It’s just the most amazing thing to love a dog, isn’t it? It makes our relationships with people seem as boring as a bowl of oatmeal. John Grogan by Skip Cohen It's Throwback Thursday, and as usual, I went off searching for old photographs. I stumbled on those three images in the top left of the collage above, and that took me where I wanted to go - Where would we be without the fur-balls in our lives? This month, just three days apart, Lucy and Belle turned five. If you're like us with your pets, it's hard to remember when they weren't in our lives. Here's the short backstory... I lost Molly the Wonder Dog in February 2019 and was crushed. Anyone who's ever lost a dog or cat knows exactly what I'm talking about. It was around seven months later that Sheila started talking about getting another dog—no, dogs. I'd never had two dogs at once. We brought the "girls" home in November, 2019. A month or so into having them in the family, Sheila and I would look at each other and think, "What made us think at our age we'd have the patience for puppies?" A few months later, we couldn't imagine life without them! They carried us through the boredom and frustration of Covid, making each day a memory-maker. And here we are today, and they own our hearts! So, we've morphed into full-time dog people, and we love it. For those of you who have never had two dogs, go for it in the future. Lucy and Belle joined us at the same time, both four months old. They're "sisters," and they keep each other company all day. They have different personalities: Belle (the little one) is the Alpha, and Lucy is always mellow, even allowing Belle to eat some of her food now and then. Belle's scared to death of thunder and snuggles up next to Lucy when there's a storm. They play together, chase each other, and wrestle over toys and bones. They are definitely two of the most loved pups on the planet, with a pretty extensive vocabulary. Most relevant of all is the role photography has played in all the memories over the last five years. Like a family with a new baby, the files are full of shots of Lucy and Belle. Every image or video has a story that takes us back to that moment when the shutter was clicked. Happy Throwback Thursday! Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.
Orhan Pamuk Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong. W.R. Purche
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![]() by Skip Cohen Remember the old Westerns? At some point, there often was a "new sheriff in town." He was always one of the good guys, and everyone was excited that he was there to clean things up! Well, whether you like old westerns or not, when it comes to print competition - there's a NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN! Meet the AIBP's (Association of International Boudoir Photographers) new Visionary Awards. The AIBP Visionary Awards are an inspirational and educational photography competition open to all professionals, novices, and hobbyists who photograph boudoir. All entrants have the opportunity to work toward the AIBP Artistry Excellence degree as a Member of AIBP. I'm a huge fan of image competitions, which all started with entering my first print in a WPPI competition in the 90s. I became addicted to the process—it's one of the best educational experiences in imaging. Why? Listening to the feedback from the judges, combined with seeing the styles of other artists, along with lighting, posing and composition, helped me raise the bar on my own skill set. Building this new image competition from both the participants' and judges' perspectives, the Visionary Awards start with two broad categories: commissioned and uncommissioned work. With eleven different award sub-categories, AIBP's goal is to make sure images compete against similar photos. They've assembled a stellar cast of judges to date that includes Lindsay Adler, Gary Hill, Jacqueline Tobin, Rhea Berkley Lewis, Andrew Hiorth, Cate Scaglione, Hiram Trillo, and Shawn Black. Combined with the support of a solid group of sponsors, these new awards have the potential to elevate the experience of competing from previous competitions. Click on any picture or banner in this post for more information! And to the AIBP team - Congrats! It's going to be a kick watching this competition grow, along with the skills of your members! When you love what you have, you have everything you need. Anon ![]() by Skip Cohen This morning, when I sat down to write Reflections, I had absolutely nothing on my mind. It was just a typical morning - wake up, do my morning routine, let the pups out, and then start the day. It's the same routine, almost every day, and I've grown to love it...it's about being content. That's when it hit me - the key to happiness isn't singular and covers a wide range of life's moments. Those moments in life that have contributed to the smile on my face range from Sheila to the pups to family in the area and a few good friends. All along the way, there are these little speed bumps related to health and aging—trolls that come and go in our lives—but it's all manageable. So here's my point: Everyone is looking for the "key to happiness," often as if it was treasure left by a pirate years ago. Well, the analogy works for a little bit—sometimes happiness is buried underneath the stress we let into our lives. And those pirates are the negative situations and people who create the stress. They say that wisdom comes with age, but it's really about finally learning, listening, and appreciating. Finding happiness or, better yet, relaxing enough for happiness to find me has been all about acceptance. It's about letting go of the past, appreciating today, and not worrying about the future. The reality is that life is simply too short, and time really does fly when you're having a good time! Somebody posted the illustration on the right on Facebook a few weeks ago. My apologies - I've got no idea who it was or who gets the credit - but it hit me hard. It really is a "short trip" and deserves to be savored every day. While there is no specific key to happiness, the ingredients are all around us, but we don't always look hard enough! Wishing everybody a day ahead that's filled with smiles and time with the people you love the most. Always go for those eleven-second hugs I write about. Finding happiness isn't something you search for, but if you just kick back and listen to everything around you, it'll find you! Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. It’s not about being happy all the time, or being sure of all your choices.
