by Skip Cohen
​
While browsing through Facebook, I came across the picture to the right, which was posted on a Facebook page called Vintage Life. Click on the candy selection, and you'll be connected to their page.

Here's the fun of "old" candy...it's Throwback Thursday, and this takes me back to grade school and my Dad's business at the time. He was in the wholesale candy and tobacco business at his own company, Lake Candy and Tobacco in Ohio.

If a candy could be sold in a vending machine, Dad had it in the warehouse. Having so much candy at my fingertips gave me a different perspective on candy bars compared to other kids. It was just not a big deal, except ironically on Halloween, when I got to go out and "hunt" my own. LOL

Out of my connection to Dad's business, there are a few great memories...

The Bazooka Caper: It was third or fourth grade when I was caught chewing gum in class. The teacher asked me, "Are you chewing gum?" I'd been caught and she kept talking, "Well, if you don't have enough to share with the whole class, it's rude!" 

I was prepared and thought my response was perfect: "But I do have enough for the whole class!" I lifted up the top of my desk, and there was a whole box of Bazooka Bubble Gum! Hell, I probably had enough for the entire school!

I felt unbelievably powerful - I'd caught the teacher in her own trap. For the rest of the week, I had plenty of time to think about my victory, as I cleaned erasers and the blackboards each day. If you're not old enough to know what a blackboard was, find an old fart to ask.
 
Old photographs bring back memories, and today, the TV jingles in our lives: "Choo-choo Charlie" from the Good and Plenty commercial, B-O-N-O-M-O...Bonomo Turkish Taffy...and into the 60s and 70s -"Sometimes you feel like a nut...sometimes you don't!" Almond Joy and Mounds bars.​ Then there were candies like Three Musketeers, Snickers, Seven-Up, Mars Bars, and candy cigarettes (I "smoked" the same brand as my mother!). There were hundreds more!

I spent a few minutes on YouTube and found four of my old favorites from television commercials, which are below. Saturday morning cartoons, except for December seasonality, were loaded with these candy commercials. It's just a short look in the rearview mirror today...but then, that's what Throwback Thursday is all about.

Happy Throwback Thursday!

by Skip Cohen

​Over the years, I've written a lot about the importance of reaching out to your target audience. For most of you, there's no such thing as too much contact. So, I jumped into Google and asked: How often do you need to reach your target audience for consumer recall?

Back in my Polaroid days in the 80s, that number was 2-3 times for any campaign. But ramp up the noise in our lives to today, and the number is substantially higher! Here's what Google A.I. shared:

The reality of the challenge is that most small business owners don't have the time or the resources to ramp up to 3-5 impressions a week via email or "snail" mail blasts. But those are only two of the tools you have, and there's plenty of help out there if you know where to look.

The recipe for success is a combination of direct mail, email blasts, and several components from the target on the right. This is where community involvement, editorial, advertising, publicity, and social media, just to name a few all play a role.

Marathon's "Power of Three" marketing programs: Whether your target audience is high school seniors or family portraiture, Marathon's got support for photographers down to a science.

Family Marketing: Most of you involved in family portraiture typically operate as one-person businesses. You're working hard to capture and create beautiful portraits, but you're spread too thin to complete everything. You're doing as much as you can find the time for, but getting the word out to your target audience isn't always strong enough. Well, Marathon has the answer for you - their Family Marketing program.

They give you three mailings to your target audience with an optional fourth. They'll help you design an effective marketing piece, ranging from accordion-style to gift cards to postcards. They'll work with you to set the dates for each mailing. They'll even help you fine-tune the mailing list and mail each series of marketing pieces for you.  With the 1st Mailing: Create Awareness, 2nd Mailing: Present Your Offer, 3rd Mailing: Book Now, and the optional 4th mailing: Last Chance reminder.

These 3-part promotions (with the optional fourth) are limited to only one studio per marketing area, so call (800) 228.0629 NOW to make sure your preferred ZIP Codes are available! ZIP Codes are protected on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Senior Marketing: They follow the same formula with high school seniors and their "Power of Three" program. And again, you have exclusivity within your marketing area! You've nothing to lose by making a phone call to Marathon for more information and an opportunity to expand your reach and raise the bar on your marketing efforts.

