by Skip Cohen No matter what holidays you celebrate or where your spirituality takes you, this time between Christmas and New Years is always strange. From the business side, it's about wrapping up loose ends, dealing with a few things on the Customer Service side of life, and winding down. But there's still a sense of urgency as we all wonder, "Okay, what do I still need to knock off for 2023?" On the personal side, many of us are catching up with people we've not been in touch with as often as we'd like. From holiday cards to emails, phone calls, and social media, people we care about become more accessible. Just as the rush to get things done before the holidays, now is the time we tend to be more reflective. I've written a lot about the routine Sheila and I have to read something inspirational each morning after breakfast. This morning's reading seemed particularly relevant to this time of year, when we are connecting with so many people in our lives. To create a richer life, gather your tribe and let them know how important they are to you. Spending time with your tribe fosters connection and understanding. Life is designed to be shared, and when we identify the people who make our lives better just be being in it, we foster a sense of belonging. A tribe can be a little or as large as you desire. Choose those who uplift, inspire, and interact with a spirit of love. Emily Silva And here's my point - take advantage of the change in pace this week. Stay away from the "negators" in your life, but make an effort to reach out to the people who make your life better. There's an old line I've always loved, "Angels do exist, but sometimes they don't have wings and are called friends."
Go find your "angels." Take a minute and think about everybody in your life. Is there anybody you've missed you want to catch up with before the year ends? Everything we do, from close friends to supportive vendors, takes a village or a "tribe," as Emily Silva wrote above. And to my village/tribe...I'd be lost without you, including my readers. Thanks to your feedback and input, life just keeps getting better. It's not always easier, but it's ALWAYS better! Happy Last Tuesday of 2023!
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Happy Holidays - Make It the best by remembering what it is really all about. Bob Coates by Skip Cohen My good buddy, Bob Coates, shared his comment above in 2017 and again just this past week. It's perfect to share together with my thoughts on Christmas Eve 2023. Whether your beliefs have you celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday this time of year, I want to wish you all the happiest and healthiest of holidays. I've always been a big fan of December's holiday spirit. It's a time when, no matter how bizarre the world is, there are moments of peace, gratefulness, and joy to cherish and savor. It's a time when Bob's quote is so relevant. One of my most favorite holiday messages came from a friend. "Craig" wrote this eight years ago about his life with his wife, "Erin". The image he used reminded me of the first holiday card photo Sheila and I shared after moving to Florida, coincidentally captured by Bob Coates in 2011. Craig described his relationship with Erin. As I read it, I felt like Christopher Robin would appear any minute. It's so well done, and deserves an encore performance. Wishing all of you happy holidays one more time. Take the time for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with those people special to you. Don't hold back from reminding them of their importance in your life. Cherish each minute and give yourself a big pat on the back - another year has passed, and along the way, you worked hard, grew your skill set, and have a lot to be proud of. It's time to relax and get ready for a whole new year with new challenges, but even better, new milestones to celebrate. Happy Holidays! Not at the beginning mind you, but fairly early along the path did the Blue Jay and the Mole cross. Quite by coincidence really, and certainly out of the ordinary as that’s not normally a pair you’d assume to be friends. Walking in the forest can be unpredictable. Sometimes you just cross paths, at just the right time, with someone you’re not looking for. And if you happen to say the proper things like “My, isn’t it a lovely day” or “I quite fancy your ugly hat” or “I do,” you both can get lost, obliviously, in that lovely fog of connectedness that ever so rarely reaches the forest floor. The next thing you both know you are QUITE far down the path. Farther than you’ve ever been. So you look both ways; backwards….been there….forward…..yes, doesn’t look totally scary. “I’ll go there with you.” And so you walk. Together, hand in hand. And time stands still, or so it seems. You make “traveling companions” on your walk, those who started at the same time or love the same parts of the forest that you do. You make a family, or, in this case, Mole Jays (Blue Moles just didn’t sound right). And although you wouldn’t think a Mole Jay could fly away, one day they do. But you keep walking because there is so much yet to do and see. All of which leads me to this part of the story.
