Gina shared this post as a guest post here at SCU in 2014, but her message is timeless and hearing about a friend recently who lost a baby, I wanted to share it again. At the time, Gina had no idea how much of an impact her son would have, not only on the hearts of her and her husband, but on the way David, and later Ethan would influence her role in our industry. As today's CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, Gina understands firsthand the critical role photography plays in the healing process. NILMDTS needs your help. So many of you have so much talent and the ability to help a family in need. Don't let yourself get trapped into that excuse of, "I just don't think I could do this kind of photography without crying!" Every photographer on the NILMDTS team who I've ever talked to has always mentioned how their experiences helping each family has changed their lives. Being a part of this terrific organization is just a click away! by Gina Harris
In 2007, my husband Rob and I were full of hope when we learned our first baby was going to be a boy. Shortly after, we learned our baby had Potter’s Syndrome , in which his kidneys did not form. Almost 34 weeks into the pregnancy, our son David was coming. When David was delivered, his heart was not beating. The doctor handed David to me. I was overwhelmed at how beautiful he was. He looked so perfect. How could anything be wrong with him? We held him for six hours. I made sure to remember how he smelled and how soft his skin was. I tried my best to remember every moment with him. Thankfully, a friend had told me about Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS). When I went into labor, we called Sandy Puc’, co-founder of NILMDTS to take images of our son. These photographs helped capture the moments with him and every feature of our adorable boy. There is no way I could have remembered this much without the photographs. When we received the images, they became and still are, our most prized possession. When I look at the images of David, I feel peace. His cute little face puts a smile on my face, but tears in my eyes. Shortly after, we became pregnant again. At the 16-week ultra-sound we learned the baby had kidneys, but he had two fatal conditions - cystic hygromas and hydrops. The doctor said most babies with these conditions tend to miscarry, but was surprised that our baby’s heart was beating strong. Each week, we went to the doctor’s office to see if the baby’s heart was still beating. As each week went by, I started believing that maybe this baby would be healed. Unfortunately at 24 weeks, the baby’s heart stopped beating and my labor was induced. We found out he was a boy and we named him Ethan. Ethan’s condition was extremely severe, more so than what we had thought. In our grief, we chose not to photograph him. We held Ethan as long as we could. I told him, “You are beautiful. Your body is perfect now in heaven. You are with your big brother now.” We buried Ethan next to his big brother David. Not having images of Ethan made the grieving and healing process much more difficult for my husband and me. The images we have of David shows that he was real – he existed. I often feel that Ethan is forgotten because we don’t have images of him. In 2011, I had the opportunity to become the executive director at NILMDTS. I had been in the nonprofit field my whole career and was serving as the executive director at another agency. To be able to bring my nonprofit experience and my passion for an organization that has impacted me in such a profound way is such an honor. For as long as I had worked in nonprofit, I had never needed the services of one until I needed NILMDTS. NILMDTS gave me my most prized possession – images of my beautiful son David. Now, it was my time, to utilize my experience and skills to give back. Even though I lost David and Ethan, I still did not truly grasp the magnitude of infant loss and the need for NILMDTS services until I became the executive director at this amazing organization. Even though we have volunteer photographers throughout the world, we still do not have enough to serve all of the families who need our services. Our volunteers do one of the most incredible services a volunteer could offer. I hope if you are reading this and have photography and/or retouching skills, you will consider being part of NILMDTS. The fun of Throwback Thursday is all in the memories old photographs create. They make us laugh, cry and take us on a continuous journey down Memory Lane. I know I'm right on the edge of the poor taste envelope on this one. I'm sure there will be somebody out there who wants to criticize me for sharing this especially if they're offended by "the bird," adopted, feel this is a violation of copyright or think it's merely inappropriate since both my folks have passed away. Well, my birthday is coming up this weekend, and this was sent to me thirty-five years ago, probably just about to the day. I was a manager at Polaroid, and responsible for Consumer Relations in the overseas subsidiaries. I was traveling out of the country every three weeks and typically gone for two. It was an incredible assignment. Remember, there was no Internet back then. And, we were allowed one phone call home each week. There was nobody you could call if you needed help. You needed to know your job, play the politics when appropriate and pretty much have everything you needed in your head or briefcase. Now here's why this is so much fun to share today... There are a number of you who met my folks over the years. They were great parents, and my Dad was always my best buddy. I can hear my mother saying something like, "Ralph, you can't send that," and then laughing hysterically as Dad literally cut and pasted his head and Mom's on the card. The inside of the card just says, "You're Adopted!" But it's the message that Dad wrote that's mine to cherish. At least in my lifetime, it's the flashbacks to those moments of laughter and humor that give my folks a level of immortality. Even though I've used this quote by author, Jodi Picoult several time previously it's still the very best quote about old photographs. “This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect.” So, on this Throwback Thursday, have some fun looking through your own stash of memorabilia. You won't regret it and it'll help remind you just how incredible a career in imaging can be. No matter what your role in this industry, you help people capture and share memories.