Over and over, I've seen photographers discuss how hard they're working to elevate their skill set. They've got the passion to capture and create stunning family portraits - but so often, they're missing the traffic at their door! Combine Marathon's expertise with your own ability to increase brand awareness through targeted marketing and enhanced consumer recall!

by Skip Cohen

On June 1, I shared my plan to post less and put Sunday Morning Reflections on a back-burner. Well, here I am, making a change and bringing back the series. I miss writing and sharing on Sunday mornings, especially when my thoughts are rarely about business and marketing.

This morning, I'm not going into the frustration I know all of us feel over what's going on in politics, but I did find a perfect quote that I wish more of our wannabe leaders would consider...

No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are,
how you treat people ultimately tells all.
Integrity is everything.
Unknown Author

Following that quote, Lou Mitchell went on to write:

...true character is reveled through our interactions with others. Regardless of our achievements or status, it is our integrity and the way we treat people that defines us. This perspective encourages us to prioritize kindness, respect, and honesty in all our relationships, understanding that these qualities are the true measures of our worth.

​What I find funny is that most of us already learned this when we were kids growing up with the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  
And here's my point on this first Reflections post after a short break. Just as much as I hate the bizarre behavior and lack of integrity on the political scene, I dislike people on social media who have decided their opinion is the only one that matters. Integrity is getting harder and harder to find everywhere, not just in politics.

Wishing everybody a day ahead that gives you time to appreciate those people you're closest to; the ones that treat you with respect, love, kindness, and support. Go for those eleven-second hugs I always write about with the people you love the most. They help keep you grounded and remind you what's truly important is what's in your heart, NOT the negativity in the outside world.

Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the planet.

by Skip Cohen

​Molly the Wonder Dog headed for the Rainbow Bridge six years ago this past February. And while Lucy and Belle have filled the hole in my heart, the roses blooming in "Molly's Garden" have kept so many memories alive.

Like most of you who have lost a pet, I spent the first few months devastated and thinking I could never make room in my heart again. I wrestled with what to do with her ashes and finally settled on a few rose bushes. This week, the one bush bloomed with the most roses I've had since I planted them.

The other two rose bushes didn't survive after being battered by several hurricanes, but the one, pictured on the right was somewhat protected. It's also the first bush planted and got the majority of Molly's ashes.

Memories are a wonderful thing. I've tried repeatedly over the years to grow roses, mostly because my grandmother had dozens of them across her backyard. Growing up and spending a lot of time with my grandparents, roses are one more memory-maker.

This is just a short post this morning with a reminder to cherish your pups, capture lots of images...and savor the memories they make with you and your family. Lucy is a lot like Molly and has her spirit, energy and even sense of humor! 

But I certainly haven't forgotten Molly. After all, she went to work with me every day in my WPPI and Rangefinder days. While I had to work to make the company owner understand the benefits of an unofficial mascot at work, nothing changed the amount of fun we had in the office when Molly was there.

She knew where everybody kept their Molly-treats. She'd make the rounds every morning and knew that stopping to see Bill Hurter meant she could jump on his lap and lick his face, while stopping by Marlene's desk meant her pads would be massaged. And whenever Ginny was feeling a little stressed, she'd be on the floor playing with Molly, which she once described as needing a "puppy fix."

by Skip Cohen

​It's Marketing Monday, rolling in right after a holiday weekend. It's a great time to consider ways to grow your business, notably by expanding to new products and a new target audience.

While wandering through the SCU archives, the artwork above came to light. It's a powerful statement and excellent advice for any entrepreneur.

As I thought about how many photographers need to diversify and expand their target audience, I thought back to ideas that came out of the pandemic. Back then, I shared a post about JP Elario doing Facetime portraits for clients as he worked through a small part of the challenge with physical distancing. In contrast, Steven Gotz's idea of converting family portraits to coloring book pages for young children provides an easy way to keep in touch with clients while utilizing archived images from your files.
 
Well, here's another one and the need is still enormous - outdoor seating at restaurants!

One ingredient to bring back business following the pandemic was outdoor seating, but most restaurants, especially those that didn't offer table service outside, needed help in the decorating department. Well, it's summertime, and the pandemic is in the past, but the need is even greater today! 

It's a perfect application for Bay Photo's Performance EXT Metal prints. I wrote about my own experience many years ago.

The original EXT Metal print on the right, was physically damaged by a contractor working on the house. However, it was reprinted, and the image has been outdoors for at least five years. While under a microscope, there may be some deterioration; there's nothing visible to the naked eye. It's been outside the entire time, exposed to the sun, heat, and rain of South Florida.

