by Skip Cohen

"Group f/64 was a group founded by seven 20th-century San Francisco Bay Area photographers who shared a common photographic style characterized by sharply focused and carefully framed images..." Wikipedia
 
We're trying to do the same thing, and at least help you bring the challenges of doing business today as a photographer into sharper focus and develop a framework to stay in business. We want to help you adjust to the new business environment and, at the same time, be ready to hit the ground running when the pandemic is over.

After five "lunches" in a row last week, we're rolling the program over to Wednesdays. Join us tomorrow, when three of the industry's most recognized women join us for a discussion on how they're making the most out the downtime.

The challenges of the pandemic has changed all of our lives. Sadly, too many artists have taken the expression "hunker down" too literally. Frustrated, and not knowing what to do, they've walked away from their business. 

We're going to be sharing great ideas on things you can be doing right now to maintain contact with your clients, expand your skill set, and build new relationships. Knowing the personalities of our guests I can guarantee plenty of great ideas to help you get back on track.

If you missed the previous programs last week, you'll find them all, just a click away on YouTube.

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Intro by Chamira Young

Today we want to give you a quick dose of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing. It's always a fantastic idea to see what other photographers are producing along with the equipment they're using! The right glass combined with a transformative vision can bring your work up to the next level. 
​
We're excited to feature mountain biker Mitchell Bryan. Shot with Tamron's SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 on Canon's mirrorless R camera, you almost feel like you're riding through the mountains alongside him. 

​It's also worth mentioning that this outstanding lens is part of Tamron's Spring into Savings Rebate program where you can save up to $200 on select lenses for a limited time. Don't miss out!

Check out the video below and get ready to be inspired!

by Skip Cohen 

Last summer Chamira Young and I did a podcast with Gareth Rockliffe on "Beyond Technique." He talked about the way we start out in life and as we grow older, we expand our creativity. He then compared life to being a photographer. Everyone starts out shooting in "P" mode and later develops the skills to use "A","S" and "M." 

This is a time in history when, as an artist, you need to find ways to make yourself different. You've got to get out of "P" mode, both literally and figuratively. For example, there are too many photographers who have taken shelter in place to mean everything, including their skillset, marketing, and business.

It's Mirrorless Monday, and Mark Toal is taking us out of "P" mode and in a new direction for most of you. He's sharing some great information on how to set your camera up for time-lapse photography.

Check out more of Mark Toal's work witha visit to his website and blogs. Then follow the LUMIX Ambassador team. The group is one of the most diverse and creative teams in photography, and all the ambassadors should be on your radar. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much great content they share.

And in terms of taking full advantage of the time you've got on your hands now - One way to start is to make a list of everything you've always wanted to practice and learn but never had the time. We're stuck in a new way of living, and none of us know whose crystal ball is more accurate in when the pandemic will end.

​But one thing we all can agree on - there's time to do a lot of new things! 

Mark's shooting with a LUMIX G9, one of my most favorite cameras. Just click on the thumbnails below for more information.

by Mark Toal
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I’m trying to think of things that I’ve been putting off doing and time lapse photography came to mind. I fell in love with time-lapse a couple of years ago when I made this video about how to set up time lapse in Panasonic Lumix cameras.

It’s perfect for this time since all you need is a camera, tripod and time, which we all have right now. In this video I use a Lumix G9, but almost all current Lumix cameras and many other brands have this feature built in.

I shared the time lapse video below which Mark created a few years back. It's a different application from the video above, but makes the point about a technique so many of you should add to your skillset for the future.

​by Skip Cohen

After almost three weeks of self-quarantine, we're settling into what's fast becoming the new normal. If you're like me, defining "normal" includes anxiety, frustration, disbelief, and a complete change in my outlook on life. Getting out is now defined as a fast run to the market, social distancing, and paranoia, followed by hand-sanitizer, not touching my face and washing my hands before and after the groceries are unpacked!

I hate it; you hate it; we ALL hate it, but that doesn't mean we can't get through this and live wonderfully fulfilling lives! That old African proverb above sure seems to fit. Whether you've ever learned to sail or not, when this thing is over, we'll all be qualified to sail in the America's Cup!

This week, thanks to some great friends, we launched the f64 Lunch Bunch, an online get-together to talk about the change in business as a result of the pandemic. In every show the topic came up of the importance of remembering you're not alone. In fact, for the first time, certainly, in our history, the world is in this together.

Despite the pain of feeling isolated, there are a few things I've discovered to help get through it all.

• Pick up the phone and call somebody you care about. They'll almost ALWAYS answer because everybody is home and struggling to maintain their sanity.
• Facebook has become incredibly valuable to stay in touch. 
• I take nothing for granted these days and appreciate the simplest things. In other words, it doesn't take much to make me smile.
• We haven't watch the news for the last two days, and it's invigorating!
• I've got time to kick back and zone out. There's no telling where my mind might go, although I have to work to keep it focused on the positive and not get dragged down by the media.

