 You can't be the kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute. Tina Fey  by Skip Cohen
In the last few months, I've talked with hundreds of photographers online, through emails, and IMs on Facebook, or live on the phone. If there's a common theme, it's centered around getting business back on track. Many of you already had challenges in your business before the pandemic you needed to address, but you procrastinated and put those issues on the back burner. After all, there was nothing you could do to change the dynamics of the new normal. Well, Covid-19 isn't going to disappear with one dramatic "grand sweeping gesture." Masks, hand-washing, physical distancing, and being smart about protecting yourself and your family is all part of the new normal. What's NOT part of the new normal is running your business the same old way. You need to adapt to the needs of your clients and, at the same time, respect the health parameters important to both them and you. So, you're at the top of the waterslide, and it's time to leap into a new level of diversity for your business. You still need to fine-tune your skills, but there are still some strong imaging needed by your clients.
Just because the new norm requires physical distancing and has prevented most photographers from getting out of the slow season, doesn't mean there aren't things you can do to rebuild your business. You know how to focus your camera. Now it's time to refocus your career. Over the years, mostly on Twitter, I've shared a lot of great quotes. While I'd like to take credit for all of them, it's thanks to two authors, Kathryn & Ross Petras, who put together a book of motivational quotes in the clickable thumbnail on the right. Tina Fey's quote above is from their collection. But my all time favorite is, "Age Doesn't Matter Unless You're a Cheese." Whether you like to share quotes online or not, this little book is loaded with inspiration!
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  Click the image above to check out this great lens! Intro by Chamira Young If you're anything like me, the thought of a versatile lens useful for various situations simply makes your mouth water. When you're out in the field shooting, it can be a hassle to constantly have to juggle multiple pieces of glass...all while possibly missing the magical moment! That's why we're excited to share this beautiful new video from Tamron showcasing a new lens that is the epitome of performance. In the video below, photographer Kurt Gardner takes you on a journey as he heads to The Adirondacks. The new 28-200 F/2.8-5.6 Sony full frame mirrorless lens is the epitome of flexibility when you're out in the field. As you'll see in the video, this new lens performs well in multiple situations, including nature and night photography, and is rugged enough to handle extreme outdoor conditions. If you want to learn more about this amazing new lens, click on the image above. Check out the video below!   by Skip Cohen It's Marketing Monday and the perfect time to redefine being a pro in photography. The pandemic and physical distancing with various levels of self-quarantine have reduced some of the more prominent tools of a pro. But the Internet has expanded the playing field for so-called professional artists to jump into the market. You've got to make yourself stand out from the rest of the "herd." Years ago, my buddy Dean Collins used to say, "All you need to be a pro these days is a roll of duct tape and a Yellow Pages ad!" His sarcasm still rings true today with too many photographers calling themselves pros, simply because of the gear they own. I've written a lot about this topic, and it's time to update some of the qualities that make an artist a professional. And it's sure not your gear! Every time you're in public, especially in cyberspace, there's a chance to show your skillset, not just as an artist but as a business owner.
Here's the bottom line: Professionalism is obviously defined by your ability to exceed the expectations of your clients. But your technical skills in producing beautiful images mean absolutely nothing if you don't have a sense of service, listen more than you talk, and build a brand based on being helpful. Make working with you an experience beyond the click of the shutter. "Customers don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."