The two smaller images have also been outside for approximately the same time, and with even less shelter from the elements. They's just as beautiful today as when they were hung, and have only been brought in during hurricanes!

Two Additional Markets to Consider

Restaurants: With or without outdoor seating, the demand for food photography has never been higher. It may have started with the pandemic, but it has continued to grow with the Internet and online marketing. Additionally, carry-out ordering remains a popular option. Check out any of your favorite restaurants, and most often, you'll find a massive need for better photography.

Consumer Marketing: Take the idea of outdoor prints one step further, and instead of thinking outside the box, let's think like there's no box. Just about every client you've photographed over the years has a back porch or patio, some area outside their home or apartment. Let's encourage people to appreciate artwork outside their own homes. 

Here's an opportunity to offer something different and exciting to your existing audience. Let's start to plant a few marketing seeds with a new audience. The concept is also ideal for creating engaging content for your blog. So, from restaurants needing a more substantial presence outdoors to photography for their websites to helping clients bring photography to a new location in their home - most of you are sitting on an untapped market.

You're the only one who can plant the seed for new ideas with your target audience...but you also need to follow through and take action. You need to be an innovator!

by Skip Cohen

​It's my favorite day of the week, Throwback Thursday. Over the years, I've shared a few of the pages from Graphi Studio's "Day in the Life of WPPI" albums. These are from 2007, the last year the show was at Bally's and Paris. It's also one of the few pages where I recognize everybody in the images! I shared these many years ago in a post, but they're too much fun not to share again!

From top left to right - Cherie Steinberg and Hedley Jones, Mike Colon and David Jay, David Beckstead and Gary Fong and Vicki and Jed Taufer. They were all photographed by Catherine Hall, one of four photographers featured in that year's book, along with Calvin Hayes, Jim Garner, and Victor Sizemore. 

In the second image, we've got Joe Paulicivic (Joe Photo) and Marcus Bell in the front row. I think that's Brook Todd on one side and Parker Pfister and a hotel staff member in the middle - my guess is it was in the very early morning hours at the hotel. After all, nobody buffs the floors in any Vegas hotel during "rush hour!" And Catherine, as always, captured the essence of enthusiasm! 

The entire concept behind the project was to document each convention through the eyes of four different artists. The idea for the album was thanks to Maureen Neises at Graphi. The book became a milestone for me each year. It was the perfect way to document the event and capture so many different memories.

Throwback Thursdays are the perfect time to take a look in your rearview mirror. Old photographs and videos are a great reminder of the power of the services you provide to every client - helping them stop time and capture memories. Old photos are also one of your best marketing tools for your social media presence or blog. Use throwbacks to help remind "Mom" that it's time for a new family portrait. Use your old images to discuss how quickly time passes and the importance of capturing those cherished memories. It's the perfect way to put those old photographs of yours to work, planting the seeds for new business.

And, if you're not blogging about them, take a walk down Memory Lane for your own enjoyment. There are few things to put a smile on your face faster than looking at old photographs!

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

by Skip Cohen

If your website isn't working the way you planned, there's no way your target audience is going to understand why. It's not like road construction with plenty of warnings, cones, barriers, detours and signage! If a consumer can't get to where they want to go on your website, they're simply going to leave and go somewhere else.

​Spring seasonality is over. We're into summer business, and for those of you outside the bridal world, it might even seem a little quiet at times...but that doesn't mean there aren't things you should be doing to keep your business going strong.

Here's a topic that should be at the top of everybody's list: Is your website working properly?

We all have the same challenge: getting our website to look the way we want it, work the way it should, and get the support we need when we need it. The reality is that it's not a perfect world, and every website should be regularly checked and on different devices. 

If your website isn't working and creating a great experience for visitors, it's the equivalent of not unlocking the front door of a brick-and-mortar building. Customers can't get in, but you forgot to open the door and are wondering why business is so slow!

​Years ago, I received a great suggestion from an attendee at a marketing presentation I gave at the IPI Summer Convention.

"We have six people in the company.  Every morning, when they boot up, their landing page is a different page on our website.  That's six different pages that get checked first thing before we even start the day!"

Your website should be checked on different browsers, viewed on your phone as well as your computer, and links checked to ensure people get to where you want them to go. It's not rocket science—just good business. And according to the latest stats from Google via Statista.com, mobile devices account for almost 63% of global Internet traffic.

Many years ago, there was a TV campaign with one line:  "It's 11:00 PM. Do you know where your kids are?"  Well, it's time to modify and bring that line into business, and 2025...

