Over the last few years I've written a lot about the "Rules of Engagement." Each time it's because I've watched a conversation go completely off track, usually on Facebook. It's one thing to disagree with what somebody's posted, but another altogether to try and rip their heart out.
I've repeatedly watched as photographers battle it out over semantics, politics, and beliefs until finally an administrator in the forum comes along and deletes the entire thread. As the thread disappears, often the members who thought they had a right to bully their way through the argument, wind up being removed from the forum as well. A few years ago I was following a thread on Linkedin in one of the discussion groups. A member of the group had a black-tie wedding coming up and threw a question out about what was appropriate attire, wondering if he could get by in a dark suit and not a tux. The question was great and certainly appropriate. It was answered right away, but twelve days later the banter was still going on. The volley continued as two photographers argued their points about beach weddings versus the rest of the world, when the only answer that really mattered was to "dress appropriately". The question was answered right from the beginning, yet people wanted to keep giving input and it got emotional and ugly. When things heat up in a forum I'm amazed at what happens next. Hiding behind the anonymity of their computer screens, there are always photographers who morph into trolls and bullies, insisting everyone buy in on their opinions. Last week I had the same type of challenge in a forum I administrate. It got ugly because a couple of people wanted to play troll and simply didn't know how to behave, let alone communicate. Once a thread goes off track, there is absolutely NO WAY to get it back. We wound up deleting the thread and permanently removing the trolls. So, here's what I wish we could all agree to and I'm including myself in this. It's an extension of the "Rules of Engagement" I've written about before and it's pretty simple.
Don't get me wrong, I love forum/group discussions. The Internet is a remarkable tool and helps so many photographers every day, but there's no telling how much stronger we could all become if we were simply more selective when commenting in any group. The endless volleys that come up over and again would rarely happen if we were all together in one room talking to each other. “Don’t say anything online that you wouldn’t want plastered on a billboard with your face on it.” Erin Bury
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Mirrorless Mark is back again and I love his topic - making life simpler. He's shooting with the LUMIX FZ1000, one of Panasonic's super zoom cameras, but I've got to correct him on one point - I love both the FZ1000 and FZ300, shooting regularly with both. While the FZ300 has a smaller chip, it's got a longer zoom and it's more compact than the FZ1000. From macro to landscapes, neither camera ever let's me down. It just depends on what I'm thinking about doing with a camera in my hand. Remember, my passion in this industry is about marketing and business. I don't make a living as a full time photographer, but that doesn't change the love I have for the craft, and doing my best to keep elevating my skill set! I keep the FZ300 on the patio during the day, so it's always available, (without waiting for the condensation on a cold lens to clear) for butterflies like the monarch image above. Check out both the FZ300 and FZ1000 with a click on either thumbnail below. They're amazing cameras with multiple features and all designed, like the entire LUMIX product line...to make life simpler! Follow Mark and the LUMIX Ambassador team with a visit to the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page. There's so much great content being shared every day, and it's all about the nonstop "buzz" Panasonic technology keeps creating! And check out more of Mark's work with a visit to his website and blog sites. He's regularly sharing great images, and tips about mirrorless technology. He should be on your radar! by Mark Toal
I recently listened to two photographer’s talk about how they decide what cameras and lenses to take on trips. Wide angle, zoom, macro, flash or no flash, tripod? I imagine the weight of the camera bag in addition to luggage, laptop, etc. Skip and I both love the Panasonic Lumix super zoom cameras that combine all this into one camera. Skip’s choice is the FZ300 while I like the FZ1000. They are also called Bridge cameras since they bridge the gap between point and shoot cameras and interchangeable lens cameras. This style of camera has been around since digital cameras came onto the scene 20 years ago. The beauty of these cameras is that they zoom from wide angle to long telephoto, have built-in macro, flash, image stabilization and 4K video. I’m not suggesting that you give up your interchangeable lens camera, but you might want to think of adding a small superzoom camera to make your life simpler on you next trip. This image of my nephew Jules was taken with the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000. I started writing Sunday Morning Reflections as a way to step away from the business of photography and remind myself I have a life outside of imaging. It's a way to recharge my battery and touch base with the challenges of finding balance and the multiple hats we all wear. Now and then, when I have a hard time stepping away from the business, I read Melody Beattie. This morning was one of those days, and she never lets me down. Her July 15 inspiration is called "Delight in Yourself," and I pulled a paragraph to share: Be yourself and accept yourself--warts, waistline, and all. You don't have to sit up that straight, be that proper, or fear what others may see. Let your imperfections show...Relax and be who you are! When you do that, your life will be fun and a joyful gift to others. People who comfortably accept who they are - both their flaws and their good points - are healing, delightful, and fun to be around...Relax. Lighten up. Let go of shame and fear. The whole picture is perfect, and perfectly okay. This past week was pretty remarkable as we launched Excire Inc. a new company involved in developing search software for photographers. In the process, I talked to a lot of photographers I've never met before. One of them introduced herself with, "I'm an amateur and I know my work isn't very good yet, but I love photography so much!" But when I looked at her work, it was stunning! Photography, as my buddy Scott Bourne once wrote, is the great equalizer. Scott's point was that it doesn't matter what your pedigree is, you're going to be judged on the quality of your images. It doesn't matter what you look like, your education, your age, financial status or often, even your gear. The key is going to be the impact of the photographs you share. And that brings me full circle to my point. Why is it so hard for some of you to just accept who you are? Why do many of you start out with introductions that sound like apologies instead of proclamations of pride for the choices you've made and are making? Isn't today the perfect time to give yourself a big pat on the back and stop wasting time on things that don't matter? A few years back I did a podcast with Sandy Puc, and we started talking about our definitions of success. By the end of the podcast we had defined success as waking up with a smile every morning. And, that's what loving yourself is all about - accepting and appreciating the choices you've made. "For me, success is inner peace. That's a good day for me." Denzel Washington Wishing all of you the perfect day, whether it's Sunday where you are or Monday morning on the other side of the planet. Make it a day of inner peace, time with the people who matter most in your life and don't forget to cherish that face looking back at you in the mirror. As Melody Beattie started things off this morning - be yourself and accept yourself!
