by Skip Cohen

​We've all been to various kinds of workshops over the years, some great, others average, and then there are those programs that could put a rock to sleep.

Here are three coming up in 2024 that will fill up fast, but it's all because they're great programs. So, what makes a great program, and why would I suggest you put these on the very top of your bucket list?
​

• A Great Guide/Instructor: Moose Peterson is legendary, in part because of his skill set but also his passion for the craft. You're not just going for the adventure, but what you can learn and capture that becomes memory-making.
• Small Groups: Moose keeps his groups small, which adds to the experience. Bolivar Beach is only open to four shooters, while Grand Isle and Cape Hatteras are each five. Whatever the subject matter, the smaller the group, the more you will experience.
• Subject Matter: Obviously, if you're a wedding photographer, there's no connection to the bird world, but for those of you who are outdoor/wildlife enthusiasts, here's an opportunity to be in areas that are unique with a guide who knows his stuff.
• Values: This is a little harder to describe, but you always want a guide/instructor to have great values, not just a passion for the craft but life. Here's a great example, Moose and his wife Sharon (AKA Mrs. Moose) have been married for forty-two years, yet, read every description of his programs above, and you'll see him suggest you call his "beautiful bride" to register. 
• Setting the Standard: Anybody can put together an itinerary for a program, workshop, or adventure, but Moose and Karen go beyond that - you want a program that exceeds expectations, put together by people who know the area and understand your mindset for capturing great images.

Last but not least - a photographic adventure with Moose will always be fun. "FUN" - that's one of those words too often lost today. It's buried underneath the stress of business. 

These programs will fill up fast. If you're interested, click on the banner above for more information and get yourself signed up.

by Skip Cohen

​A big thanks to so many of you who commented or hit the "like" button in the various forums where I shared this yesterday. Hopefully, you'll like the second half just as much. Part II gets a little more personal and goes beyond the rules of engagement, hitting on a few basic concepts.

The bottom line is simple - it's a long post, but pick the highlights that work best for you. And remember, we're ALL work in progress!

11) Never use the word "fail!" Don't be afraid to admit you screwed up, but the truth is "fail," "failure," and "failed" are all self-fulfilling negative words. You're dead meat the minute you use words like this. If you tried something and it didn't work – all that happened was that it didn't work. If you hadn't tried anything at all, then you'd be a failure.
 
So, strike the word from your vocabulary and get your internal spell-check going so that all derivatives of the word fail are removed. Success is about taking chances; failure is just part of your journey. As long as you learn from each situation, nothing can ever be a failure.

12) Recognize when you're on overload. Anybody with kids knows the signs of a sugar low. As adults, we're no different; we never outgrow that sugar-low mood swing. What does change is that as we get older, we're not only susceptible to a real sugar low, but we react the same way when we've just got too much going on. So you've got to take a break now and then and stay grounded with those things most important in your life.

13) Only claim your own work as yours - And don't share somebody else's work without permission: There's been a lot of talk in our industry over the years as some pretty well-known photographers have been caught using another photographer's images and text. If you can't come up with a concept on your own to write about in your words, then either ask for permission and quote the source or forget it! And when you're shooting behind your instructor in a hands-on class, stop claiming it's your image and sharing it in your galleries. Instead, take what you learned and apply it to your own photographs.
  
14) Keep in contact with friends. We all get busy. We all lose touch, but it's worth the effort to keep in touch with friends and people you've met who share your passions. And don't forget your network - Your network takes work to maintain, and you need to communicate with the core members regularly, not just when you need help.

14B) Keep in touch with your immediate family! I made this its own category, because it's so easy to forget the people closest to you. For example, Sheila can't know why mood swing just went south if she doesn't understand various aspects of my business. So, whether it's your spouse, partner or roommate - don't forget their stake/investment in your life.  Share what's going on in your business with the people closet to you.

15) Listen to your staff. Your business is growing, and as it does, you'll bring on more people to help. You might outsource to other vendors. All these people, directly or indirectly, become your "staff." Learn to include them in discussions about your business and listen to their suggestions. You don't always have to incorporate their ideas, but at least let them know their input is valuable and is being considered.

16) Be realistic with your deadlines. Deliver on time or even early. Nobody is interested in your excuses if you come in late.

17) Be on time! It's pretty simple – show up when you're supposed to, regardless if it's a meeting with an associate or a client.

There's a great story about business writer Tom Peters many years ago. He was hired to speak at a conference of airline executives. There was a lot of angry tension in the room when he showed up ten minutes late. He opened with one comment, "By all your standards, this is an on-time arrival!"

18) Get to know your vendors. As a professional photographer, you need a great lab, an album company, a frame company, a reputable equipment retailer, and a marketing/planning resource. And, within each one of these vendors, there are additional resources with people there to help you succeed in virtually every aspect of photography.