Yesterday Sheila and I had a great day, not because of anything incredible we did, but because the two of us embraced a moment of being cool, calm, and collected. We found time to laugh! The weather's almost summer-like. I made a plate of nachos and a batch of Margaritas. We sat by the pool with a drink and munchies while the pups chased each other and wrestled.

I know we're lucky to have the weather on our side, and like so many homes in Florida, we have a pool. Wherever you are there's something you used to do at home that was fun and brought a smile to your face. That was us yesterday, and it was energizing. I'm not saying I'm not afraid, or that I have a handle on my fears, but if I make an effort I can lock the Boogie Man in the closet for hours at a time. And, when I'm in touch with being grateful for my life, there's very little that changes the Alfred E. Neuman smile on my face. (If you don't understand that last sentence, call somebody over forty.)

When my Dad was dealing with my Mom's Alzheimer's, she would come in and out of the clouds with a lucid moment. Dad would say, whenever those moments came, he was going to squeeze every drop of joy he could get out of them. He saved every one of those drops and drew from them whenever he had to deal with his sadness.
 
I guess that's what I'm trying to do now. We're safe for today, and all we can do is take it one day at a time. I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring, but I do know if I let depression get hold of my heart, the virus wins. It's not easy, but we're all in this together.

So, pick up the phone and check in on an old friend. Cherish whoever's in your life right now. Smile over your love for helping people capture memories, but remember to check in on the stash of memories you've captured for yourself. Right now, they might be buried under a ton of emotional garbage, but take the time dig them out - it's so worth it, and it can start by just looking through files of images back in the days when Corona meant a cold beer!

Wishing everybody a day filled with memories, conversations with friends you've lost touch with, and a long hug if you're quarantined with your family, and a virtual hug in cyberspace if you're flying solo.

Oh, and apologies to my followers who heard me quote Sargeant Esterhaus and credit the wrong TV show. It was Michael Conrad on Hill Street Blues!

Happy Sunday, everybody - stay safe, healthy, and be careful out there.

by Skip Cohen

"Group f/64 was a group founded by seven 20th-century San Francisco Bay Area photographers who shared a common photographic style characterized by sharply focused and carefully framed images..." Wikipedia

Yesterday was day five for the f64 Lunch Bunch, and once again, there was a lot of good solid content shared. Plus, questions from the attendees created more ideas and food for thought as we all work to find some acceptable level of normalcy in dealing with social distancing.

Sadly, as I've written a few times, there are still too many photographers who have taken shelter in place to mean EVERYTHING. It's intended to help you protect yourself, your family and slow down the spread of the virus, NOT apply to every aspect of your business. You can maintain social distancing in cyberspace and still keep in touch with your clients and the needs of your community.   ​
 
Joe McNally joined us yesterday for day 5 of the Lunch Bunch. The YouTube video is below. He shared a lot of great insight into the impact the pandemic has had on our lives and thoughts on taking advantage of the downtime. 

There was a lot of additional content shared at yesterday's "lunch." Rather than just giving you the links, I decided to give you a screenshot of where the link is taking you. Each banner below is a live link, making it even easier for you to get to each resource. Just click any banner to visit the website we were sharing.

Last but not least are all you fans who became attendees this week. As I've said every day - we'll get through this, but in the meantime, keep sharing your ideas, stay healthy, and "Be careful out there!"

Join us for lunch on Wednesday, April 1, at 2:00 pm for the next​ f64 Lunch Bunch. The link to join is below, and I can promise you some fun surprises. Remember "fun?" It's a word that's been a little lost for all of us lately, but together we can get it back!

by Skip Cohen

This is an incredibly difficult time for all of us, especially photographers. Sadly, I'm hearing people who are sheltering in place with EVERYTHING, including their business and client relationships. Now is the time that social media can play it's most significant role ever in helping you maintain your presence and brand awareness.
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As I've written so many times before - your website is about what you sell, but your blog is about what's in your heart. So...USE YOUR BLOG to maintain contact with your clients. We're all in this together, and you've got a unique opportunity to be more helpful than at any time in the past.

The other day during the conversation with the f64 Lunch Bunch I mentioned sharing ideas on blog content. So, here's a starting list of topics, and I'll keep adding to it in the days ahead.
​