Oh, and if anybody can top my Dad's sense of humor feel free to share your story. Maybe we'll start a new section of funny moments with our "rents." I've shared a lot of great content from Tamron's website over the years, and it just keeps getting better. I somehow missed the video below back in March, but with Father's Day, graduation and summer all on the horizon now is the perfect time to share more information on another member of the Tamron family. They're making some of the finest optics in the industry as well as great videos. The 100-400 mm lens is in the spotlight today, and they tell the complete story in under three minutes. It's concise, to the point and a perfect example of how to be a storyteller. Obviously, you're not a product like a Tamron lens, but the components of telling a story are always the same and you can learn a lot from their technique and the images shared. If you haven't checked out Tamron's incredible optics for yourself, it's time to wander into a Tamron dealer. Click on the banner below for more information. And, check out the schedule for Tamron USA's tech team. They're on the road over the next few weeks in Wisconsin in Greenfield and Madison, and Aurora, Illinois. Click on the van to put their schedule on your radar, so you don't miss them when they're in your area.
Image copyright Chan Kit. All rights reserved. It's pretty amazing how much great educational material is on the Internet, and Profoto leads the way in content rich short videos to help you raise the bar on your skill set. They also lead the way in adding to the creative tools photographers have available today, especially in controlling light. I love sharing these short Profoto videos because each one allows you to meet another artist. In just two minutes it's packed with good content, and if you're results oriented, each image gives you another perspective in on-location portraiture. "Hong Kong based photographer Chan Kit creates passionate couple portraits in four different lighting conditions, eternalizing each moment from dawn to dusk." Pay close attention to Chan's style in the video below. He's working with the B2, OCF Beauty Dish, and AirTTL under four completely different conditions. Profoto's Off-Camera Flash System not only allows artists the ability to control lighting no matter where they go but also to fulfill each mind's eye vision with maximum creativity and success. Click on any product for more information See more of Chan Kit's work and check out where he's shooting by following him on Facebook. He shares a lot of his work from assignments all over the world. Isn't it time you visited a Profoto Dealer and found out what all the buzz was about? Just click on the link below. Intro by Chamira Young Let's say you're a wedding photographer who just wrapped up shooting a tear-jerking ceremony, and you want to really impress the guests with some photo highlights at the reception immediately afterwards. Or perhaps you're a hobbyist who just finished taking stills of your three day family reunion cruise, and you're looking for a fun way to share them with the rest of your family. Not to be melodramatic, but your next step is crucial. Seriously. For the love of all that is precious and sacred, don't just haphazardly throw them up on Facebook, wait for nebulous "Likes", and call it a day. Instead, consider putting together a well-crafted slideshow that will really knock your viewers' socks off. Not only is it fun to do, but it's a great way to convey the unique story behind the photos. Kathy at Photodex has come up with three great, powerful ways to display your slideshows. Some of them of them you may have tried before, but others you may not have. Check them out below and pick one to try out this week! By Kathy at Photodex Looking for a creative way to display your slideshows? Whether you are a photographer, business owner, bride and groom, or maybe just a hobbyist…the thought of presenting your slideshows in a unique way has definitely crossed your mind. If you’re a business owner then you could have a short portfolio video running on a loop in the office for all to see, or if you’re having a wedding or engagement reception you may want to entertain your friends and family with a fun slideshow being projected. The ideas are endless and fun of course. Below are a couple of ways to consider displaying your slideshows in a way that your audience will love!