But here's an engagement rule when you're at a trade show or convention: Don't be a stormtrooper! There's nothing more aggravating than when working a booth at a busy show, somebody interrupts your conversation to introduce themselves. It's okay if you want to talk to that person, but make an appointment in advance or simply wait your turn.

19) Be careful what you say and to whom! We're a relatively small industry. We all go to the same rubber chicken dinners together. I've been caught a few times at conventions, talking a little too loud in a restaurant and unaware of who might be sitting at the next table. Remember, you never know how many degrees of separation there are between the person you're talking to and the person you're talking about!

20) Unless you're willing to accept responsibility for a rumor, don't pass it on! Around year six of my twelve years at Hasselblad, I heard a rumor I traced back to a retailer that I was about to be fired. When I confronted him directly, he refused to tell me his source, yet he passed the rumor on to one of Hasselblad's salesmen. The rumor was absolutely not true. I found out later it was started by an employee who was simply mad at me. I was there for another six years and made it a point to remind the retailer every year that I was still on board. 

21) Be involved in a charity and your community! I've written about this so many times – you're looking for your community to be good to you. Well, you have to be good to your community. It doesn't matter what you do to give back - even if it has nothing to do with photography. The point is to be involved as a business owner in your community.

22) Act like your grandmother is watching! It's a great quote from a photographer and good friend, Levi Sim. I use it most often when people can't seem to be nice to each other in some of the Facebook forums. So much of everything I shared yesterday and today is built on a foundation that most of our grandmothers wrote!

23) Don't just shoot for clients. My buddy, Terry Clark, wrote a few years ago: "Take Pictures for the love of photography. So many photographers I know, only pick up the camera when a paycheck is attached. What a shame. You need to keep your eye fresh. Musicians practice so they're ready for the performance, and athletes train for the big game; why in the world would a photographer not take pictures to keep their eye inspired and in tune?"
 
My list yesterday and today isn't meant to be all-inclusive. There are plenty more I could add to the list. I know it sounds pretty hokey, but we've all got the ability to make 2023 a year of peace, goodwill, growth, and fun. Remember "fun?" It's a word that's too often lost under the stress and baggage of running a business. But, with minimal effort, we've got the potential to make this year a sweet one!

And in terms of your business and personal life - exceed expectations and make yourself habit-forming! This applies not just to your clients but family, friends, and associates!

by Skip Cohen

​I hate long posts, but now and then, it's necessary. However, I've written this first round with numbered bullets to highlight each point. I will have accomplished my goal if you only read the highlights.  
 
While the Internet is partly responsible for many of the challenges, social media can't be blamed for bad behavior. Wannabe trolls hide behind the anonymity of their computer screens and send out a barrage of negativity they'd never have the nerve to share in person. At the same time, we tend to react quicker, especially when somebody challenges something in which we deeply believe. 

There's nothing like the imaging industry. While we have our share of challenges with technology, the economy, and the changing face of consumer trends, with the exception of modern medicine, there isn't another group of people on the planet who have given the world more. 

So, while I'm calling this the "Rules of Engagement," it's also my personal wish list of how I'd love everyone in the industry to interact with each other!

by Skip Cohen

​Catching up on my reading recently, I ran across an ad headline, "Share Your Legacy." It's a company called Life Time Memoirs, and although very expensive, the idea is outstanding. Prices range from $15,000 to $30,000, and considering the work involved takes over six months, it's brilliant. It's the creation of a personal autobiography with interviews, photographs, and even audio highlights. The books are hardbound and all about quality.

So, let's plant a seed...

As professional photographers and videographers, all of you have the potential for components of an application like this. From interviews to video to helping a client gather photographs that tell their story right up through contemporary portraits, all the skills and even most of the gear needed you have. 

When you think about the work involved in what Life Time Memoirs is producing, it's well worth the investment. I'm not suggesting you copy the idea, but focus on various aspects of the application. I've been sharing ideas for helping your clients capture their stories for years. And in a program at IUSA two years ago Michele Celentano, Myron Fields and I all spoke about various aspects of bringing a legacy theme into family photography, 

For example, I have several albums of old photographs from my folks and grandparents, but no stories. In most of the images, I don't know who the people even are or the event, location, or year. At any time while my parents were alive, all it would have taken was a little discipline to sit down with them and start recording. 

When my mother was fighting Alzheimer's, pulling out the old albums was a fun event. Those old memories were still there, not yet robbed by the disease. Now, I only have a handful of stories I remember from those times with her.

I grabbed the image above from Adobe Stock because it's an idea in itself of how you might design a presentation of photographs with a DVD or jump drive. The concept couldn't be more sound and an opportunity for you to go beyond being a portrait artist and morph into a family historian.

My suggestion is to start with a close friend, somebody in your own family, or yourself. Starting building your story, and since you're the client, you don't need to set a deadline. As the title of the ad states, "Share Your Legacy." It's not a new idea, but it is one with perfect timing for today's market!

by Skip Cohen

This is a very short post, with a brief infomercial twist, but it's so necessary and represents one of the best segments for seasonality this time of year.

