by Skip Cohen

Wandering through old files in Dropbox last week, I found 39 episodes of the GoingPro podcasts. This episode on branding might be 16 years old, but there's almost no spoilage in the information we talked about. Airing on April 15, 2010, Scott and I shared tip after tip that are so applicable today.

Think about your "reach" - Today, social media has given all of us a level of power that only small newspapers had just a few years ago. Building your brand is more than your name or logo - it's everything that goes into building your reputation.

I know you have so many podcasts and educators to choose from, but listening to this podcast myself a few minutes ago, there are so many useful ideas in this episode. We're in the "slow season," which is only a reference to incoming revenue, NOT to things you should be doing to lay a solid foundation for your business in the year ahead.

And to my good buddy Scott...what a kick to listen to this podcast. Sure do appreciate our friendship, your support, and everything I've learned over the years hanging out with you!

by Skip Cohen

Yesterday, I shared a series of topics to use in social media, regardless of whether or not you publish a blog. I realize there are plenty of people who believe the days of blogging are long gone, and to a point, they're right. But the most important issue is being relevant to your readership, however you're reaching them, and blogging does help contribute to SEO.

Below is a list of content topics - they don't have to be used as formal blogs, but could easily morph into posts, reels, or sound bites on Facebook, for example. My point is to give you ideas to keep strengthening your brand as an imaging artist in your community, with the goal of raising your brand awareness as an artist.

When somebody tells me there's nothing to write about where they live, they just haven't looked hard enough. There's ALWAYS something going on worth talking about!

Here's another round of content ideas. It's not meant to be all-inclusive.
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• Pets of the community: In the hierarchy of why people hire a photographer, pets are in the top three. Share photographs of pets around the neighborhood while at the same time demonstrating your expertise as a photographer. You could easily share one pet portrait each week, demonstrating your skills and having fun in the community at the same time.
• How to hire a photographer: Share tips on what to look for when hiring a professional photographer. Obviously, make sure you score high on every tip.
• Community Calendar: Build a calendar of community events and then keep it updated. This puts you in a support role for each event and the groups/associations hosting them.
• Community events after they've taken place: Be there live or online to capture the event. Then, create content about the event. Become an ambassador for non-profits, which will get their attention and also help spread the word about the brand you're building.
• Community-relevant topics: For example, years ago, my good buddy Jared Burns ran a series about henna tattoos. He was interested in making the Indian community aware of his artistic skills.
• Tips on presentations: framing, canvas wraps, and slide shows
• Gift ideas using photography: As I've written before - CALL YOUR LAB and ask, "What's new?" Then, include a few new products on your website.
• Places to photograph around the community
• Technology updates: Become a resource for your readers on new imaging products. Include easy-to-use software, especially programs that involve mobile applications.
• Important camera gear and mobile accessories for capturing great images
• Profile your favorite charity in the community.
• Profiles of people/businesses in the community: Do an environmental portrait of people in the community. There's an almost unlimited supply of subjects, from your pharmacist to the chef at your favorite restaurant to a helpful manager at the local market.
• Photo projects for kids: From coloring book pages made from family portraits and events to keeping a photo journal, help Mom and Dad with ideas to keep the kids busy, especially this time of year in areas hit with snow and cold.
• Documenting Valuables: Run a few posts on building images for insurance purposes. Include tips on close-up and macro, as well as storage tips for the photographs.
• Throwback Thursday: Sharing old images gives you a chance to remind clients it's time for a new family portrait. It's also an excellent way to talk about Legacy programs.
• Legacy Programs: I have hundreds of old photographs of family members who have all passed away. I don't know who many of them are because I didn't take the time when my folks were alive to find out about them. Share ideas on becoming the family historian!
• Community photo contests: Invite your readers to participate with their images. You pick the topic; they share their pictures.
• Using photographs with stationery and holiday cards: The number of applications is almost unlimited. And besides planting the seeds for ideas, position yourself as the expert to take your readers through the process.
• How to show your best side with online video (Skype, Google, Zoom, etc.)
• Cross-promotions with other vendors: Stop thinking you have to do everything alone! Look for community vendors with the same target audience and then cross-promote with each other. This should include not only the products/services themselves but also posts about each other's businesses. For example, post a blog on tips for macro and close-up images with flowers. The link becomes where the flowers came from, as well as post-processing and printing.
• Growing your skill set: Share new things you're doing in your business as a result of workshops (on or offline) you've attended. Headed to WPPI this year? Create content from things you see at the trade show or classes you're taking to add to your business offerings. And as you pick classes to attend, don't forget growth only occurs outside your comfort zone! Always take at least one class that's completely different from your core business focus.

There are 20+ content ideas for you to share. Your goal is consistency in sharing great information and building brand awareness as the photography expert in the community. Remember, these give you content to share during those quiet weeks. You still have images to share with things like "365 Projects," client shoots, and events happening more in real time throughout the week.

Remember, not everything you share on social media always has to be live/fresh. Build a stash of posts in advance, then mix them with current events and projects. This way, you'll always have something in the queue when you're busy and time for social media is limited.

by Skip Cohen

When it comes to sharing ideas to help you build a stronger business in the new year, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm like a dog with a bone. For close to 20 years, across at least 3 different blogs, as well as in presentations, podcasts, and guest posts, I've covered so many different aspects to help you build a more successful business.

We're in the "slow season," but in reality, as a business owner, you should never have a truly slow time of year. When incoming business/revenue is low, there's plenty you should be doing to establish your "formula" for success in the year ahead.