After walking for days uncounted, the Jay and the Mole came upon an alpine lake in the early afternoon (of their lives) and decided “this is a good place to rest.” They unpacked their toasted tomato and PB/ham sandwiches (respectively) and sat waterside, enjoying the solitude. Perhaps it was the alpine air, perhaps the clearness of the mountain lake, or perhaps, as years before, they had crossed a path together at the same time; but in the quiet and reflection of the water they saw their lives, and how they had been blessed. Their relationship, their children, their friends, and yes, all right, even you! (you’re so needy!). And it was all wonderful. The End. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from the Mole and the Jay (Craig and Erin)! by Skip Cohen Most of you know I do not make a living as a professional photographer. My passion has always been the educational side of the industry, with a strong focus on marketing and business. However, I'll match my love for clicking the shutter with anybody. The truth is, having hung out with so many professional photographers over the years, I know more than I let on. Here's my Hump Day point - I'm blown away by the quality I'm getting with my iPhone 14 Pro. There doesn't seem to be very much my phone can't handle. I still love having a full camera in my hands, but I also can't deny the fun of always knowing I can capture an image with just my phone. A NEW Necessity for Your Gear: Put the quality of the phone together with Platypod's new Grip for smartphones and two other members of the family, the Handle and the eXtreme, and there's not a whole lot of challenges in capturing an image I can't handle. The image below was a grab shot a few weeks ago. It was just a fun day with good friends - and it's also right out of the can. We were on the observation deck of Benderson Rowing Park, watching the races. There was nothing on the deck to set the phone on, but the top of the railing was perfect, even though it was slanted. Using the Grip, Handle, and eXtreme, I had my setup in seconds. Then, I used it to photograph the rowers from above looking back out on the water. I know I'm turning this post into an infomercial, but the new Grip is pretty remarkable and well worth it's $34.99 price point. Check it out at Platypod.com along with the video demo from YouTube below. The only thing that hurts more than paying an income tax is not having to pay an income tax. Thomas Dewar by Skip Cohen I ran this last week, but it got sort of lost in a late day post, combined with the distractions of the holiday season. There's too much in here that's relevant, and too many of you who don't pay enough attention to the financial side of your business. Have you made every purchase you need to before year end and doing your taxes for 2023? Is there anything you're going to want to deduct that's related to your business? It's NOT rocket science! When looking at the cost of doing business, so many of you need to remember all the things you spend money on that might be deductible. I'm not an accountant and don't profess to understand tax law, but here are some things to consider. As you review it, I'm sure you'll find other things I might have missed. People don't know how much they have to be thankful for, until they have to pay taxes on it. Ann Landers Here's my point - if, for example, you've been thinking about buying a new large-format printer, talk to your accountant. See if there are benefits to buying it before year-end, and also ask about the allowable depreciation. Don't forget to check into leasing vs buying high ticket items - leasing utilizes somebody else's cash without depleting yours! So many of you get excited over how much you think you make on sales because your lab costs are so low - but what about everything it took to build and maintain your skill set and build your business? A fine is a tax for doing something wrong. A tax is a fine for doing something right.