• From one of the attendees with us at the lunch bunch: Convert your images to line art and send them to your clients for the kids to use as coloring book pages. (I love this one because kids are stuck at home with their parents and little to do. If you're a children and family photographer, then you've got images from past sittings to share with your clients - customized just for them!)
• Build a community calendar - Plenty of events have been canceled, but there are also plenty that have moved to cyberspace. Share the information with your readers.
• Share the Joy! This one came from Anne Geddes in yesterday's Lunch Bunch segment. She started requesting images from people that meant JOY. You've got a chance to do the same in your community and on your blog, Instagram page, and Facebook.
• Photo Tips - there are things you do every day that can help Mom and Dad become better photographers. Share a different idea each post about exposure, composition, posing, fill-flash, etc.
• Great places to photograph - share places in your community you like to photograph. 
• Gift ideas - you might be tired of canvas prints, but your clients aren't. Call your lab and ask, "What's new?" Personally, I love Bay Photo's Performance EXT Metal prints, and I've had a 30x40 sunset shot hanging in the sun and rain, outside by our pool for 18 months, and it's as beautiful as the day I took it out of the box. And check out Marathon's Bella Art Prints - they're knocking it out of the park with a growing selection of papers.
• Technology updates: Be a resource to your readers. What's new they might enjoy hearing about while they're hunkered down.
• Your favorite charity - the events might be postponed but not the need for the services they've been supporting.
• Important camera gear - This is a little more for the advanced reader, but again, you're the expert.
• Profiles in your community - share stories about people in your community.
• Pets of the community - Pets are always a strong subject and people love sharing and talking about them.
• Photo tips for kids - the kids are home - so give kids ideas on things to photograph. You might even want to set up a photo contest.
• Holiday Cards - it's early, but is it really? Now's a good time to get Mom thinking about images for her family cards this year.
• Stationery - images for thank you notes are ideal and something to design now. You've got the background to give them tips.
• How to be a storyteller - share ideas on how to tell a story with images.
• Slideshows - Pick a topic that's current now - it could be something as simple as cooking a family dinner together when everybody is stuck inside. 
• Throwback Thursday - I love Throwback images. Use them to remind your readers not just of better times, but how they'll come back. And this is a great way to remind Mom it's time for an updated family portrait.

This list is hardly all-inclusive, but it should give you a starting point to use some of this downtime to build content for the pipeline. When you've got a dozen posts ready to go...then start posting at least twice a week.

We'll get through this mess, and business and life will come back to some level of normalcy. In the meantime, you can be a leader in your community, and it's really simple - just be helpful!

by Skip Cohen

"Group f/64 was a group founded by seven 20th-century San Francisco Bay Area photographers who shared a common photographic style characterized by sharply focused and carefully framed images..." Wikipedia

And just like the original f/64 group, we started the Lunch Bunch to help you with ideas to sharpen the focus on your business and establish a more robust framework for the future. We've got only one goal - to plant a few seeds to help you grow during this challenging downtime. 

There are too many of you who have taken shelter in place to mean EVERYTHING. It's intended to help you protect yourself and your family, NOT apply to every aspect of your business. This is our fourth program in the series, and each one has been jam-packed with great content and more ideas to raise the bar on your skillset, be involved in the community, expand your reach with your blog and relationship building...and the list goes on and on.  ​
 
Anne Geddes joined us yesterday for day 4 of the Lunch Bunch. The YouTube video is below. She shared a lot of inspirational insight to help you find those nuggets of joy so important to keep your heart in the game! 

Join us today at 2:00 PM EST when Joe McNally joins the Lunch Bunch. Don't miss the opportunity to pick up new ideas to help make the most of this time when your business has changed so dramatically. Click on the button below at 1:55 pm EST - we always get the room opened early. Who said there's no such thing as a free lunch?

by Skip Cohen
  
​This is going to be a strange year for members of the class of 2020. With graduation typically just 7-10 weeks away, there's a good chance very little will be happening in terms of significant events wrapping up their high school education.

That means those of you who are senior photographers have a huge responsibility to help the class of 2020 enhance the celebration as much as possible. While this post is an infomercial for Marathon's BOGO program on grad cards, it's got a much higher purpose - to help build your brand for future grads and, at the same time, help parents find other ways to celebrate and share their pride.

I'm a big fan of grad cards and how they can be used to celebrate, spread the news and, despite the current pandemic, recognize the accomplishments of today's seniors. It all starts with your grad card sales kits, giving you everything you need to help this year's class and their parents design a unique announcement.

The design options are infinite, with 50 different basic designs, five foil options, color combinations, paper choices, and the list goes on and on. And, to help you through the process, Marathon's staff is there to help. They're open and in production. 

At a time when everyone is looking for ways to maintain some level of normalcy in business, grad cards represent one of the best tools you have to help families celebrate and appreciate images you captured and created before Covid-19 changed their lives.

Think back to the pride you had in the quality of the senior portraits you captured initially. Now it's time to put them to the very best use and create more ways to share the memories!

Click on any image in this post to link to Marathon's Grad Card promotion, and don't forget BOGO pricing helps your profitability, giving you more flexibility in what you offer your clients.

by Skip Cohen

"Group f/64 was a group founded by seven 20th-century San Francisco Bay Area photographers who shared a common photographic style characterized by sharply focused and carefully framed images..." Wikipedia

Like the characteristics of the great f/64 photographers in the early 1900s, we started the f64 Lunch Bunch to help with ideas to sharpen the focus on your business and establish a stronger framework for the future. We've got only one goal - to plant a few seeds to help you grow during this challenging downtime. 