It’s about knowing that life is precious, even when it’s tough. Topher Kearby ![]() by Skip Cohen I've been working on my keynote presentation for ClickCon. Part ofmy theme is how stories are an enormous part of who we are, and the majority of those stories are documented in each of our vaults of photographs. Since it's Throwback Thursday, I pulled one of my slides from my program. It's a composite covering dozens of stories that make up my life, from a baby to a year ago. Click on the collage and view it in the SCU Lightbox, and you'll find markers from so many different chapters of my life. From WPPI and IUSA to Rangefinder Magazine, dive trips, and time with friends like Don Blair, Bob Thompson, Duncan MacNab, and Tony Corbell - the collage simply makes me smile. While it includes some great friends the industry has lost, nothing changes the fun of a walk down Memory Lane. Take a few minutes to put together your own collage, and you should have a similar experience to mine. I look at all these photographs, and with each one, there's a story about friends, family, and the true miracle of what we've all chosen for a career! Regardless of what you do in imaging, we're all in the business of helping people capture memories. As photographers, you're the magicians who stop time and turn the intangible into tangible moments people can hold for a lifetime. What a kick! Happy Throwback Thursday! “We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.” Jimmy Neil Smith by Skip Cohen
Whether it's your stories, a family member's, or a client's - creating a book is an incredible product. Think about it for a second - you're a storyteller with an outstanding skill set in photography. A book allows you to capture the best of both worlds: photography and storytelling. Now, think about the impact a unique book would have on a client. Everyone is looking for new products and services to offer their audience. Yet, so often, you forget about some of the tools you have right at your fingertips, just a click of your mouse away. While an album of images is a great way to tell a story, a book allows you to tell the story with text and in any size or shape you want. If you don't want to start offering it as a regular part of your business, then start by just creating a book about your family. Just do a draft of the story and then drop in photographs that fit with the theme. I've done at least three books over the years; the first was about the start of the relationship with my wife, Sheila; the second was the story of the Honor Flight trip with WWII veterans I took my Dad on; and the third, the story of where we've lived over the years. All three told the stories in ways that just photographs alone could never do. I can only imagine the reaction of a client receiving a book that was their story and told in a way that only you, as their photographer, could tell. Part of the fun of a project like this is pulling together the images for the story. With a book, you've got the ability to combine your best photos with grab-shots and then the appropriate copy. Since a picture's worth a thousand words, you don't have to write a lot. Because it's all from your heart, you'll be surprised at how it all flows together, as well as how easy it can be. While today's post is an infomercial for Marathon Press, the concept couldn't be more sound. You want your work to be different. You want your clients talking about working with you and your skill set. What better way than with a book that sits on their coffee table you produced? In their 50,000 square ft. warehouse, the Marathon team is ready to tackle your project, and their staff is available to help all along the way! For more information, click on the banner above or call 1-800-228-0629. ![]() by Skip Cohen As I sat down to write Reflections this morning, I had no idea what I wanted to share. I started by pondering what was happening in the world; overwhelmed, I switched gears and decided to focus on what was happening in my head. My first thought was the excitement of heading to Detroit for ClickCon two weeks from today. For over thirty years of speaking at conferences and workshops, I've always recommended that people attend as many events as possible. Why? Even the smallest workshop is about recharging your battery. It's about expanding your skill set, exchanging ideas, being inspired, and, oh yeah, having FUN! "Fun" is one of those words too often lost under the stress of running a business. We simply forget to have fun, and it's usually not until it's too late that we realize it's the missing ingredient. A great conference as a photographer is about reinforcing why you went down the imaging path in the first place. For me personally, my keynote on July 29 is especially exciting—it's going to be one of my last presentations. I want it to be the best I can make it and packed with ideas to help attendees get closer to the success they imagined when they started their journey. I'm not ready to fully retire, but it is time to slow down and smell the roses. I don't