It's "Wednesdays with Westcott," and this recently shared under three-minute video is chocked full of great information. It's one of the best "how-to" videos I've seen. It's a great video with tips on studio lighting for filmmaking all along the way: filmmaker, Caleb Wojcik shares so much great information. He does a terrific job of explaining each component in the setup.

So many of you don't think of yourselves as filmmakers. However, the reality is business is continually changing, and along with it, your skillset needs to adapt to the needs of your clients. Plus, understanding lighting, no matter what your specialty, is going to make you a stronger artist.

Westcott is continually expanding and sharing content to help you raise the bar on your skillset and business. There are almost 400 videos on their YouTube channel, and WestcottU is packed with more new inspiration practically every day. 

Remember, when you enter the Westcott site through the SCU gateway, 10% of everything you spend goes to NowILayMeDownToSleep. SCU is a Westcott affiliate, but we're not taking the commission and instead, writing a check to NILMDTS!

Click on any banner below and take a scroll through some of the finest lighting tools in imaging!

​With ClickCon coming up August 4-7 I thought it would be fun to dig back through the SCU archives and share episodes of "Why?" with artists who are speaking at the conference.

Headed to ClickCon? Here's a way for you to get to know a little more about thirteen of the sixty-three speakers, who make up one of the strongest educational lineups I've ever seen in a boutique conference like this. And, if you can't make it, it's a great way to learn more about some of the most respected photographers in the industry.

I started "Why?" in 2016 when teaching a class and nobody knew who Mary Ellen Mark was. So the idea kicked off with help from John Sexton, being willing to be my first guest. They're all meant to be 3-10 minute podcasts featuring one artist, one image and the backstory of why it's one of their favorite photographs. From the most recent "Why?" this week to episodes over the last three years there are now 121 in the series, and it continues to grow.

Just click on any image below, and you'll hear the backstory behind the image.

And, there's still time to register for ClickCon and be a part of the launch of what's destined to become one of the most significant events in education, networking, and FUN! Remember the word "fun?" It's so often lost today, buried under all the stress of running a business. Well, August 4-7 is a perfect time for you to recharge your battery, and pick up new ideas to build a stronger business and skill set going into the seasonality of the fall.

Use "ccskip" and save $50 off your registration and when you enter through the banner below and register, you'll get a piece of my 10% speaker affiliate commission. I'm not taking a penny of the commission, but sharing half with each attendee paid in cash at the conference and the other to one of my favorite nonprofits, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. 

See you in Chicago!

by Skip Cohen

Two weeks ago, I shared a Tamron video featuring the work of Erik Stensland. While I usually don't share videos with the same artist so close to one another, after watching this one, it so deserved to be seen by more photographers. 

To start, I love Erik's honesty and the way he talks about burning out in his "previous life," and turning to landscape photography. I've heard so many stories from photographers over the years about how they got started, often making the transition from another career field through their passion for imaging. 

Second, I love the way Tamron has taken the needs artists have for the various features of the SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens and brought them together with Erik's needs while out shooting. 

Tamron is on a never-ending quest to manufacture the finest glass in photography. They're providing artists with great tools to help capture everyone's goal - the search for the ultimate image.

Erik's working with the SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens and with a click of your mouse on the thumbnail to the right you can find out more. And check it out for yourself by visiting your local Tamron retailer or catching up to members of the Tamron team at any of their upcoming events!

The Tamron team is dedicated to helping photographers raise the bar on their skill set and provide them with some of the finest creative tools in photography!

​"Mirrorless Mark" (Mark Toal) is back and sharing two beautiful black and white images. He originally posted them on his Facebook page last, but they've got so much impact, I just felt they deserved to be seen by more photographers.

Mark's never without a camera, and over the last few years, I've often found myself living vicariously through both his travels and the way he sees the world around him. Every image has an impact at some level, but there's something about black and white and infrared that always leaves me wanting to look at more.

Click on either product above for more information

Both images were captured with an Infrared converted Lumix GX7 with the Lumix 7-14mm lens. Life Pixel converted them, and more information is available with a click on their banner to the right.