We're all in this together. We have no choice but to shelter in place, but that doesn't mean shelter in place from your business, raising the bar on your skillset, building marketing plans for the near future, or helping your community. 

Jen Rozenbaum joined us yesterday for day 3 of the Lunch Bunch. The YouTube video is below. You'll immediately understand what makes Jen's style of teaching and especially her outlook on life so incredible. She shared a lot of great insight to help you fine-tune your skillset during downtime, stay involved in your community, and be prepared to hit the ground running when this is over.

by Skip Cohen
 
With all but one episode of "Beyond Technique," we've always had a guest. However, this time around, Chamira Young and I wanted to host a very different kind of conversation. We tried to pack as many ideas as we could in our 30-40 minute window to help you think about being proactive in your business right now.

The pandemic has left us all with the look and feel of a deer caught in your headlights. But as the reality of the new norm of social distancing and anxiety sets in, too many artists have taken the directive of "shelter in place" to mean everything in their lives, including their business, marketing, and skillset.

So, Chamira and I took a shot at packing in a dozen or so ideas for you to consider doing during this downtime. They're not unique, and they clearly take up time...but time is what we've all got. There's an ongoing argument between the media, the CDC, the politicians and "doom and gloomers" over whose crystal ball is more accurate in how long this is going to last. It doesn't matter; we've all got to do everything to protect ourselves and our families for an extended period of time.

The silver-lining in these difficult times is there's so much you can be doing to raise the bar on your skill set, stay involved in your community, build a better blog, plan your marketing programs for when things get better, and the list goes on and on.

Just remember one crucial thing - you're not alone. We're all in this together, and this has always been an industry where we watch each other's backs and share ideas.

​Beyond Technique brings you a different perspective each month about business, imaging and sometimes even life. It's a lot like Platypod's goal to keep giving photographers a different perspective and more creative tools to their skillset.​ 
 
From the Ultra and Max Platypods to great accessories like the new goosenecks and multi-accessory kit, they never slow down on developing new products.

Right now the Max-Macro Bundle is one of their very best sellers and is on sale. Fine-tuning your skillset in macro and closeup photography is ideal during the downtime at home.
 
As always a BIG thanks to Photofocus.com for sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business, Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away.

​

​by Skip Cohen

Yesterday during the f64 Lunch Bunch, the topic of depression and anxiety came up. Everyone is feeling it, some far more than others. For me, my emotions up until recently have been a rollercoaster surpassing the highs and lows of any ride Disney ever created. While I still have moments of anxiety, they're getting farther and farther apart, like speed bumps in a quiet neighborhood.

Well, here's my recipe...
​

• Every day starts with music. We've got five Alexas in the house all programmed to the "Everywhere" group. Sheila's found some wonderful soft, smooth jazz that comes on right after we bring the puppies in at 7:00 am and it's on all day.
• My first stop in my office is wandering through my imaging files. I scroll back a few years and just take ten minutes or so, looking at old photographs.
• The next stop is email, just to see if there's anything urgent pending; then a look at my calendar for the day; then, my white-board to see what projects are in the pipeline.
• Around 9:00 am, we go out for our morning walk around the neighborhood. 
• Right after breakfast together, one of Melody Beattie's books come out, and we'll read whatever her message is for that specific day. You've got to feed your brain and soul - not just your stomach.
• After breakfast, the day is off and running with whatever's on my agenda.

The rest of the day is a repeat of short conversations with Sheila, time with the puppies, short breaks whenever I need to step away from what I'm working on. Sprinkled here and there are phone calls with friends, especially people I haven't caught up to recently. Some calls are long catch-ups, others just short to see how a friend is holding up. 

And, when I do feel overly concerned, I'll call a friend to calm me down. Who I call is directly related to the topic stirring up my anxious gene! For example, "Dr. T," in addition to being the inventor and founder of Platypod, is a full-time pediatrician in New Jersey and has become a very good friend. Being in the medical profession, he's on the frontline of the most accurate information. Plus, he's one of those people who has a personality build on a foundation of staying calm.

Throughout the day I catch up on my reading. Our son sent me an article this morning that's worth sharing. "COVID-19: interesting data from Korea and from the Diamond Princess." I'm just sharing one paragraph that helps make the point.

But the Diamond Princess cruise ship offers an interesting insight. It had nearly 4,000 people on board—many of them in risk groups. (Somebody who used to perform aboard cruise ships quipped that passengers are mostly "the newlywed and the nearly dead" ;)) You'd expect these packed together on a ship in quarantine to be all infecting each others. And yet...4,061 passengers and crew were examined, on board what effectively became an unintentional virus incubator. Only 712 contracted the virus (about 17.5%), of which 334 asymptomatic (8.2% of the total), leaving 378 (9.3% of the total) ill. Only 7 people died (1.85% of those ill, or 0.17% of all passengers and crew examined), all of them age 70 or older. (Remember, the passenger population is skewed toward the elderly.)