Happy Sunday everybody! Please note: I don't usually post on Saturdays, and on Sunday, it's just one post, Sunday Morning Reflections. However, I was looking through my archives and stumbled across this one from 2014. It's perfect to share right now, but even better are the comments that were written at the time. If you need a little lift today, I'm hoping this does the same thing for you that it did for me, especially the comments. Check them out and feel free to add to them - Meanwhile, wishing all of you a terrific day and time to pat yourself on the back a little for staying focused on your dreams! My wife, Sheila, got me into feeding my long-time starving spiritual side several years ago. Since then writers like Melody Beattie and Marianne Williamson have become regular reading. Well, yesterday I read something Melody Beattie wrote: "Problems were made to be solved. Life was made to be lived. Although sometimes we may be in over our heads-yes, we may even go under for a few moments and gulp a few mouthfuls of water, we won't drown. We're wearing- and always have been wearing - a life jacket. That support jacked is called "God". Okay, so I know at this point a few of you are rolling your eyes, because I've committed one of the things you're never supposed to do in a post...talk about God or politics. Well, if you don't like the God reference then replace it with "believing in yourself" or "faith". I'm not going to get in an argument over my belief in God, yours or for that matter semantics. Melody's point is right on the money, because we won't drown, life was certainly meant to be lived and every problem has a solution. Another thing I believe in is every one of you who are dealing with the day in day out challenges of running a business and building your brand as an artist. I'm proud to be working with so many of you to help you build a stronger business and skill set. My frustration comes out of those moments when I hear about somebody giving up, because of the challenges. I especially hate hearing stories about friends who have family members who don't support their dreams, letting their negativity spill over into your world and creating one more hurdle to test your passion. I don't know about you, but in high school I remember Algebra and a chemistry class where, on the first day, I looked at the back of the book to see how hard things were going to be. It scared me every time, but after a school year of the stuff, it meant absolutely nothing. Instead of worrying about how much you don't know, give yourself a big pat on the back for how much you've learned and are applying right now! I found a quote that will hopefully help a few of you to keep things in perspective. Don't get hung up on your challenges. they're all part of growing a business. The struggle you're in today is creating the strength you need for tomorrow!
Daily Quotes - no author listed Profoto never slows down on their focus on education, and this recently shared video and blog post with John Russo is jam-packed with examples of great lighting technique. Watch the video below and then click on the images above to link to the article in Inspiration. With the above image..."of actor Kate Beckinsale, John picked a short lighting pattern because he found it to be more flattering to the shape of her face." The article goes on to share classic lighting patterns, one after another of broad light, split light, loop light, Rembrandt light and butterfly light. Visiting John's website and seeing more of his work is just a click away! Inspiration needs to be on your radar. Every article is filled with good solid content to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images and expand your skill set, especially in lighting. And, check out more about the D2 together with the rest of the amazing Profoto product line.