I started with your website and social media basics last week. Now it's time to move to content ideas. I'm so tired of hearing photographers say, "But Skip, there's nothing here to write about!"

Most of you are sitting on a goldmine of topics, perfect for a blog or wherever you're most active in social media. Sadly, you're often too close to your own business to recognize how much value there is in so many different aspects of your knowledge about imaging. Remember, the key to building followers is all about being helpful.  

As a photographer, you do things you take for granted every day. Let's help Mom, Dad, and the kids become better artists. They're not going to open up down the street and compete with you. So, whether they use a conventional camera or a phone, let's help them raise the bar on their images.
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• ​Composition: Show them the basics. For example, teach them the rule of thirds, leading lines, and subject placement. You do it automatically, but they don't think before clicking the shutter.
• Posing: Help them with group shots, and let's get rid of those firing squad poses. For example, teach them how to position subjects with triangular placement. Show examples of the right and wrong ways to pose.
• Lighting: Spend some time talking about lighting and when to use the flash. Backlighting is always an issue, and they don't understand, especially in winter, when their outdoor images are too dark, even though it was a bright, snowy day.
• Have fun with in-camera special effects: Teach them to drag the shutter and panning. And on an iPhone, demonstrate how to zoom or change the special effects when in portrait mode.
• Storytelling: You're already the expert at storytelling and bringing in detail shots to tell the story. Help them think through their vision before clicking the shutter. Share a page or two out of an album you did for a previous client.
• Conversion from color to black and white - everyone can do it, but it's up to you to help them understand how an image can have more impact.
• Cropping: Roberto Valenzuela used to do an exercise in his classes where he took one image at a wedding and showed how many other shots there were in that same photograph. This is about you helping them see their pictures differently.
• Things to do with their images: From sharing on social media to printing, give them ideas of things to do with their photographs. Most professional labs have little interest in working with consumers, so you might have to resort to Shutterfly for some examples. However, this is also where you can plant the seed of why you're a professional with ideas about framing and presentations. It's also a great tie-in to unique products you're offering.
• Subject matter: Back in my Polaroid days, we reminded consumers when they looked through the viewfinder, "What you see is what you get!" Remind them to move in close on those people shots.
• Post-production: Share tips on using new products to help them get the most out of the experience of capturing images.
• Website display: Help your readers build their own galleries. This is where you can be so much help in the storytelling theme of their work. Years ago, the legendary Ernst Wildi at Hasselblad taught me the difference between a consumer and a professional - "Consumers show you all of their shots!"

There's a very practical advantage to the ideas above: each one lets you share some of your images as examples of the right and wrong ways to capture their memories. You're establishing yourself as the expert in imaging in your community. And if you have a Facebook page, you can share each idea with examples and reinforce your reputation as an artist and a community leader.

And to take it a step further, some of you have the skills and ability to hold physical classes and photo walks to help your audience capture better memories. As their skills grow, you become more established as the expert and open the door to more advanced techniques. At the same time, you're developing top-of-mind awareness of when they need a professional photographer.

Tune in later this week for 20+ more ideas for social media topics!

by Skip Cohen

Eight years ago I wrote my first "Sunday Morning Reflections." The premise has never changed - it's my day to run amuck. In my second Reflections post I wrote, As usual, I'm off track - far from the topic of photography. However, if you're joining me then you already know the direction I take on Sunday mornings. And, from your response it seems the more I go off track, the better. 

I went digging through my archives this morning and here's what I wrote eight years ago in one of my first posts in the Sunday series:

As I've gotten older I've noticed how fast time seems to fly by. I'm aware of how quickly one memory seems to melt into another, and another. I've found myself caring about things that never mattered and being concerned about issues that always seemed so far removed.

The current scare over the flu epidemic is a perfect example since I'm now old enough to be close to the danger zone. In fact, just watching the news and seeing one tragedy after another has me holding Sheila just a little tighter when we snuggle up at night. 

None of us know what tomorrow will bring, and that takes me to my point this morning. We've got to do the best job we can of living our lives to the fullest. There's a unique level of awareness that comes with age. I realize just how short life really is, and how fast time literally flashes by.

It's fine to recognize things you should have done differently in the past, but life isn't about what's in your rearview mirror. It's about the journey ahead of you. Learn from your regrets and move on to that next special moment.

Looking back eight years, the only thing I remember about the flu epidemic is all the hand sanitizer stations everywhere at the hotel at IUSA in Nashville. Since then, we've lived through the pandemic, which none of us could have imagined in 2018. And, we're witnessing an increase in childhood diseases like measles, which for my generation disappeared years ago.

These days, when I hug Sheila "just a little tighter," it's usually after watching the news, not health issues! The world is upside down with a government that's forgotten about "We the People." I remember hearing somebody commenting after the last election that they were going to live in a snow globe for the next four years. Well, we love our "snow-globe," the life we've built, and do our best to maintain.

And living a life with no regrets is virtually impossible. The key is to keep your regrets in perspective, living for today and tomorrow, and accepting that nothing can change yesterday. We still have our dreams, visions, and goals. Sure, I creak a little more than I did eight years ago when I first get up in the morning, and I move a little slower...but I still refuse to act my age!

Wishing you a day filled with peace, love, and memory-making moments. Take the time to remind those people most important to you of the special role they play in your life. Go for those therapeutic eleven-second hugs. And, just to play off of one of my favorite sunset photographs above - great sunsets can't be a part of your life if you don't take the time to look at them.