Check out Mark's blogs. He's always sharing great images along with ideas and tips to be a better photographer?   You'll never be disappointed in the content he shares. And as I always suggest check out the LUMIX Ambassador team. They're an incredibly diverse group of artists focused on helping you raise the bar on your skill set and the quality of your images. 

by Skip Cohen
 
I started "Why?" to introduce you to the movers and shakers in the industry who often set the standards for creativity, quality, and passion, but I underestimated how much each artist would share in their backstories. It's been an incredible journey, with 121 of the most respected artists and educators in photography!

Jennifer Tallerico joins me today. She's an accomplished artist, writer, and educator. And, she's no stranger to SCU, having joined us with guest posts in the past. 

"Why?" is all about the favorite images of great photographers. Jennifer's image above hangs as a giant canvas print in her office. It's more than just a stunning photograph of her daughter. It represents a stepping stone in building Jen's confidence as an artist and a reminder of the bond she has with her daughter and their mutual passion for underwater photography.

In the podcast, she mentioned how her daughter's love for underwater portraiture has grown over the years. I thought it would be fun to share the more recent image she talked about in the podcast.  

Check out more of Jennifer's work with a visit to JT Noir Studios. It's just a click away, and you won't be disappointed! Even better, Jen's teaching at ClickCon in Chicago next month and it's your opportunity to meet Jen and work with her LIVE. Click on the banner below for more information.

​We live in an instant-fulfillment world, and along with communication, the ways we can better serve customers are changing continually. The power of texting grows more and more every day, and with it, your ability as a professional photographer to build relationships with more of your target audience and increase revenue. 

​Check out everything PHOTOTexting has to offer. There are so many different applications and ways for you to build stronger brand awareness, increase sales, and expand your reach.

"​I woke up with no idea what I wanted to write about and turned to Melody Beattie. Well, she not only helped me organize my thoughts, but she tied in directly to a new podcast we're airing later this week.

Here's what she wrote for today:

"My friend, a clerk in a local bookstore, and I were sitting on a bench one evening about twenty feet from the edge of the Pacific Ocean. A few stars and a tiny sliver of moon softly lit the sky. We were drinking coffee and staring at the sea. "I like the ocean," my friend said, "I need to see it. It's nature's way of reminding us of eternity."

Sometimes, we zoom in on the details of our lives and all we can see is the small picture - the problems, issues, and specifics of what we need to do today. These moments are real. They're the heart of our lives. It's good to stay focused and attend to them, but sometimes we need to step back and see the big picture, too.

Visit places that remind you of eternity when you can. See the mountains. See the stars. Walk among the ancient redwoods. Stand at the ocean's door. Let nature and life remind you of eternity in ways that speak to your soul."

And here's why it was so perfect as I looked back on this past week. 

Chamira Young and I did a series of podcasts together with Photofocus last year called "Beyond Technique." When the sponsor wanted to do their own podcast, it went on the back-burner. We decided to bring it back, and the first episode airs this week with an extraordinary guest and friend, Gareth Rockliffe. 

What makes this first episode so unique is the topic, an idea he's been thinking about for a few months. Basically, it's the spirituality of the craft as it blends in with the way we live our lives. What started the idea was a conversation he and I had a couple of weeks ago where he mentioned how we begin our lives in "P" mode and then as we grow older, spend the rest of our lives trying to get out of it.

Melody Beattie was talking about looking at the big picture versus zooming in on the details, and I realized the strong parallel to Gareth's thoughts, and it tied in with my "macro" view of life this morning. 

I didn't sleep well last night; I've got a lot on my plate I want to do today and woke up feeling stressed about getting everything done. Instead of just appreciating looking through a wide angle lens for today, I went straight to macro and the details of what I need to accomplish over the next twelve hours. In the process I lost that smile I always have getting out of bed in the morning, but between Melody Beattie and Gareth, I'm now back to the right "lens choice."

I stepped back, took a few minutes to regroup my thoughts, and here I am walking the talk. And all along the way, photography played a roll in changing my view, starting with Gareth's image above. What I loved most about it was the way he picked up on the closer view as well as the horizon and the vastness of the ocean. I found it calming, being able to almost hear the surf rolling in on the beach. (Check out Gareth's website - you won't be disappointed!)