I've said this numerous times before - Profoto doesn't just building outstanding lighting gear, they're helping to "build" some of the finest artists! I'm a big fan of short product videos like the one below for three reasons:
Now, to the lens itself. Over the years we've heard a lot of the camera companies talk about how one camera can do it all. Well, here's a lens that just about can! With an 18-400 zoom it really does become the perfect lens for travel, and that's just the beginning! Isn't it time you checked out Tamron's complete family of lenses? Better yet, check out their lenses while attending a workshop series with their tech team. They're back on the road again this year and over the next few weeks will be in Lone Tree, CO at Mike's Camera, Ogden, UT at Farr's Jewelry, and Boise Idaho at Idaho Camera. Just click on the van to put the complete schedule on your radar. Looking for the Tamron dealer nearest you? They're all just a click away! Image copyright Moose Peterson. All rights reserved. "Why?" is all about artists who should be on your radar. Think about many thousands of images we all see every day and never know the stories behind them. Each episode of "Why?" is about one artist, one of their favorite images and the backstory behind the shot. When I started the series, I had no idea what it would grow into. Today, with 104 artists involved. it's become an incredible example of insight, education and the passion of some of the world's most respected photographers. Moose Peterson joins me in this new episode with a great backstory about an image that helped to launch his career. He shares some great insight, and his backstory is a perfect example of a quote by John Burroughs, "Leap, and the net will appear!" Moose is a wildlife/outdoor photographer based out of California. Moose and his wife Sharon set the standard for passion about wildlife and imaging. In fact, their tagline says it all, "The Endangered Species Folks." You'll find more of Moose's images on his website and blog with a click on the photograph above. His website is one of the most educational in photography and loaded with great advice and information to help you raise the bar on your skill set. And, don't miss the Moose Peterson Podcast - click on the thumbnail to listen to the most recent, episode 91. Great insight and solid content on every podcast! Intro by Chamira Young Whether you've got clients lining up at your doorstep or you're a newbie looking to build your business, it's important to take time for fun photo project ideas. Not only do they spice up your life, but they help you continually hone and develop your photographic skills. The benefits are many. If you're looking to build your portfolio with the type of images you love, photo projects are the way to go because you have complete control over the final results. The more targeted your portfolio is, the more likely you are to attract clients that are a good fit for you. After all, many a personal project has attracted potential clients and turned into paid gigs. And if you're a seasoned pro that feels "burned out" from shooting the same thing for clients, then fitting a personal project into your schedule can be a good way to rediscover your passion for the craft. The good folks at Photodex have put together a list of possible photo projects for you to tackle when you have time. Pick one (or a few!) and have fun with it! Check out the list below! By Kathy from Photodex Looking to try something new in the world of photography? Start a photography project to develop those skills and techniques to get some pretty amazing results. Pretty soon you’ll be able to develop that instinct of just pointing, shooting, and capturing the best photo. Browse through our round-up of photography ideas filled with how-to’s, ProShow effects, sample slideshows, and much more to help you get started. This is a great way to challenge yourself + improve your photography, and to bust out of any creative block you have. You’ll also have plenty of fun along the way…no doubt.
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. I'm always amazed by the ever-changing landscape of technology, and how when combined with passionate people it creates new projects, tools, and great relationships. It's time to introduce you to Excire. I won't deny I have more than just a casual interest in this software, because I'm moving out of my regular consulting role and joining them as President of the company. But, for those of you who know my background, you also know I don't take on anything I don't believe in. While I don't make a living as a professional photographer, I know more than I let on, and I see so much potential for Excire Search and Excire Search Pro to help raise the bar on your efficiency. Terry Clark, a Pittsburgh based photographer and no stranger to SCU wrote the following: Excire Search has become essential in building customized client-specific presentations. By using 'search by example photo' to find alternative photographs to those on my website, I can show fresh, unique pictures. Selecting the option of seeing 100 images from the search usually brings up enough different images, many of which I've forgotten, to create a fresh collection. This feature is extraordinarily useful and quite remarkable in its precision. He later wrote, Another striking feature of Excire is the speed of searches. The nearly instantaneous result achieved is unprecedented. I hope you'll check out the short video below that explains the process, then wander over to the website with a click on the banner above. This software is for Lightroom Classic users and is a high-performance search engine that runs locally on your computer and does not require any cloud services. It's ideal for photographers with large Lightroom Catalogs, but stay tuned - I'm working with some of the finest computer scientists in the world. In the months ahead you're going to be hearing a lot about Excire! You'll find seven short tutorial videos on the website, helping you further understand how Excire can help you in your search for images. There's even a fifteen day FREE trial allowing you to take the software for a test drive of your own, before you purchase. For those of you who have been following me and the SCU team, nothing changes in our goal to continue helping to raise the bar on your business, skill set, marketing and make 2018 one of your best years yet in photography! Each day last week "Mirrorless Mark" (Mark Toal) shared a LUMIX G9 image on the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page. While I know I could just as easily send you directly to the link; the rodeo is near and dear to my heart. So, while this is really a Mirrorless Mark Monday, it's going to have a touch of Throwback Thursday! It was around 1985 when IMG's sports marketing group convinced Polaroid their advertising wasn't hitting one of America's greatest spectator sports, the rodeo. Although I didn't see it as lucky initially, I was given the responsibility for being Polaroid's representative and manager of the rodeo team. Over the next two