Anonymous I finally realized it. People are prisoners on their phones, that's why they're called CELL phones! Anonymous by Skip Cohen It's Sunday morning, and not only do I rarely talk about business, but occasionally, I like to rant. And this morning is no exception. My topic is the need to put down the phone! I'm tired of people looking at their phones, no matter where or what they're doing! When did our need to be connected to the outside world take priority over everything else we do? What if we kicked back and appreciated everything going on around us; without letting anybody else in? I recognize that I'm older than many of you, but I miss the days when talking face-to-face was a priority. I realize that sounds archaic today, but we're the ones who changed the rules. We're the ones who chose to answer every call, look at every text, check email first thing every day, and make social media the hub of contact with the outside world! Cell phones bring you closer to the people far from you, but take you away from those sitting next to you! Anonymous And there's my point - too many of us, me included, miss out on all the wonderful little snippets of life going on around us because we're obsessed with technology and being in touch with the world - ALL THE TIME. How often have you been sitting in a restaurant and noticed how many people are on their phones? I remember a family of five having dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, and everyone was on their phone checking emails and texts. So, look at your phone now, starring right at the screen. As you focus on your phone, notice the blurry depth of field all around it - that's called LIFE! Every minute on your phone means you're missing all the best stuff. Wishing you a terrific day ahead - one without needing to be on your phone! Go for those real connections with the people you love most and friends who appreciate you without a phone in your hand. Don't forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs, and remember, genuine connections don't get measured in Mbps or pixels. Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen It's Throwback Thursday and my favorite day of the week! But it's not just about old photographs but the great memories they bring back. The fun of throwbacks is often in the hunt. And because I'm so unorganized with images all over the place - while I should be embarrassed, I love not knowing where I'm going to land when I step into the time machine. Today, I'm turning the clock back to January 2010 and IUSA in Nashville at the Gaylord. That's me on the right, hanging out with three great artists and legends in the industry - Jim Garner, Joe Buissink, and Scott Bourne. It's incredible to think of the talent these three possess. I've lost touch with Joe, but I catch Jim on Facebook now and then, and Scott and I talk regularly. Take a second and think back to fourteen years ago. What were you doing in imaging? Some of you were at that convention. For me, it was one of my first times out in public as an independent business owner. I left WPPI/Rangefinder May 1, 2009 to start my own company.
Here's my point - take a few minutes, and whether you share them or not, search for a photograph or video at least ten years old. Then kick back, look in your rearview mirror, and savor the memories. Besides the fun of a quick walk down Memory Lane, it's a great way to remind yourself of the importance of what we do as an industry - help the world capture memories they can hold on to for a lifetime. Happy Throwback Thursday! The only thing that hurts more than paying an income tax is not having to pay an income tax. Thomas Dewar by Skip Cohen It's Wednesday, and as I started to grab the camel shot, I decided to make the jump to a bit of humor. Naturally, there are those who won't appreciate it and will consider it tasteless, wondering if I've lost my mind. If I have, my ability to laugh is still wholly intact. After all, it's Hump Day! In the meantime, here's the perfect topic for December 13, just 2 1/2 weeks before the year ends. Have you made every purchase you need to before doing your taxes for 2023? Is there anything you're going to want to deduct that's related to your business? When looking at the cost of doing business, so many of you need to remember all the things you spend money on that might be deductible. I'm not an accountant and don't profess to understand tax law, but here are some things to consider. As you review it, I'm sure you'll find other things I might have missed. People don't know how much they have to be thankful for, until they have to pay taxes on it. Ann Landers Here's my point - if, for example, you've been thinking about buying a new large-format printer, talk to your accountant. See if there are benefits to buying it before year-end, and also ask about the allowable depreciation. So many of you get excited over how much you think you make on sales because your lab costs are so low - but what about everything it took to build and maintain your skill set? Happy Hump Day! "A fine is a tax for doing something wrong. A tax is a fine for doing something right."
Anonymous by Skip Cohen We're down to the wire on seasonality for 2023, but there's one last category there's still time for - thanking your clients, vendors, and people who have supported you throughout the year. While I've shared thoughts about this in the past - I want to expand on both concepts. 1. Thank You Promotions: The illustration below is from Adobe Stock, and while it's not worded how you might publish a special offer to all your past clients, it makes the point.
2. Saying "Thank You" to Your Support Team: It's another illustration, but we all know what a thank you note/card looks like. The target audience, though, is everybody who helped you in 2023.
