Images copyright Cory Ryan. All rights reserved.

When Photodex and SCU first talked about the idea of a podcast series like this it was because we wanted to help more photographers build a stronger business model. As artists, you're so focused on the creative process that it's often hard to think about the importance of building your business beyond your skill set. 

"Building Your Business" is about sharing ideas from some of the most passionate and respected artists in photography, but we've learned so much more. Each featured artist has shared insight about their journey as a photographer, business owner and often being a perpetual student. 
 
It's time to introduce you to Cory Ryan. She's based out of Austin, Texas and one look at her home page and you know she's going to be fun to work with. Remember "fun?" It's one of those critical words that gets lost under the day-in-day-out challenges of running a business.

Well, Cory never loses sight of the importance of relationship building with each client, and you can see it in every image in her galleries. In fact, you can hear it in her voice during the podcast - this is an artist who loves what she's doing!

Her video below is a perfect example of the relationship building she does with every client. Click on any of Cory's images to visit his website.

As always, when you watch her video, you'll see some fun Photodex features. How would you tell your story? Today, whether creating your own marketing video or video slideshows for clients, you've got the ability to make sharing images a truly memorable experience.  

Take the time to check out Photodex and ProShow 8. They're always focused on education to help you build a stronger business, along with ways to help you raise the bar on your presentations.

In my class at ShutterFest last night I spent some time talking about slideshows. As usual, I was surprised by how few attendees are using slideshows as part of their product line, as well as for marketing purposes. From my perspective, it's the next best thing to talking with a client in person.

An excellent marketing slideshow can demonstrate your ability as a storyteller; share your personality and passion for the craft; present your skill set to potential clients and best of all plant the first seeds of trust with customers. Now take it one step further and think about what a great slideshow can do as a product you offer your customers.

In a business where becoming habit-forming and exceeding expectations is so critical, there's virtually nothing I can think of that would help you develop a stronger bond with your audience. It's also an outstanding way for your reputation and work to go viral.

For those of us who don't have a dog that can ride a skateboard and know we'll never have two million views on YouTube, the definition of going viral changes. For most of you if a slideshow gets shared with a few dozen friends and family of a bride who's wedding you photographed that's "going viral."

Wedding season is finally on our doorstep, and I found the video below in the Photodex archives on YouTube. It's time to ramp up and get into your marketing mode. And if weddings aren't your core business then look at slideshows as an extension of the services you offer along with creating a marketing piece for your website and blog.

Photodex has been the leader in slideshow software going back years ago. While the concept of a slideshow isn't new, because of the Internet, social media and technology, especially with the ability for hybrid presentations, it's the "next big thing!"

For more information just click on the ProShow8 thumbnail to the right.

Intro by Skip Cohen
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Mother's Day and Father's Day are right around the corner. In a way they mark the start of Spring seasonality in professional photography, especially if you're a family artist. Slideshows are the ideal product to have in your mix of client offerings and Photodex just keeps making it easier and easier to create.

Check out these two videos from their YouTube archives. Being a successful photographer is all about exceeding client expectations. Well, I can't imagine any client not being ecstatic to have a presentation like these, but loaded with your professional quality images.

Don't let 2017 go by without adding slideshows to your list of products and services. With today's technology you have an opportunity to put short video clips together with still images and great music to create a never-ending stream of "show-stoppers" for your clients.

Check out ProShow 8 with a click on the thumbnail to the right and then wander over to the Photodex archives on YouTube. You'll never be disappointed in the support Photodex provides to help you build a stronger business!

I'm still amazed at the number of artists who don't offer their clients slideshows. Thanks to Photodex technology, it's never been easier. Camera technology is also playing a role, making it so simple to add video clips to still images and then put everything to music!

Even if you're not offering slideshows to your clients today, there's no excuse to not create a marketing slide show for your website and blog!

Taking a stroll through cyberspace I found a few classics on YouTube on the Photodex channel. Then, just to give you a few more I wanted you to see Jeff Cable's, which I shared almost two years ago, along with Rob Knight's short profile piece. 

While a few of these were created in the past, their impact is timeless. For example, Kay Eskridge is a good friend and incredibly diverse artist. Check out her maternity video from 2014. It may have been created over three years ago, but it's relevance to a soon to be Mom couldn't be stronger. 

Jeff Cable produces a "best of" video at the start of each new year. It's the perfect way to show his clients and target audience what he's been up to. Plus, it shows his diversity as an artist.

SugarBoxStudios is based out of the UK. While the video is from 2013, it's another solid example of a studio's ability to create a timeless marketing piece directed at a specific target audience. Remember, women make 98% of the purchase decisions to hire a photographer in the portrait social categories - that means, for most of you, your target audience is "Mom!"

This piece of Rob Knight's was created by our mutual pal, Suzette Allen, who's also a Panasonic Luminary. It's meant to be just a quick summary piece with a strong narrative. This is about impact and an opportunity to create something short and sweet for visitors to your website or blog.

There are close to 600 different videos in the Photodex archives on YouTube. Whether giving you examples of creative presentation ideas or actually taking you through steps to build your technique, Photodex never slows down on their approach to education.

Don't let more time go by in 2017 without having a marketing slideshow of your own. Every day, because of all the noise in our lives, it gets harder and harder for you to reach your target audience. A marketing slideshow gives you a way to cut through that noise and tell your story!

If you haven't checked out ProShow8 yet, take it out for a free test drive. ProShow8 has more creative tools to help you tell your story in a professional presentation with the potential for some great impact!