years, I hit the rodeo draft in Denver to build our team and then followed with 6-8 rodeos a year. The PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) allowed the cowboys to maintain their individual scores throughout the season, but IMG had set up combined team scores for a group of companies who were participating in the Winston Tour. I lost track of most of the team but followed the careers of several over the years. Tuff Hedeman became a three-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Bull Riding Champion as well as the 1995 Professional Bull Riders World Champion. Rod Lyman was president of the PRCA for many years and along with several other team members, including Bud and Jimmie Munroe are in the Rodeo Hall of Fame. It was a fantastic group of athletes. When I look back on the adventure, it was one of the greatest experiences of my career. Unless you've followed rodeo, you don't realize the level of athletic ability of the cowboys, or their patience. While a big part of their score in each event is based on their skill level, it's also related to the degree of difficulty in working with the animal. So often I saw "the luck of the draw" played out as a cowboy drew an animal that was a minimal challenge to ride. Mark's shooting with a LUMIX G9 and I've tagged each image, so you also know what lens he was using. Looking for more information about this amazing camera? Just click on the thumbnails to the right. Follow Mark and the LUMIX Ambassador team with a visit to the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page. There's so much great content being shared every day, and it's all about the nonstop "buzz" Panasonic technology keeps creating! And check out more of Mark's work with a visit to his website and blog sites. He's regularly sharing great images, and tips about mirrorless technology and he should be on your radar! About Mark's love for the rodeo and these images:
I went to my first rodeo in Homestead, Florida. I immediately fell in love with everything about it and have been trying to learn to capture that feeling ever since. One thing I’ve learned to get good photos is to see if the rodeo has “Slack”. Slack frequently takes place early in the morning of the rodeo and is meant for cowboys to try out for that day’s performance. The stands are empty, the light is great and it’s usually free. These images were all taken during Slack at the St. Paul 4th of July Rodeo in St. Paul, Oregon. I used a Panasonic Lumix G9 with the Lecia 100-400mm or the Leica 50-200mm lenses. I used shutter priority at 1/2500 to 1/4000 second with Auto ISO and continuous auto focus. My goal was to stop the action and try to keep the subject framed the way I wanted. Mark Toal "Each person deserves a day in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us." Maya Angelou At this point in my life wearing my blogger hat, there aren't a lot of topics I haven't written about. So, when Sunday mornings roll around, and it's time to write Reflections, it gets harder and harder to share something relevant that's new. Well, I think I found a topic this morning more of you need to work on - learning to be a slug! And this isn't new either - I've written about it three times over the last five years. However, each day there's something new in our lives. Technology, social media, the economy, consumer trends, and our growing responsibilities all contribute to the stress in our lives. Sometimes it feels like we're caught in a nonstop perfect storm. We all live busy, hectic lives and I'm betting each of you wear multiple hats as photographers, business owners, volunteers in your community, parents, spouses, friends, family members, lovers, and the list goes on and on. Most of the time you're going non-stop. You answer the phone every time it rings and every email that comes in. You comment on issues that come up on Facebook, tweet as often as you can and share images on your website, blog, Instagram, Pinterest and even LinkedIn. Your thoughts are interrupted numerous times throughout each day, and sometimes you feel like all you're doing is putting out fires. Sound familiar? If you're like me, there are days when you need to pull the plug! And that's precisely what Sheila and I did yesterday - we had a slug day. We did absolutely nothing that would change the world or our little part of it. We kicked back, hung out together, had great music playing all day, floated in the pool, watched the butterflies in the garden, fired up the grill a couple of times and watched a few classic movies, including Animal House! We never bothered to even watch the news, except for tracking the story of the kids trapped in the cave in Thailand. In my younger days, and I only need to go back a few years ago, I would have felt guilty. In fact, I'd be embarrassed to even write about being nonproductive for a day, but here's my point. All of us spend our days multi-tasking. To avoid "hitting the wall" and going into overload, you need to take a slug day. You need to recognize when it's time to unplug from your business life for a day. Slug days are about recharging your battery and having an Alfred E. Neuman smile on your face and more importantly in your heart. You don't worry about anything, especially whether or not doing nothing for the day is honestly going to change the world! Wishing all of you a terrific Sunday, and if you need it, make it a slug day! The business will all be there tomorrow morning, and it's a new week! If you're feeling the stress of deadlines, the challenges of running a business and you're starting to procrastinate more than be productive - then walk away from it for a day. Clear your head and take the time to dream. Build up the energy you need to follow your heart more, and business-logic just a little bit less! As always, go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people most special in your life. And, don't focus on anything except a smile on your face and having joy in your heart. (I know it sounds sappy, but you'll be amazed at the energy a great attitude can help create!) Happy Sunday everybody - thanks for joining me! Intro by Skip Cohen
