This is what I like about photographs. They're proof that once,
even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect.
Jodie Picoult ​

by Skip Cohen

For years, I've referred to myself as the low-tech poster child for the industry. In fact, I played off that theme in a post many years ago, demonstrating how easy it was to use X-Rite's ColorMunki to calibrate your monitor.

Here's the short backstory...

A year ago, we lost Sheila's brother Randy after a long fight following a brain aneurysm. Randy was on my mind yesterday because it was Veterans' Day, and I've never known a prouder Marine. We used to accuse him of sleeping in any one of a dozen military baseball hats, his signature attire.

While going through old files in my Shutterfly account, I ran across this still shot of Randy and Sheila from when he visited us ten years ago. I don't remember even seeing it initially. 

Yesterday, scrolling through Facebook, an ad came up for an animation company using AI to animate still photographs. You've all seen them, and I decided it was worth a few minutes to play with the software. The company was alivemoment.com. I didn't do a whole lot of research; I just decided to give it a try at their minimal-cost one-month trial level.

By adding a short piece of royalty-free music from Wondershare Filmora 12, the short clip above was complete.

If you've known or followed me for even the shortest amount of time, you should have figured out that I'm one of the industry's biggest cheerleaders. But while I respect new technology, I'm not an early adopter, and probably one of the last people to change to something new. The concept of animating old photographs is hardly new, but the results of this first personal test drive blew me away.

What I do love and have written about hundreds of times over the years is how photographs capture memories and allow us to relive them, long after the events themselves are long over. But this particular image was so wonderful and over-the-top that I hesitated even to show it to Sheila.

As we both teared up watching it several times, Sheila said, "Oh my God, you brought Randy back to life!"  

Before posting this morning, I wanted to grab one of my favorite group shots from close to 25 years ago at WPPI. It's not quite as effective, but it definitely captured what we were all feeling that night, catching up to Big Daddy...lots of laughs. And with Don Blair and Terry Deglau both having passed away, it's a poignant moment to watch an animated still photograph.

by Skip Cohen

​It's Veteran's Day, and while parts of this post I shared many years ago, it's still great to bring back. 

My Dad was part of the "Greatest Generation," serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Like so many veterans, while he saw action in the Pacific, he rarely talked about it. However, there were a few stories he shared over the years.

Dad played the trumpet all through high school and college until he dropped out to serve after Pearl Harbor. That's Dad in one of the Army Air Corps bands above, second from the right in front of the drummer. 

On a hot, humid day in New Guinea in the 1940s, his CO was looking for musicians. Dad's hand to volunteer couldn't have gone up faster, thinking he was about to score some light duty. All those years playing the trumpet were about to pay off! NOT - for the next three days, he was part of a crew moving pianos for Bob Hope and a USO show!

Dad was initially trained as a pilot but wound up with a perforated eardrum. That changed his role, limiting his time in the air. He spent a good part of the war in the tower at the airfield. One story he told me was about his CO near the end of the war. They regularly sent out planes to calibrate the radar. Just as Dad was getting ready to head out and fly with one of the calibration crews, his CO held him back so he could go himself. Dad was pissed that he got out-ranked and had to stay in the tower. Well, the plane never returned!

That one event gave Dad a whole new philosophy on everything from destiny to dealing with disappointment to believing in divine intervention. Growing up, whenever I was disappointed over something big or small, Dad would remind me, "Everything always works out for the better!"

A year before Dad passed away, we joined HonorFlight.org and went to Washington. I remember Dad sitting with a group of veterans who were also on the trip. Dad was based in the Asia Pacific, and they had all been on the European front. Somebody asked Dad if he ever got to meet General MacArthur. I loved his answer, "No, but I brought in his plane a few times!"
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So, to our son Brian, who's serving now, Uncle Randy who passed away last year, my Dad who left us in 2015, and all my friends and associates who served in Viet Nam or have family in the military now, I'm not only writing the longest run-on sentence I've ever published, but sharing a big heartfelt thank you!

On this Veteran's Day morning, I wish everybody a day of peace—not just inner peace with your life, but the kind our veterans have fought to preserve. Take the time to hug a veteran today and remind them of your appreciation for the sacrifices they made. And, to every parent who joins us with family in the military today - "thank you" is such an understatement.