"It's the start of another business day - do you know if your site's working?"

by Skip Cohen

​I saw this piece posted on my FB notifications a few weeks ago. It hit me hard then, and I've since read it several times. For the most part, I've stayed out of the social media battles over the current state of America. I've stayed away from all the bullshit...even held back on commenting on all the fake news that people from both sides jump on. 

When I read this piece by Elayne Griffin Baker, written in 2020, I couldn't get it out of my mind. It's not just about the lack of joy but also about pride. I've watched friends withdraw; friends leave the country and done my best to search out the truth in the news, a virtually impossible task. 

The poem says it all...no need for me to comment further...and if it results in some of my readers no longer following me, our "friendship" would have disappeared sooner or later anyway.

There's no art in this White House.

There's no literature, no poetry, no music.

There are no pets in this White House, no loyal man's best friend, no Socks the family cat, no kids science fairs.

No time when the president takes off his blue suit red tie uniform and becomes human, except when he puts on his white shirt-khaki pants uniform and hides from Americans to play golf.

There are no images of the First Family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation.
No Obamas on the beach in Hawaii moments, or Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport.
No Reagans on horseback, no Kennedy's playing touch football on the Cape.

Where'd that country go?

Where did all the fun, the joy and the expression of love and happiness go?

We used to be a country that did the Ice Bucket Challenge and raised millions for charity.

​We used to have a President that calmed and soothed the nation instead of dividing it, and a First Lady who planted a garden instead of ripping one out.

We are rudderless and joyless.

We have lost the cultural aspect of society that make America great.

We have lost our mojo, our fun, our happiness, our cheering on of others.

The shared experience of humanity that makes it all worth it.

The challenges and the triumps that we shared and celebrated.

The unique can-do spirit that America has always been known for.

We are lost.

We have lost so much in so short a time.

-Elayne Griffin Baker-​

My apologies to the author of this footnote below. It was on the FB notifications page with the poem above. If someone knows the author I'll update this post.

Across the world, we are watching the rise of strongmen who sneer at laughter unless it's aimed downward. Who confuse control with leadership. Who rip up gardens instead of planting seeds. And people feel it. Even if they can't name it, they know something is missing. The absence of joy is not visible. It's a heaviness that settles over everything. It's the dull ache of a country that no longer pauses to cheer for each other, to laugh, to mourn, to dream.

Without joy, what are we even fighting for? What are we building? Power alone is not a vision. Authority without empathy is not greatness. A nation without joy is not leading the world, it's warning it. So let's stop pretending this is just about policy.  The mood of a leader shapes the mood of a country. And when that tone is mean, vindictive, hollow, and cold, it spreads. It settles into the bones of a nation. People are not machines. We are not here only to consume, to obey, to win. We are here to live. To feel. To connect. And to make something beautiful together, even if just for a moment.

There's nothing more I can add...except that it's going to take each and everyone of us to get America back.

by Skip Cohen

​I don't usually quote lyrics from country songs, but I just heard "Backup Plan" by Bailey Zimmerman and Luke Combs, and the lyrics to the chorus are perfect words to live by!

It's Friday, and this is a short post. Everyone, at some point, hits a wall when something they were working on or hoping for just doesn't happen. But here's the point - listen to your heart first. Next, stop listening to people who don't share your vision. It's hard enough to be in business today without feeling like you're swimming upstream because the doubters in your life seem to think they have the right to redirect your energy!

Wishing everyone a weekend with time to relax, dream, and make a little progress on whatever vision you have for your future.

​by Skip Cohen

​The SCU blog has been actively running for over twelve years. As a result, there are some great "Throwback Thursday" posts in the archives. This is one I want to share again.

In 2014, America lost one of its greatest statesmen, Senator Howard Baker. He was a fantastic contributor to this country, but I'm not sure how many of you realize his passion for photography and his support for our industry. You'd often see him wandering the floor of some of the bigger photo shows just to check out what was new in gear.

I don't want to make it sound like we were such good friends and we were about to buy a boat together, but we spent enough time together for me to look back on the friendship as one of the highlights of my career.

In a throwback post just a few months ago, I wrote about our first meeting. Finding the image above brings back to many great memories, and like all throwbacks, stories.