Now and then I wander through the SCU archives and I'm amazed at the amount of great content all thanks to a number of good friends. One of them is my good buddy Scott Bourne, today president of Skylum in the US and responsible for the incredible "buzz" around this relatively new company! This post from a few years back is perfect as we come up to Marketing Monday. And to Scott's point - you've got to make yourself unique - not just in terms of your technique and the quality of your work, but in your ability to build relationships with your clients. You've got to exceed expectations and in turn make yourself habit-forming! by Scott Bourne I've written lots and lots and lots about selling photography. The other day someone asked me, to forget the books and long blog posts and seminars I've taught and sum up the key to successful photography marketing in three words or less. I am proud to say I was able to do it in two. Uniqueness and Value Those are the two words I want you to concentrate on when you're trying to build your photography business. These are the ONLY things that matter when it comes to marketing. Not your logo, or which award you've won, or which association you join, but whether or not your photography company is unique and offers real value. Ask yourself... Is what you do unique? Is it something that people want and need? Is your photography truly valuable? If you answer "No" to either question then you are going to have an extremely difficult time surviving, let alone thriving in the photography business. Because at the end of the day, if you aren't unique you are a commodity. And if you're a commodity, then you will get your butt beaten working long hours for VERY little money. If your products aren't valuable, then no matter what price you charge, you'll always struggle. A car with no engine is not a good deal for the average person. The average person can't build an engine, install it and drive away. So no matter how low the price, the car with no engine has no value. You have to find ways to bring value to your clients. If you do that, then price isn't an issue. And price is what this post is really about. You see, if you are unique, you can charge a higher price - but only if somebody wants the unique thing you have. If you are NOT unique, then you will always be competing on price. If you are on the other hand, valuable, but not unique, nobody will see the value. This is an ethereal concept but try to dig into it. Make a list of how you are truly different from your competitors. Then make a list of how you bring value to your customers. What's your USP (unique selling point?) What's your value proposition? (How does your product match up with the needs, beliefs, feelings and desires of your prospects.) When you can answer these questions, you can move forward and thrive. Almost five months ago I opened up the "SCU Diner" with a Friday special to get more photographers thinking about their business. There are so many more things you can be doing to help make 2018 your best year yet! However, knowing most of you are right-brain creative types and hate doing left-brain operational fine-tuning, I've made each "blue plate special" as direct and easy to implement as possible. Today's special is a little more complicated and isn't so much about specifics in fine-tuning a business but suggestions on building a stronger mindset. While my ideas aren't directed to everybody, we all know somebody who's always got an excuse for their disappointment. Today's Fast Food Friday special started with a quote. If you've followed me on Twitter for even the shortest time, you know every morning I share a quote I've found to be inspirational. While it's great content to share, I really do it as much for my own benefit as my followers. All of us get so caught up in the challenges of running a business it's often hard to put things in perspective. These quotes have become my daily "vitamin" before I start each day. Not too long ago I shared this quote from motivational speaker and author, Les Brown: “Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else.” That quote got me thinking about the number of photographers and business owners I've met who have made finding a scapegoat for the challenges they have into an art form! They've got one excuse after another for a slow business, poor quality images, lack of recognition, etc. The list of excuses is endless, but here are the top five I hear most often: "If I only had a bigger studio..." "I can't wait until I can afford that new lens..." "I"m already working a full time job. I just don't have the time to build my business..." "I wish I could attend that webcast, but I don't know what to do with the kids!" "I can't afford a second phone line. Besides, people are fine with an email address." Let's Kill Those Excuses!A bigger studio: Some of the best portraits I've ever had done were by my good buddy Don Blair in a trade show booth. Tony Corbell did my daughter's senior headshot in the Hasselblad warehouse - two lights and a backdrop. A studio, be it bigger or smaller, isn't going to change business by itself! Great portraits are about your skill set and your ability to interact with your subject. New gear: A new lens won't always make a difference. Vincent LaForet talked about it a few years ago in a program at Skip's Summer School. He didn't have a long lens when he started, so he moved in closer. Yes, he really did define the challenge as that simplistic. Plus, if you need a new lens, then look into renting one or get involved in building your network and maybe you'll find somebody who might share the cost with you or lend you theirs. No time: There's always time to build a new business, but blaming your day job is an excuse. I'm not saying it isn't tough to find the balance, but thousands of photographers do it every day. Remember, 50% of our industry, in the portrait/social categories, is made up of part-time photographers. Other obligations: This is one of my favorites because you can always find something to do with the kids. It takes planning, and it's like finding time to build your business. Again, there are thousands of photographers who have figured it out. Don't get me wrong; whether you're a Mom or a Dad, I know how hard it is to find that balance. Sometimes you'll have no choice but to miss an event, but the minute you start to believe everything is working against you, you're caught in a self-fulfilling prophecy! Email only: People are not okay with just an email contact! Give people a way to talk to you directly and seriously; if you can't afford a phone line for just your business, you shouldn't be in business! Think about your own reaction when you need to contact a company and can't find a phone number. Nobody can sell your skill set and the services you provide better than you. Give people other ways to contact you besides email! The bottom line is you're the only one who can build your business. You're the primary person who has to believe in yourself. And, you're the only one who can recognize when you need help. You don't need to do everything yourself, except take responsibility! And, if you know somebody who's always making excuses, feel free to pass this post on. It's time for everyone, including me now and then, to stop pointing the finger in any direction but the person in the mirror each morning. Missed a previous "blue plate special?" Just click on the menu to the right and check out all of the specials since February! And if we're missing something on the menu to help you build a stronger business, just let me know. if I don't have the recipe, I've got an amazing network of "chefs" to draw from! It's the 4th of July, and since it's the only holiday of the summer, I'm going to kick back, hang out with my wife Sheila, fire up the grill and probably over-eat! The challenge I face, like so many of you with a home-office, is finding the discipline to step away from the business. It's not easy at any time and on a holiday like this year, in the middle of the week, it's even tougher.