And there it is, my point this beautiful Sunday morning: Recognize when you need to step back for the broader view of anything you're working on, but at the same time, appreciate your ability to look closer when you need to. Personally, I'm stepping back today and enjoying the big picture, realizing that everything I want to do will get done, but the best part of the day is looking through a fish-eye lens.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead. Take the time to appreciate the wide-angle view and all that you have in your life to be grateful for, and where needed, like a therapeutic eleven-second hug with somebody you love, switch to macro. Recognize the important role they play in your life and helping you simply be you!

Happy Sunday, everybody! (And Monday to all my friends and readers on the other side of the world.)

With this being number sixty-four in the Fast Food Friday series, I have to admit; it's finally getting hard to find something to help build your business I haven't already shared.

But, yesterday while fine-tuning one of my upcoming presentations for ClickCon, I hit a topic I've missed, the art of partnerships. I've talked about various aspects of partnerships in the past, but there are so many ways for you to save money; build your expertise; expand your reach and live a better life - all through partnerships.

I started the SCU Diner and Fast Food Friday, to share easy to implement concepts to help you build a stronger business. Just like the fast food we all enjoy - each blue-plate special is meant to have enough "nutritional value" to get you through part of the day...or aspect of your business!

​I hope you'll pay attention to today's, because partnerships can unlock so many doors you may have previously thought were farther down the road in your growth as a business owner.

This is one of those topics that requires no explanation - so, like a cookbook, let's go right to each component!
​

• Direct Mail is as strong as ever, especially when you consider how much email we NEVER read. Snail mail can still get you through the noise and be noticed. I've shared this concept before - design an over-sized postcard and bring in two other partners. For example, a wedding photographer, a florist, and a limo company - each get 1/3 of the card and share the cost for the mailer and postage. A boudoir photographer could partner with a lingerie shop and makeup artist or spa. But here are the real benefits - all three partners get the advantage of each other's reach; each partner becomes an ambassador for all three entities, and your cost is reduced by 1/3 of what it would be if you were a solo act! (Note: Need help designing your mailer? Call Marathon Press!)
• Sharing Gear: I'm not talking about your day-in-day-out camera gear, but the more exotic things you need to grow your business. A large format printer, exotic lens or lighting equipment are all high ticket items - why not split the cost and share the use with a colleague?
• Studio/Office Space: There's nothing wrong with working out of your home. In fact, with fifty percent of professional photographers being part-time, most of them have a home office. However, depending on your goals, especially for a studio, partnerships with other photographers might get you to the space you need much faster. Again, sharing the costs gets you a level of business development that might be years away from you being able to support on your own.
• Exhibit/Gallery Space: My good buddy Kevin A. Gilligan is a member of the South Bay Artists Collective in Hermosa Beach, CA. Twenty different artists share the space, exhibit time and the costs with some incredible benefits: They inspire each other's creativity; they share expenses; they get increased exposure through each other's exhibits; they motivate each other, and they benefit from everyone's network! 
• Community Events: A few years back, I shared a guest post by Bruce Berg, the Lane County Children's Contest. It's been going on for close to forty years with three competing photographers launching a children's photo contest during the first quarter of each year - the slow season! And Bruce was very open about the revenue the contest brought in at a time when most markets experience the slowest income of the year.

The bottom line? Stop thinking you have to do everything alone. Your greatest marketing tool involves relationship building. Strategic partnerships are one of the very best, most efficient, and effective ways for you to grow your business!

"We didn't realize we were making memories. We were just having fun!"
​Winnie the Pooh

I've written a lot over the years about looking forward towards today and tomorrow rather than spending time looking in the rearview mirror and wishing something in your life could be different.  All of us know we can't turn back the clock, but there are times when a good look back might be just the thing you need. I found myself doing that when I found this image.
 
It was a little over thirty-two years ago I got a call from a headhunter wanting to know if I knew anybody who wanted to be president of a small camera company. I thought it was my brother-in-law pulling a practical joke and after a few classic expletives, I started to hang up the phone as the voice on the other end of the line yelled, "This is legit!"