want to turn today's post into one about aging. While I creak for ten minutes when I get out of bed in the morning, according to Sheila, I'm no more mature. And when we look at the two of us, we seem younger than most people our age. We're certainly younger than our parents were when they were our age! Here's my point - it's the presence of anticipation that keeps us young. It's the energy I feel as I put together my program. It's the pure joy of thinking about catching up with old friends, making new ones, and being in an environment of passionate people. Many years ago, I wrote, "You can't create images that tug at people's hearts if your own heart isn't in it." Well, it's not just about capturing photographs, but in everything we do. I am the quintessential example of a guy with an excess of Peter Pan genes - you know, the ones that, throughout our lives, keep screaming, "Don't grow up." Fifty-four years ago, I stumbled into this industry at Polaroid, and it's been a kick, every day since. Wishing you a day filled with anticipation for whatever you see on the horizon. Take the time for an occasional look in your rearview mirror - it's one of the best ways to appreciate how far you've come. Looking forward is how you draw from the power of anticipation, especially when the word "fun" is in the mix. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've written about for the last ten years, and whoever your "huggee" is, think about how much richer your life is because of them! Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. PS I hope to see many of you in Detroit - what a kick this conference will be. by Skip Cohen
It's Throwback Thursday, and while I shared some of these images many years ago, there are no rules for when a throwback can be hit again. What started my search was hearing that John Rettie had passed away, and off I went looking for old images. In my search, I stumbled on these images from a Celebration of Life in memory of Bill Hurter at WPPI 2016. John Rettie is on the right in the first grab shot in the collage above. John was an outstanding writer and contributor to Rangefinder Magazine, working closely with Bill Hurter for so many years. He was also a good friend and well-respected photographer and writer in the industry. In a beautiful tribute to John, I pulled a couple of comments Scott Bourne shared yesterday... When you are young, you are often invited to celebrate weddings and new babies. When you grow old - unfortunately, the celebrations are different. We learn to celebrate the lives of those we know who have passed on. Later, Scott wrote: They say you only truly die when people stop saying your name. While I am most likely not very far behind John - as long as I am here, I will remind people that John Rettie was one of the best photographers who ever lived - and he will absolutely be missed. Scott's words are so true. While I hate sharing stories about friends who have passed, it goes with aging. But more important is for those of you who never knew these icons to understand the trail they blazed for all of us. John and Bill's love for the craft and their contribution to our industry as writers, artists, educators, and friends was remarkable. And while it sounds pretty sappy, I like to think the two of them are hanging out together right now and watching over an industry they loved dearly. by Skip Cohen It's Reflections, and I always try and get a little more personal on Sunday mornings. This morning, I knew exactly what I wanted to write about; I've been working on my opening keynote presentation for ClickCon at the end of this month. While I've done hundreds of presentations in my career, this one is special because it's one of the last programs I plan on doing. If you've followed me for even the shortest time, then you know I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in imaging. I've had a career filled with working with amazing people, experiences, and a never-ending flow of ah-ha moments. At a time when most people my age have retired, I'm not ready to hang up my guns, but it is time to slow down. I came up with a terrific theme for my program. I want to play off of key things I've learned in my fifty-four-year journey in photography. As I've put the program together, each lesson has had somebody initially responsible for the concept. Take a second and think about the roots of things you do today. Everything you do has roots in some past experience. An event or somebody came into your life and left their mark. From a teacher to an associate to a family member, client, friend, or even adversary, they've all played a role. One of my favorite quotes over the years is from Alfred Lord Tennyson: I am a part of all that I have met. And here's my point and the fun of this presentation—each of us is a composite of our experiences. In photography, for example, all those experiences and people are responsible for the passion we have today. Everyone's passion is unique in its direction, with the common denominator being our love for the craft.