If you've got a veteran in the family, especially if they're in their 70s or older, check out HonorFlight.org. It's a fantastic group with one goal: to show the appreciation all our veterans deserve and get them to Washington for one more "tour." Just click on the HonorFlight logo below for more information.

There are only two ways to influence human behavior:
You can manipulate it or you can inspire it.
Simon Sinek

Wishing everybody a day ahead with time to appreciate the people most important in your life. Make it a day when you don't let what's happening in the world outside into your bubble. None of us can escape the daily challenges, but just as a caregiver needs respite, make today a time to take a break. Cherish the people you love the most and make those eleven-second hugs a few seconds longer - everyone needs the extra time.

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

"If you wait for all the lights to turn green, you'll never get started on your journey!"
​Zig Ziglar

by Skip Cohen

The quote above is one my most favorite. I lucked out in finding an illustration in Adobe stock of all green lights. However, the reality is that catching all lights when they're synced is rare. Now and then you have to stop, but that shouldn't change the direction of your journey or the destination.

As I sat down to write a blog post this morning, the quote above popped into my head.  I started thinking about my kick lately to remind readers that procrastination is NOT a marketing strategy.  Too many of us, me included, want everything to be perfect before we launch a new project. We want to do everything we can to guarantee success.

But sadly, when all the lights aren't green, we never start the journey. We make excuses, rationalize our way into justifying our inactivity. When the window of opportunity closes, we convince ourselves that we made the right decision...at least until regret starts to seep in.

Lucille Ball is quoted as saying, "I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done."

And there's my point: it's not a perfect world, but we all have choices as long as we stay focused on our goals. Some of those choices involve compromise —not necessarily on your dreams, but on the path you choose to get there. 

We're living in bizarre times, absent of very many true leaders. That means there are opportunities for you, as artists and small business owners, to demonstrate leadership, accountability, integrity, and even compromise where appropriate. Don't let the insanity of the times get in the way of continuing to pursue your dreams.

Yes, I know it's easy to write about, and everybody's challenges are different. But that doesn't change the fact that EVERYONE can help change the world, at least in your own community. Capturing memories never goes out of style, and the opportunities for photographers to help tell their subjects' stories should be at the very top of your "to-do" list.

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead!

In every Alzheimer’s story, there is also a love story.
Hold on to yours, for it can carry you and your loved one through the longest days and darkest nights.
Rosalys Peel, “Mike and Me”

by Skip Cohen

​It's one of my favorite days of the week, Throwback Thursday. While my post today connects to the tragedy of Alzheimer's, it's photography that counters the pain. It's all those old photographs that make me smile and remind me of all the good times before my mother started her battle with the disease.

The best throwbacks are often those grab shots. They capture moments from the past, transporting us back to a time far less complicated. The fun of Throwback Thursday for me is the hunt. I went back through hundreds of images, often reliving each smile, laugh, and stretch of joy that, back then, was the norm. 

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I'm honored to be a contributor to the Alzheimer's Association newsletter for Florida. The posts I write for them are all connected to things we learned in dealing with my mother's battle. 

These days, and it's only going to become more prevalent, everyone knows somebody dealing with the horrible disease. There are an estimated 7.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease as of 2025. This represents about 1 in 9 people aged 65 and older. The number of cases is expected to rise to 12.7 million by 2050. 

My most recent post is below, but here's the link to the complete newsletter, with not only my previous posts but also content shared by others experiencing the challenge of Alzheimer's.

The You’re Not Alone series is all about sharing our experiences in dealing with my mother’s Alzheimer’s. My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all had the disease, so I’ve seen it from all angles. If you can learn from the mistakes we made, then you’ve got room to make new ones of your own. The one point to remember is that you’re not alone.

As Mom’s Alzheimer’s progressed, she became more and more focused on misperceptions. She was like a dog with a bone when she got an idea in her head. In the beginning, I wasted so much time trying to convince her that what she was feeling or thinking was wrong.