The job was president of Hasselblad USA and little did I know it would launch some of the most incredible friendships of my career. Two of the first people I met outside the company were Dean Collins and his "right hand," Tony Corbell. Hasselblad had previously committed to Dean's first big roadshow together with Kodak and Sinar Bron. Meeting with the two of them during PPA's convention was one of my early official responsibilities in my new role.

We were all in Orlando and agreed to meet. Dean, and Tony both showed up in suits. Those of you who knew Dean, think back and tell me when you ever saw him in a suit! He couldn't have been more uncomfortable - and since this was supposed to be a casual meeting and I was a rookie...I showed up in a pair of cutoffs having been hanging out by the pool for an hour before the pre-convention meeting.

Years later, Tony and Dean would both give me stories about their pre-meeting thoughts. They were meeting with a guy from Polaroid, who had no experience on the professional side of the business, and his name was "Skip." They pictured me as the guy who was going to launch Hasselblad into every Kmart in the country!

And here's my point for this Throwback Thursday - There are moments when looking back is like savoring a great wine, old scotch or that favorite meal your mother used to make when you were a kid. It's those moments from the past that for me, for example, help to appreciate those special moments now.  

For years I've said the best thing about this industry has NOTHING to do with photography, but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. Remember, there was no Internet back then, and the world was a huge place. Today it fits on our phones, watches, and laptops. We meet new people every day in social media, face to face at conferences and phone calls.
 
Looking back can be a pretty fantastic thing if you're selective about which past events to explore. In 1987 the door opened up that brought me to this very minute right now. And the best part of the journey is, I'm still learning, still smiling and still cherishing the role each of you plays in my life, and an industry I love dearly.

About the image: In September '87, we did an open house for all the journalists from the industry in NY/NJ. It's a scan from a 2 1/4 contact print I found. Considering my flatbed is a low-end Epson, it's a pretty decent scan and should be good enough to spot some of the most influential pioneers in journalism thirty-two years ago. We had just officially opened the remodeled office in New Jersey and did our version of a ribbon cutting.

"...that's what we're looking for in a moody photograph - highlights and shadows,
that's how we sculpt the body." 
Jen Rozenbaum

It's Wednesdays with Westcott, and once again Jen Rozenbaum knocks it out of the park! There's so much you can learn watching a photographer/educator like Jen in action.

The quality of the content she packs into this short video isn't just about the tips she shares to help you create mood in a portrait. All along the way, she's helping you understand how to direct the subject and look for the right angle to capture the most powerful image. 

And, thanks to help from the team at Westcott, you're getting a solid course in one aspect of portrait lighting jam-packed into seven minutes! So, imagine how much you'll learn in a LIVE workshop environment with Jen!

Check out ClickCon coming up next month in Chicago. Jen's part of the lineup of outstanding instructors and Westcott will be there as well. Use "ccskip" in the discount box for registration and save $50!

​Don't forget - 10% of everything you purchase from Westcott when you enter their site through the "door" to the left goes to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, one of the industry's most recognized nonprofit organizations.

Westcott U never slows down in sharing great content and "how-to" support to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images! Inspiration is just a click away.

by Skip Cohen

Working together with the team at Tamron USA, Chamira Young and I started this series in January, making this our seventh episode of Tamron Recipes. As I've written in the past, we completely underestimated what we'd learn about and from each featured artist, as well as the fun we'd have in the process. "Fun" is one of those lost words in business today, but each artist has expressed their love for the craft in so many different ways and they're definitely having fun!

There's a quote credited to several people, including Steve Jobs and Confucius: "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life!" Well, each artist is dedicated not only to their specialty but virtually every aspect of imaging. They've shared incredible insight into their growth as artists, and their dedication to telling a story with each image they capture, and always with Tamron lenses. 

A passion for "giving back" has been a common denominator as each chef has opened their heart and shared a wealth of knowledge. They've allowed us to share their recipe for a single image and then expand it to their ingredients for growth in their skill set and business, often going well beyond their photographs. 

With every Tamron Recipes post, we always share a quote about the recipe for success.  I recently found this one by Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker who passed away in 2009. 