Photodex is all about the tools to help you become a better storyteller. They never slow down on their focus to help you raise the bar on your business, presentations and finding new ways to help you streamline the creative process. Visit their blog where you'll find outstanding new content being shared every day.
The SAVE20WITHSKIP code is still active - so, put it in the code box when you purchase any Photodex product for a 20% discount.
Intro by Skip Cohen
I've written this so many times before - In the almost 180 year history of photography there have never been more creative tools at your fingertips than today! Technology never slows down, and Panasonic with its complete LUMIX line of cameras, is a perfect example. My pal Mark Toal is back today - after all, it is Mirrorless Mark Monday! Time-lapse photography is another application built into almost all the cameras in the LUMIX family. But this is one of those features that goes well beyond just being fun to use. Think about your ability to create a time-lapse video for a bridal client, capturing the preparation before the wedding. Or, how about a charitable event you're photographing and the preparation/participation for something like the Alzheimer's Walk? And an even broader application, a Day in the Life portrait shoot of a family or child? The concept of time-lapse photography isn't new, but you having the ability to create a time-lapse series easily is incredible. And, while it's easy to do, don't underestimate thinking through understanding how to capture the story you want. Mark does a terrific job in the short video at the end of his post and takes you through all the steps together with one more example. Mark's shooting with two members of the LUMIX family of cameras, the GH4 and the G9. Check out both of them with a click on the thumbnails below. And check out more of Mark's support to help you grow as an artist by visiting his website.
​When Panasonic started building "Time Lapse" into its LUMIX cameras a few years ago I figured I’d better learn to use it, so I could show it to customers. Like so many features I think I will never use I fell in love with it.
Reno sunset and clouds from Mark Toal on Vimeo.
​Spring is a great time of year to make time-lapse videos since the light and clouds are changing quickly. My first time-lapse video was of the late afternoon clouds coming in from the west over the Sierra’s in Reno, Nevada. The time-lapse above was shot over a two-hour period at sunset and involved about 600 images. The video was made automatically in the LUMIX GH4 camera.
My most ambitious time-lapse was a 28-day project for a local car builder, Gary Fisher. This video is made from 17,000 images shot over 28 days. For this time-lapse I used an AC adapter on a LUMIX GH4 so I could shoot 24 hours a day. I went by every four days and changed the SD card in the camera. Normally you will build the time lapse automatically in the camera, but I needed to make this one from the jpg files in Apple’s Quicktime software.
Here is a video on how to easily set-up this feature on a LUMIX camera. I’m using a LUMIX G9 in this video but it’s available in almost all LUMIX cameras.