My wife, Sheila, on the other hand, would just go along with it and agree with whatever was on Mom’s mind. Then she’d steer her in another direction with a diversion—something to change the subject and distract her.
​

• We were in the car on our way to St. Armands Circle one evening when Mom pointed out at least ten times, “That’s Longboat Key over there.” Finally, Sheila asked, “What’s so special about Longboat Key?” Mom paused and said, “You know, I just don’t know.” That was it—the topic was off her mind, and we moved on.
• On another evening, Sheila caught Mom crying. When she asked why, Mom replied, “What’s going to happen to all my things?” It took seconds to put a smile on Mom’s face when Sheila told her, “We love your things. We’ll take care of them.” Just like that, the crisis was over.
• My mother grew up in my grandfather’s neighborhood hardware store. One night, Mom went into panic mode. Even though my grandparents and the store had been gone for more than 30 years, Mom was frantic. “Dad asked me to lock up, and I don’t think I locked the door to the store!” We just went with it: “No problem at all—Skip’s over there now and just locked up.”

Insulating Mom from the challenges of the outside world also became a necessity. For example, a headline story about violence in the newspaper would send her into a state of fear. The same thing would happen if she saw anything violent on television. Whatever she saw became her reality.

We didn’t realize it at the time, but we were slowly building an inventory of things Mom loved. This became our “happy stash” of distractions for when Mom was most emotional. Coming up with diversions became an art form, and nobody did it better than Sheila.

Here’s my point today: whatever the challenge, don’t argue with your loved one or patient. If you push that button too many times, they’ll withdraw and simply quit talking.

I noticed a distinct difference in how my mother reacted when Sheila came into the room compared with other family members. There was no need for a disciplinarian, but there was a need to keep things on an even keel—with a level of pleasant positivity in our content, tone, and approach to any challenge.
​
The key to it all, as simplistic as it sounds, was love and kindness.

Wishing everybody a terrific Throwback Thursday! If you haven't taken the time to search for some of your own throwbacks, stop what you're working on and chase down a few memories. Imaging is the mortar that holds all our memory "bricks" together. 

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day and the perfect time to do a quick check on your goals for the rest of the week...and into next week. So many of you spend too much time over-thinking things you need to do to build brand awareness. You're waiting for everything to be perfect, which never happens!
​
We're into the seasonality of the year that most photographers have been waiting for. But if you drag your feet, when your ship comes in, you'll be stuck at the airport! (Okay, it's a little stretch as an analogy, but there's no reason to miss so many opportunities for business in the weeks ahead!)

When you've got something you know you should be working on, it becomes the "monkey on your back." You carry the task around until it's completed, and nothing drains more energy than the stress of getting nothing accomplished. 

I keep sharing much of the same list, but now is the time to:

• Is there new gear you need that buying in 2025 would qualify for a tax break?
• Is the design for your holiday cards done, and are they in the pipeline for printing and mailing in time?
• How's your list of people you want to give an extra special thanks to this year?
• Are there any fundraisers in your community you'd like to be involved in over the holidays?
• Are you writing a personal letter to your clients thanking them for their support while also paving the way for new things you have coming in 2026?
• Got your reservations for PPA, WPPI, or both?
• How about partners for a first-quarter 2026 direct mail piece? Who are they, and have they been contacted?
• Are there specific courses you need to expand your skill set?

The list goes on and on, but my point is: it's Hump Day... and to get over the hump and pave the way for the holiday season, you need to build enough momentum to beat the hands of the clock and the calendar!
​
Stop procrastinating...and if you're stuck and need a little help, you know where to find me!

by Skip Cohen

​​As I sat down to write today's post, I started thinking about what I could possibly write about that I haven't hit hard so many times in the past. While much of this post is from the SCU archives, that doesn't change the importance and potential increase in revenue by the concept I'm writing about: a day-in-the-life shoot.    November and December are the perfect times to capture this kind of story.

Plus, everyone is working hard to increase revenue and customer support this time of year. There are just two months left for 2025. A session like this has so much potential for you to show your skills and build stronger relationships with your clients.

• Storytelling:  Like capturing a wedding, a Day-in-the-Life shoot is event-driven and all about building an album.
• Album Designs: Creating an album to tell the story adds to the season's excitement and anticipation. 
• Your Skills: A session like this utilizes all the skills of the photographer. From portraiture to photojournalism, it brings into play technique, lighting, and composition - everything it takes to tell the story of a family's adventure.
• Standing Out: It's a unique offering and can be an ideal revenue producer. It's also perfect content for social media and blog posts.