Success Recipe
2 cups faith, 2 cups love, 1 cup hard work, 1 cup persistence, 1 tbsp vision and a dash of swagger
Jim Rohn

We're jumping into the Tamron Kitchen today with "Chef" Erica Robinson. While the previous posts started with a phone call or two, today's is a little unique because Chef Erica isn't just a working artist, but also a dedicated member of Tamron's technical support team. I've met Erica many times before and she's no stranger to SCU readers having been featured in previous posts. 

When I found the recipe for success by Jim Rohn, I couldn't help but notice how well it described Erica. She's filled with faith in her skill set and understanding of the craft. She loves photography and has a passion for wearing the Tamron hat and working with other artists - if you've ever seen her at a trade show, you already know what she's like in action. She's persistent in her quest and hard work to capture an image or tell a story, and that little touch of swagger is demonstrated in her pride as an accomplished artist. 

About the images and the SP 85mm F/1.8 Di VC USD lens: The Tamron SP 85mm "is the world's first* fast aperture lens with image stabilization." 

"It's unique design allows us to include our VC (Vibration Compensation) system - without the lens becoming too large or heavy. What's more, our SP 85mm F/1.8 delivers edge-to-edge viewfinder brightness for ease of composition and superior low-light performance. The fast aperture of the F/1.8 also offers the perfect balance of subject sharpness and bokeh, that dreamy blur which separates your portrait subject from the background."

*Among 85mm F/1.8 interchangeable lenses for full-frame DSLR cameras as of January 2016. Data source: Tamron

Click on the banner below to find out more about this outstanding member of Tamron's prime lens family.
 
When I looked at Erica's work, it was no easy task to pick one image. I couldn't do it and talked with her about using two from her past trip to Cuba. For so many of us there's still a beautiful mystique to the people, the culture and the country. Although legal travel for Americans started to open up in 1999, "President Obama restored people-to-people travel in 2011." (Source inSightCuba.com)
  
About "Chef" Erica:  One visit to Erica's galleries and you'll immediately see what I meant about her passion for the craft. I love her About-page description of herself, and it's so appropriate to share part of it here:

I won't write this out like a dating profile or write some perfect euphoric poem expressed on every Instagram post you see. But what I will tell you, is my life is in pictures. I travel around the US as a tech rep, and around the world for adventure. I'm proud to pass along my knowledge and experiences in seminars, workshops and now here. All, to others who feel the same travel pull on their heartstrings as I do. My hope is that with one little tip or story, it will encourage YOU to explore, dare you to dance with a stranger, or inspire a new challenge in your photography and travel journey.

​Part II of Erica's recipes is coming next Tuesday with her podcast. We'll be talking a lot about her journey as an artist and especially her adventures in Cuba. You can be sure she'll be sharing some great insight into how she's built so many unique relationships with her subjects, clients, and other photographers in the industry. 

Click on Erica's Tamron Recipe image to view in the SCU Lightbox. And, her website is just a click away, 

This special series is a kick to build and share each month. Join us next Tamron Tuesday when we share 
​Erica's podcast together with more of her images. Things never slow down in the Tamron Kitchen and each "Chef" brings a new recipe for success to the table!

It's Mirrorless Monday, and I started by wandering through cyberspace looking for a fireworks image when I came across the image above. It's from my good pal Shiv Verma and it simply had so much impact I knew immediately I wanted to share it in a post.

Shiv posted it in the LUMIX Photographers forum on Facebook but it so deserves to be shared elsewhere. Shiv was visiting a friend in Cape Poge, which is a semi-private island in New England off Chappaquiddick Island. 

The Cape Poge lighthouse was photographed with the new Panasonic LUMIX S1R and the LUMIX 24-105 lens. It was captured at F/14, a 2-second exposure at ISO 100.

And leave to Shiv to also share a fireworks image with his "Happy 4th of July" wish to all of us. The image on the right was also captured with the S1R and the LUMIX 70-200 mm lens. It was captured at f/8, a 4-second exposure at ISO 640. 

You can see more of Shiv's work with a click on either of his images in today's post. Shiv and the entire US LUMIX Ambassador team should be on your radar. They're just a click away! This is a pretty remarkable group of artists who are always sharing great content and helping thousands of photographers raise the bar on the quality of their images.

​#WhereLumixGoes #LumixS1R

It's just a bad day, not a bad life!
Author Unknown

​It's Marketing Monday and a perfect time for a quick reminder about business, marketing, patience, and remembering the reset button!