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

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now!
Chinese Proverb

by Skip Cohen

I usually try to keep it relatively short on Fridays. Finding the quote above hit home as the perfect thought for this time of year. So many of you, me included, procrastinate away great ideas that got stuck on the "back burner."

Think about some of the ideas you've had over the years that never became reality. So what if you didn't "plant that tree" 20 years ago - great ideas rarely have expiration dates. It's never too late to tackle a new vision.

by Skip Cohen

Yesterday I shared the first of what I had thought were lost recordings of podcasts from the GoingPro project, which Scott Bourne and I started in 2010. But scrolling through more Dropbox files, I found more great memories with a series of images, all thanks to Tony Amat.

Skip's Summer School ran for 3 1/2 days every summer from 2009 - 2013, but in March of 2013, we ran the GoingPro Bootcamp at the Hampton Inn in Las Vegas, just two days before WPPI. The pictures in the collage above are all in the album below.

What a kick to take this walk down Memory Lane and friendships that last a lifetime! The images in the collage above are all in the slideshow below - check it out - you'll definitely spot a few well-known faces in photography.

If you haven't taken the time yet today to hunt down some of your own throwbacks, grab a coffee, open some of your older files and start strolling down Memory Lane. Throwbacks are a great way to remind ourselves of the power of photography and the way they bring back memories!  Each throwback photograph unlocks a collection of backstories you've probably forgotten. There's very little in this world that beats the power of imaging!

Happy Throwback Thursday!

by Skip Cohen

In 2011, my good buddy, Scott Bourne, and I published Going Pro: How to make the leap from aspiring to professional photographer. Fifteen years later, it's still considered one of the best books on the topic.

A year before the book's release, we launched what became of one of the most popular podcasts in imaging.
We did over 70 podcasts together, all of which covered the challenges of being a professional photographer and small-business owner.

Recently, after receiving a Dropbox notification that I needed to add more storage, I reviewed the files taking up all the space and discovered recordings from the GoingPro podcast. There are 39 podcasts in total, and I'm sharing the first podcast from the series, released April 10, 2010.

Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, there's virtually no spoilage in the information and advice we shared. There's no "use by" date, especially in today's world, where so many businesses have overlooked the importance of connecting with their target audience.

"Stop Marketing, Start Engaging" is the subtitle of Scott Stratten's 2012 book, Unmarketing. No statement could be more appropriate today in building brand awareness and a reputation in your community. Success is about building relationships, not just providing a product or service.

I listened to this podcast before I posted it, and there's so much relevant information we shared. The recording isn't just about helpful ideas for a successful business, but a testimonial to an incredible friendship that's still alive and well. He and I might be a whole lot older today, but that doesn't change the passion we have for business, the industry and helping photographers build a stronger presence.

Hope you enjoy listening to the podcast as much as I did this morning! Please note: The links mentioned at the end are no longer active. However, that doesn't change the value of the information we're sharing.

by Skip Cohen

January rolls around, and many of you hit the brakes. You seem to think you can kick back and chill for a few weeks. I'm not questioning whether business owners need a break, just the impact of stopping work. It might be the slow season, but "slow" is only about revenue and clients coming through the front door! Right now, things can be as busy as you want them to be when it comes to building a stronger business for 2026.

I'm continuing my quest to give you ideas to build a more substantial business and, at the very least, give a few of you a jump start.

Next topic: I want to focus on your social media activity and blogging.

"Your website is about what you sell. Your blog is about what's in your heart." And for those of you who no longer blog, then consider what I'm sharing as applicable to posts wherever you're sharing content on social media platforms.

While I'd love to take credit for all of the tips below, many of them are thanks to my good buddy Scott Bourne. They apply to any place you're trying to build readership and followers.

• Consistency: one key to success. If you're posting every full moon, then give it up. I suggest posting at least twice a week.
• Build a stash: Everything you share doesn't have to be written in real time! Take the slow time now and put together a couple of dozen posts. Then, use one a week from your stash. On the other day of posting, tie in something you're doing that's recent and maybe even community-related.
• Content is King - Pay attention to who your readers are. You've got to be relevant to their needs. If you don't know your demographics, how can you be sure what you're sharing is appropriate for your readership?
• Timing is essential: Post on the same days each week and at the same time.
• Don't write term papers! Keep your posts relatively short - ideally, 200-500 words is the max for a blog; you can go over that if the topic is relevant, but if that's the case, then use bullet points. For posts on social media platforms like Facebook, keep it much shorter.
• Be careful with your topics! I learned this the hard way just yesterday. I shared something political that I thought people from "both sides" would find helpful. Instead, it turned my Facebook page into a venue of arguments pulling in a lot of troll-like behavior. I finally pulled it down, but learned an old lesson I shouldn't have disregarded.
• Cut too many English classes when you were a kid?  Now you've got AI to give you a hand, although personally I still appreciate writing all my own shared material. I use Spellcheck and Grammarly. However, with Grammarly, read every suggestion out loud. Grammarly doesn't always know exactly what you're talking about, and it often gives recommendations that don't accurately convey the meaning you intend.
• Hate to write, but have a blog? Find yourself an English teacher from the local high school or an "A" student who loves to write. There's nothing wrong with having a ghostwriter who listens to what you want to say and puts it together into a post format. Finding a teacher or student who'd like to moonlight a little is an inexpensive way to get additional support to supplement your weak spots.
• Guest post on other blogs and share on Facebook: Use your network and swap posts with other photographers/businesses targeting a similar audience. Everything you post doesn't have to be written directly by you. For example, a wedding photographer might exchange posts with a maternity or newborn artist, and vice versa.
• Adding photographs: Include at least one relevant photograph with each post.
• Links: Don't go wild with too many links in a post, either to other locations within your website or to external sources.
• Share what's in your heart! Your posts give your products/services credibility, like publicity, supporting advertising. You don't need to get overly personal, but for most of you, your target audience is "Mom." Share some of your challenges she can identify with.