And that brings me to one of the most important ingredients to staying calm - stop being obsessed with the news! Sheila and I stopped watching most of the news years ago. We'd record World News with David Muir and then fast forward through everything political because none of us will ever know the truth. Now with the news being all about Covid-19, that fast forward button is getting worn out. 

We're paying attention and following all the various directives from the health organizations. We're staying home and only going out when absolutely necessary. We wash our hands regularly and even packages from Amazon get opened outside. One of my best friends wrote:

Let's get on the other side of this pandemic together... And hopefully we are collectively more wise and ready for the next one. And not listening to the paid doctors of MSNBC as much as the CDC folks who dedicate their lives to solving these problems.  

And one last ingredient - get out with your camera! Regardless off your business focus, we've all missed Spring! Looking for a moment of tranquility? Nothing beats a camera in your hands. And for those of you who think my sunset shot above was easy, after all, I live in Florida near the ocean, think again. That's Lake Erie in my home town of Painesville, Ohio, a couple of years ago.

We'll all get through this if we just stay focused. Our lives, the stock market, and the future will reset. It won't be easy, but when did anything worth having come easy?

by Skip Cohen

​​A fun aspect of putting together each new Tamron Recipes episode has been the search for a quote that seems to fit each new "chef." I didn't know Jamie Malcolm-Brown before my introductory phone call to him. We had a great conversation about his work and the concept behind Recipes. 

The more we talked, and the more of his work I looked at on Instagram and his website, the more I realized the value of his diversity. He's in love with two completely different genres within imaging - landscape and people. As a landscape photographer, there's a level of solitude as an individual contributor, but it's just the opposite in weddings and portraits. So, relationship building became a topic in our conversation during the podcast, and the more we talked, the more the quote I found seemed to fit Jamie's focus as an artist.  

Jamie shares a lot of great insight in this new podcast, and it's all at a time where we're all in this challenging state of suspension, social distancing, and hunkering down. While Jamie's wedding and portrait business may be on hold, his life as a landscape artist is not. His images speak volumes as both an artist on land and in the air with a drone. He's giving us a different perspective on the world, and like macro photography, it's a view most of us never see until an artist like Jamie shares his vision!
 
It was no easy task picking images from Jamie's galleries on both his website and Instagram pages. Click on any of his images in this post to visit his Instagram page. Then, follow him and be prepared to look at photograph after photograph that only Jamie and Mother Nature could create. 

"Chef" Jamie's recipe is a click away if you missed it when it was posted last Tuesday. And for more information on Tamron's 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 lens, click on the banner below. 

This is an incredibly challenging time for all of us in this industry. But what I love about landscape photography right now, is that it doesn't require social distancing, and Tamron's got some great programs to help with the cost. While the uncertainty of the future is an issue for all of us, this might be the best time to expand your skillset, and whatever gear you love to use most, it's time to stay involved.  ​

by Skip Cohen

Day two for the Lunch Bunch, and more great content shared. The video for today's webinar has been uploaded and is filled with some great content. Here's the link to the episode.

If you joined us today and were part of the conversation, the links discussed are below. If not, watch the video and these same links are on the video page on YouTube.

Scott Bourne kicked off today's show with five great links from companies sharing special offers during the coronavirus pandemic we're all dealing with.

Adobe is offering 2 months free of Creative:
https://www.adobe.com/covid-19-response/message-from-shantanu.html
 
Avid is offering a 90 day free license for Media Composer Ultimate, Pro Tools, Pro Tools Ultimate, or Sibelius Ultimate:
https://www.avid.com/covid-19
 
Comcast offering 60 days free internet service, and public hot spots:
https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19
 
Zoom online video conferencing has made substantial adjustments to their free account to accommodate for students through July 1 st :
https://zoom.us/docs/en-us/covid19.html
 
Frame.io is offering a free 90-day enterprise account, as well as an additional 2TB of free space for 90 days:
https://blog.frame.io/2020/03/18/frameio-covid-19-response/

Chamira Young shared the links for more information about Adobe Stock and setting up an additional revenue stream.

- Sign up:  https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/

- User guide and info on what buyers are looking for:  https://helpx.adobe.com/support/stock-contributor.html

Larry Becker's link to his FREE ebook download ("absolutely no strings attached") to help photographers getting started in video: bit.ly/free2020recipes

Steve Brazill's links to three great episodes from "Behind the Shot" about copyright:

https://behindtheshot.tv/2017/06/28/copyright-for-photographers/

https://behindtheshot.tv/2018/10/25/copyright-for-photographers-2018-update/

https://behindtheshot.tv/2018/11/29/photo-copyright-registration-workflow/

This is a great time to expand your skillset and be ready when business comes back...and IT WILL COME BACK!

Join us tomorrow at 2:00 pm EST when Jen Rozenbaum joins us and the continued discussion about how to make the most out of this downtime.

by Skip Cohen

The more of these podcasts Chamira Young and I host, the more we realize the incredible depth of passion and creativity in this industry. Every month, since March of 2017, we've had a new guest join us and talk about their journey as a professional photographer.