We met in his office. He sat in a chair with his feet on the edge of the coffee table and just wanted to talk about photography. In the middle of the table was a big basket of Tennessee's favorite candy, GooGoo Clusters, next to a couple of photography books. Somewhere in the conversation, we discussed the challenge of communicating ideas in writing, and he told me that he once sent a letter to another congressman, writing, "I'd like to make this shorter, but I just don't have the time!" That led to a discussion about how difficult it is to be concise, and the conversation came full circle because a picture really is worth a thousand words.

A year or two later, I talked him into speaking at a PMDA dinner in New York. I was the program chairman for that dinner, and he flew in. We grabbed a quick drink at his hotel and then headed to one of the function rooms at the UN, where this special evening meeting was to be held. He needed to leave immediately after his presentation.

As I walked him out, he talked about loving the opportunity to speak to so many people from the photo industry, and then he thanked me for getting him a private car and made a comment, "I sure hope you didn't get me one of those big obnoxious limos. I hate the things...just love a simple Ford. I like to sit up front and talk to the driver."

As we walked through the door to the outside, all the blood drained out of my face...not only did I get him a stretch, but because he was Senator Howard Baker, I got him the biggest one I could find. Not only that, but it was white on white and couldn't be more ostentatious.  It was huge, and a family of twelve could live in it for a lifetime! He gave me a look that most of us only see from our spouses when we're in trouble...but for some reason, I held my ground, looked back at him, and said, "Admit it, you love it!" He cracked, climbed into the front seat next to the driver, and headed to the airport.

A year or two later, he was in NYC again and called me. He was open for dinner on just one of the nights, and I invited him to Gramercy Tavern. Knowing almost nothing about politics, I decided we needed another photographer with us who could discuss politics as well as photography. I made a quick call to my buddy, Denis Reggie, who grew up in the political arena. An hour before dinner, I had another panic attack; Denis was a diehard Democrat, and Baker, the leading Republican! 

The truth is, it was a fantastic dinner, and a month later, the Senator called me and asked if I thought Denis would photograph his wedding. One call to Denis, and an hour later, they were on the phone together going over plans.

I'll leave you with one last story... Somewhere over the years, he told me a story about once being introduced at a political dinner in Tennessee as the third most famous person to ever come out of the state. He smiled and said, "I sat there trying to think of who the other two were...turns out they were Dolly Parton!"

We didn't just lose an amazing contributor to the country but an artist with incredible passion and an unmatched love for life. He loved photography, published several of his own photography books, and you couldn't help but enjoy his company, especially when he was in photo mode!

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito!
Dali Lama

"The future of marketing is not just getting attention, but keeping someone's attention."
Tagline from a Spotify webinar ad

by Skip Cohen

​When I saw the quote above in an ad format, it made so much sense. It's the ongoing challenge of marketing, especially for small business owners. Plus, we're through Spring seasonality with Father's Day batting cleanup. So, what can you do to continue building momentum and increasing brand recognition for your business?

Just like Subliminal Man on an old SNL routine, you've got to maintain a presence with your target audience. It doesn't always have to be direct contact, but a continual flow of branding is necessary to build recognition and top-of-mind awareness. 

• Community Involvement: People like buying from companies they perceive as giving back to the community. You're looking for the community to be good to you, so you need to be good to your community. There are numerous ways to get involved, from major national events and fundraisers to local school, church, and Chamber of Commerce activities. And while finding ways to stand out as a photographer, it's more important to be involved, whether or not you're clicking the shutter.
• Partnerships: I've written so much over the years about partnerships. Partners help you reduce your costs and expand your reach. 
• Direct Mail: Think about how much noise is in our lives. A well-designed postcard mailing to your target audience can help you cut through the noise and increase brand recognition. It's also a perfect vehicle for partnerships.
• Email blasts: A good email blast has to be targeted. While some people feel strongly that you need big lists and shotgunning the market because you're bound to hit something, I'm just the opposite. I'd rather invest in smaller more defined target lists that hit the right demographics.
• Follow-up phone calls: Calling a past client doesn't need to be intrusive; it just needs to be helpful. Your past clients, unless you've behaved like a complete idiot, are your best ambassadors. Just an occasional phone call to check in on how they're doing can help build the relationship.
• Own Your Zip Code: This is old school and involves pounding the pavement. It's all about getting to know the businesses in your area, but more importantly, they need to know you. And you don't need to be selling anything; just introduce yourself with something like, "I just wanted to meet you guys. My specialty is ____, but I've got an incredible network. If I can ever help with any of your photographic needs, just give me a shout." Leave your business card, and that's it - soft sell and simple.
• Social Media: Whether you're a blogger or just active on Facebook, you need to maintain a helpful presence. For example, if you're working with a non-profit on a specific event, then write about it on your blog or social media sites. Be an ambassador for associations and causes you believe in.
• Photographer Guilds: Get involved! This is about building your network so you always have solutions, even when you might not have the specific skills for the task.