​The picture above is my Dad's wallet, or what was left of it. Although he passed away almost four years ago, the wallet sits on my bookshelf and is a constant reminder of the power we have to change directions. Here's the backstory:

Dad's caregiver didn't check his pants when doing a load of wash and put his wallet through a full cycle. I arrived at his place to take him out to lunch, and he was thoroughly aggravated. I got him calmed down with an easy virtually guaranteed solution - a minute in the microwave, and it would be as good as new! Well, you can see the results - it's a perfect example of a time when I over-promised and under-delivered!

But what happened next was the memory-maker...he started laughing, called me an idiot and let me know I was buying lunch! Sitting in the restaurant while waiting for our order, I ran next door to Macy's and bought him a new wallet - the crisis was over and a throwback memory was created that I'd never forget.

And, here's why I love this piece of family history in my office. We make mistakes all the time, but it's keeping a healthy perspective on the seriousness of the crime that allows us to hit the "reset button" and choose a new path. Obviously, some mistakes are tougher to resolve than others, but most of the wrong decisions we make were made with good intentions. When you find you've gone in the wrong direction; stop, hit the reset button, look at your choices, and head off down a new path.

There is no Photoshop fix for the mistakes we make in life. You can't undo a wrong choice with a click of a button, but what you can do is even better and more satisfying. You can try again with new insight and a better understanding of how to accomplish your goal, and if you're wrong still, the reset button is right there.

I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
​Thomas Edison

This is my second attempt at writing a Sunday Morning Reflections post this morning. I'm off a beat. In fact, I wrote a post I liked about looking back and the fun of nostalgia but decided to save it for Throwback Thursday. So, here's my point this morning...

There are times and projects we all need to do that come with moments when we can't focus. There is no auto-focus button in life, and there's never been an auto-composition button. So, I'm taking my own advice and going off-the-grid for the day because there are times when we need to take a step back and regroup our thoughts.

I'm going to try and walk the talk. If you're having a day like mine is starting out to be, walk away from whatever you're working on. Hit the reset button and come back when your thoughts are better defined, and you can activate focus confirmation for whatever it is you're trying to do.

Wishing everybody a terrific day and if you're just stuck on what you thought you'd do next today, don't worry about it. There's nothing wrong with wasting time when you need to waste time. But no matter what you're doing - go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people most important in your life. They might just be the ones to help you refocus!

Happy Sunday, everybody!

I started the series as an easy way to remind you of things you need to do to make your business stronger; market yourself better, and build your brand. Just like fast food consumed during those on the run lunch breaks we're all too familiar with, they're just filling enough to get you through the day, but not meant to be your ONLY source of nourishment! LOL

Today's blue-plate special in the SCU diner is "diversity." There's a considerable difference between diversity in your skill set and diversity in your business. You need a diverse skill set in today's market to keep up with trends and technology, but when you become too diverse in the work you show, things don't fit together for your target audience.

Just like the games, we as kids where we picked out what was wrong in the picture; your target audience is faced with the same challenge looking at your website.​​

The challenge so many of you face is simply too much on your website. No matter how good you are technically, you can't do it all without sacrificing quality somewhere along the line. You need to focus on your core specialty and then spin-off into relatable areas of expertise.

Here's a perfect example: A lot of you have an interest in commercial work, but let's say your core business is wedding photography. The confusion comes when different people look at your site. A rep at an ad agency, searching for a photographer for a specific client will move on if they come into your website looking at wedding albums. In the same respect, Mom or a bride isn't interested in your commercial work - they want to see your skills as a wedding photographer.

The same applies to photographers who want to sell fine art images, landscapes, etc. but their core business is family portraiture. The target audience gets confused and moves on to somebody with work more in line with their needs.