 "I've never had so many options in one camera!" Annie Griffiths by Skip Cohen Most of you know I am not a professional photographer. I don't make a living as an artist because my passion is the business and marketing side of imaging. But that doesn't mean I don't love and respect the craft. And, hanging out with so many of you for so many years, I've learned a lot. As a result, I know more than I let on. I've been shooting with LUMIX cameras since the GH3 almost six years ago. Every camera I've worked with has been a stellar tools, often making me look more talented than I deserve. But it's not just LUMIX gear that's spectacular, but the dedication of Panasonic to live up to the LUMIX tagline, "Changing Photography." They never slow down in developing tools/features to help artists raise the bar on the quality of their images. If you haven't checked out the LUMIX channel on YouTube, find the time. There's so much great content from videos like the one I'm sharing today with Annie Griffiths to mini webinars with some of the most talented photographers in the industry. Annie Griffiths needs to be on your radar. As a LUMIX Ambassador, she's also part of the LUMIX Ambassador team. This group is one of the most diverse and creative teams in photo, and all the ambassadors are sharing great content. Check out the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page too - there are always great conversations and imaging being shared. Happy Mirrorless Monday! Finding out more about the LUMIX S Series cameras is just a click away on the banner below.   by Skip Cohen It's a typical Sunday morning. If you're new to Reflections, be warned: I always go off track, typically writing about something other than business and marketing in imaging. This morning is too good not to share, and if you have fun with this and get involved, then I'll take credit - if you hate the idea, it's all Glen Clark's fault! LOL Glen and I have been friends since a meeting at Kodak in the early nineties. We've worked on different projects together, caught up at various shows/conferences, and shared a bunch of meals together. And we grab a phone call with each other regularly. We've had a lot of great ideas and laughs over a twenty-five-year friendship, and we're not letting the pandemic slow us down. Yesterday he sent me the images below and wrote: Oh thank God...I finally got a haircut today. I still think you should do some "before and after" Covid looks on your blog. I think it'd be hilarious (and eye-opening).  So, I'm running with the idea. Let's start our own gallery of photographers with BP (Before Pandemic) and AP (After Pandemic) images of haircuts, beards, anything fun in the grooming category. Everyone has been forced to let their hair grow through some part of the mandatory or voluntary quarantine. Here at our house, I finally trusted Sheila to cut my hair. As Florida's Covid-19 numbers spike again, we're not going to the barber/salon. But I have to admit, she's cut my hair twice, and she's getting good at it. And if she screws up - who cares? Nobody's close enough to see it anyway!  Then I remembered a month ago another great friend, Melissa Ghionis shared her "BP" and "AP" hair. She wrote on Facebook: About 14 weeks without a haircut (since WPPI!!!) made for a very rough "growing out stage"! Thankfully Jerry doesn't love me for my looks. And also thankfully Todd White is an amazing man and made me look like me again.  Sadly, Lucy didn't do quite as well as the rest of us when I bought a dog grooming kit. Fortunately, the mirrors are all too high for her to reach and see herself. Otherwise, we'd have a case of puppy PTSD on our hands. I definitely took too much off the top, but she seems to have forgiven me so far.  So, how brave are you? Let's have some fun with this and share your before and afters...and if you're still in the before mode, share the image anyway. Send it to me in an IM on Facebook. Let's get an industry gallery going, with no other purpose than having fun.
Remember, "fun?" It's a word that's too often lost, especially over the last few months. Time to get it back! Wishing everybody a day filled with a few laughs and simply having fun. We'll get through this crisis, and while we'll never look back and laugh, that doesn't mean we can't have a few chuckles NOW! Thank you for following me; thank you for your support and, most importantly, thank you for helping me stay focused on what's important - this morning, a little laughter! Stay safe and healthy! Happy Sunday!  by Skip Cohen Jay P. Morgan knocks another one out of the park with this new video about raising the bar on the quality of your online presence in video. I found his video so helpful that I've duplicated Jay P's set up right down to a plexiglass stand to raise my laptop. Working closely with Platypod, I was already using the goosenecks with two LitraTorch 2.0 lights on an Ultra, but I decided it was time to upgrade everything. The pandemic has created the new normal, and we're all on video calls more than ever before. Plus, we're part of an industry that prides itself on great visual presentations. Whether you're involved in online meetings, a presentation, or just talking with friends and family - looking good should be part of your profile. You're online live presence is no different than having a good headshot on your "About" page! If you're looking for great educational support by one of the best educators in imaging, follow Jay P. Morgan on his YouTube channel, The Slanted Lens. There are over 500 videos, and he's always sharing terrific content with never-ending support to help artists raise the bar on the quality of their work. And if you're looking for the latest in great gear from Platypod? Just click on the logo below to check out the current kits on sale along with the rest of the product line. Platypod also sells the LitraTorch 2.0s, but check out Litra. com for more information about their other lights and accessories too.   by Skip Cohen