And there they are: 12 tips to help you build a social media presence that draws readers. But social media alone isn't enough. You need to weave a web around your readers so they're finding you in multiple locations. It's all about building a more recognized brand, starting with being helpful to your followers.

More ideas coming in the weeks ahead.

by Skip  Cohen

I'm like a dog with a bone when it comes to sharing ideas to help you build a stronger business in the new year. It's a subject I've focused on for close to 20 years across at least 3 blogs, as well as in presentations, podcasts, and guest posts.

It's January 12, and if there is a "slow season," this is it right now. But in reality, as a business owner, you never have a truly slow time of year. When incoming business/revenue is low, there's plenty you should be doing to establish your "formula" for achievement in the year ahead.

While technology has never slowed down, there's not much left I haven't written about in the past when it comes to marketing. Yet there are so many of you who still act like procrastination is a strategy! Too many of you are reactionary, with no planning or strategy for the new year. You wouldn't get in your car for trip across the country without a bit of planning, including the route, cities you wanted to visit, accommodations, etc., yet your attacking the new year without a road map! 

NOW is the time to lay the foundation for 2026 to be your best year yet. It's time to be a mad scientist, lock yourself in the "lab," and start looking at what you need to change.

Let's start with your website:

• Does your website function the way you want it to? A potential client's visit to your website should be an experience. So, it's up to you - is it a good experience like Nordstrom's, or is it Macy's the day after Christmas?
• Don't assume everything is working the way you want it. Check your website every day on different platforms, including desktop vs. mobile.
• Can consumers find what's most important to them, or do they have to mine for what you'd like them to see first?
• Get rid of the clutter on your website. Some of you have sites that look like the junk drawer in our kitchen! Hook clients with extraordinary images in your galleries, which should be the first tab. Next, your "About" page, then everything else.
• Don't bury visitors in policies and procedures that would scare an IRS agent. Save the policies for the contract discussion when they hire you.
• Stop showing average images in your galleries. If it's not a "wow" print, take it down. A"wow" print is an image so good that it's the only one you'd have to show to get hired.
• Add a marketing video to your About page along with an artist's statement. Write in the first person. Unless you won a Pulitzer, don't bother to talk about your awards. For most of you, your target is "Mom," and she doesn't care about, let alone even know about PPA or WPPI. She wants to know why you're a photographer and whether or not she can trust you to capture the kind of images she wants. Your video needs to convey your enthusiasm and love for the craft and your clients.
• Be accessible! I'm tired of artists who have contact forms but only respond when there's a full moon! There's no such thing as too quick a response or too much contact information! Give them your phone number and email address. If you work from home and don't want to share your address, that's fine, but be ready to respond the minute they contact you.
• Are you building brand awareness in the community? You've got to be involved in your community and relevant to your visitors/readers. For example, plant the seeds for ideas for updated family portraits and headshots. Most important of all - BE HELPFUL!​
• Stop putting people to sleep! Too many of you have been offering the same products and services since you started, and they've become boring, especially since many of your competitors offer the same things. It's time for something new. Start with a call to your lab and just ask, "What's new?" There's so much exciting under the presentation umbrella these days - labs offer new products every day. And don't underestimate the appeal of some old standbys, like canvas prints. There are still thousands of people who aren't aware of all the ways you can display/present images. (Note: If you're at IUSA this week, check out Marathon Press in Booth 347 - lots of new album, book and presentation ideas!)

This is a "you snooze - you lose" scenario. We might be in the slow season, but it shouldn't be slow for you as a business owner. Valentine's Day, Easter, prom season, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and graduation are all around the corner.

This is the first Marketing Monday for this series - coming up, we'll hit on more topics to help you build a powerhouse business in the new year...but remember, even with great marketing, you still need an outstanding skill set when a camera is in your hands! Anybody can get their first customer, but it's your skill sense and customer service that brings that first customer back and in turn has them tell all their friends about you!

Memory...is presence in absence; it is speech in silence;
it is the endless return of a past happiness to which the heart gives immortality.
Henri Lacordaire

by Skip Cohen

Since most of you are involved in photography, I don't need to add very much to the quote above. However, author Lou Mitchell added the following:

Memories have a unique power to bring the past into the present, allowing us to relive moments of joy and connection. Even in silence, memories speak to us, offering comfort and a sense of continuity. They remind us that the happiness we've experienced can live on in our hearts, providing strength and warmth even when those moments are physically gone.

Think about how every click of your camera has captured a memory. Now, take it one step further and think about family and friends you've lost over the years. Each old photograph brings with it a backstory, allowing you to relive those moments of happiness from the past.

I rarely miss posting on Throwback Thursday. It's not because it's such a popular topic, but because old photographs and their backstories take me down Memory Lane. As I've gotten older, I've lost more friends. It simply goes with aging...but my friends live on, thanks to the miraculous power of imaging. Photography is about magic, turning intangible moments into tangible memories that last a lifetime.