Eddie Tapp joins us in March. We've been friends going back to my early Hasselblad days in the late 80s. He's one of the most diverse artists in the industry on land, sea, and now in the air! He's covered it all, and I'm not sure there's anything he can't photograph. 

When I started SCU, we had fun playing off the university concept. Eddie was one of the first members of the "faculty." Everybody was asked the same question, "What advice would you give a photographer just starting out today?" Eddie's answer couldn't have been more on point and perfect to show how he's walked the talk throughout his career:

"Vision...have vision...study vision...and become visionary. Photography is an imaging media and it is embedded unconditionally in vision. Start your vision at the point you want to be at, and in a season of time, bring your vision into focus deciding on the type of equipment, client, quality of work, and bank account that your vision reveals to you.

Today, it isn't enough to be a great photographer, wizard of light, or an impressive Photoshop expert...You must develop a vision, your own vision, get truly excited about it, and create a trail-blazing path."

In the podcast Eddie talks about one of his early clients, "Kansas." He shared their group portrait in an episode of 'Why" four years ago. The image and the backstory will help you get to know Eddie even better.

Eddie is an artist, photographer, writer, educator, and somebody, so many of us consider a good buddy! He should be on your radar. His website is just a click away.

by Skip Cohen
 
Lately, the definition of "normalcy" seems to be a moving target. It changes every day as paranoia searches my brain, looking for a vulnerable place to sink its teeth. Life has changed, but the good news is that none of us are alone. We're all in this together, and for once, when you're worried, none of your friends are saying, "Stop being paranoid."

Sheila and I both have allergies. This time of year, we sneeze and cough on and off all day long. But even though Zyrtec is a regular product in our house, it doesn't change that split second of paranoia when I hear her cough. And, if I let it take hold, I'll go mad. Sound familiar?

But here's the great thing about the industry we're all a part of - we watch each other's backs. I now make it a point to phone a friend or two every day...just to check in. I'm also following everybody on Facebook. I'm taking a few minutes each morning to go through old photographs or albums - I'm following my own self-medicating prescription to get through this nightmare - looking in my rearview mirror. I'm not looking back with sadness, but optimism waiting for the good old days to return, and they will!

Two things kicked off my morning to get me on track today. Ralph Romaguera sent me this picture, and all his email said was "Memories." He didn't need to say anymore because it's our memories that are the foundation not to lose sight of how good life really is.

It was 2014, and John Sexton received the Lifetime Achievement award from PPA at the Imaging USA convention. That's me, John and Kenny Rogers. I was telling Kenny about how my son's girlfriend's most prized possession back then was the damaged gear train from his Hasselblad ELX that had come in for repair. 

​As Sheila and I were talking about at that conference, Facebook was doing its share in helping with great memories. Lori Nordstrom was wandering through the archives and hit the "like" button on a shot of the "Young Guns" program from WPPI in 2008, and it came up in my notifications feed. It was a classic moment of looking in the rearview mirror and then telling Sheila about the program. 

A classic moment in that presentation was Mike Larson demonstrating how he'd set his camera on self-timer and then throw it 20 feet in the air to capture what then became a signature shot of the wedding party. Nobody had a drone back then!

And just a few weeks ago at WPPI, I caught up to three of the artists who were part of this program. And Facebook is keeping us connected and the friendships very much alive!

I have no answers on how our lives are going to change. There's no question; life is going to be different. Sheila and I haven't been out with friends for a few weeks. Just like you, we're hunkered down and doing our best to stay safe. But we're not willing to accept this is the new normal. The only way to keep the light bright at the end of the tunnel is to cherish where we've been and remember those days will come back.

So, I wish everybody a day of peace, good health, and appreciation for all your memories, especially the ones with photos attached! My suggestion for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs is still good with your "Q-mates," (people you're self-quarantined with.) And if you're a solo act, the next best things are Facetime and Skype - go for a cyber-hug. We will get through this.

by Skip Cohen
 
For many years, in everything I've written about getting the most out of a convention I've talked about never having a meal alone. Sharing a meal with other photographers is a great way to find solutions to the challenges of running a successful business and build your network. 

Welcome to the f64 Lunch Bunch! Starting Monday, March 23 at 2:00 pm EST and each day of next week a unique group of photographers will be sharing ideas to help you through the challenges created by the Coronavirus. Joining me will be Larry Becker, Scott Bourne, Steve Brazill, Don Komarechka, Robert Vanelli, and Chamira Young. And you never know who else might show up for lunch!

We'll be sharing ideas related to marketing, business, finding new avenues for revenue, partnerships, expanding your skillset and wherever else the conversations will take us. We've got only one goal - to help find new ideas during this difficult and unplanned down-time.

The diversity of the group covers just about every specialty in photography. And, just like the original Group f/64, recognized for the sharpness in the images they captured - we're hoping to help you fine-tune your focus as well!