I shared this on my wife's birthday a few years ago, but our tenth wedding anniversary is coming up on Monday. And it's Throwback Thursday, so it's the right time to wish my honey Happy Anniversary a few days early. This is the third grade at Clyde C. Hadden Elementary in Ohio. We went all through grade school, junior high, and high school together but were never friends. She was a cheerleader, and I was a nerd - just didn't travel in the same circles. The friendship kicked off at our 40th high school reunion. Surprisingly, at least one notable event made history, besides being right on top of Don Shula's hometown. When JFK ran for election, Painesville, Ohio, was a stop on the tour. He spoke from the restaurant's rooftop next door, and we were all gathered outside the school to watch and listen. And if by some dumb chance of luck you recognize anybody besides the two of us, let me know. We've got a few faces in there neither of us can remember. As always, take a look in your rearview mirror at least once a week. It helps cut a little of the insanity we're feeling with the pandemic. It's no fun being hunkered down, but now and then a trip down Memory Lane makes a difference. And to my bride...Happy Anniversary! There's nobody I'd rather be stuck in a pandemic with. There's no boredom in this house. Happy Throwback Thursday, everybody! PS Feel free to share any shot of you age twelve or younger! Come on, gang, let's have some laughs with your old school pics. Besides, most of you know where they are, having found them while cleaning a closet during all this downtime.  "Sandhill Cranes flying with Physical Distancing for attention."  Hanging out with Bob and my buddy "Hoss" at PPO in Dublin, OH in 2018. by Skip Cohen One of my longest time best buddies in the industry is Bob Coates. His work has been featured regularly on the SCU blog, most recently, last week with "Naked Bob" and a unique project he put together with a group of artists in Sedona. Bob's always been ahead of the times. In fact, 2-3 years ago, after coming home sick after every major convention, he replaced handshakes and bro-hugs with an elbow bump. Within a year, so many of us had picked it up because it just made sense! Bob is back with another idea and again ahead of his time. In a Facebook post, he wrote: I would love for people to change the term from Social Distancing to Physical Distancing. Every time I read or see the first phrase it is like fingernails on a blackboard. We can be social at a physical distance. Language matters. Social distancing imbues a fully negative connotation and reinforces a negative feeling vs physical distancing, a more friendly way to direct proper safety procedures. Well, I don't know about you, but I like it a lot. The truth is, from a purely social perspective, the pandemic has brought me closer to a lot of people. I'm in touch through social media much more, and between Facebook, email, and the phone, I'm keeping in touch with friends more than the usual 2-3 times a year we'd catch up at a conference.
So Bob, as the James Dean of linguistic rebellion, who most readers will have to look up to see who he was, I'm with ya.  Images copyright Alyce Bender. All rights reserved. We believe people with passion can change the world for the better. That's what we believe. And we believe those people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that actually do. Steve Jobs by Skip Cohen Ever meet somebody, and within an unusually short time, you feel like you've known them for years? That's the way I describe getting to know Alyce Bender. Two weeks ago, we spoke on the phone for the first time after she answered an email about being a guest "Chef" in the Tamron Recipes series. When Chamira and I started the series, we thought we'd simply find creative ways to show Tamron's outstanding quality through great artists and beautiful images. However, what's happened has so much more impact, and "Bender" is a perfect example. Every Chef has shared something a little different and always relevant to their growth as an artist. Alyce's skill set is outstanding, but it's her love for the craft and sharing her images that's even more impressive. She loves the outdoors, and while that's not in itself unique, sharing her experiences with her level of passion is. "I believe the stronger the connection between people and nature, the easier it is to promote environmental awareness and to protect vulnerable species and their habitats." With every image, you get a sense of that message, and when she crosses over from documenting nature to turning it into fine art, I was struck by the simplicity in the beauty of what she creates. Grabbing screenshots of my favorites from her galleries was not easy, especially when it came to her winter images from Japan. Click on any image to visit her Chef Bender's website. Chef Bender's recipe is a click away if you missed it when it was posted last week. And for more information on Tamron's SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens, click on the banner below. The pandemic has made this the most challenging time in contemporary history to be a business owner and especially a professional photographer. But Tamron's support team hasn't slowed down - just moved to cyberspace. Check out Tamron's programs for rebates, online education, and even some great contests to share your work. As we all adjust to the new normal, the change in business makes this a good time to expand your skill set. Having to "hunker down" doesn't have to mean your business, skills, or continuing to build relationships with your clients. It's essential to stay involved!  Click for information about this outstanding lens! 