It's a new year with new memories to be made and captured. In a world that's completely upside down, we'll all be taking walks down Memory Lane. We can't escape our responsibility to do whatever we can to help get the world back on course, but those great memories from the past captured digitally, on film, or even on "neurochromes," are the energy supplements to help us hold focus on our values.

Wishing everybody a great day ahead and one that allows you time to cherish a short look back, while moving forward to create and capture more memories and have a life well-lived. Don't forget those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about - the people on the other end of those hugs are there to help you be a gatekeeper of the memories you cherish the most!

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world.

Note: Just to make the point, I scrolled through past posts and grabbed a few memories of favorite people and times. Each photograph represents multiple backstories, and as I look back, with each one, the smile on my face gets bigger. 

by Skip Cohen

The expression about diving your plan comes from scuba diving. Your time underwater is valuable and limited, so you always want to make the most of it. The same thing applies to any convention or workshop you're headed to in the months ahead. You want to maximize your investment and get the most out of every trip.

It's Throwback Thursday, so I thought I'd have some fun with convention shots over the last ten years. And I'm combining my "albums" with a post out of the SCU archives to help you get the most out of every conference you attend, starting with IUSA next week. ​ Check out more photographs below.

1. Why are you going to this convention? It might sound like a stupid question, but some of you go to party, others to buy, and more of you to learn and network. Figure out what the most important thing is you want to get out of the show before you get there.
2. Check the weather forecast wherever you're headed! It's pretty obvious we've aggravated Mother Nature this year around the country. You're going to be out in the evening, so pack accordingly. I know this seems so basic, but I'm amazed at how many people never check a couple of days before.
3. What companies do you need to visit? Take a few minutes and look around your office, studio, or the trunk of your car. Isolate every product you use as a photographer and list its manufacturer. Now, look at every company whose services you use. Your lab, frame company, web design, album company, etc., should all be on the list. Your first goal BEFORE you get to the show is to isolate every company that's involved in your business. ​Here's the link to the IUSA list for next week.
4. New products and companies: Are there products you need for your business or new services you require?  For example, you've read posts about Marathon's Bella Art Prints and Albums here on the SCU blog. Make it a point to stop by Marathon (booth 347) to check out their complete product line and services.
5. Walk through the print exhibit. This is a terrific time to get a feel for imaging trends, as you'll see just about everything in the prints submitted for competition.
6. Walk the trade show, aisle by aisle! One of the best things about any convention is finding out about companies you may not have worked with before! Start in one corner of the show and work your way through EVERY company exhibiting, even if they're showing products you don't use.
7. Wear comfortable shoes!
8. Make plans for breakfast and dinner meetings NOW. Nothing beats time with old friends, as well as new ones. Never eat a meal alone! When it comes to dinner reservations, they don't come easy in any convention town, especially like a venue like the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. If you're heading out for dinner, it helps to know where and when you're going. Think about making a couple of reservations in advance, even if you don't know who you'll be having dinner with!
9. Update your phone book! Make sure you have the cell numbers for friends and associates you want to catch up with. There are few things as frustrating as wanting to meet somebody at a convention, but you've got no way to contact them.
10. Put the "social" into social media. So many of you have friends you talk to all the time online, but have never met in person. You hang out in various forums with them and share a lot of great discussions about photography. Check who's going to the convention you're headed to and set up a time to get together. It's a lot of fun to physically meet people whom you've talked to regularly, but only in cyberspace!
11. Check out the special programming going on in the various booths.
12. You snooze, you lose! Look, I was young and stupid once, too, and there are few things as fun as going out with friends and bar-hopping. However, you're at the show for a reason, and if you need to sleep in late the following morning, your evening out with friends might become the most expensive BAD investment you can make if you miss appointments or presentations you had planned to attend.
13. "Growth only happens outside your comfort zone!" Review the programming and decide in advance which speakers you want to hear. Plus, always pick at least 1-2 programs entirely out of your comfort zone. 
14. Call your insurance agent! If you're taking any serious gear with you, check to make sure you're adequately insured. I remember one year, a woman left all her camera gear in her room but didn't check to make sure the door closed completely when she went out for dinner. Everything was gone when she got back, and she was NOT covered by her insurance. Another photographer had two lenses lifted out of his camera bag while he was listening to a presentation.
15. Publish a couple of press releases! Let's talk about those pictures you're taking while at the show - use them for your own publicity campaign. For example, let's assume you want to expand your business and you're attending a few programs outside your comfort zone. Get a photo of you and the speaker, then write a short post about expanding your business into that new area of expertise. The same goes for any new equipment you might be considering buying at the show. A large-format printer, for example, would be a great topic for expanding your services to the community. In the same respect, working with a new lab would give you access to new products to talk about.
16. Utilize their assets without depleting yours! Get yourself approved for a leasing or a higher credit line before you leave for the convention. If you're going there to shop for new gear, it's so much easier when you know what you can afford before you hit the trade show floor.
17. Talk to the people around you when you attend any program. A photography convention is unique because you're all there for the same reasons. Make it a point to get to know the people sitting on either side of you. It's amazing what you can learn by just talking to each other.
18. Talk to the icons! I'm always amazed by how many of you are intimidated by your favorite photographers. The truth is, they're there to teach and meet other photographers interested in their work. Just walk up, introduce yourself, and thank them for whatever inspiration they've given you. They don't bite!
19. Analysis Paralysis: Take time at the end of each day, before your head hits the pillow, to do a quick overview of who you saw, what you learned, and what companies you can scratch off your list. If you wait until you get home after the convention, it will be too late!