Here's the concept: While it's called a Day-in-the-Life, it doesn't have to be for an entire day. It could easily be a 3-4 hour block of time. You're capturing the activity of a family, a child, a pet, or even a business in their environment. It's about the interaction among family members or employees, if it's a business story.

For example, it's November, and family members are going to get together to make Thanksgiving dinner. It's one of the few holidays when younger family members often get to help create the holiday meal. For example, Mom and Grandma work together to make the menu, and the kids get to help with the preparation. It's a family event, and so often a full day of work comes down to the first thirty minutes of serving. Even setting the table is a special event, which often looks like a war zone once the first slice of turkey is cut! 

Just like a wedding, it deserves its own album. The wedding party is the team of chefs creating dinner. The detail shots cover everything from cooking utensils to the centerpiece to the table settings. The reception is the dinner itself. Throughout the day, it's about capturing the memory of everyone working together on recipes that have often been in the family for generations.

If you haven't offered a Day-in-the-Life shoot before, consider it seriously. Nothing helps to tell a subject's story more than photographing them in their natural environment. It's the location where every subject is likely to be most comfortable. While the holiday season is a natural time for on-location shooting, the concept is perfect for almost any situation. 

Remember, too, if you're not comfortable with the concept initially, start with your own family. Pick a day and a topic, and capture images that tell the story, aiming to create a complete album. It might just be the perfect gift for Grandma this year.

As professional photographers, you're in a word-of-mouth industry. Imagine the reactions as people see an album you've created for a client that captures a complete story. You only need one of these projects to help start building more brand awareness.

Don't forget your goal...to exceed expectations and make yourself habit-forming!

P.S. And if you're looking for some great albums that are both stunning and cost-effective, check out Marathon's Bella Albums...you'll never be disappointed. Click here to see the entire line.

Life is different when we discover what is deeply important to us.
Stevphen Covey

by Skip Cohen

​My second favorite blog day of the week, right after Throwback Thursday, is Sunday. Why? Because I always step away from business topics. It's my time to violate the rule that the "experts" say you should never share personal things outside what your readers might consider the norm.

I started out writing about being estranged from my family and, on checking, saw that I had written about it just a few months ago. Next, I considered Alzheimer's, then, learning to step away from trolls, and a half dozen other topics, which, upon checking, had all been covered this past year.

Great quotes always come through for me, and finding the Stephen Covey quote above, it hit me hard with how appropriate it is...right now...today! Lou Mitchell, along with the quote, wrote, "By focusing on what deeply resonates with us, we can navigate life's challenges with greater purpose and resilience."

For all of you 50 and under, as you get older, your priorities change. From how you react to the challenges of life to your drive for success, everything changes.  The things you worry about most change dramatically. For example, I have two good friends whose wives are both fighting the most extreme types of dementia, one with FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia) and the other with Alzheimer's and FTD. In both cases, I've known both couples for over thirty years. Up until a few years ago, I never spent much time worrying about my health or Sheila's. Now, I want to do everything I can to focus on our health...and I tear up after every phone call with either of the friends above.

Politics is another area that I've always ignored. After all, there was rarely anything I could do to have an impact beyond dinner conversation or an evening out with friends. That's all different now...My feelings about everything from the stupidity of the government shutdown, taxes, to social security, health benefits, housing, school lunches, fires, floods, and the homeless, just to name a few, have all made me feel differently about life.

As you get older, you discover that the things most important to you at the start of your life as an adult, start to drop down the list. Your outlook on life is constantly changing. Your priorities and appreciation for so many things you took for granted change. Time becomes your most valuable commodity, as each day the hands of the clock spin like the passing of time in an old Hollywood movie, and there's no Back-to-the-Future vehicle to let you make changes from the past.

Sheila and I live a relatively uncomplicated and simple life. We've learned to shut the door on family drama. Our commitment to each other and the pups is at the very top of the list. We do our best to exercise every day following our doctors' guidelines for good health. We get a full night's sleep, even sneaking in a 45-minute nap every day (why should kindergarten kids have all the fun? A short nap is the perfect way to recharge!) And sometimes we just kick back and talk, sharing how we feel about so many different topics.

Here's my point—I hope you can take a little while today to think about who and what are most important to you. A great life is all about having minimal regrets. Do the people most important to you know the role they play in your life? Do they know how much of your heart they occupy? Yeah, it's sappy, but that's what all of this is about - loving your life and the people in it! 