Here's something to think about this morning...Where and when did your love for imaging start? Who supported your vision and your dream? Even better, who didn't offer support, indirectly pushing you harder to succeed? On July 29, I'm going to have fun sharing the lessons I've learned over the years and channeling them into ideas to help artists build a stronger business model and contribute to making 2024, hopefully, an incredible year. While I'm the one presenting, it will be thanks to so many people who have set the standard for creativity in business, marketing, and even technology. I am definitely a part of all that I have met! Wishing you a day ahead filled with the people most important in your life along with more ah-ha moments. Dont' forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about. Make it a day jam-packed with everything that makes your heart soar. PS Hope to see you at ClickCon in Detroit! by Skip Cohen
It's Hump Day, but I'm not sure it really qualifies when it's a national holiday the next day...and I know a lot of people also take Friday off. This is a very short post - wishing everybody in the US a terrific holiday weekend filled with peace, decent weather and surrounded by family and friends who mean the most to you. And if you're not in the US - I can still wish you a great weekend ahead. I've been working on my presentation for ClickCon and am very excited about a new approach to sharing ideas on marketing and business. But I'm going to enjoy the day tomorrow and not go near my computer! Sometimes, you just have to unplug and enjoy a slug day. My biggest decision is going to be what to throw on the grill! Happy July 4th! by Skip Cohen It's Marketing Monday. What better topic to write about than ways to expand your reach? We're out of the usual spring/summer seasonality and into what I think of as business-as-usual mode. While there's a lot of business to be had over the summer, especially in bridal and family portraiture, this is also the time to prime the pump for activity in the fall and fourth quarter. I'm hitting just two points this morning: there is no single vehicle to expand your reach and increase brand awareness. You need to weave a web around your target audience. But before you start a few different campaigns, it's critical to identify your target audience! Many of you shotgun the market, feeling that since you have the skills for almost everything, why not go after everyone? NOT! You understand focus confirmation with your camera. Well, it's the same with marketing, demographics, and your target audience. Start with the demographics of your core specialty and worry about the other things you like to photograph later--after you get a little momentum going with your primary business. Think about how you're going to hit your target audience. Check out the illustration below - ALL of these vehicles, and this is only a partial list, will help you build top-of-mind awareness with your audience. At any given time, you should be generating activity in at least 3-4 categories...and over a year, all of them! Your goal, besides building more business, is brand awareness. Think about how much noise there is in your lives and how much you personally ignore every day. Your target consumer is the same!
Remember the Rule of Seven: The Marketing Rule of 7 is a principle in marketing which suggests that a potential customer needs to be exposed to a brand's marketing messages at least seven times before they make a purchase decision. Google I've heard so many photographers over the years in reference to many of the above activities, say, "I tried _____ once and didn't get anything!" The Rule of Seven isn't a myth. It's your blueprint to build traffic and awareness, founded on solid research and past performances by businesses all over the world. And with each category in the information above, there are spin-offs that allow you to drill deeper into your reach! It's not rocket science, but it takes patience, consistency, and continuity in your message. by Skip Cohen It's Sunday, and I got up knowing exactly what I wanted to share this morning. As always, I'm miles away from business and marketing. Yesterday was our wedding anniversary, and I wrote a short post on FB. I rarely put anything personal on my FB page, but between Sheila, the pups, and our life, I wanted to share the joy. This is all I posted: Sometimes, the real wonder and beauty in life are in the simplicity of it all. Here's what got me thinking about the topic. For our anniversary, we decided to go to one of our favorite restaurants, Sardinia, here in Sarasota. We decided to enjoy a slug day floating in the pool and then an early dinner. At some point on Friday, we both had the same idea—let's just say home, chill for the day, and make a pizza on the grill—never getting out of bathing suits, sharing our thoughts, and savoring the day. We made a special pizza with fresh pesto that Sheila made the night before. So, it was a pesto pizza with diced fresh tomatoes—cooked on the grill and eaten while watching one of the early Jack Reacher movies. Here's my point—the beauty of the day was in its simplicity making it perfect. We love Sardinia, but the restaurant couldn't match the fun and pure joy of just hanging out together. We're pretty much together 24/7, but there are always things to do, appointments, etc. This was a day with nothing scheduled and jam-packed with conversation resulting from multiple trips down Memory Lane. Sheila and I have been active in each other's lives for seventeen years. "We've packed in a lot of great memories over such a short time," she said while floating in the pool. And as time seems to fly by at warp speed, the appreciation for all the laughs and tears gets more and more intense. I found another quote that sums it all up: "The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Hans Hofmann So many of us waste so much time making things more complicated than they need to be. The "necessary" of yesterday was all about savoring time and our appreciation for life and each other. Going out to dinner would have only cramped our style and limited the fun of a memory-making anniversary focused on our time together. Our favorite memories have been built on a foundation of simplicity.