The one thing I find most frustrating with attendees at a big convention is that they just haven't planned their trip. They got their tickets and made it to Nashville or Vegas, but then everything fell apart. Plan your experience so you're not wasting time and, even more important, your money.

Like the main rule in scuba diving...Plan your dive, dive your plan!

by Skip Cohen

With the start of the new year and IUSA less than a week away, this is the time to be thinking about your network.

Gone are the days of collecting business cards and the names of the reps who call on you. A reliable network brings together people with mutual interests; their ability to support the challenges you face, and in this business, a shared passion for imaging.

It starts with meeting as many people as you can face-to-face and truly getting to know them a little better than you can via email or phone.  Then it’s about keeping in contact, beyond once a year at a convention or national sales meeting.

Think about all the people you know and have met through:

• Conventions, conferences, workshops
• Community involvement
• Friends/Associates
• Vendors/Manufacturers
• Customers/Your database
• Social Media

Now think about all the ways to stay in touch, especially with members of your network whose skill set you admire. And today, there are so many different ways to stay connected:
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• Connect at conventions – If you're headed to IUSA next week, make sure you have a few plans in advance to connect with associates face-to-face. And don't forget about all the vendors who make products you use in your business. Make it a point to meet some of the key players right away while you're all together at the convention. 
• Be active in Social Media: There are dozens of forums with a photography theme. For example, I'm still a big fan of Facebook. Use Facebook’s search box and find them by keywords. When you join, though, become a member with the intent of being helpful, NOT as a retailer.
• Be Active on Linkedin: Linkedin, for most of us, started out as a way to connect with a job-hunting network, but today it's expanded far beyond just employment searches. There are numerous groups with an interest in imaging as their foundation.
• Facebook/Twitter: Retweet posts and tweets of the members of your network. The idea is to always help each other.
• Track birthdays, anniversaries, and events: I love using Facebook's birthday notifications, and it’s my first stop each morning.
• Pick up the phone! It’s old-fashioned, but in an age where we spend too much time texting and emailing, it’s the perfect way to stay in touch with the most important people in your network.

Think of your network as a target, and you’re at the bull's eye center. Each of the 2-3 rings closest to you represents those people you trust the most and have the most valuable skills to help you with the various challenges that might come up. Each ring also represents another level of diversity, and a well-rounded network is your goal.

Great networks don't happen overnight or by themselves. Pay attention to the "care and feeding" of your network. It will become your most valuable resource so often in building a successful business.

by Skip Cohen

​Remember, Sunday Morning Reflections is my time to recharge and share whatever's on my mind, and today I'm a mess.

I usually start thinking about a topic when I wake up. It was around 5:30 AM, and Sheila was still asleep. I was thinking about writing about how so many of us set new goals, and make a New Year's resolution or two. It seemed a perfect topic, considering this is the first Reflections post of the new year. But the more I thought, the more the state of the world kept interrupting my thought process.

I don't want this to become a rant, but when does Congress wake up and grow a set? We're now at war with Venezuela...and I don't believe it has anything whatsoever to do with the war on drugs. And we're going to run this South American country??? Hell, the government can't run our own country right now!

This is about oil, and a president who believes he can do anything he wants. And it doesn't matter what side of the fight you're on, Trump lies...Portland isn't on fire...they're not eating dogs and cats in Ohio, gas isn't at $1.99 and never was...food costs are skyrocketing...he's "not falling asleep in meetings" as he blamed the stories on photographers who caught him blinking when they clicked the shutter (except he was caught on  videos.)...and for ten years the incredible health plan for America he's promised doesn't exist. Speaking of health plans...all the childhood diseases that disappeared when I was a kid are all on their way back, including measles!

Sheila has a great expression she regularly uses, "Thank God we're old and won't have to deal with this that much longer!" I painfully laugh each time she says it, usually after watching the news. But even knowing that she's right doesn't change my passion for this industry. 

In a world that's upside down, imaging and capturing those memories with the people you love has become even more important. And building a business model around the high points in life and the things we can control is an incredible opportunity to help change the world, one little community at a time.

I've quoted Lou Mitchell a lot lately...in his book for January 2 was this quote: ​

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C. S. Lewis

Here's my point: the world is insane, but nobody can take away our goals and dreams. I'm not suggesting it's easy to ignore the outside world. However, there's a quote by an unknown author I've used numerous times in my posts about Alzheimer's..."There is one thing Alzheimer's cannot take away, and that is love. Love is not a memory - it's a feeling that resides in your heart and soul."

Well, I'm looking at the current government much the same way... they've forgotten about "We the People," but they can't take away the love we have for family, friends, and, yes, career paths, all of which are in our hearts and souls. I know it's sappy, but you're the magicians of the world, capturing intangible moments in everyone's life and turning them into tangible photographs and videos to last a lifetime. Imaging can stop time, capture memories, and help everyone remember what their top priorities in life really are.

You know how to hold focus with a camera in your hands...now it's time to use that same skill to help people remember what's most important in their lives!

Wishing everybody a day ahead when you can shut out the noise of the outside world and appreciate everything you have that makes you smile. Whether it's family, good friends, or pets - they all deserve those eleven-second hugs I always write about. And as nuts as the world around us is, we'd be lost without them.

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. 

Change. But start slowly, because direction is more important than speed.
Paulo Coelho

by Skip Cohen

​Along with wishing everybody a Happy New Year, I wanted to share the quote above from Lou Mitchell's book, Positive Thinking. Sheila and I read something motivational every morning, and this is my new book for 2026. But it was what he wrote after the quote that was just as meaningful...