Wishing you a day ahead with plenty of time to focus on the things that make up your core values. Take the time to turn back the clock ten years and consider how much you've changed. And who were the people who have never let you down? The ones you can always count on to be there for you.

by Skip Cohen

Once a year, I like to run one of my favorite guest posts written by my Dad. It seems like the perfect day to run it, since today, Halloween, is his birthday.  Notice I used the word "is" and not "was".  Dad may have passed away almost ten years ago, but that doesn't change his presence in so many aspects of my life. Before he passed away, I remember saying, "There aren't many people my age who still have their parents around, let alone like them!"

Dad had just turned 88 when I talked him into sharing some of the wisdom I grew up with in a blog post. So, for those of you who never met my Dad, meet Ralph! Right up until he died, he still did a lot of business on a handshake, and the wisdom he shared in the post below is right on target for so many of us.

And to my Dad—I miss ya, pop. But the good news is, I'm surrounded by great memories every day. Your love and support were never-ending. And tonight, every time the doorbell rings with kids for Halloween, I'll laugh and do a quick flashback to every birthday dinner we tried to have for you when I was a kid. The irony of dozens of Halloween trick-or-treaters interrupting your birthday dinner, was that when I was a kid, you were in the candy business! 

Happy Birthday, Pop!​

I finally closed the deal to get my Dad to write a couple of blog posts, but only after we negotiated a life-changing compensation program that hopefully won’t disturb his Social Security and is comparable to what he underpaid me as a kid!   What I’m most happy with is simply being able to draw from Dad’s years of experience.  His message in this first blog is everything so many icons talk about.  

This blog is a prime example of as much as things change they stay the same!  The principles of business, while the vehicles to deliver the message might be different, the message itself is still the same.  So everybody, meet Pop, Skip’s Dad, with some great foundation tips to help you build your business.

Yesterday was my 88th birthday.  I have been happily retired for many years, and unemployed for at least 15 of those. Now, out of the blue, comes our son, Skip, threatening me with employment! The pay he considers adequate is $.02 per word. So gathering together, my 50+ years in business experience, I thought this would be a good time to put my two cents in.

I am not a plagiarist, but I must quote my father who spent the last months of his life writing advice to his children:

“Conduct your business in an upright manner and remember, the most important thing in one’s life is to be honest with one’s self. Maintain the high standard and dignity that your business requires. Do not go into deals hastily and be visible in your business as much of the time as is possible.  If you take time to play, do it away from your business, because your livelihood needs all the attention you can give to it.”

Early on, I concluded that the best testimonials came from my many friendly competitors.  We didn’t really compete with each other, in the true sense. True, we were in the same field of endeavor, but we all knew we were there to help each other. Happily, the “tough competition” fell by the wayside. 

I remember giving Skip driving lessons and I told him, “Watch the left front fender…..the rest will take care of itself!” I’ve found this is really true of everything in life.

An old axiom says “If you tell the truth, you never have to remember what you said.”  That is all part of reputation-building. I found that, sadly, in the field of real estate, truth is hard to come by for many. In our case, it was a major building block in the reputation which we enjoyed, and helped us to thwart the competition.

Goodwill is all of the above, plus a lot of caring for your clients as well as your competitors.  If life is a give-and-take situation, giving is the more important of the two.  The taking will come with time and be far more appreciative.  Just remember - you heard it here!  

​Ralph Cohen, Founder and Creator of Skip Cohen!

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. 
If you love what you are doing you will be successful.
Albert Schweitzer

by Skip Cohen

​I'm trying to get in the habit of keeping Hump Day posts short and to the point. When I read the quote above, it hit me how many people I've met who are missing the most essential ingredient in their careers: happiness.

Everyone measures success differently, but the common denominators seem to always include fame and fortune. But if you're not happy, then neither matter. As I got older, focusing on success wasn't as important as just being happy. And being happy is EVERYTHING.

Lou Mitchell, along with the quote above, wrote, Are you pursuing what you love, or are you chasing external markers of success? How can you incorporate more joy and passion into your daily life?