Wishing all of you a day ahead that runs on simplicity. Put the complications of life on the back-burner. So often, we make life more complicated than it has to be. We forget that the people we love the most also appreciate simplicity. They want to cherish time together, just like we do. And those eleven-second therapeutic hugs are even better with the people you love the most. Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. by Skip Cohen
Sometimes, the challenge of running a business is a real-life puzzle. Each piece is unique and often requires a slightly different skill to visualize and then put in its place. All along the way, it's like running an obstacle course with speed bumps that slow you down. I've been working on an entirely new program for my upcoming keynote at ClickCon. I've done hundreds of programs over my career, but this one is special because I want it to be a retrospective about the people and events that have contributed to the industry's growth, as well as my own. Ever put so much thought into a project that you can rarely think of anything else? Well, I needed a break and decided to catch up on email. I found a message from a photographer asking my advice to jumpstart a business that's been slowing down. The company has had its ups and downs, but it's slowed down so much that how to build it back up has become critical. She wrote: ...Had some great years and terrible ones. We are ready to give up and close with nothing to fall back on and no retirement. There are so many of you who have experienced this kind of frustration. That old line of, if you build it, they well come, just isn't true. You built it, but they're not coming! Sound familiar? Every business is unique, along with many of the challenges - but there are some common denominators. First is the level of frustration at simply not knowing what to do. Second is believing your situation is so unique that you think you're alone. Last but not least is that point where you just want to pull the blanket over your head and go back to sleep - you just want to give up. We've all been through it. There isn't a business owner on the planet who hasn't experienced the challenge of not knowing how to fix something in their business or career. The challenge isn't in finding a solution; it's in recognizing all the ways you can pull out of the downward spiral and bring optimism back to the forefront. Here's my point - just like "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" - it's time to phone a friend. Your frustration is amplified because we're all too close to our own business. You're not looking at the goldmine you're sitting on of past clients, your network, including associates and friends, the resources at your fingertips, or your skill set. You're trapped in a DIY mentality when all it takes is asking for help and a pair of fresh eyes to help you through the maze. I fell in love with scuba diving in the 90s and the one rule NEVER compromised is that you ALWAYS dive with a buddy. You never hit the ocean alone. So, if you're frustrated because the business isn't growing as you had hoped - then step back. Pull yourself away from work for an hour, a day, whatever it takes to clear your head. Then, jump back in, but with a "buddy." Obviously, "buddy" is a metaphor for getting some help. Your "buddy" is everyone and everything you have to get the help you need. A buddy can be a friend or associate, a knucklehead like me, or a conference like ClickCon. Before you accuse me of twisting my point to turn this into an infomercial for a convention - attending every workshop and conference you can is how you build your network. It's how you can recharge your battery before you crash and burn! It's how you get new ideas because everyone has gone through so many of the same challenges. Take a look at your "village." If you're stuck on a challenge and need a solution, bring in fresh eyes and get some new ideas on the changes you need. And don't forget: Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was your career. Not everything you implement will always work, but that's not the point. Success is about keeping your passion for the craft alive and growing as a business owner and artist. Remember, as I've written in the past, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it. Step back, hit the reset button, utilize your network, and then make the changes you need to grow. Stop thinking you're alone! A dog is the only thing that can mend a crack in your broken heart. Judy Desmond ![]() by Skip Cohen It's Sunday, and as usual, I'm far from writing about business and marketing. I usually start thinking about what I'm going to write about as I wake up. Lying in bed in the stillness of the morning, just as the sun is coming up, is when the gears of what's on my mind start turning. This morning, I was distracted by hearing Belle "singing" to Lucy from their bed on the other side of the house. It made me smile, and that's when I knew exactly what I wanted to share today. I've always loved dogs, but when I had to let go of Molly, I never thought I'd let a fur ball back into my heart, let alone two pups. For months after losing her, I'd stop and stare at this picture Vanelli took of the two of us four months before she died. And then, one day, Sheila suggested it was time to bring a dog back into the family - but she wanted two pups. ![]() Lucy and Belle joined the family in November of 2019. Four months later, we were all hunkered down with the pandemic. Those first few months were the toughest, as I wondered whatever gave us the idea that we could handle the stress and energy it took for puppies at our age. LOL In July, Lucy and Belle will both turn five. They were born three days apart and have been together 24/7 since they were four months old. They make us laugh every day, and as so many of you understand, they're part of the family just as much as we are! Last weekend, we were at friends' for the day, and the girls were invited to join us. They hung out