"Group f/64 or f.64 was a group founded by seven 20th-century San Francisco Bay Area photographers who shared a common photographic style characterized by sharply focused and carefully framed images seen through a particularly Western (U.S.) viewpoint..." Wikipedia

So, grab a sandwich and join us for a social-distanced "lunch." Our intent is to be actively sharing ideas for 30 minutes each day. If at some point we need more time we'll either just keep going, or continue the discussion during the next lunch meeting. We also want to stay on point, and will do our best to share nothing but the most useful information. This is meant to be an interactive webinar, so we'll have the ability for up to 100 attendees to ask specific questions, which the panel will do its best to answer.

Here's the link:  https://zoom.us/j/311493099

And one more thing to think about - this is an incredibly challenging and stressful time in all our lives. While I have a reputation as the industry cheerleader, I can't sugarcoat anything about what we're all experiencing. However, my wife has had the quote below in a frame on the wall of our home for years. Even though I've used it several times in the last week in previous posts, I can't think of a better foundation when thinking about the future.

by Skip Cohen

​We're all in the same boat right now with time on our hands, and at least for me, Throwback Thursday has therapeutic value. I'm a big fan of always looking forward and not spending too much time looking in my rearview mirror, but in these days of uncertainty, a look back can be heartwarming. 

My best guess is this image is from the late 70s. It's Jon Wolbarst and me during my Polaroid days as Regional Services Manager in Chicago. Jon was a Vice-President at Polaroid and had responsibility for Customer Service. He was the conscience of Polaroid, always fighting for the consumer. Regardless of the issues, he fought hard to keep Polaroid at the forefront of providing the very best service.

Those first SX-70 cameras were said to be 300% defective. Fortunately for Polaroid, there was no Internet, and Consumer Services could put out fires relatively quickly and keep them local. When I look at this photograph, I can't help but think back to how much so many of us learned, thanks to Jon's inspiration and direction.

Jon Wolbarst passed away in 1986 and was retiring when we presented him with this plaque. Jon loved to sail, and the plaque, complete with a starboard light read, "A guiding light by any other name would be Jon Wolbarst."

But here's the extra fun of this throwbacks:
​

• There was no such thing as casual dress in business back then. My closet was all three-piece suits.
• Catch the width of my tie.
• Jon was one of the kindest, most focused people I've ever met. Getting quality time with him on that visit to the midwest will always be a highlight of those years of my career.
• Last but not least, looking back to the good old days used to be exclusive to being an old fart. Today, so many of us are looking at the good old days as 90 days ago!

And that brings me full circle to the challenges you're facing now. You've got time on your hands, and if you've got a blog, now is the time to build a stash of posts. Use Throwback Thursday to remind your readers of the importance of photographs. Even with the virus and social distancing, there are still opportunities for outdoor portraits, expanded engagement sessions, landscape/wildlife photography, fine art and more. Use your blog to help "Mom," with ideas related to imaging, all promoted thanks to your expertise.

Take the time today and even if you don't share them in a blog - take that walk down Memory Lane. It'll make you smile and there's no such thing as too many smiles right now!

by Skip Cohen

Whether you call it "self-quarantine" or "social distancing," we're all in the same boat right now - confused, frustrated, and trying to figure what to do until business comes back. The social isolation we've all been forced to accept has left all of us with time on our hands.

Wandering through Facebook last Sunday, I stumbled on this shot by Joel Connor. First, I loved the photograph, but more important to my point this morning, I love what Joel wrote with it:

Note: A BIG thanks to Joel for giving me permission to share this image and what he wrote.

​There's that old expression my mother used to use, and we've all heard it - "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" I know it's trite and hokey, but we've got no choice. Joel had some downtime and decided to practice a little. Looking at his work, you'd think he doesn't need to practice - but even great ballplayers warm up swinging two bats. (Visit his website with a click on the image.)

We've all got time on our hands. While it takes a lot of energy to fight the depression of the world going upside down, utilize this time to fine-tune your skills. If you wait it out and choose to let time slip through your fingers, then you let the Coronavirus win.

From raising the bar on your skills to cleaning up your galleries, strategizing marketing for later in the year, managing your database, and expanding your network, the list goes on and on. There's so much you can be doing now to make your business stronger.

​I know it's abstract to think of this when your business has disappeared, but it will come back. The magic photographers bring to the world, turning intangible moments into memories people can hold in their hands, hasn't disappeared.

Faith...
is being sure of what you hope for
and certain of what you do not see.*
The Bible

*My wife Sheila has this in a frame on a wall in our home. It couldn't be more important to remember than today!

​by Skip Cohen

This is a short post.  At a time when life's upside down for ALL of us, one event this morning brought a smile to my face and a reminder of how precious those memories in our life can be.

At 6:30 am this morning, my phone rang. Startled out of my last minutes of sleep, I almost fell out of bed, trying to answer it. Then I burst out laughing - it was my college roommate, Rich, wishing me Happy St. Patrick's Day.