And if you're stuck on design ideas or how to implement a promotional thank you program, at the risk of sounding like an infomercial - call Marathon! Their staff has worked with thousands of photographers and business owners on creating programs with impact. Call 1-800-228-0629 or click on their banner below. The year is quickly coming to a close, but there are still building blocks you can put in place for 2024, and they're all about relationship building - your strongest marketing tool. There are dreams of love, life and adventure in all of us. But we are also sadly filled with reasons why we shouldn't try. These reasons seem to protect us, but in truth they imprison us. they hold life at a distance. Life will be over sooner than we think. If we have bikes to ride and people to love, now is the time. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross by Skip Cohen
It's Sunday, and most of you know what that means with my blog posts - I rarely write about anything related to business and marketing. I go with whatever's on my mind, and this morning, it's the challenge of aging. While I recognize I'm not getting younger and can't slow down the process, that doesn't change much in my attitude toward life. I've noticed I creak a little longer when I get up in the morning, but that's about it. My fuse has gotten shorter and shorter over everything from being on hold with CVS to telemarketing calls and people who think they have a right to my time. I notice other little things, but overall, I'm the same knucklehead I was twenty years ago. At the doctor's office the other day, this little old lady was checking in at the receptionist's window, and I heard her give her birthdate - she was five years younger than me! She shuffled away and sat down, and that's when it started to dawn on me: we don't all age at the same rate. I can't slow down the aging of my body, but I have slowed it down on the "inside."
Here's my point - I love looking in my rearview mirror, but it's a balancing act. The key is never to stop looking forward and appreciating those backward glances down Memory Lane. It's about staying on track with one big fat general goal - living a great life. And with that favorite aged cheese you like - don't skimp on a good wine to go with it! Wishing everybody a day to create a few new memories. It might sound trite, but we're all storytellers putting together the album of our lives, and there are still lots of blank pages to fill. Make it a weekend filled with peace, love for the people you care about most, and time to let them know it. Happy Sunday or Monday on the other side of the world! Weekends don't count, unless you spend them doing something completely pointless! Bill Watterson by Skip Cohen
Although there's still time to knock off a few business projects, this post has little to do with business. It's Friday, and while many of you are shooting this weekend, photographing weddings, holiday parties, and other events...it's still a perfect time to wish you a great weekend. Never underestimate the importance of taking the time to recharge your battery, even in the middle of the chaos of the season. And per the quote above - wishing you the luxury of simply wasting time. Happy Friday! by Skip Cohen Many years ago, based on a Kodak study, the hierarchy of why people hire a professional photographer went brides, babies, and pets for the top three in the portrait/social categories. I don't believe anything has changed, and the topic was ideal for an article I wrote many years ago. I'm turning back the clock seven years with one more video intro for an article I wrote for Shutter Magazine. Besides making a point about diversity in fulfilling the needs of your target audience, there's a point about Throwback Thursday regarding the memories they bring back. As I wrote with a previous video I shared, the fun of these was coming up with a way the readers would remember whatever point I was trying to make with that month's article. The more absurd my presentation was, the more people seemed to remember it. But the backstory on this one took a little more effort. Sheila and I went to the main Goodwill store in Sarasota. The search was on for a wedding-looking gown that fit me. I can still hear Sheila laughing in the store as I attempted to find a gown my size...6'1", 220lbs - it wasn't pretty. Then, it was off to the toy department to find a baby doll, and a final stop at Party City for the veil. It took us several takes because I couldn't do any of this with a straight face. Molly the Wonder Dog was a real trouper and just sat there...but I was dealing with the absurdity of it all. From a marketing standpoint, once you get by my presentation, focus on what I said. It's great if you can be a one-trick pony and specialize in one specific type of photography, but a little diversity is like an insurance policy. A wedding photographer, for example, who did a great job on the wedding and also has the skills for family portraiture, maternity, and newborns, hits all the photographic needs of a new family. Happy Throwback Thursday! "Before you get a dog, you can't quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can't imagine living any other way." Caroline Knapp by Skip Cohen