by the pool with us, and if they could talk, they would probably have participated in the conversation. At one point, I started clowning around with Lucy, trying to picture getting her ears cropped so she could think she was a Doberman! One click of the shutter and the moment was captured forever. Here's my point this Sunday morning - Sometime in life's journey, we became a dog family, which is much more intense than just having a dog. The pups have traveled with us, and when they're not along, we can't wait to get home to their wagging tails. They know when we're stressed, frustrated, or simply not feeling good. They're non-stop snugglers and no matter what the weather is outside - the sun is always shining with Lucy and Belle. Wishing you a day ahead filled with the same unconditional love that dogs bring to our lives. Andy Rooney once said, "The average dog is a nicer person than the average person." Make a few great memories with your pup today, and sure, go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about with a fur ball. I guarantee you won't get away with eleven seconds once you start. Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. **Roger Caras from Goodreads.com “Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day. It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”
John Grogan ![]() by Skip Cohen Celebrating with the class of 2025 might seem like a long time away, but marketing for next year's graduation class needs to start now! In fact, in some communities, you might already be late. Breaking into the senior market isn't easy. It takes consistency, solid technical skills, and even greater personal communication skills. For many of next year's seniors, their portrait session may be their first time working with a professional photographer. But if you build the relationship right, there's a strong possibility you'll see your senior subject again: seniors grow up, get jobs, get married, and most start families. All along the way, there are opportunities for support from the imaging community. In addition to capturing beautiful images, today's seniors give you an opportunity to capture their personalities. I'm so proud of what today's photographers are capturing. Unlike our (me and Sheila) graduation shots, where everybody was essentially dressed the same—guys with a jacket and tie, girls with a crew-neck sweater—there was only one photograph available—no personality captured, just a headshot. The other significant change is in the marketing tools for the class of 2025! Nobody does it better than Marathon, and there's a program going on right now that brings together all the different aspects of marketing to next year's senior class in their Power of 3 program. Whether you currently photograph seniors or you're considering a new extension of your business for the future, click on the banner below and, at the very least, learn about Marathon's program. Even better, give them a call and find out how to use Marathon's marketing expertise for you! by Skip Cohen
I know I shared this almost ten years ago, but there's no expiration date on great memories or friendships. That's me in the middle, flanked by two of my best buddies, Terry Deglau and Don Blair at dinner one night at WPPI 2002. I always start out on Throwback Thursday with a little reflection time. Great memories and friends deserve a look in the rearview mirror! A group of us had dinner together that night at Emeril's at the MGM, and I'm not sure who to thank for this grab shot. It will never win an award for composition, but it sure wins an award for a stellar moment and great memories. Don passed away in September 2004, and Terry in 2019, but the influence both of them had on my life continues to be present. It's bittersweet when you look back on people you've loved, but they're no longer here. Bitter, obviously because of their absence, but sweet because of the memories. And with these two knuckleheads, I've got so many stories, smiles, and laughs. The fourth musketeer was Tony Corbell, and I'm guessing he was the one who grabbed the shot. Every Throwback Thursday I hit you with the same suggestion. Grab a cup of coffee and take a few minutes to go through your old files, shoeboxes, albums - any place you have old images stashed. It's incredible the smiles and even a few tears those images will create. Nothing beats the power of photography to bring back great moments from our past and simply make your heart soar! by Skip Cohen Last night I did an online program on Zoom for the Professional Photographers of Michigan. Asked to do a marketing business program, I pulled out all the stops and put together a presentation that lasted almost two hours. It's been a while since I did an online program, but it's like riding a bike - you get into the groove and then go with it. But there are a few random things I want to share: Flying Solo: One of the points I wanted to make was to remind everyone they don't have to always fly solo. Sometimes, working alone is the quickest way to get something done, but there are so many opportunities to work together. And the supply of partners is so extensive, from vendors and retailers to other artists. Working together builds creativity, reduces costs, and increases reach. If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together – African Proverb Rocket Science? With the exception of understanding SEO and taking full advantage of ways to keep your message out there, nothing in business and marketing is rocket science. Successful marketing and running a business takes discipline, continuously analyzing each aspect of your operation, and then fine-tuning for more effectiveness. Is Blogging Still Effective? I'm a huge fan of how blogging can help you build your business, and I have never stopped believing that a good blog is an asset and worth your time. Knowing that a lot of people feel blogging is dead, I went off in search of more data through Google. I found a lot of different articles in support, like the piece