I've written so many posts about recognizing when you need a break and the importance of being good to yourself. It's not easy when I have to walk the talk! I know you're a global audience and the 4th of July, Independence Day, is an American holiday. So, to all of you celebrating the day, make it a day to appreciate family and friends. If you're on BBQ duty, pay attention to how long you leave the burgers on and savor the day, the laughs and the time away from the business - it'll all be there tomorrow. And, if you don't celebrate the day and don't have it off, I can still wish you a terrific Wednesday or Thursday, if you're on the other side of the world! Happy July 4th everybody! PS Two days ago I walked outside just as the sun was coming up and there was a rainbow at the end of our street that seemed to run directly overhead. How could I not grab a LUMIX camera? I used a LUMIX FZ300 and just left it on "IA" for the perfect backdrop for my neighbor's dead tree! Now and then an event comes along in this industry that redefines the meaning of the word "fun." Remember that word? It's the one word that all of us occasionally lose under the baggage and stress of business. It takes work to keep "fun" in your life every day. Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. Confucius Over the years I've always been fortunate in jobs that I loved, and the fun I have in this business. Some moments are exceptionally special, and that defines my experience last week hanging out with Scott Kelby. Here's the scenario... Like so many people in the industry, Scott and I have known each other for years. We share a lot of mutual friends, but in all this time, we've rarely had more than five-minute conversations in passing at a trade show or convention. KelbyOne is only 75 miles away and last Tuesday we grabbed lunch together. I consider myself the biggest lunch slut in photography! I love lunch because it gives people a time to talk about the business, get to know each other better and share ideas about an industry I love dearly. So does Scott, and when he told me about the topic the next day on The Grid, there was no way I could say "No" when he asked me to join him. The topic? Your portfolio and why you need one is a topic I've written about so many times. I headed back up to the Tampa area the next day to join Scott in the KelbyOne studio. Click on the image above to listen to the webcast. We ran out of time to cover everything, so here's a little more to think about, in relation to your portfolio and upcoming trade shows and conventions.
And one more sidebar about The Grid last week. What a kick the offices are at KelbyOne. Besides all the other hats he wears, Scott's a musician, and they went with a rock n' roll theme throughout the building. They haven't missed a beat from headphones on the great masters to a display of rock lunch boxes! A big thanks to the KelbyOne team! To quote Carly Simon, "Nobody does it better!" Images copyright Meg Loeks. All rights reserved. Skip Cohen If you haven't visited Inspiration on the Profoto blog, you're missing a terrific opportunity to spend a little time getting to know some wonderfully talented artists. Meet Meg Loeks, a Michigan based photographer primarily specializing in children and family. She's an artist, author, educator, a Clickin Moms Mentor and gets a lot of her inspiration from her children and the outdoors. "Meg is drawn to environmental portraiture, lifestyle photography, landscapes, low light and color." And, like so many of you she's a natural light photographer and wrote: As a natural light photographer, I am completely dependent on the weather, which we all know is never consistent. I often avoid shooting in the middle of the day because of the harsh and sometimes drastic changes in light. And then, of course, I constantly run into challenging situations, like not being able to shoot in certain areas of my home because I just don’t have enough light on my subject. So, Meg went to work learning how to better control her environment and began working with Profoto's A1. I was hoping the Profoto A1 would be both easy to use and capable of solving my light issues inside my home. The first location was just a simple space in our living room that lacked light, but it’s also one of my favorite spots in the house. It’s a perfect little cosy nook where I’m never able to shoot. With the Profoto A1, I was able to change that, creating soft, directional light on my son — something I believed I couldn’t do with flash. Check out the rest of Meg's story on the Profoto website and then put her blog and website on your radar. There are also two more videos in addition to the one below and they're just a click away. You can enjoy more of Meg's work and also check out her workshop schedule with a visit to her website. And, find out more of what all the buzz is about with the A1, the world's smallest studio light. Profoto never slows down in manufacturing the very best in lighting equipment or in their educational efforts to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images. Click on the A1 to the right for more information. Intro by Chamira Young When you first decided to take the leap into professional