  
  by Skip Cohen We're living with a new normal in communication. Face to face meetings are minimal, but phone calls, Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc. are critical in how we talk to each other. And even though a phone conversation allows two people to hear the inflections and emotion in their voices, there's still no visual anchor. This isn't a new topic; in fact, the quote above I've shared numerous times, but with the new normal, everyone needs a reminder about fine-tuning your listening skills. It all starts with slowing down and not being distracted. You've got to listen to the client and ask for clarification if you don't completely understand what they've said. Listening these days goes hand in hand with your written skills as well. So let's fine-tune everything in how you communicate.
Your most influential marketing tool is about building relationships and trust. It applies to every specialty within photography, including commercial, boudoir, family, children, maternity, and the list goes on and on! The biggest communication problem is that we do not listen to understand.
We listen to reply. Anonymous  Click to view in the SCU Lightbox by Skip Cohen Saturday on Facebook, LUMIX Ambassador Jordan Bunch posted the image above with one simple statement: Amazing wedding tonight! So grateful to our clients for trusting us with their weddings during this Wild time.  There are venues and then THERE ARE VENUES! The wedding was held at Hidden River Ranch in Lampasas, Texas. I love seeing a great venue getting back into the swing of business. Click on the image to the right to link to their website.  "The wedding planner grabbed this BTS shot. My team Ladybird Studios was doing the photo and video at this one. Everyone pictured there is on my team." Over the last week, at least six friends, who are photographers, told me they're starting to shoot again. Nothing major, just a nice trickle of business starting to flow. So, as much as I love the image Jordan shared above, I appreciated what he wrote even more. The statement made through a photograph of a couple dancing in an open field is a story all its own. No big receptions, just proof of a couple's love, admiration and trust for each other...and their photographer. Yes, that's a sappy way to look at it, but over the last few months, we've all had moments when hope and faith were buried under the stress of the pandemic. I also appreciated Jordan sharing the image on Facebook. Now, more than ever, social media is our best link to keep in touch. It's also where I spend the first hour of every day. Jordan Bunch needs to be on your radar, along with the LUMIX Ambassador team. This group is one of the most diverse and creative teams in photo, and all the ambassadors are sharing great content. Check out the LUMIX Photographers Facebook page too - there are always great conversations and imaging being shared. About the image above, Jordan wrote: My new favorite way to shoot portraits is to use the long end of my 70-200 2.8 as a wide lens. So I rack the lens out to 200mm or near it and then scoot WAY back. This gives me amazing compression and gorgeous bokeh on a composition that otherwise 99% of photographers would take with a much wider focal length. Interested in finding out what Jordan's shooting with? Click on either thumbnail below.
 From twenty-six to ninety-three, my Dad was always my best buddy. Thanks to our profession, I've got great memories and a story to go with each photograph! by Skip Cohen If you're a regular reader, then you know on Sunday mornings I ALWAYS go off-track and run amuck with my thoughts. There's no telling where I might go, but it's always miles away from the business of imaging. We've all learned a lot through the pandemic. As we're hunkered down and often feeling isolated, that old line about life being too short couldn't be more accurate. I often wonder what my Dad would be saying as he watched the craziness in today's world unfold. He passed away almost five years ago, but I've got so many incredible memories I still enjoy thanks to photography. Intangible moments turned tangible - that's the magic of what's in your skill set. So, to all you Dads out there - Happy Father's Day. Cherish your kids and your spouse, who played a significant role in making you a Dad! And to my own Dad, who I've missed every day since you passed away, I love ya. Thanks for everything you taught me, and so many incredible memories, and watching over us now. As I've written in the past, I couldn't be more proud to be Ralph Cohen's son. Wishing everybody a day filled with love, peace, and respect for "the old man." Don't let the pandemic hold you back from making new memories. "Life is too short. So, break your silly ego, forgive quickly, believe slowly, love truly, laugh loudly and never avoid anything that makes you smile." Unknown Author Happy Father's Day!
  by Skip Cohen I've written a lot over the years about the importance of maintaining your network. Without care and feeding, like a house plant, it'll just die! The pandemic has changed how we deal with so many different aspects of communication and support. The result makes it more critical than ever for you to keep in touch with clients, associates, and opinion-leaders in your community. Your network is one of your most valuable tools for success. That "plant" I mentioned needs water, light, fertilizer, and a pot big enough so it can grow. Your network is no different. Sheltering in place does NOT apply to your business and especially your network. Building relationships is your greatest marketing tool! And as Scott Stratten says in his book UnMarketing, "Stop marketing and start engaging!" Social distancing changes how you engage, but not the importance of keeping in contact!