It's Hump Day, and most of the time, I try and keep it as light as possible. As I started to write this post, I looked around the room, and the two knuckleheads you see up top were on the loveseats in my home office. They take turns hanging out with me and Sheila throughout the day. And they know the minute I point my phone their way, it's time to pose. Each week, somebody on Facebook posts a sad post about losing a family pet, most often a dog. For a few minutes, I do a flashback to when I lost Molly the Wonder Dog and the emptiness I felt for months after. But here's the true beauty of our industry - it was the photographs and videos I had that helped me through losing her. It was all the memories captured over the years in pictures - professionally and grab shots. This shot on the right was thanks to my buddy, "V" (Robert Vanelli). It was captured a few months before I had to let Molly go. It became one of my most valuable photographs and still pulls at my heartstrings. It was months before I could even think about a new pup in the house...let alone two! It was Sheila's idea - two dog lovers need two dogs; one for each of us. The idea was perfect, and our lives are richer thanks to Belle and Lucy. Here are my point:
Happy Hump Day! "Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart
as deep meditation, and almost as good for the soul as prayer." Dean Koontz by Skip Cohen I thought I'd share some great gift ideas for the photographer in your life, or maybe these are ideas for you to give yourself this holiday season: 1.Tamron's got some outstanding instant savings on sixteen different lenses! Click on the banner below for more information. 2. "Pairs" by Howard Schatz: It's his newest book and it does not disappoint! 3. Anything from Platypod! Check out the three newest products - the incredible Grip for your phone, the Handle and the eXtreme. All top quality and adding to your creativity! 4. Looking for outstanding inspiration and awesome adventures? Check out Joe McNally's workshop series. While several 2024 trips are already sold out, there are still a few spots open for Ireland in the Spring, Tuscany in September, and Greece in October. 5. Moose Peterson has a full schedule of classes in 2024! Seven awesome adventures outdoors. 6. Bobbi Lane and Lee Varis are back with great programs in 2024. They're also teaching at Santa Fe Workshops, the Florida Birding Festival, and more. Follow their website for the latest schedule with this incredibly dynamic couple! 7. A membership in Kelby One! Nobody does it better when it comes to online education including conferences, podcasts and ongoing educational videos. There are so many unique gift ideas when it comes to imaging. From workshops to private classes and conventions, here's your chance to raise the bar on your skillset or the technique of a friend or family member! I've listed seven different programs, but there are so many more to consider. These are some of my favorites. Images copyright Jonathan Thorpe. All rights reserved. by Skip Cohen For most of us, when we think about our favorite restaurant, the experiences we enjoy the most start with the cuisine, followed by consistency in the quality and flavors of what we order on each visit. Each significant encounter has a solid foundation anchored in the restaurant's chef. Now and then, we meet a chef who, no matter what the cuisine, the food is always terrific. "Chef" Jonathan Thorpe joins us this month, and he's no stranger to the SkipCohenUniversity blog and serving up spectacular dishes. But he does have a signature - he's a storyteller, and regardless of the subject matter, his images cause you to pause and savor the moments he captures. This month, Jonathan's "dishes" were captured with Tamron's 17-70mm F2.8 lens. From the power of a portrait to action on a bike trail to ringside, each image has a story, causing us to linger just a little longer, wondering about the subject and the artist who created the photograph. INGREDIENTS Camera: Fuji X-H2 Location: Alexandria, VA
Jonathan talked about an essential key ingredient in his thought process - thinking about the sound each image makes. And while it might sound a little off-track, listen to the podcast because he explains it so well. As he explained, I had this "Ah-Ha" moment where it became so clear. Chef Jonathan needs to be on your radar. Click on any of his featured images to visit his website. And make sure you check out his galleries. He's the ultimate storyteller and focuses just as much on his subject as what the viewer will see and feel later. Make sure you take the time to look at his tearsheets section, too. You'll be surprised how often you might have already seen his work. And remember to follow him on Instagram! Don't miss the new Holiday Buyers Guide from Tamron. It's loaded with great information about the complete product line. Are you looking for significant holiday savings? Check in with your US or Canadian Tamron dealer! Just click on the link below. Plus, their Holiday Savings program includes sixteen different focal-length lenses to add to your creativity and the quality of your images! Those who love deeply never grow old. They may die of old age, but they die young. Ben Franklin