photography, I doubt the task of creating a cohesive website had you jumping up and down in anticipation. Taking great photos? Sure. Creating a portfolio of unique, authentic images? Absolutely. But putting together a spiffy website? For most folks, not so much. However, your website is an asset to your business that can't be ignored. In fact, a well-designed site will enhance your work, while a poorly-designed one will detract from it. Check out the post below from the Photodex blog, in which Skip Cohen discusses six challenges -- and solutions -- with most photographer's websites. Even if you think your own website is rock-solid, it's worth taking a look because one or two of these challenges may apply to you. And with the thousands of websites Skip has reviewed in his career, you're in for a real treat! Be ready to take notes and learn how you can make your website better than ever. Don't let your website be an afterthought. Let's get to it. By Skip Cohen Today starts with a terrific post, Marketing Basics for Photographers by my buddy Scott Bourne. Your website is one of the tools in that marketing toolbox Scott refers to, but sadly, so many of you have websites that are far from doing what you originally intended. Here are the six most common mistakes I’ve found in my website reviews to date: Galleries: Just too many images and often not enough with the “wow” factor. Your work has to be outstanding and you need to ask yourself with every image, “If this was the only image I could show, is it good enough that I’d hire me?” If the answer is “yes” then it’s a keeper, but if not, don’t put it on your site. About Sections: People hire you because of your passion and the why you’re a photographer NOT because of what you do, your awards or your gear. Over and over again I read bios that simply weren’t relevant. Nobody cares how you got started in photography. They don’t care what gear you shoot with and they care even less about awards from associations they don’t even know about. What they do care about is looking into your heart. They want to know they can trust you to understand the importance of your family and friends. They want to know you love people, capturing memories and being part of the human experience. Lack of Continuity: If your target audience is bridal then show wedding images. If you’re a children and family photographer then show images of children and family sittings. What I saw over and over again were too many photographers trying to be all things to all people. There’s nothing wrong with your passion for landscape photography for example, but it doesn’t belong in your galleries if your target is brides. Know Your Demographics: Women make 98% of the purchase decisions to hire a photographer in the portrait/social category. So, think about your target audience. So often I reviewed sites that were too masculine for the target audience. Or, they just lacked a little sex appeal. Pay attention to the graphic elements on your site. Functionality: Over and over again I reviewed sites that were difficult to navigate. I couldn’t find some of the most important information about the photographer. I was buried in add-on clicks leading me to multiple steps when all I wanted was to look at images. You’ve got to focus on simplicity and make it easy for your target audience to find those things most important. Oops – What happened to the design of the site?: If you were building the house or studio of your dreams, you’d pay attention to every detail. From colors, to window placement and even which wall light switches were going to be on, but so many photographers have thrown together their websites with total disregard to design. They knew they needed a website so they got one and that’s about it! Well, today your website is the equivalent of your storefront. It’s your business – your place on Main St. USA with the potential to have thousands of people walking by every day, but instead of something inviting that draws people in, they’re going elsewhere. Scott put it best – are you trying to attract the Motel 6 target or Ritz Carlton? 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
My buddy Mark Toal is back with a "Mirrorless Mark Monday" post and it's the perfect description for what so many of us are experiencing. Just like Mark, I've found that I start out shooting still images but find video such a welcome expansion about capturing an event. Then, I put them together with ProShow Web, and I've got the perfect hybrid slideshow with still images, video clips, and great music. Technology, besides all the creative tools at our fingertips, has given every photographer the ability to be a better storyteller. ​Mark's shooting with the LUMIX G9. Just click on the camera above for more information. Follow the LUMIX Ambassadors and the latest news about mirrorless photography with a visit to their Facebook page. And, check out more of Mark's support to help you grow as an artist with a visit to his website.
I’m discovering that more often when I go out to photograph an event I end up shooting video. A couple of weeks ago I went to a local hot air balloon festival here in Portland, OR fully intending to shoot still photos of the balloons at sunrise.