I hate to quote politicians, but Hilary Clinton's line about "It takes a village," is so on point today. But it starts with you giving your village the support it needs. Then, you've got to be there to help people in your network because they're going to be your best resource when you need help! If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.
African Proverb  Humor is mankind's greatest blessing. Mark Twain  by Skip Cohen It's Throwback Thursday, and I'm covering a lot of ground and years, all built on a foundation of humor. So, from Portland to Sedona and 1978 to 2005, Mark Twain's quote above couldn't be more appropriate! In 1978 Mike Ryerson captured the image on the right. It's a shot of Bud Clark, who later became mayor of Portland, Oregon. "By 1984, the year Clark was elected mayor, Ryerson had sold more than 250,000 posters,[2] with profits supporting The Northwest Neighbor.[3]" (From Wikipedia) It remains one of my favorite posters/photographs. The concept came back in 2005 when Bob Coates went to work photographing a calendar featuring Sedona artists. The image above was the cover shot for the Sedona "Naked Calendar." And the composite below is proof of Bob's ability to walk the talk! Whether you share throwback images on your blog, or enjoy them for yourself, take the time to hunt down some memory-makers. None of us can change the challenges created by the pandemic, but a fun look in your rearview mirror just might be the perfect way to start the day. And as far as a sense of humor being a blessing, so is having buddies like Bob!   Image copyright Alyce Bender. All rights reserved. by Skip Cohen We're halfway through 2020 already, and this is our 18th episode of Tamron Recipes. Without question, time definitely flies when you're having a good time. And being in the middle of a pandemic changes nothing in the willingness of each Chef to share insight into their love for the craft. We started this series, thinking it was a great way to demonstrate the quality and versatility of Tamron's extensive lens line, but we've learned and shared so much more. Each month we're introduced to another member of Tamron's imaging family...and what a family it is! Alyce Bender, known as "Bender," is in the Tamron Kitchen this month with a variety of cuisines - from wildlife to landscapes to macro to abstractions and Impressionism, you'll sense her love for the craft the minute you step into any gallery. A fun aspect of these episodes has become my search for a quote that seems to fit each Chef. Until my recent phone conversation with Bender, we had never met. Immediately, it became apparent how much she loves the craft and capturing the personalities of each subject - even her landscapes. We believe people with passion can change the world for the better. That's what we believe. And we believe those people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that actually do. Steve Jobs  Click to visit the "Tamron Kitchen" and more Recipes About "Chef" Bender: I don't know Bender well enough to know if she's out to change the world, but she's certainly helping to make it better. As I started to get to know her passion for the craft, and her love for whatever subject she's capturing, the quote by Steve Jobs was perfect. Each image in her gallery represents a story she wants to share, and her image above is no exception. Please take the time to visit Bender's website. From the very first image, you'll sense her passion for imaging and her quest to share each experience with us and why she feels it's important: I really am happiest in the field and am passionate about sharing the unique biodiversity this planet has to offer. My goal is to connect viewers and photographers with the natural world through my imagery and tours. I believe the stronger the connection between people and nature, the easier it is to promote environmental awareness and to protect vulnerable species and their habitats. About the Image: Bender used Tamron's SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 lens to capture the photo above. It's not only one of her favorites, but it was also Chamira and my first "WOW" when we visited her website. And it comes with a great backstory. Taken outside Kushiro, Japan in the late afternoon on a chilly February day this year. This is one in a series of images I am working on to highlight the beauty and grace of the endangered Red-crowned Crane. February is when these cranes court each other with elaborate and choreographed displays. Even though they mate for life, paired cranes still use the courtship dance to reestablish those bonds. For me, this year was especially difficult as it was the warmest winter in over 60 years for Japan, meaning there were a lot of blue sky days. For these images I really need overcast, preferably actively snowing, weather. Of the five days I spent with the cranes this year, I only had one day of partly overcast and a couple of hours of snow and overcast conditions this final evening. Thankfully, everything, from the weather to the position of the birds, finally aligned on that last afternoon to allow me to capture this image. Click on Bender's image to enlarge and view in the SCU Lightbox. Then visit her website and follow her schedule of Photo Adventures too! The pandemic has changed the availability of specific trips, but if she's on your radar, you'll be able to keep up to date with everything she's doing and her schedule. And visit her macro gallery, an extension of her skill set brought out during downtime and dealing with social distancing.