Take a chance because you never know how perfect something can turn out. Wiz Khalifa Wandering through the SCU archives I came across this post from several years ago, but there's nothing out of date when it comes to talking about seasonality. And while Mother's Day is already gone, graduation and Father's Day are still on the horizon along with prom season and a long list of local events as summer approaches. There's not a lot of seasonality in professional photography, but there are two strong stretches and one of them is happening now. And, without question, this is a you-snooze-you-lose scenario! Too many of you focus on the fall seasonality starting with Halloween images of kids and typically some sort of fund-raiser for your studio. For you the seasonality runs through Thanksgiving and the December holidays, but what about the second most significant stretch of the year - RIGHT NOW? This is the perfect time for you to team up with a venue, another vendor like a florist and even another photographer. I've written about partnerships and joint promotions so many times in the past. Here's a perfect example: You missed Mother's Day for 2018, but you could still plant the seed for next year. How about tying together a venue in your community known for its Mother's Day Brunch, along with a florist and your skills as a portrait artist? Pull the concept together by getting the florist to meet you at the venue and take a position of leadership on pitching a new idea, something special for Mother's Day next year. And, let's take the same concept and tie it in with graduation parties and dinners till to come this year. The model is the same for any special event - partnerships, a joint or cross-promotion, a direct mail message and two partners to share the costs. Here's one more timely example, and there's still time to implement... How about a campaign to update the family portrait for Dad? Remember, women make 98% of the purchase decisions to hire a professional photographer. So, let's get the message out to Mom: "When was the last time Dad had an up to date photograph of his family?" Be creative and go out in search for some old-time family images to help make the point. If you've got them in your own personal archives that's even better. Here's what I found just putting in "Antique Family Photos" in Google Search. And, each image links to the website where it's been used/shared. One word of caution and a reminder - do your research on copyright and make sure you find an image you have the right to use. I also went searching in Fotolia, which I use a lot for illustration type images. There's nothing wrong with using a stock image to demonstrate your point, like the old photograph below. The ingredients are all there - Mom makes the purchase decisions...Dad doesn't have an updated image of his family in his wallet or on his desk...and you've got the skill set! Even if it's just to promote Dad getting an updated image of his kids - it's still the perfect opportunity for you to plant the seed for the idea! Graduation is another crucial time of year. There are over three million high school seniors anticipated to graduate in 2018 and over a million associate’s degrees; almost two million bachelor's degrees; approximately 800,000 master's degrees; and over 150,000 doctor's degrees. (Source for both: National Center for Education Statistics) That means over and again families are going to be getting together at every high school and college in the country. And, don't forget, overseas you've got many of the same opportunities. Here's the bottom line with today's Marketing Monday post - you're the only one who can make this happen. Even though it might seem like a rush with the time crunch, you've still got time to do something. Take a leadership role and look for a partner or two, share the costs of developing a promotional piece along with the effort in getting the word out and creating some excitement in your community. I know a lot of you are afraid to tackle your own promotional efforts. Then there are some of you who already have promos in place for the whole year. The most important thing is not to be afraid of working with some other companies and developing programs to create buzz and business. It always seems impossible until it's done. Nelson Mandela So what are you waiting for? Illustration Credits: Mother's Day: © vanillasky30, Graduation: © 14ktgold, Father's Day: © grgroup
The trick is not how much pain you feel - but how much joy you feel. Any idiot can feel pain. Life is full of excuses to feel pain, excuses not to live, excuses, excuses, excuses. Erica Jong For several years now I've made it a point to run amuck on Sunday mornings and dive headfirst into any topic outside photography. It's getting harder and harder to find something to write about that's different from a thousand plus Sundays of the past.