If you're not waking up in the morning energized for whatever's on your schedule for the day, it's time to step back and figure out what's missing. Don't forget that you don't have to figure it out alone - this is where a spouse or a good friend can play a key role in helping you with whatever pieces you're missing in finding happiness in whatever career path you've shown.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius

by Skip Cohen

​I've written a lot over the years about giving back to your community. You're looking for your community to be good to you, so you've got to be good to them! But there's also a necessary balance: supporting nonprofits and, at the same time, finding a cause that's near and dear to your heart. 

My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all died of Alzheimer's. When Sheila and I moved to Florida in 2011, it was to help my Dad with my Mom, who had been diagnosed with the disease. An estimated 7.2 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease as of 2025. This represents about 11% of the population aged 65 and older. The number is expected to increase to 13.8 million by 2060. From the Alzheimer's Association.

Supporting the fight for a cure for Alzheimer's has become my most focused way to give back. Next week, the Florida Alzheimer's group will be publishing my sixth installment of the You're Not Alone Chronicles. In addition, I'm helping to manage the Memory Care Alliance, and I'll be one of several speakers next month addressing the county legislature reviewing health care. 

I'm not sharing what I'm doing to suggest I've found the most noble cause to support, only to remind you that there are so many levels of involvement for each of you to choose from. Whatever the cause most tugging at your heartstrings, it's so important to find ways to give back. While financial donations are always supportive, every nonprofit thrives on the energy people bring to their activities.

Here's my point: there's a greater need for support for your community than ever before. None of us knows what to expect in the future, especially when it comes to health care. And the chaos in the government only makes it more important for each of us to be more involved with local needs.

“It’s easy to make a buck.  It’s a lot tougher to make a difference. ” 
Tom Brokaw

by Skip Cohen

​It's been a crazy time, and when I usually post 3-4 times each week, it's strange when the cycle and habit get preempted by other projects. This is my first post for the week.  I know I shared this photograph at least five years ago, but where is it written that you can't share a Throwback Thursday image a second time? 

This photograph is from 2004 —it's bittersweet, but still a special memory. It was taken at breakfast the day of Don Blair's funeral in Utah. And while there are no words to describe how much I miss "Big Daddy," nothing changes the power of the legacy of friendships he left behind.

Here's the backstory: We were all in Murray, UT, for Don's funeral. His favorite breakfast place every morning, along with his son Gary and a whole bunch of local buddies, was Amber's. They were regulars, and at some point, somebody had a sign made up honoring "The Breakfast Club." So, a bunch of us from the photo industry made it a point to grab breakfast together.

There's one more sad reminder that time never stands still. The industry has lost five talented people from this photograph over the last 20+ years - Duncan MacNab, Ken Whitmire, Terry Deglau, Sam Pallia, and Roy Madearis. Each one was special for their contribution to the industry and the legacy they left behind.

Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.
Unknown Author

A good life is a collection of happy memories.
Denis Waitley 

We didn't realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.
A.A. Milne 

Many of you, especially if you're under thirty, never met most of the guys above...and yes, it looks like the good ole boys club, but that doesn't reflect the mix of friends who were at Don's funeral or making history in the industry at the time.

This is an amazing industry filled with incredible artists, managers, and educators. And if my memories are my diary, as in that first quote, I've got volumes of stories I've collected over the years, many of them thanks to the people in the photograph above.

Wishing everybody a terrific Throwback Thursday and a chance to fill your diary with more great memories.

You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know.
Knowing is not enough! You must take action.
Anthony Robbins

by Skip Cohen

It's Friday and I like to keep it short. When I saw the quote above I couldn't help but think about the political mess the U.S. is in. This isn't about being on the Left or Right.

​If any of us ran our businesses the way Congress is acting now, we'd be out of business. I recognize it's easy to be on the outside and criticize, but we've got a government that's forgotten about We the People!

Think about a customer service problem you might have had in your business that simply wasn't your fault. Instead of pointing fingers and doing nothing, you took action and fixed it, because that's what the customer expected. It's what you needed to do to build loyalty and grow your business. You were a problem solver and didn't let complacency get in the way.

I'm back to not watching the news because I'm tired of all the finger-pointing, the lies, the whining, and the complete disregard for the people. I'm tired of all the "fat cats" in Washington who do nothing but criticize and want to take away health benefits, cut back on the social security we've all spent a lifetime paying and take no responsibility for their inaction. 