The year was 1968, St. Patrick's Day - Rich and I decided to celebrate. Neither of us had ever been drunk before and true to the stupidity of most first-year college students, we felt we were ready for the task. We started drinking green beer at 7:00 am at the Purity, in Oxford, Ohio. 

By 8:30 am, we were a mess, but the bar was packed, and we weren't going to slow down. Rich had a big half-gallon Viking-looking tankard he'd gotten as a high school graduation gift, and when people got up to dance, we'd grab what was left of their beers and pour them into his tankard. We were able to continue our binge with minimal spending! 

Around 11:00 am our friends came to drag us out and safely get us back to the dorm. The rest of the day was ugly. Rich and I each grabbed a stall in the men's room and "drove the porcelain bus!"

Here's my point - this is an awful time in history for all of us. The virus has us second-guessing if we've washed our hands enough or been in contact with anybody infected with Covid-19. We've all developed a level of necessary agoraphobia, but nothing can take away our memories. And, with those memories as photographers, that skillset all of you have will come back in demand, once the crisis subsides.

For a few minutes this morning, I forgot everything we're dealing with right now. So, I'm giving all of you a challenge - Give yourself a break today and pick up the phone and call somebody from your past. Pick a long lost memory that makes you smile, and then go for it.

Rich and I have talked every morning on St. Patrick's Day for fifty-two years, each year trying to see who remembers to call the other first. I think I've only won 2-3 times, but I'm already looking forward to 2021!

And to Rich - sure do love ya buddy!

​by Skip Cohen
 
This is our fifteenth episode of Tamron Recipes, and playing off the chef analogy couldn't be more appropriate. Each guest has had their specialty, style, and even a few secret ingredients to their success. And, like fine chefs, they're all incredibly passionate about their favorite cuisine! The result is the Tamron Kitchen is filled with with great ingredients by some of the most respected artists in photography. 

We've got Jamie Malcolm-Brown from Massachusetts joining us in the Tamron Kitchen this month. His passion is landscapes, always looking for a way to capture images that challenge us with their beauty and ability to be calming. But that's only part of the story of his diversity as an artist because he also photographs weddings and portraits. Then, last but anything but least, he teaches drone photography.

In this new recipe, Jamie used Tamron's 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD lens. It wasn't easy to decide which image to share to kick off his two-part series, but when I saw the photograph above, it had so much depth and beauty.
 
With each new "chef," even if I don't know them well, I go off in search of a quote that seems to apply to their work or personality. 

"Being an artist is dragging your innermost feelings out,
giving a piece of yourself, no matter in which art form, in which medium."
Henry Rollins

About "Chef" Jamie: Jamie's "medium" is obviously photography, but we love his diversity as an artist. So, whether shooting a wedding a creating a piece of fine art, his focus is always on the client's needs combined with his skill set. 

Unlike a lot of landscape photographers, Jamie also works on spec based on the needs of his client. I love the beauty and the simplicity of his fine art marketing video and decided to share it here because it will give you another way to get to know Jamie. 

About the Image:  Jamie wrote - I was actually in the middle of a 3 day drone photography meet-up but after three years of flying I had my first drone crash. I had to pivot my plans. Rather than go with the group to a prime fall-foliage location that would be perfect for the drone, I decided to drive around town and visit a few trees that had good potential for colorful foliage.

When I arrived before sunrise a thick fog covered everything and I could barely see the trees. I thought the morning was a bust but the sun started to rise and burn through the low clouds. The tree I was at was still shrouded in fog but the sun was about 100 yards to my right. I grabbed my gear and ran over.

The tree in the image is on someones farm land that I didn't have permission to go on so I put on the Tamron 100-400 and stood at the side of the road. In the end I am glad I did! The long focal length emphasized the layers and made the sun larger in relation to the tree. Going with a wide angle would have not given the image the same effect.

Tamron manufactures some of the finest glass in imaging today. They've become one of the industry's most favorite suppliers, especially when it comes to their busy booth at any convention or trade show. The 100-400 mm zoom is just one of Jamie's favorites. Click on the thumbnail on the right for more information about this remarkable lens.

It's a new year, and while travel for all of us is limited now, you can count on the Tamron team being back on the road when the crisis is over. Plus, their website is loaded with outstanding content as well as their YouTube channel. Now's a great time to catch up on your reading and video content - all focused on helping you raise the bar on your skillset as an artist.  
 
And when it comes to more of Jamie Malcolm-Brown's work, click on his image above to visit his website. Then make sure he's on your radar. He's an artist you should know about.

I decided to share this short marketing video he has on his website because it will give you another perspective on his passion.​ Just below the video on his website he explains: "If you want a custom image of a local landmark, your favorite nature spot or just an aerial image of your home I can work with you. I am an FAA certified drone pilot and would love to connect with you to find the best weather, season and time of the day that you want to capture for your personal image."

Jamie's focus isn't just on the landscape, but his client's needs.