This past week I caught up with an old buddy who commented on how over all the years we've known each other I haven't changed. We laughed over a few of our past adventures, and as I sit here writing this morning, I'm thinking about whether or not I have changed. The truth is I've changed in a lot of ways. I've made mistakes; have regrets and have isolated moments where I wish specific things were different. However, the one core that drives everything I do is my ability to be an eternal optimist. Part of this is learned, but it's also in my genes. I grew up with Grandmothers who loved expressions like, "Don't cry over spilled milk." "A stitch in time saves nine," "Every cloud has a silver lining," and the list goes on and on. My Dad, at the height of dealing with my mother's Alzheimer's once said, "I'm going to squeeze every drop of joy we have left and never let it go!" And then there's my wife Sheila, who's known more pain than anybody I know. Twenty years ago she lost three brothers and her parents over a five year period. She was the one person in her family to have the strength to bury them all and still have a belief in life, God and the pure joy of just being alive. And that's a big piece of what I fell in love with - her zest for life. When we put in our butterfly garden, we wanted a water feature, and that's the three monoliths in the photograph above. The feature is a memorial to her three brothers. That's "Alan" in the middle, "Wally" on the right and "Jimmy" on the left. It was my idea because while I never knew them, I know they're watching over us. As sad as it is to have lost them, it's a tribute to them and life. So, here's my point this morning and Erica Jong said it best in the quote above, "Any idiot can feel pain." Just like me, you have a choice in your perspective about today and all your tomorrows. If you want to be miserable, it's your choice, but what a kick if you can teach yourself to wake up smiling every morning. Then, take whatever comes along, whether good or bad, as another component in a pretty amazing life...yours. And if you're buried in excess baggage from the past and at times feel like you can't get out of your own way, then remember one thing, "broken crayons still color!" Wishing everybody a Sunday filled with joy and lots of color. Never miss an eleven-second therapeutic hug with people who are special in your life. As photographers, we all love the feel of a well-printed black and white photograph, but fortunately, life isn't black and white. Make today a day where you appreciate the love around you, the peace in your life and especially your power to change the world - even if it's only your tiny piece of it. That' where all the color is! Happy Sunday everybody! We're all too close to our businesses. I compare it to being a parent - your kids are changing every day, but it's not until you're gone for a few days on a trip for example, that you notice how much they've grown! Well, your business is changing all the time, and there are so many different things that require a little attention, especially in the photography business. So many of you have chosen to ignore some of the easiest things to change. So, I started Fast Food Friday to share ideas on easy things to fix. Some take longer than others to implement, but none of them are rocket science. They take time and need your attention. You know how to focus your camera, but what about everything else? This is number thirteen in this "blue-plate special" series, but today isn't about fixing a component of your business, it's about adding to your strategy. As a professional photographer, you have an opportunity with every customer contact to remind your audience you're a photographer. One of the best ways is by using your images in your holiday cards, thank-you notes, and stationery. No photographer should ever be buying store-bought stationery! As an artist, why would you show somebody else's work?Now is the time to start thinking about your image for your 2018 holiday card and once you have the photograph, it's so easy.
Here are a few more from Bleu and Ali that I've shared over the years: And, using your images for thank you notes is exactly the same, but you won't include a preprinted message on the inside. Don't forget your business stationary which can be everything from your logo on some nice paper stock or one of your images lightly screened on the paper. I saved this card from my buddy Everardo Keeme in Phoenix. We met at one of the Skip's Summer School events, and he sent me the note following the program. He used a terrific image, left room inside for a hand-written message and has his logo on the back. The value of the card isn't just in the image used, but the strength of a written note together with the marking impact of the logo/info on the back. This is where you get to remind people what you do for a living. And, if you're having a hard time putting something together, pick up the phone and call Marathon Press. Yes, they're an SCU partner, but years before this blog, like thousands of photographers in this industry I worked with them on a long list of other projects! As long as I'm talking about cards and stationery, the card below was created by my good friend Carey Schumacher at Barefoot Memories in San Diego. She spent an afternoon photographing Molly and me in the dog park. Later she surprised me with a set of notecards. It's probably one of the most fun gifts I've ever received. Think about the impact cards like this would have on a client. Whether you're creating your own stationery or something for a client, holiday cards, and stationery should be an extension of your marketing as well as products/service you offer your clients. Over the years I've featured cards from so many different photographers. The challenge for you is to stop procrastinating and think about the what you're using now followed by what you're using this December! What are you going to be sending out? Missed any of the past Fast Food Friday Specials?They're all just a click away!