 Click for more info As one of the world's leading manufacturers of outstanding glass in imaging, Tamron never slows down. The quality of their optics has become legendary. They're one of the industry's most favorite suppliers, and whether online these days in virtual workshops or live at their booth at any convention, they're always busy. Once the pandemic is over and things start to get back to normal, you can count on Tamron being back on the road. But for now, social distancing is a necessity, but NOT in cyberspace. Tamron's website is loaded with outstanding content as well as their YouTube channel. And their tech team is regularly teaching online with workshops supported by Tamron retailers all over the country. Check out Tamron's current rebates on fifteen outstanding lenses, including one of "Bender's" favorites. Just click on the banner below. This might be just the right time for you to expand your gear, and take full advantage of the downtime getting to know a new lens, and boost your skill set.   Click on any image above to listen to the podcast on Photofocus.com or iTunes.  by Skip Cohen When Chamira and I started this series, we had no idea the diversity of the topics we'd talk about with each new guest. In this new episode, Sherry Hagerman joined us to talk about one of the most important challenges facing every artist - continuing education. Sherry's no rookie for understanding the importance of education, networking, and building a solid skill set. We've known each other for over ten years, first meeting when she was an attendee at the summer program I used to do, Skip's Summer School. She believes in education and walks the talk on her never-ending quest to expand her own skills. She's also no stranger to the SCU blog with guest posts, an episode of "Why?" and multiple spotlight images. Chamira, Sherry, and I talked a lot about education, and especially the changes for 2020 with the ClickCon show in Chicago. Originally scheduled to kick off August 9, due to the pandemic, it was postponed until August 2021, but that changes little in the ClickCon teams approach to great education. ClickCon Nation launches on August 9 and will be a monthly series of online educational programs featuring some of the finest artists and educators in the industry. Click on the banner below to link to the ClickCon Facebook page, and start following the news as more details become available. And see more of Sherry's images by visiting the Allusion Photography website. Just click on any of her photographs in this post.  "Beyond Technique" is brought to you by... Programs like "Beyond Technique" don't happen without great industry support from companies who believe in the craft, like Platypod. Just like their strength in giving artists a different perspective, we're hopefully doing the same thing with each podcast. If you haven't visited the Platypod website, take a scroll through the blog and Instagram pages. Artists from around the world are sharing their creativity. And if you're stuck with what to get Dad for Father's Day, (or yourself) - wander into the Platypod store. You'll find some unique kits like the new Ultra Essentials Kit, now on sale. Just click on the banner to the right. A big thanks to Photofocus for always sharing great content to help photographers grow their skills in technology, marketing, and business. Photofocus also hosts some of the very best podcasts in photography! They're just a click away. Images copyright Allusion Photography. All rights reserved.  
      Click on the image above to check out this great lens! Intro by Chamira Young With the arrival of summer comes the abundant inspiration of nature, including the breathtaking array of birds that cross our paths on a daily basis. As beautiful as our winged friends are, they can also be an outright challenge to shoot if you don't have the optimal gear or technique. That's where the Tamron team comes in! Today we wanted to bring a you a great instructional video from Tamron demonstrating how to use your very own backyard as a bird studio! Professional nature photographer David Akoubian shares the story of creating his backyard bird studio in the North Georgia mountains, and walks us through the steps for for taking great photos of birds in a backyard area. You'll love how detailed he gets about the process, his technique, and how the 150-600mm F/5-6.3 lens is the perfect piece of glass for the job. If you've got a backyard (or access to a park), then you've got a built in bird studio! Check out the detailed video below to get great tips.    Click to view Google page about browsers by Skip Cohen
I first shared this post as part of my Fast Food Friday series last year, but it's even more relevant today. The pandemic and social distancing have changed everything in business today. Now, more than ever, your website and blog are critical components of your business. Sadly, too many of you have websites that could put a rock to sleep! I've done a lot of website reviews over the years, and so many of you miss an opportunity to make a great first expression. A visit to your website needs to be a great experience. Like shopping at Macy's vs. Nordstroms - you've got a choice to make in the experience you give visitors to your website! In reviewing websites, photographers will often say to me, "I know it's out of date. I need to fix those images." Well, the days of procrastinating are over, and it's genuinely a you-snooze-you-lose scenario. Here are some ideas, most of them easy fixes and things you can do NOW!