...The excitement of New Year's resolutions often makes us want to transform our lives overnight. However, meaningful and lasting change comes from understanding our true goals and taking deliberate steps toward them.

As you make plans for the new year, ask yourself: What direction do I truly want my life to take? Are my goals aligned with my core values and passions? What small, meaningful steps can I take today to make sure I'm moving in the right direction?

There's nothing more to add, except to wish all of you a wonderful start to the new year. For most of us, going into this weekend is the perfect time to kick back a little and just chill. It's the ideal time to ask that age-old question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

​Happy New Year!
​

by Skip Cohen

Many of you are dealing with upset customers whose expectations regarding their holiday orders were NOT met. Whether they're right or wrong is irrelevant—it's their perception you have to deal with.

I've written about the topic many times in the past; there's no such thing as too many reminders about the importance of dealing with angry customers! What you do to resolve even the smallest issues right now will become building blocks for customer loyalty in the future.

​The reality for many of you is often very different. You're afraid of angry customers. I've even heard a few horror stories about photographers going head-to-head with clients in arguments. You'll never win in that kind of battle.

Here are a few tips and suggestions you can use to help learn from angry customers and, at the same time, become your own bomb squad!

• It all starts with a fundamental understanding of the customer: It doesn't matter if they're right or not; they believe they're right. You also have to accept that something happened that shouldn't have – no matter who or what was the cause, you own it.
• Fine-tune your listening skills. Don't react to anything they say until they're finished. This is a tough one, but it can start with a simple opener: "Hi, this is _____, and I understand you're not happy with something we did. How can I help?"

Modify the opener however you want, but the defusing line is "How can I help?" or another option is "Let's see if I can help fix this for you." Your goal is to demonstrate empathy, kick back, be quiet, and listen. Remember, you've got two ears and one mouth, so listen twice as much as you talk!
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1. Respond promptly – don't let things go more than a day without getting back to your client.
2. Communicate with your client by phone or in person. Email doesn't always work when you've got an argument on your hands. Your customers need to hear your voice.
3. Take the blame – seriously, even if the problem wasn't directly your fault, it's still your business.
4. Don't delegate the battles. There's nothing more frustrating to an angry customer than to feel you're hiding behind one of your employees. And if an employee is on the frontline of "battle," give them the power to resolve the issue.

Resolve issues quickly with solutions that add value to consumers. Come up with a resolution fast and work towards having one that your client feels is fair.

I know I've used this example in previous posts over the years: Years ago, living in the Chicago area, we tried carry-out from a new Chinese restaurant. Halfway through dinner, there was a small, dead cockroach in the fried rice. I immediately repacked everything and went storming back to the restaurant. Instead of immediately apologizing and doing a refund, the owner argued that the food was half-eaten! Then, she wanted to give me a gift certificate to come back! We never ate there again, but to argue with me about the merits of their food at that point was far from realistic.

Remember, one angry customer today can turn into a troll and undermine your credibility throughout the community. And the community, especially in cyberspace, goes far beyond your city limits.

On the other hand, a satisfied customer who feels you've been on their side and are working towards solving the problem will help build a foundation for future business.

by Skip Cohen

​A week ago, I wrote my last post before taking a much-needed break from writing and social media. I wanted a little time to recharge. Nothing complicated, just an opportunity for a little respite and to make the holiday season, Sheila, Lucy, and Belle a priority.

Well, the time off has been perfect and gone well beyond expectations. On the 26th of December, one of my favorite authors, Lou Mitchell, in his book The Daily Stoic, wrote a piece with the title I quoted above. He started with a quote from Seneca:

It's not at all that we have too short a time to live, but that we squander a great deal of it. Life is long enough, and it's given in sufficient measure to do many great things if we spend it well...

The thoughts of a Greek philosopher from almost 2000 years ago really hit home. In fact, what he wrote tied in directly with what I was thinking when I decided to take this past week off. Then Lou Mitchell added his own thoughts:

No one knows how long they have to live, but sadly, we can be sure of one thing: we'll waste far too much of life. Waste it sitting around, waste it chasing the wrong things, waste it by refusing to take the time to ask ourselves what's actually important to us...So today, if you find yourself rushed or uttering the words, "I just don't have enough time," stop and take a second. Is this actually true or have you just committed to a lot of unnecessary things? Are you actually being efficient, or have you assumed a great deal of waste into your life? The average American spends something like forty hours a year in traffic. That's months over the course of a life. And for "traffic," you can substitute so many activities--from fighting with others to watching television or daydreaming.

Your life is plenty long — just use it properly.

It was the perfect motivational reading to tie in with wrapping up 2025. It's been a year of so much wasted time, especially worrying about things I can't control, and I'm not alone. There are so many people who seem to have lost their roadmap for life's journey and their original goals.

The truth is, none of this is anything I haven't written about over the years--It's all about holding focus and recognizing when you're off a beat and need a break...before you crash and burn. And the first signal should be the minute you start thinking, "I just don't have enough time!"

I had one goal when I got up this Sunday morning: to wrap up the year by sharing something important to all of us. It's all in Seneca's quote: Life is long enough...if we spend it well!

Wishing everybody a day ahead and a new year that brings with it time to appreciate all the good things in your life and an outlook that allows you to change whatever's not working for you. Spending your time wisely doesn't mean you have to be productive every minute; just be aware of the power you have to control your own narrative. Success in life is in part about waking up excited for the opportunities ahead and going to sleep at night with a sense of accomplishment for whatever direction you're headed.