below from Lyon Content. ![]() Death by Powerpoint? Doing a presentation like I did last night becomes a challenge to keep from killing your audience! LOL. You can't present a program about marketing and business online without the visual support to back up the story you're trying to tell. Hopefully, it flowed for the audience as well as I felt the subjects were covered in my presentation. I was primarily focused on breaking things up with a few stories, jokes, one-line motivators and a never-ending connection to some well respected contemporary photographers. Continued Education: While I know I covered the topic well last night, live programming at a conference or workshop is still the most effective way to raise the bar on so many different skills. ClickCon is coming to Detroit at the end of July, and I probably came on a little strong with the audience to attend - after all, it's in their backyard. But a great conference isn't just about improving your skill set - it's about networking, exchanging information, fine-tuning various skills in lighting, posing, and overall technique, and most of all, FUN! I'm not sure when "FUN" became sort of a dirty word - as if having fun takes away from your effectiveness as a business owner. There are plenty of things we all have to do that aren't fun...but when it comes to building brand awareness, it takes integrity, quality, passion, focus, and it's got to make you smile - FUN. As I've written so many times, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it. A BIG thanks to the members of PP of MI for inviting me last night, and a reminder - you know where to find me if I can ever help with anything. I'm your biggest fan and if you need a sounding board for upcoming projects, you've got my number! And to my readers, wherever you might be - hope you can make it to ClickCon at the end of July - It's going to be a great conference with lots of time to learn, network, fine-tune your skills and oh yeah...HAVE FUN! I'm the opening act on Monday evening, July 29. I'm working on an all new program and promise it'll be FUN...and worth your time! by Skip Cohen When I start writing on Sunday mornings, I always feel compelled to warn you - I'm way off the topic of business and marketing. And today, Father's Day brings out a lot of personal stuff - many of which the "experts" say is inappropriate to share on social media. Oops! LOL I want to kick off today with a BIG Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. According to Google, there are an estimated seventy-two million Dads across the US. I wish you all a day with smiles and moments when your heart screams louder than your kids when they were little. And to you new Dads out there, cherish every minute because you wake up one day and they're grown - You don't want to feel like the lyrics in a Harry Chapin song. Next comes looking back on my own life as a Dad. When I was twelve and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd always answer the same way: "A DAD!" Well, my wish came true, and although I'm estranged from my kids today, nothing changes the smile that comes from the memories of watching them grow up. And to my own Dad, who passed away almost nine years ago, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. Poor Sheila's heard every story and still laughs over the best ones. They're all classics, each one representing your love for your family, your humor and your ability to laugh until you cried! I sure miss you Pop. It's a perfect day to share a guest post Dad wrote for me in 2010. Just Keep Your Eye On the Left Front Fender by Skip's Dad![]() 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 Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday and Father's Day. I hope you get the time to create a few new memories to cherish and savor in the future. Go for those eleven-second hugs with your family and if get time to kick back and just chill - take a look in your rearview mirror and notice how your kids seemed to have grown up overnight!
Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. "This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect." Jodi Picoult by Skip Cohen
I know I shared this many years ago, but the fun of Throwback Thursday is based on no image or story having an expiration date! And looking back, I never shared the best memory of the trip above. It was around 1996 in Bonaire. Starting at the top, is Bob Thompson, me, Duncan MacNab, and Tom Danielson at the bottom. In the early 90s, I got my scuba certification, and that was it - I WAS HOOKED. Somebody once told me, "Diving isn't a hobby; it's a sickness!" But the best memories are what Throwback Thursday is all about. During a PPA Advisory Board meeting earlier that year, Mark Roberts, then chairman, told me that due to Boyles Law of Inert Gases, when scuba diving, it was impossible to fart beyond one atmosphere (30 feet down). I have no idea how the topic came up, but I took that as a personal challenge - boys will be boys! But the sidebar to the story is that I started getting calls from people who wanted me to know they had money bet on my skills. People I didn't even know were placing bets on my ability to defy science! Of course, none of us cared to even check on what Boyles Law really stated—a bet was a bet. It was the adult version of the kids on Christmas Story, and I had been triple-dog dared! On this trip to Bonaire, I brought my own personal kit of gas-inducing delectables: beef jerky, pickled Brussel sprouts, and jalapeño stuffed olives. Determined to prove Mark wrong, I started to prepare shortly after breakfast. About an hour before we hit the water, I ate a little of each delight - the countdown had started! I remember feeling inspired: Our depth was around 45ft., and I banged on my tank to get Bob Thompson's attention. My Boyle's Law-defying fart had stepped onto the ocean's stage, but Bob didn't see it...Like a cartoon character with the light bulb above my head, I realized why - I had on a wetsuit. I turned upside