Here's the bottom line: Summer is here, and you need to maintain your presence in a way that is supportive without being overly aggressive. It's about keeping that top-of-mind awareness I mentioned earlier.

by Skip Cohen

A few weeks ago, I announced I was putting Sunday Morning Reflections on the back burner and taking a break for a little while, but it's Father's Day, and I can't let the day go by without a "Happy Father's Day" to all you Dads out there.

I already ran a tribute to my Dad earlier in the week, so today is focused on all of you...with just one story about my Dad. 

I was around seven years old when my mom found out I'd ridden my bike with the Jackson boys over the railroad tracks about a half mile from our house. The train tracks were on the 100% taboo list. Mom was furious and screamed, "Wait until your father gets home!"

Dad got home, heard my mother's request for my punishment, and came into my room with his fraternity paddle from college. We talked about what I had done. Whether I was really filled with remorse or in fear of the paddle; he knew I wouldn't do it again. So, the conversation went like this:

"Your mother wants me to paddle your butt...I know you'll never do it again, and you've learned your lesson. So, when I hit my leg with the paddle, you better scream and cry like there's no tomorrow!"

He hit his leg, and I screamed...he hit it a second time, and again, I screamed and cried...on the third time, my mother beat on the door - "That's enough Ralph, let's hope he learned his lesson. My performance was flawless, and had there been an award for best supporting actor in a home parenting drama, the Oscar would have been mine.

And that was my Dad - it never mattered to him how the lessons were learned, only that he achieved the results that helped me grow. Hanging on the wall of my office is his paddle, and next to it, my grandfather's pocket watch, a Gruen that still keeps perfect time. The paddle represents one of my favorite memories...and sharing the story opens the floodgates for more stories, and that's what great memories are all about.

Happy Father's Day everybody. Cherish the moments that got you here because they go by too fast, and before you know it, they're gone.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead and time to kick back and chill. Tomorrow isn't going anywhere, so why worry about it? 

And to my Dad, who I miss every day - you gave me a foundation of memories that have made you a legend. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't cherish growing up with you by my side.

​Love ya Pop!

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles. It takes away today's peace.
There is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind.
Randy Armstrong

by Skip Cohen

​I started this series after reading a few great quotes I hadn't heard before. That led to wanting to share them, especially when they seemed relevant to many of today's challenges.
​
It's a short post going into what's about to become a pivotal weekend in America, June 14. With protests all over the country and an estimated 46 million dollars being spent on celebrating the army and Donald Trump's birthday, there's a lot I just don't understand.  Understanding is only half the challenge - because what we read or what's reported in the news can't be trusted.
 
Sheila and I have chosen to simply keep focused on our life together and what we can support or change. We're doing our best not to let the fear of the future interrupt our peace.  I heard a comment back in January from an unhappy photographer, "I'm just going to live in a snow globe for the next four years."  Well, our snow globe is our local community. 

I miss the America I've known most of my life. I miss respecting our government because it was made up of people smarter than us. Well, the true experts have been fired, and the country is being run by a group that has forgotten about being for the people. In fact, for our own businesses, most of us wouldn't hire the majority of the people we see in the news these days.

I'm trying hard not to make this into a political statement, and it's impossible. So, I'll wrap it up with another great quote.

We spend countless hours reading, listening to, and watching other people's opinions
about what we should do, how we should think, and how we should live,
but make comparatively little effort applying that knowledge and making it our own.
Tiago Forte

​by Skip Cohen
​
It's Throwback Thursday, and this weekend is Father's Day...so it's a multi-faceted blog post. 

The portrait of my Dad and me on the right, which I've shared before, was captured in a booth at PPA National at least twenty-five years ago by Don Blair. I cherish the portrait, but there are a couple of additional points it makes. First, you don't need a fancy studio if you understand lighting and posing! Second, memories captured by old friends are definitely the best.

"Big Daddy" Blair and I wrote our first book together in the 90s. It was a kick to do, and it remains relevant as a guide for outstanding portraiture.

One of the highlights over the years was Dad coming to conventions with me. And when he and Don got together, the laughs were non-stop. They both served in the military in WWII...and I'm convinced the war might have ended earlier if not for these two knuckleheads! (And the way I'm using the word knuckleheads is filled with love, respect, and the biggest smile!) 