You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. George Burns by Skip Cohen Remember, it's Sunday, and I never talk about business when I sit down to write Sunday Morning Reflections. I also never know where my thoughts are going to take me. I woke up creaking a little more than usual and started to write something sarcastic about aging, but I got bored with the topic almost immediately. So I went off searching for a good quote, and those two above hit me. They both are about the secret of slowing down the aging process - laugh more bitch less. Benjamin Franklin and George Burns were born 190 years apart, but they both had the same idea - appreciating the people around you, laughing more, and loving life. Okay, I'm reading more into what they both said, but I know I'm right on the money! And here's my point - I'm not suggesting it's easy, but as I've gotten older, that old line about, "Don't stress the small stuff...and it's ALL small stuff!" has become more and more important to me. That doesn't mean there aren't times when I totally miss the point, and stress and anxiety trump love and laughter. The point is, we're all work in progress. What I do know is that if I miss a time to laugh, love, and appreciate the moment, I can never get it back. Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and appreciating everyone in your life that makes it special and unique. The one thing I love most about this time of year, regardless of your spiritual beliefs, it's a time to focus on joy. It might not always be easy to find, but it's always there. Go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people you love the most. That deep love will slow down the aging process...you don't have to get old. Wrinkles are only where the smiles have been.
Jimmy Buffet The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot! Michael Altshuler by Skip Cohen It's unbelievable to me that today is December 1st! It comes at the same time every year, but why am I surprised? This year it's hitting me harder for whatever reason. I feel like I'm trapped in an old movie and the hands of the clock are spinning. It seems like we just appreciated Spring-time, and then Summer was over in a flash. We crashed through Fall, and here we are. This is a very short post this morning with just two points. Business-wise, we're down to the last round of seasonality. You've got only a couple of weeks to chase down loose ends and anything you can do to impact this year's business. However, remember how you deliver and keep your promises to your clients now, sets the stage for the new year. On the personal side, the year is coming to a close. Whether it's home projects, new ideas, or even friendships you want to maintain - whatever is on your agenda, it's time to step up. Stay on top of your dreams. Wishing everybody a terrific weekend and time to savor time! There's only one thing more precious than our time and that's who we spend it on!
Leo Christopher by Skip Cohen My post yesterday sent me searching for a throwback of a throwback. I shared this back in 2014. After so many years of blogging, it's too much fun not to share the stories again. My best guess on today's "Throwback" is around '95. It was taken in NYC at Scavullo's studio, and we talked about a fundraiser he was helping us with. Again, without finding this print, which I scanned for today's post, all the memories would pretty much be forgotten. Meeting the first time with Francesco Scavullo was pretty remarkable. He was helping us raise money and awareness for Photographers + Friends United Against AIDS. The event was part of Photo East, now known as Photo Plus Expo. Two stories tie to this image, making looking back so much fun. First, besides the memory of Scavullo's dog trying to bite me when I came into the studio, the way the studio was set up was pretty amazing. Francesco had terrible arthritis, and he needed that low camera angle to shoot fashion the way he did. (He was shooting exclusively with Hasselblad. Very few people know that every cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine for over seventeen years was shot with Hasselblad gear.) To get around his arthritis and allow him to shoot at those low angles comfortably, they built a pit in the studio. Much like the old gas stations before hydraulic lifts, where you'd drive over a hole in the floor to have your oil changed, Scavullo would walk down a few steps into this 4-5 foot deep pit. You'd pretty much see only his head sticking out of the floor. The camera was on a short tripod. It was the perfect setup for so many of his studio images. The second story came during our fundraiser shoot at the convention. Somebody asked him what his favorite Hasselblad lens was. Well, he thought for a minute and then held up his hands about eight inches apart and said, "It's the one that's about this long!" I'm not sure we ever did find out what the focal length was, but it didn't matter. Four hundred or so people got to watch him work that day, not just on the program we had scheduled, but with Brooke Shields for her own fundraiser at the beginning of the session when she "borrowed" our set. It was a moment to remember. The sidebar story I left out of this post originally was that