Here are some easy suggestions:
​

• Keep building your skill set so you can handle the majority of needs from your clients. Keep learning how to do EVERYTHING. For example, a wedding photographer who learns more about macro is likely to be more creative when it comes to ring shots, the detail in the wedding gown and the flowers.
• Just because your skill set is diverse doesn't mean you need to show everything you can do on your website. Keep your galleries relatable. For example, under the people umbrella are weddings, maternity, babies, children, family and seniors. They all fit together and are logical spokes off a specific core specialty.
• Fine art and commercial photography have different buyers and will be better served if you either have a completely different site or a landing page sending visitors in two different directions. Personally, I'm a fan of different websites.
• If you insist on showing a different specialty that doesn't seem to fit with your core business, do a tab under "Personal Work" or a facsimile. There's nothing wrong with diversity until it confuses your target audience. You can also use your blog with an occasional post about other types of photography.
• Diversity in capture and post-processing is important to share. My issue is with the specialties you want to represent, not with your technique. Diversity in your technique is essential to show. Including black and white images, special effects, albums with double-page spreads, framing and printing techniques, just to name a few, are all a necessity to share.

And last on the list - remember that what you show is what you want to sell. Years ago, I was looking at a website of a good buddy, and in the middle of his core business galleries, he had a dozen mediocre images from a wedding he once photographed. When I asked why, he responded, "I've only shot one wedding, but I want people to know I can do it!"  The answer was, "NO, you don't!" That didn't mean he couldn't handle the request if one of his regular clients asked, only that he shouldn't show weddings in his main "inventory" of services/skills.

Shakespeare said it best, "To thine own self be true!" Stay true to your core specialty and become more diverse on your website in logically connected specialties. 

by Skip Cohen

It's the Fourth of July, and as I went to post today, I was thinking about taking the whole day off, just like most Americans. Then it occurred to me that a holiday is a great time to appreciate a look back and since I seem to have developed an unlimited supply of throwback photographs why not share one and then enjoy the day.

To start, I wish everybody a happy July 4th and time to kick back and enjoy family, friends, fireworks, and the traditional opportunity to over-eat barbecue!  And, since Independence Day is all about establishing our freedom as Americans going back to 1776, it's a perfect time to appreciate friends and family in the military who have helped preserve that continued freedom. To all of you involved in protecting the freedom we all enjoy, thank you for your service!

Now, since it's Throwback Thursday, I recently discovered a box of discs with hundreds of memories of past events in my life and the industry. Today's combines a little of both.

Sheila and I were married in 2010. We initially thought about a backyard wedding and finally decided to get married and then throw a party, mostly for local friends, a month or two later. 

Somewhere in the process of getting ready, a good buddy came into town...Gary Blair. He didn't get to see much of Ohio on that trip because he was helping me slow-cook a dozen slabs of ribs on the grill that day, but what a kick to get a quality of time together we'd never before shared.

Most of my time over those years before was spent with Gary's Dad, "Big Daddy," Don Blair. While Don was on the road as one of the industry's most recognized educators, Gary was running the business back in Murray, Utah. 

To this day, I still run into people whose senior headshot from high school was captured by Don Blair Photography. Well, the company had Don's name on the door, but so much of the photography that kept the business going for many years was thanks to Gary and his team. He's a pretty amazing photographer in his own right!

The time he and I got in Ohio was the first time we'd ever really spent together just kicking back. And obviously, we laughed a lot. To this day, the stories that get us smiling the quickest are always related to events involving his Dad, as we both do a pretty decent job of a Don Blair impression.

Wishing everybody an enjoyable and safe July 4th holiday and to Gary, in a deep voice as his Dad would say, "Hey, hey, hey - I love ya man!"

It's "Wednesdays with Westcott," and Jerry Ghionis is back with two short videos jam-packed with great how-to content. If you've met Jerry or attended one of his workshops then you know, just like Westcott, he NEVER does anything halfway!

He's working with the Ice Light 2, which working together with Westcott, he designed. It's a remarkable addition to your gear and also one of the most creative lighting tools you can add to your skill set! These two videos are part of a series Jerry and Westcott created three years ago, but there's nothing dated about the tips Jerry shares to help you become a better artist and make your work stand out.

Timing is everything because on July 1, Westcott launched a special limited time promotion of a set of barn doors FREE with the purchase of an Ice Light 2! Click on the thumbnail to the right. And remember, 10% of everything you buy from Westcott when going through the SCU gateway goes to one of the industry's most recognized nonprofits, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.
​
​If you think Jerry shares a lot in a short video, think about what he's like when teaching a class! He's the opening keynote speaker at the upcoming ClickCon conference. A lot of photographers have described the speaker list for ClickCon as the most impressive list of educators in professional photography, but don't take my word for it. Click on the banner below and see for yourself.