Want to end the government shutdown? Stop paying the members of Congress! 

by Skip Cohen

Over the years, I've written extensively about crafting content for your "About" page, emphasizing the importance of being relevant to your target audience and building trust right from the very beginning. Sadly, there are still many of you who just don't get it...or you've procrastinated your way into thinking it doesn't matter. 

Years ago, an incredible motivational speaker, Ed Foreman, planted this seed of wisdom, which I've modified slightly:  "If I can see the world through my client's eyes, then I can sell my client what my client buys!" It's really that simple, and far more focused than just the old expression of "putting yourself in their shoes." You need to understand what's important to your target audience - what they worry about, what are their needs, what makes them happy, even what needs aren't being fulfilled.  This should guide your thought process for everything you do in marketing and building your business.

• Stop talking about your gear! Most clients don't care what you shoot with. 
• Stop talking about your awards! Unless you won a Pulitzer, talking about print competition awards especially will have little or no impact. Most consumers don't know what PPA, WPPI, and a long list of other associations are!
• Nobody cares how you got started! I know it seems harsh, but the average consumer doesn't care who gave you your first camera.

Remember, women make 98% of the purchase decisions to hire most of you. That means "Moms" and brides are the ones looking at your work. When you write about your background for your "About" page, remember your target audience. Here's what they want to hear:

• Talk about why you love being a photographer.
• Share your passion for people and capturing memories.
• Be sappy - this is an opportunity to show your love for the craft.
• Write about your dedication to exceeding client expectations and building relationships.

The biggest question new clients have is whether or not you can be trusted to capture the kind of images they want. Will you be able to meet their mindset?

Last but not least - write it all in the first person and include a signature. (With security issues these days, a facsimile of your signature is fine.) Write your "About" section as more of an artist's statement and stay relevant to what your target audience is looking for. 

Every visit to your website is a potential opportunity to start a new relationship or expand an old one. Exceed consumer expectations right out of the block with great images in your galleries, followed by a strong "About" section! ​

Somewhere along the line we stopped believing we could do anything.
And if we don't have our dreams, we have nothing.
Billy Bob Thornton

by Skip Cohen

Sundays are always my time to jump the tracks from topics like business and marketing. It's always been easy to find a topic that was on my mind to share outside of what I usually write about. But this morning is tough, as I find the outside world interrupting the peace and joy of the bubble I consider our home.

I find it hard to ignore my anger and frustration with politics. We all know that if you want to end the government shutdown, then hold back the salaries of the members of Congress! Seriously, whether red or blue, it would be incredible how quickly they'd figure out how to work together! 

I'll spare you my feelings on everything else, because for the most part, I'm betting most of you are on the same page, and we're all tired of the insanity. So, I'm changing directions and writing a reminder to myself as well as all of you - never let go of your dreams. As we're bombarded daily with the negativity in the world, it's more important than ever to focus our energy on our dreams.

Author, Lou Mitchell, came through today with the quote above and the following...

..."It is crucial to rekindle our aspirations and hold onto the vision of what we can achieve. Dreams give our lives meaning and direction, fueling our passions and creativity.  By nurturing our dreams, we can regain our sense of purpose and motivation, transforming our aspirations into reality."

Here's my point - no matter how frustrated we are with the world outside our control, if we let go of our dreams, they win!  It's our dreams and visions that keep us focused, motivated, and bring the energy we need to our creativity. It's not easy, but I'm slowly learning to tune out the outside world's noise and focus on what's within our control, and things important to me and Sheila.

For example, the Alzheimer's organization has asked me to be one of their representatives at a county legislature meeting next month reviewing healthcare. And on Monday, I've been asked to capture a group shot of the staff of the Senior Friendship Centers at their local retreat. This is a group of people who never stop working to make the world a better place. We can't change anything outside our control, but we can contribute, even in baby steps, to helping make our communities better.

So many of you are doing similar things with organizations in your communities that are fighting to make the world a better place, one zip code at a time. That's the thing dreams are made of, and I refuse to let the world grind us down!

Wishing everyone a day ahead with time to focus on the different aspects of your dreams.  Woodstock may have been 56 years ago, but the need for peace and love is even greater today. I know it sounds sappy, but together, all of us really can change the world...starting with our own little piece in our community. 

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

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.
Booker T. Washington