the session with Brooke Shields ran late, and we had a few hundred people growing more and more agitated as they waited in the hallway. Brooke Shields's mother would not allow them in while her daughter was being photographed. That led to a small shouting match between us; I had to let people come in. Fortunately, my good buddy Denis Reggie stepped in and used his diplomatic skills, and we could open the doors. The whole Throwback Thursday thing comes together with one great point...do you know where all your memories are? All those images of past events in your life bring back the most amazing stories. Throwback Thursday isn't just an excuse for me to pull out old photographs. It's a reminder for all of you to do the same and share them with friends. There are few things better than a walk down memory lane to start the day! The kind of commitment I find among the best performers across virtually every field is a single-minded passion for what they do, an unwavering desire for excellence in the way they think and the way they work. Genuine confidence is what launches you out of bed in the morning, and through your day with a spring in your step. Jim Collins by Skip Cohen It's Hump Day, and we're into the seasonality every business owner, especially in imaging, dreams about - the December holidays. I shared these traits many years ago in a post, but it's a great time of year to bring them back. As you're working on holiday orders for your clients keep each one of these traits in mind. A few times over the years, I've referred to myself as one of the luckiest guys in the industry. One example is having the privilege of working with all four of the icons above. Don Blair and I wrote our first book together. I have dozens of Monte stories from so many different workshops and programs. Avedon made me lunch once in the flat above his studio, and Scavullo's dog tried to take a piece out of my leg on a couple of different visits. I chose these four because I had the privilege of spending time with them, and there are so many of you who never got to see them in action. There are so many other artists for each of us to remember, along with contemporary icons active in the industry right now. The common denominators between all of them are the traits below. As we go into the last month of 2023 and, at the same time, prepare for a new year, it's the perfect time for all of us to remember the ingredients that made those four above iconic, along with the traits of so many younger contemporary artists we admire today. Image Quality: They NEVER compromise on the quality of an image. Exposure, composition, expression and impact are as consistent as the sun coming up every morning. Lifestyle Quality: They maintain a lifestyle of giving back and a strong sense of family and friendships. They have integrity, they have poise and they follow through on their promises. They also surround themselves with people with similar commitments. Loyalty: Whether it's to the vendors they work with or their friends, their loyalty is rarely questioned. Everyone watches each others backs and the mutual respect and admiration, at least from my perspective, is pretty much unmatched in comparison to most other industries. Humor: They don't take themselves too seriously. Think about any program you've attended that you loved and learned something - I'm willing to bet you laughed...a lot. Today's photography icons are comfortable with admitting when they do something stupid, have fun with a client or completely screw up a job and live to tell about it. Humility: Not everyone has it, but even those few we might consider a little arrogant - if they knew how they were being perceived they'd be upset and ready to work on a different persona. So, I'm not sure if the quality I'm trying to describe is humility or a willingness to listen, but they've got it. Confidence: They believe in their abilities, their willingness to learn new skills and they understand their camera gear and photography cold - there's no second guessing and no "chimping." Even when they talk about a new idea or technology, you'll pick up a unique tone in their voice, almost as if they've been shooting that way for years. Diverse Skills: It goes with confidence, but there's nothing they can't shoot. We might know them as a portrait photographer and then we'll see work that's fine art, landscape or architectural - they refuse to be type-cast into any one skill set. They may have a signature specialty, but none of them are one-trick ponies. They're always experimenting with new technologies and growing their skillset. Passion: It's the last word on the list, but it drives everything they do! It's not just about photography, but about life in general - they simply never stop loving the craft, their lives, their friends, families - you name it and passion is what drives them to succeed. Here's the bottom line - how do you stack up against the ingredients? Or more importantly, how do your customers feel you stack up? Happy Hump Day! "The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." Steve Jobs “Most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask, "What else could this mean?” Shannon Adler by Skip Cohen