From the beginning of the SCU relationship with Tamron, we've always had a strong appreciation for the content they share - especially on their YouTube channel. Each video is always packed with solid content from some of photography's finest artists.  Regardless of your photographic specialty, you'll find some real nuggets of wisdom from each artist being  featured.

Erik Stensland is out and about with Tamron's 18-400 mm lens, and I love his point about the capabilities of a crop-sensor lens with an 18-400mm range. I grabbed screenshots from the video just for the fun of showing the versatility of this lens.

If a photography and travel adventure with Bobbi Lane and Lee Varis isn't on your bucket list, it should be! They're two of the most recognized instructors in imaging. Traveling with them to places in the world loaded with incredible beauty, breath-taking landscapes and another culture is an opportunity for you to grow, expand your skill set and quite simply create memories!

Their trip is coming up in September, but the deadline to register is right around the corner. There are only two spots available, and this is definitely a you-snooze-you-lose scenario. Click on any image in this post to link to their website.

by Skip Cohen
 
"Why?" is all about unique backstories and special images that often helped launch the careers for some of the most respected artists and educators in imaging today.

Terrell Lloyd joins me on this new episode of "Why?" Although there's probably nothing Terrell hasn't photographed or can't, his first love in photography is sports, especially when it comes to the San Francisco 49ers.  He's been their Senior Manager of Photography Services and Lead Team Photographer for twenty-three years!

I don't usually share videos on "Why?" episodes, but the video below was produced by the 49ers and also shared by SanDisk on their YouTube channel a few years back. Considering that my primary purpose for starting this series was to introduce you to the movers and shakers in our industry, it's perfect for giving you a look at a day in the life of a totally dedicated team photographer!

Terrell originally sent me the screenshot of a collage of Joe Montana's last game in 1992 shown below. It clearly is a pivotal image in his career. I wanted to share his photograph and backstory, so I pulled the image from his collage: hit the clarity fix tool in Luminar, and that's the image above. 

Remember, this was captured on film and the negatives are somewhere in Terrell's storage. Considering that this image is from a screenshot, with minimal post-production, it's still perfect to appreciate its significance. If you've ever spent any time with Terrell then you know it's representative of his passion for photography. The image was a significant building block for the foundation for an incredible career!

To find out more about Terrell or contact him, visit his website. And, he's just a click away on Instagram...   www.instagram.com/49ersofficialphotog.

We live in a world where instant fulfillment is the norm. Communication is continually changing, and consumers are looking for fast responses to their inquiries. PhotoTexting.com is giving photographers the ability to respond to inquiries quickly, expand their reach, raise the bar on Customer Service and in turn, increase revenue. 

​Check out everything PHOTOTexting has to offer with a click on the banner above. There are so many different applications and ways for you to build stronger brand awareness, increase sales, and build stronger relationships with your clients.

​I'm a big fan of podcasts because they give us a chance to multi-task and at the same time absorb content we might not have the time to read. I regularly have podcasts playing in the background while I'm working on something else. 

I was recently honored to be a guest on The Profitable Photographer, a new podcast series launched by Luci Dumas. The topic was all about building relationships, and while I was a little embarrassed over Luci's long intro regarding my career in photography, she did a great job of asking the right questions. Luci's focused on helping photographers build a stronger business, and as sappy at it might sound a happier life.

​I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the photographic industry, and Luci is a perfect example of what I love most - the friendships that come out of everyone's passion for the craft.  We're all working to build a network of relationships with people we respect and work with. Luci and I first met back around 1990 at WPPI when I would have been in the Hasselblad booth. Our friendship is a perfect example of why you need to attend every possible conference/convention you can work into your schedule - a big part of your success is about building a strong network and relationships with people who share your same passions for imaging, business, marketing and success.

This is the fifth episode in her new series, and you'll find not only my episode but a lot of great content Luci's offering the photographic community with a click on the banner above!

A big thanks to Luci and her team for including me in this new series.