While somebody will challenge me on this, you can't be in business today without a website. I also feel a blog is essential. Why? Because your site is about what you sell, and your blog is about what's in your heart. Both work together, much like advertising and publicity. Together a great website and blog can open doors, build trust, and help establish your reputation as a professional photographer. But just like discussions on Facebook forums about what photographers wear when shooting a wedding, you've got to dress the part. You've got to dress for success! Your website is the equivalent of a bricks and mortar store - make a visit, starting with your audience walking through the front door, that's memorable and a fun place to "shop."  Image copyright Dave Stock. All rights reserved. by Skip Cohen It's Mirrorless Monday, and I found this image shared by my buddy Dave Stock. At first glance, it looked like a cartoon character. It's pretty remarkable. Keep in mind I'm sharing a screenshot, and it's still got incredible detail. Give it a click and view in the SCU Lightbox. Dave wrote: I'm amazed to see how well Post Focus assisted by Dual IS can do, even when hand held at 1/60th with a long lens (50-200mm at 200mm on a G9). I was in my pool and held the camera overhead, viewing on the articulated screen as this guy perched on a lounge overlooking our pool. Click on either thumbnail below for more information about the remarkable technology of the G9 and the LUMIX G Leica 50-200mm lens.
Dave Stock is a photographer who should be on your radar. Keep up with what he's doing and follow him on Instagram. And if you're on Facebook, wander over to the Lumix Photographers Community. With over 9,000 members, artists from all over the world are always sharing great images and creative ideas to help you build your skillset and vision.
 There's a lot of fun in taking a look in your rearview mirror. This is from a past Nokomis Drum Circle, just before sunset.  by Skip Cohen
Last Sunday, I was on a "staycation," at the end of a week off to clear my head. I needed a break. We didn't go anywhere, just hung out at home, enjoyed each other and the pups, while binge-watching good and bad movies. A tropical storm blew into South Florida, so we spent a lot of time inside. I'm back this morning, and my post yesterday seems to have sparked opinions from all sides, including one person who gets the Uninformed Jackass Award and runner-up for the saddest use of the F-bomb. He(or she) told me the flu comes the same time every year with the same number of deaths and never shut down the economy. And on that note, I set out to write today's Sunday Morning Reflections. One key point I wanted to make yesterday - you've got to take care of yourself and the people you love and care about. I have no idea who to believe about anything lately, so we're going to continue to hunker down. However, I have noticed some interesting discoveries while in hunker down mode:
And to my "buddy" who told me this is just another flu season...no need to put on a mask. With your head where it is, you'll be protected. You just won't be able to drive. Time to wrap it up and simply wish you a great Sunday and time to think about how to make your life better. None of us know who to believe in where the pandemic is taking us, but we are an industry that watches out for each other, and we can get through this together. Wishing everybody a day filled with peace, love, and respect for other people's opinions, even when you want to choke the crap out of them. Never lose your sense of humor. Happy Sunday, or Monday if you're on the other side of the world. Stay safe and healthy. |
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We've postponed the f64 Lunch Bunch for a few weeks. There's so much going on in everybody's lives right now in terms of help and education. However, we're all still here to help and just an email away.
And if you missed the May 6 lunch with Bobbi Lane and Tony Corbell - it's pretty amazing. The video is just a click away. 
ClickCon 2020 Circle the Dates!!The pandemic may have moved the dates for 2020 to August 10-13, 2021, but that's NOT slowing Team ClickCon down. Stay tuned for new programs online with ClickCon Nation! It all starts on August 11th.
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