down, and the bubbles came out of my ankles. Bob was laughing so hard, I could hear him underwater. While my buoyancy got a little screwed up, looking at our gauges, I was at 37 ft! I had proven Mark Roberts wrong and secured my reputation as a legend of the sea. If you haven't already done so, take the time regularly to pull out old photographs and videos. I know I promised not to use Jodi Picoult's quote so often, but it's the only one that fits! And those poignant looks in your rearview mirror are powerful reminders of what we do as an industry - we help the world capture memories. "Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice!" ![]() by Skip Cohen Five years ago, I ran a series of weekly tips to help you run a more successful business. Wandering through my archives this morning, it hit me that this post from that series is even more relevant today. We live in a world that's become so polarized over virtually any topic, and the quote above, by Steve Jobs, is right on target. Let's get rid of the "Negators" in our life. Just in case you don't understand how I'm using the word, it's my favorite word for all those people who tell us why we can't or shouldn't do something! They're the ultimate right-fighters, sure that their opinion is the only one with any accuracy. They seem to live for the opportunity to wait for you to fail so they can proclaim they saw it coming! I'm staying away from all the issues we face today outside of business and focusing on imaging. Photography is an art form often misunderstood, especially by family members and friends. They don't understand your passion. They assume you're going to starve in the process. They may never have seen your work and question whether or not you're good enough. They don't understand why you can't just go out and get a "real job"! Sound familiar? On the old GoingPro podcasts, Scott Bourne and I talked a lot about surrounding yourself with people with positive attitudes. You need to block out the "Negators." It's not out of Greek mythology, but it should be. Negators are people who are so unhappy in their own lives; their only joy in life is screwing with yours! The result is most often serious damage to your self-confidence. So, let's come up with a few things to help you stay focused, pun intended, and give you a little reinforcement. You know how to focus your camera, but do you know how to hold the focus on your career path?
We're out of the "slow season," and Spring seasonality is just about over. You've got the best part of the year ahead of you. It's time to really dig into your journey. And if you need a little help from one of the industry's biggest cheerleaders - you know where to find me! ![]() by Skip Cohen While we've all grown up with the lesson, don't judge a book by its cover; most of us still do when it comes to businesses. Whether a bricks-and-mortar establishment, website, or your social media real estate - it's what people see that most often creates that critical first impression. It's Marketing Monday, and while I've missed a couple in the last few weeks, we're down to the wire regarding Spring seasonality. Father's Day is next weekend, and then we head into summer. Things slow down a little for many of the specialties, but that doesn't mean you should. Every day, you've got opportunities to fine-tune other aspects to grow brand awareness. Most of us are familiar with magazines like Highlights for Children. Every issue always had an illustration or photograph with the question, "What's wrong with this picture?" I remember sitting with my kids and helping them look for the mistakes. Well, I visit hundreds of photographers' websites every week, and so many don't seriously examine their branding—it's the adult version of "What's wrong in this picture?" Even their headshots don't match the professionalism they're trying to convey. Seriously, what does a bad headshot say about a portrait artist? So many times, I've looked at a site that's the equivalent of a patchwork quilt put together by somebody who's colorblind. Nothing matches! Combine that with difficult navigation, unnecessary policy statements, and an abundance of mediocre images, and it's simply not a fun experience for people to visit the website. A few years ago, when doing a supporting video for a magazine I was writing for on this same topic, I made sure nothing I was wearing matched. I don't know if it worked to make my point about continuity and design, but it sure had Sheila and laughing! Think about the "golden arches" for a second - we know exactly what that logo represents and that it's McDonald's. You're competing for the same recognition, just in a smaller space. Your competitors are every company making noise to your target audience at the same time you're trying to reach them. That means your website, blog, social media "real estate," business cards, stationery, brochures, and anything I missed must have the same strong look and feel. Continuity doesn't stop with the design of all these components but continues with your tone and text. For example, I'm a big fan of first-person About pages. Yet, so many of you talk about yourself in the third person and will often switch to the first person. Stay with the first person and write it like an artist's statement from your heart. Share your passion for the craft and working with people instead of describing yourself while having an out-of-body experience! It's a really simple message today - take the time to review all the building blocks of your business, especially your site, social media real estate, YouTube channel if you have one and blog. Remember, for any of you in the wedding and portrait side of the business, women make 98% of the purchase decisions. That means your site needs to have appeal to the female shopper, especially MOM! And if you want advice on how to always look sharp, no matter what the situation, I'm thinking about starting a business as a wardrobe stylist! |
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