Most important of all, as you hit those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I always write about, cherish the people you're hugging. They're the core of your network, your "village," and together there's nothing that can't be accomplished.

Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world. 

A goal without a plan is just a wish!
Antoine de Saint-Exubéry

by Skip Cohen

Sunday Morning Reflections is never about business and marketing. It's my time to jump the rails and go completely off-track...and I never know where I'm headed until I sit down at the keyboard. This morning, for a little inspiration, I checked out what author Lou Mitchell shared for today in his book about positive thinking.

The quote above hit home because this is the time of year when I tend to start thinking about lofty goals, especially projects I'd like to take on in the coming months. Like many of you, I don't really have a plan, just a series of visions. Then life gets in the way, and things start to drop off my "to-do" list. What started as a goal becomes a wish.

Before I started writing this post, I decided to try something different. I spent some time thinking through a plan for a couple of my ongoing goals. Think about how each year, so many of us make New Year's resolutions that never become reality.

These last ten days of 2025 are the equivalent of a front band opening for your favorite artist. A good opening act warms up the crowd. And with me, it's a week I want to take to plan better and spend less time procrastinating.

It's the last weekend before Christmas, the last night of Hanukkah, and less than a week before Kwanzaa. Whatever holiday you celebrate, this is also a perfect time to start slowing down and plan a little respite for your heart and soul. It couldn't sound sappier or hokeyer, but we rarely take care of ourselves. We don't take the time to recharge our batteries until we're headed into a downward spiral. By then, it's often too late to get the full benefit of stepping away from whatever drama is interfering with our peace of mind.

So, I'm shutting down on social media for this coming week. I want to kick back and chill a little while recharging. And during that time, I want to work on organizing a couple of pet projects, spending more time with Sheila and the pups, and simply enjoying this holiday season.

Wishing everybody a terrific holiday season and maximum time with family, friends, and the people you love the most. Always go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs I've been writing about for so many years. And I'll close with one more wonderful quote, thanks to Lou Mitchell:

Having somewhere to go is home,
having someone to love is family,
having both is a blessing.
Unknown Author

Happy Sunday...and a healthy and happy holiday season for all of you. Safe travels if you're headed out of town.

​Thank you for your support, encouragement and inspiration!

by Skip Cohen

We're down to the wire for December seasonality, but there are still a few loose ends you should check as we head into essentially the last weekend of the year. You don't want to miss anything! I heard a comedian once say, "It'll be my luck when my ship comes in; I'll be at the airport!"

It's a funny line, but sadly, it's the way some of us feel at times. But it's just a one-liner and doesn't have to be your reality.The opportunities for any last-minute marketing or promotional ideas are gone. Yet you've still got time to tie up a few things before the close of 2025.

• New Gear: Are there specific pieces of equipment you need to purchase to qualify for a tax break this year?
• Have you called your lab? It's a simple phone call with one question: "What's new?" Technology never stands still. You need to know what's new, but don't forget what's old. For example, canvas prints are old to us but not to many consumers. Don't forget to find out if they have any specials for Imaging USA!
• Have you made all your arrangements for IUSA? Remember to include contact with old friends and associates you want to have dinner with while at the convention.
• Saying thank you! Don't forget to recognize those who have exceeded your expectations in support of you and your business. Take a look at your network. Whether it's a fruit basket, a bottle of wine, or a flower arrangement, there's still time for a more formal thanks to that handful of people who have watched your back.
• Community involvement: There's still time for you to lend a hand and be a part of nonprofit projects going on in your community over the holidays. Remember, whatever you're helping with, it doesn't have to include photography. This is about you being out in the community and being seen as more than just another retailer.

Here's my point: Procrastination is not a marketing strategy. Don't miss a few of those last-minute opportunities to bring 2025 to a stronger close simply because you were lazy!

by Skip Cohen

​When I started this "Hump Day" series, it was just for fun, with the plan to keep it light. I'm not looking to share anything complex, but to give you something to consider that you might have missed or forgotten.

While this topic is from the SCU archives, I wanted to bring it back today because there's just so much noise in our lives. It doesn't matter which side of the fight you're on - I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't admit that this country is in trouble, along with the rest of the world, and let's not forget Mother Nature's wrath!

It's the perfect time for a reminder about the value of silence... taking a break from the news...emotional respite...and simply appreciating the control you have through quietness.

This time of year, most of us are so busy, along with as "doom-scrolling" social media and news stories, that we rarely search out silence. We don't slow things down until the damage from the "noise" in our lives is already well underway.

Find a moment today to kick back and chill. Walk away from everything and appreciate the silence for as long as you need.

​Happy Hump Day!

by Skip Cohen

It's December 16 and the end of the year is just two weeks away. You're down to the wire wrapping up what's been a challenging year for everybody. If anybody that tells you they had a great year and "it was so easy,"  they're lying to you. However, a lot of photographers are saying "It was a good year, but I never worked so hard in my life!"

Well, with two weeks to go, here's a different way to look at the year...

I've written a lot about "Walk the Talk" books over the years. They're short motivational books you typically see in the business section at a bookstore. Sometimes they're by the register. They may be small, but they pack a powerful punch. I was just looking at Finish Strong and found a couple of great quotes:

"It doesn't matter where you've been, it only matters where you are going."
Brian Tracy

"Great beginnings are not as important as the way one finishes."
Dr. James Dobson