There are moments here and there when I don't get it...but the real issue is written correspondence is the hardest to express and the reader to interpret. Here's the scenario: Yesterday, I posted a piece on FB about ClickCon's move to Detroit. I stated that "finally" the Midwest had a great convention in 2024. In my actual post, I explained my joy in more detail - I grew up in Northeast Ohio and lived there from 2009 to 2011. While it might be considered the Midwest, except for PPO, there was never much to choose from regarding great conventions. ClickCon's move east opens up doors for so many more photographers and includes cities like Toronto, Pittsburgh, Cleveland etc. All closer the Chicago. A reader in another forum took me to task, feeling my wording on FB was unprofessional and passive-aggressive towards other conventions in the Midwest. I couldn't have been more sincere when I wrote back, "I'm sorry you feel that way." I explained how my FB piece could have been written better. IUSA is in Louisville this year and will be an outstanding show. I also used to speak at Shutterfest for six years and know how good the show can be. I modified what I had previously written and got back a compliment on the change, but she had to add one more line: "Sorry you feel that way is a gaslight tactic." Gaslight tactic? Seriously, there was no tactic or strategy to my statement, just sincerity, and it led me to read what I had written and change it. Years ago, I had the honor of lunch with Senator Howard Baker at the Whitehouse. At the time, he was President Regan's Chief of Staff, but his passion for photography was the reason for the meeting. The key reason I was invited was just to hang out and talk about photography. I was relatively new as the president of Hasselblad, and he was a Nikon and Hasselblad shooter. I remember him talking about how difficult it is to write and he told me this story: "Years ago I had to send a memo to another Congressman and wrote, "Sorry this is so long; I didn't have time to make it shorter." It's so hard to be concise in as few words as possible. Well, here I am 30 years later and still struggling with the written word. It's hard enough for me to be PC, let alone use words that don't come directly from my heart. So, if I've written something in a post that you didn't like or are unsure how to interpret it, let me know, but maybe call me instead of writing; then we've got a chance of getting our point across to each other that much better. by Skip Cohen It's Marketing Monday, and I'm headed in a very different direction than usual. Besides, over the last month or two, I've covered virtually every topic you should be considering in marketing for a solid finish to the year. Today's post concerns recharging your battery mid-year, expanding your skillset, and picking up new ideas to make 2024 a great year. One of your greatest and most valuable resources is a great conference! Nothing beats a LIVE get-together with other artists, but it's no easy task to put something together. Remember my background - I was with WPPI for seven years with a fantastic team that took the convention to over 15,000 in 2009. Take my history one step further, and with Tony Corbell's help, we launched Hasselblad University. Now, add my time on the PPA Advisory Board, Akron Photo Series, and dozens of other regional/local conferences. I fully understand the challenges in putting together even the smallest workshop. Well, Sherry, Suzi and the ClickCon team had a new challenge to face for 2024...the Democratic National Convention is in Chicago, and the Republicans are in Milwaukee a little over an hour away, both in the timetable for ClickCon. That's an incredible challenge for hotel space for a small workshop, let alone the fastest-growing conference in imaging! They just announced Detroit, and DETROIT works! It's a great city for a convention and far enough away to be out of the craziness of the two political conventions. For those of you in the Midwest, check out the circle above and the stats below...most of the major markets are four hours or less driving time! Trains, Planes, and Automobiles isn't just the title for an old movie - it's the selection you've got to be at what's become one of the best conventions in photography. And they've even come up with packages that include your hotel stay! Here's the bottom line - I grew up east of Cleveland, and except for the PPO convention each year, there's not much to draw from when it comes to great conferences for photographers and videographers. To have an event of this caliber just 4 hours away is a real asset. Plus, if you drive like Sheila and I do, you can always shave off at least 1/4 of the Google estimate on travel time! What a kick! Put it on your calendar and take advantage of the early pricing discounts. Just click on the banner below. |
Our Partners"Why?"Check out "Why?" one of the most popular features on the SCU Blog. It's a very simple concept - one image, one artist and one short sound bite. Each artist shares what makes the image one of their most favorite. We're over 100 artists featured since the project started. Click on the link above and you can scroll through all of the episodes to date.
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