I ran across the print on the right recently, and it's perfect for Throwback Thursday. Throwbacks aren't just about old photographs, but the stories they remind you about. The year is 1991 and the photograph was captured by my great buddy, Terry Deglau. Terry was a part of some of the very best adventures in my career, and this was taken during one of them. That's Ansel Adams' Cadillac behind me and a Hasselblad on a tripod on the left. With Hasselblad's support, I bought Ansel Adams' 1977 Cadillac from the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson. I was on their Board then and Ansel's widow, Virginia had donated the car to the Center to help raise money for their visiting scholar fund. As I was sitting in the Board meeting, I was thinking about Victor Hasselblad and Ansel Adams being close friends. So, I bought the car and then we sold it as a fund-raiser for Photographers + Friends United Against AIDS, another non-profit I was involved in at the time. PPE, back then, had a sister show, Photo West, which was held at Mosconi Center in San Francisco. I picked up the car at Ansel's home in Carmel, just before the show, and had enough time to get a shot of the moment with me and Virginia Adams. That week we had it exhibited on the floor of the convention. Immediately after the show, Terry and I loaded up the car with two Lightware cases of Hasselblad gear and drove it to Yosemite. We spent three days driving through Yosemite and pulling out the Hasselblad gear at every opportunity. And, when we didn't have a camera in our hands we were playing Ansel's car horn. He had a horn that played the first few bars of 75-80 different songs. There's something unique about interrupting the solitude of Yosemite early in the morning with a few bars of Dixie! Terry was then the senior manager at Kodak responsible for support to the industry and just about everything to do with print film. He brought enough film to feed our creativity for the entire trip. It was early in the season, so water levels in the park were nice and high. In fact, we stayed in a small motel next to the river, which roared with the winter runoff throughout the night. The car was sold the following October at Photo East (now PPE) in New York, but I kept Ansel's keys and his original rear plate. In addition, I'm convinced I'm a better photographer because I put my tush in the same place Ansel put his, driving his car for a week. As recently as a few years ago the Cadillac was still active and somehow wound up back in Yosemite. There's one ironic aspect to all of this. When I bought the car, in the glove compartment was a small record-book where Ansel kept track of the gas mileage. If you think about it, Ansel was one of the early environmentalists, and it makes me laugh that in his handwriting that '77 "boat" was only getting 9 miles to the gallon! Throwback images are all about memories, and in a few minutes, I'm going to pick up the phone and call Terry. As with past calls we'll laugh about the good old days and what could easily be a movie, "Skip and Terry's Awesome Adventures!" Whether you post throwbacks on your website or just enjoy them for a trip down Memory Lane, don't let the day go by without one quick trip in the wayback machine! Happy Throwback Thursday everybody! All images copyright NashCo Photography. All rights reserved. This is the fifth podcast in the "Beyond Technique" series thanks to PhotoShelter's never-ending passion for helping photographers raise the bar on their business, especially how they present their work. My co-host, Chamira Young and I had a great time with guests, Leah Nash and Christopher Onstott. Based in Portland, Oregon, they specialize in commercial, editorial, corporate, education, portrait, and travel photography. I hope you'll take the time to wander through their galleries because every image tells a story. In the dictionary, next to the word "storyteller" there should be a picture of the Leah and Christopher! While I usually like a more formal "About" section, there are two sentences that give potential clients an idea of the fun they're going to have working with this dynamic couple. Not averse to dancing (her), telling bad jokes (him) or listening intently (both), their goal is to leave their subjects a little bit better than they found them. All the while creating a wealth of images that look and feel spontaneous. They share a lot of terrific insight into their business in this new podcast. It's obvious they love being artists and storytellers. I love the way they build the relationship with each client as well as their subjects. A BIG thanks to not only Leah and Christopher for joining us on "Beyond Technique," but PhotoShelter for the services and products they offer each client. The PhotoShelter team makes it so easy to show your images the way they deserve to be seen - in an excellent presentation. Check out the NashCo.com website with a click on any of their images. You'll not only see great images, but another exciting and high-impact way to present your work. PhotoShelter sets the standard for being accessible. They're dedicated to helping artists build a stronger business, and just a phone call away at 212-206-0808. There's always a live body to help you if you can't find the answers in their extensive Q&A. No robots in the PhotoShelter house - just a solid team there to help answer your questions - LIVE. Start your 14 Day FREE trial of PhotoShelter, plus 20% off a Standard or Pro Account for a year. Use the coupon code PHOTOFOCUS20 Missed an episode of "Beyond Technique"?Click on any link below!
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