There's rarely a week that goes by that something doesn't come up that makes me think of Don. And when Gary (Don's son) and I get together, even on a phone call, there's an ongoing contest to see who can imitate Big Daddy's best "Hey, hey, hey, my man!"

Since Father's Day is Sunday, this is also about my Dad. He was my best buddy. Although he passed away over ten years ago, that doesn't diminish the appreciation and love I have for everything he taught me. I used to say there weren't many guys my age who still had their parents around, let alone liked them! 

He also possessed an amazing level of integrity, still conducting business on a handshake right up until his passing at 93. I convinced him to write the post below, which I share once a year. It makes a great point - stop worrying about everybody else's business and stay focused on your own.

Wishing all the dads out there a terrific weekend and a chance to simply kick back and relax. And to Dad and "Big Daddy" - I picture the two of you hanging out together and watching over all your "chicks and grand-chicks," as Don used to say.

​Happy Father's Day everybody!

by Ralph Cohen

Yesterday was my 88th birthday.  I have been happily retired for many years, and unemployed for at least 15 of those. Now, out of the blue, comes our son, Skip, threatening me with employment! The pay he considers adequate is $.02 per word. So gathering together, my 50+ years in business experience, I thought this would be a good time to put my two cents in.

I am not a plagiarist, but I must quote my father who spent the last months of his life writing advice to his children:

“Conduct your business in an upright manner and remember, the most important thing in one’s life is to be honest with one’s self. Maintain the high standard and dignity that your business requires. Do not go into deals hastily and be visible in your business as much of the time as is possible.  If you take time to play, do it away from your business, because your livelihood needs all the attention you can give to it.”

Early on, I concluded that the best testimonials came from my many friendly competitors.  We didn’t really compete with each other, in the true sense. True, we were in the same field of endeavor, but we all knew we were there to help each other. Happily, the “tough competition” fell by the wayside.  

I remember giving Skip driving lessons and I told him, “Watch the left front fender…..the rest will take care of itself!” I’ve found this is really true of everything in life.

An old axiom says “If you tell the truth, you never have to remember what you said.”  That is all part of reputation-building. I found that, sadly, in the field of real estate, truth is hard to come by for many. In our case, it was a major building block in the reputation which we enjoyed, and helped us to thwart the competition.

Goodwill is all of the above, plus a lot of caring for your clients as well as your competitors.  If life is a give-and-take situation, giving is the more important of the two.  The taking will come with time and be far more appreciative.  Just remember - you heard it here!  

​Ralph Cohen, Founder and Creator of Skip Cohen!
​

Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things,
but just look at what they can do when they stick together!
Vest Kelly

"A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle." 
Japanese Proverb ​

by Skip Cohen

Although I shared this post almost seven years ago, we're coming up on the anniversary of the first Skip's Summer School in 2009. Time definitely flies when you're having a good time!

I left WPPI and Rangefinder Magazine in 2009 to follow a dream - starting my own business. We were in the middle of a recession, and I was headed off to pursue a dream to fulfill my entrepreneurial spirit. As I look back to the first program in '09 and the images from 2010, featured here, there are so many friendships that came out of this workshop series.

Most of my family thought I was nuts and there were more than just a few friends who felt the same way. But I ran across an anonymous quote around that time that said it all:

I've shared the group shot above in at least one other post, but this was the team who made it all happen that first summer. We started in Las Vegas at the MGM, and because of the economy at the time and Vegas hurting for business, there was no room block commitment, no minimum food or beverage and minimal charges for everything we needed as long as we booked rooms - and we did!

​I recently ran across a couple of photographs that bring back so many great memories from those summer programs. In 2010, Sarah Petty offered to fill in for Vicki Taufer, which brings back a whole story of its own. Here's the short version - Vicki and Jed were adopting their daughter and got caught in an immigration challenge and couldn't bring her back into the US for several months. Vicki stayed overseas, and Sarah jumped in to save summer school with an outstanding program. The story goes a lot deeper as dozens of photographers in the industry tried to help with letters to congressman, immigration officials, and a non-stop push to get Vicki home.

Friendships are the best part of this industry, and Kay Eskridge spoke that year as well. Kay passed away last year, but the photograph below is one more reminder about the value of photography...capturing memories, especially of people we love and miss!