As the sun started to rise and the balloons were being filled with air from giant fans and then hot air to make them rise it struck me that the still photos were missing the sound and feel of the balloons rising. The sound was as important to me as the image. Since I wanted to shoot still photos along with the video I left my Panasonic Lumix G9 in the program mode and just pushed the RED video button when I wanted to shoot video. I set the video quality to 4K because I have a new 4K computer monitor that captures so much more detail. If you have a 4K TV you can put the video files right out of the camera on a USB drive, plug it onto your TV and see how amazing 4K video is. You will notice some distortion in the video since I was using the Lumix 8mm fisheye lens for a lot of the scenes. This beautiful lens allowed me to get very close to the balloons and I feel really captured the feeling and sound of them rising into the sky. It's the perfect topic for a Marketing Monday and a reminder of one of the best ways to build your business. My buddy, Scott Bourne, has had this on his list of best marketing tools for years and I've probably written about it a half dozen times. Ready? Before you invest in buying marketing lists, advertising, even taking the time to get involved in your community - get out and OWN YOUR ZIP CODE. This isn't rocket science, but it is time-consuming. Too many photographers fail to recognize the importance of good old labor-intensive footwork - pounding the pavement and knocking on doors! You need to walk out your front door and introduce yourself to every business in the community. It doesn't matter what your photographic specialty is! This is about being helpful and reinforcing your number one marketing tool - building relationships. As a photographer and an artist you've got some unique skills and it's an opportunity to remind people you're there. You're not asking for anything except the time to say hello, drop a short one-liner about being a photographer in the area and offering to help if they ever need anything. You're going to leave your business card and where appropriate you might even follow-up and take a shot at a lunch date. While I joke about being the biggest "lunch slut" in the photo industry, here's why: Grabbing lunch with somebody you don't know that well is the perfect way to launch a new relationship. As a photographer it should be easy to keep the conversation relatively social with a soft-sell approach to business. It's a chance for people to get to know each other. And, as a photographer, it's an opportunity to listen and show your interest in a future client's business, while sharing a few highlights from your own experiences. You could even have some fun sharing tips on how to get better family pics of their own. Even a wedding photographer has the ability to build a few bridges in the community. For example a wedding artists visiting a realtor might kick off the introduction with, "My specialty is wedding photography, but I've got a terrific network and background in photography. If you ever need help with anything in imaging, just give me a call!" And, if you're blogging and doing a series of community profiles, as I've suggested in the past, meeting the business owners in your area can also give you some great content. You might also find partners for cross-promoting with other companies. And, don't forget to include other photographers as you knock on those doors. Your competitors often have the potential to become your most significant partners in future projects. So, here's the bottom line - take all that energy you're wasting worrying about business and take some action instead. It's an ongoing process and after the first few introductions it will become routine. Then you can schedule one day a week where you're just getting out and knocking on doors. "Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring --- it was peace." Milan Kundera If you've followed me for even a few Sunday mornings, then you know I start each post the same. Molly the Wonder Dog is always part of the equation. She's always asleep at my feet as I start wandering through my creativity "warehouse" trying to figure out what to write about for Sunday Morning Reflections. Well this morning the topic is Molly and in turn talking about the dogs in our lives. In one respect we take so much for granted about our furry partners - and on the other hand, we take nothing for granted. They're the purest and most consistent example of unconditional love we have in our lives. I picked up Molly from a breeder in Modesto, California. I didn't want a puppy factory and found two sisters who had an almond farm and did a couple of litters a year of Labradoodles. I'd researched the breed and put in my order. The litter came along, but I didn't have the first pick. Fortunately, the couple ahead of me didn't want a white dog - remember this is California where people have been known to give up their dogs when they don't match the new decorating! That was it - Molly was about to become a part of my life. Her mother was a black standard poodle and father a big yellow lab. The litter was a rainbow, so the we-don't-want-a-white-dog couple had plenty to choose from. Molly was eight weeks old when we picked her up and drove home with her asleep, and later that day introduced her to her first tennis ball. Well, that was thirteen years ago, and she's been by my side ever since. She went to work with me every day at Rangefinder/WPPI. She kept me company and often calm during the stress of a divorce, always knowing when I was down. She kept me company on the drive to Ohio when I left California, and it aggravated me that she had to stop to pee less often than I did! LOL She's chased tennis balls on the beaches of California, in the parks and snow of Ohio, on the beaches in Florida and up and down the driveway as recently as yesterday. Her loyalty is unmatched as I believe is her understanding when I need a hug. She sleeps on her bed in my office all day when I'm working and will pick her head up out of the soundest sleep if I get up and leave the room. And, if I have to leave the house, she gets this look of disappointment over not joining me for a ride in the car - but if I say, "It's just too hot today," she tilts her head and understands. So, this morning is a tribute to the puppy in my life, who at sixty pounds has carved out her exclusive piece of my heart. But, it's also a tribute to the pups in your lives because in their own strange, compelling and all-knowing way they help you stay focused. They remind us every day how important love is in our lives. Without ever speaking a word they talk and listen to us all the time. Wishing you a weekend of peace, love and time to scratch behind the ears of the dog in your life. (It's so strange - as I wrote that last sentence, Molly got up off her bed and came over and just looked at me, waited for me to scratch her back and said, "Finish up already - I need to go out!") As always go for those eleven-second hugs with the people most special in your life and hug that puppy! You don't need to have an official therapy dog, that pup in your life already has an inherent ability to know when you need support Happy Sunday everybody! Note: A big thanks to Nicole Begley from "Hair of the Dog." Together with Terran Bayer, they taught an outstanding workshop on pet photography here in Sarasota this past winter and Molly got to model. The images, where credited, are all from students in their class who captured a few of my favorites. Check out more about Nicole and her workshops at her blog. It's loaded with great content and in the hierarchy of why people hire professional photographers in the portrait/social categories the order is brides, babies and pets!
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