We kept the Summer School programs simple with one big room, no breakouts and a dozen vendors who wanted to support education around the perimeter. Wifi was still a big deal, and the room was set up, so a new speaker kicked off every ninety minutes, but there were charging stations, and you could work at the same time - giving attendees the ability to stay in touch with business, but still pick up great ideas to market and promote their products/services.

A favorite programs over the years was a completely impromptu panel of experts in the evening after the day's schedule. We got together after dinner for anybody who had wanted to keep things going. We were there to answer questions about business, photography, life - it just didn't matter. That's Clay Blackmore, Tony Corbell, me and my honey, Sheila. We had at least 8-10 instructors join us. 

One of my favorite images of Sheila and me was captured that night and sent to me by good buddy, Brian Palmer. Brian's on the other side of the world these days, but I still keep hoping we'll catch up on one of his family trips back to the US.

The shot itself, proves a very special point - you don't have to have everybody looking at the camera all the time.

After the 2013 summer workshop, like so many educational events we decided it was time for a change. Workshops events like this are incredibly labor intensive and with so many different events to choose from it was time to move on, but not from the goal of education, continuing to build a business and support an industry I love dearly.

With help from good buddy, Scott Bourne, the SCU blog became a reality and my life morphed into that of a blogger, podcaster, and writer. I wouldn't change a thing in my life since leaving Rangefinder/WPPI. The best part of the last sixteen years is the friendships that have come out of everyone's mutual love for the craft and the support we all give each other no matter what challenges life puts in our paths.

If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, but NEVER your goal.
Author Unknown

It's no good running a pig farm badly for 30 years while saying,
'Really, I was meant to be a ballet dancer.'
By then, pigs will be your style.
Quentin Crisp

by Skip Cohen

Over the years, I've met many photographers who have shared their regrets about the direction their career path took. However, the revenue stream was substantial, and it was too risky to consider a change. Yet, they still have a passion for another specialty and a chance to be more creative.

Senior photography is one of those areas that people have found it was hard to break into. So, they gave up chasing the idea. My point isn't so much about what a great direction it can be for a career, but if you're going to take that path, then do it right!

If you're interested in the senior market, the first thing you need to ensure is that you've the right skill set, not just with your camera. You need excellent communication skills and the ability to establish a strong relationship with your subject.

For many seniors, this may be their first time working with a professional photographer. They're as nervous about getting a portrait done as they are in dealing with some of their own self-esteem issues. That means your listening and conversational skills must be as good as your understanding of exposure, composition, and lighting!

But here's the real point of today's post - you don't have to develop the senior market alone. Check out Marathon's "Power of 3" Senior Marketing program. It's direct mail at its best, with the expertise of the Marathon staff to watch your back and help you develop an effective program.

For example, check out the strategy and timing below of their 3-point program, as well as the optional fourth "last chance" piece.

• Mailing 1: Introduce yourself and create awareness that it's time to think about senior portraits and become a part of the class of 2026.
• Mailing 2: Give seniors a chance to take a second look at your photography and recognize your studio as the best choice for their senior portraits.
• Mailing 3: One more chance to convince seniors that your studio stands out from the rest and that you offer the creativity they expect for their senior portrait experience.
• Optional Mailing 4: For only 96¢ per name, you can add another "last chance" card to let seniors know they must call now or they will miss out. Custom design is an additional $65 for this card.

At the very least, finding out more about the program should be a no-brainer. It costs nothing for you to get more information. There's an unlimited combination of design components for you to choose from, but everything starts with your interest in expanding your expertise into the community.

Even better, to help you build your brand as a senior photographer, the available design for each 3-part mailing is limited to only one studio per marketing area. It only takes a phone call to find out what's being done in your area.

You can't create images that tug at people's heartstring if your own heart isn't in it!
Skip Cohen

If the senior market is something you've considered, then pick up the phone and give the Marathon team a call! Click below to find out how to get your Senior Power of 3 sample pack or call (800) 228.0629 to speak to an Account Representative.

by Skip Cohen

I'm having some fun with great quotes, and the one above is one I shared 15 years ago on Facebook. I still hear people asking photographers, "What camera did you use?"  Even in a world being touched by AI, it still amazes me that there are people who think it's the gear that makes the image, when it still takes an artist's creativity.

So, the next time somebody asks you whose camera you use, there's a better answer.

Years ago, I was in Tucson when Richard Avedon turned over his archives to the Center for Creative Photography. His travel camera, which he loved to play with at the time, was an old-style Polaroid SX-70.