It's graduation time, and over the next few weeks, from high schools to colleges around the country, proud seniors and their families and friends will be celebrating. But there's another aspect to this that I find so remarkable.

Think about all these kids and what they've experienced since starting high school or college. For most of them, the pandemic hit just after their freshman year. So, one year under their belts and the world changed. Colleges shut down, high schools closed, and nobody knew what to expect for months. And as things changed with the pandemic, education morphed into online only to hybrid to finally back to the classroom.

The rest of the world changed too. From politics to a recession to increased unemployment - these kids seemed to be living in a world of perpetual changes. The "norm" evaporated and was being redefined almost daily.

That makes this upcoming graduation season even more unique, special, and memorable. If I were a parent of a kid graduating this year, I'd want to shout it from the rooftop! And that's where your skills as an event photographer and portrait artist are about to be in demand.

Whatever services you're providing, don't forget about grad cards. I love the idea because it's a way for graduates and their families to share the pride of an accomplishment that's more than just about education, but about perseverance. 

Marathon has their BOGO offer going on right now with a buy one; get the second one at half off. That gives you an increase in margin and profitability.

I've written this so many times...There's a greater sense of family in this country than ever before. You're the "magicians."  You capture intangible memories and turn them into tangible photographs that can be held forever.  There's so much potential for new business this graduation season.

The clock is ticking, and we're getting down to the wire, but there's still time for you to capitalize on potential business. And remember, the relationship you build with a graduate today might just be a client in the future as they start their own families and businesses.

by Skip Cohen

I wish I could take credit for the title of today's post, but I saw it on a t-shirt recently. However, it couldn't be more accurate how so many of us feel with a home office! And indirectly, it ties in with Throwback Thursday - not as a photograph but as a concept we all deal with.

Most of you know my backstory, but here's the short version - In 2009, I resigned as president of Rangefinder Publishing and WPPI. I disagreed with the way the owner of the company was doing things and decided it was time to head out on my own. Plus, for years, I'd been inspired by so many of you and the entrepreneurial spirit I've witnessed over and again.

It's 14 years later, and I'm still a work in progress. For a long time, it was hard for me to unplug at the end of the day with a home office. Initially, I was afraid I'd have difficulty focusing, distracted by our home, the weather, the dog or dogs, and even the refrigerator (unlimited snack food). But the truth is, it was just the opposite. I was over-focused on work.

While I miss the interaction with coworkers and the support of a staff - my problem has been more centered around "living at work." For example, it's that last stop at the computer before going to bed - you know, the one five minutes to check email that turns into 30-60 minutes. Or worse, it's a challenge if that last email is something more critical or negative that sends me to bed, stressed or agitated. 

So, here's what I've learned as I pick a Throwback that, overall, I don't miss working out of a corporate office:

• Take scheduled breaks throughout the day. There's no water cooler to catch up to friends with, but there's Sheila and two pups to hang out with, on and off during the day.
• Don't work in a vacuum. I regularly share what I'm working on with Sheila. She's got a great head for business and she the perfect muse and sounding board.
• Use my phone! I'll repeatedly catch up with friends and associates with a quick call.
• I break late morning, usually around 9:30, for breakfast with Sheila. We share making breakfast and sit down together and catch up.
• Music is usually playing all day long, thanks to multiple Alexas.
• Usually, sometime between 4:30 and 5:30, I pull the plug, and unless I have something urgent coming in, my computer is shut down. And I've stopped checking email before bed - nothing won't wait until morning.

So, looking back to all my years in business, except the last 14 outside the corporate world, all I miss is the contact with friends, and that's where conventions and workshops play a role. Would I make the change to my own business all over again? Absolutely and I couldn't have done it earlier in my career because I wouldn't have been ready for it.

Happy Throwback Thursday! Whether it's looking back on some aspect of your career or
enjoying the memories an old photograph brings back, the key is to cherish where you are right now!

by Skip Cohen

​It's Marketing Monday, and we're getting down to the wire on things you can do to build a stronger business during Spring seasonality. Mother's Day, graduations, proms, and Father's Day are all on the horizon, and time is no longer on your side for planning.

But what is on your side is communication with your target audience. You've got the ability to plant those seeds of ideas with your social media presence, phone calls, personal contact, and simply utilizing your greatest marketing tool - continuing to build your relationships with your clients.

• Social Media Content: Whether for your blog, Facebook, or other social media outlets, take the time to share ideas on gifts involving photography and video. This is your chance to shine as the leader in imaging in your community.
• Call Your Lab: It's an easy task. Just call your lab and ask, "What's new?" You're looking for gift ideas that your clients can get excited about. And remember about canvas prints - they're old to us but not necessarily to your client base.
• Gift Certificates: Whether you're sending them out directly or to a third party to give as a gift to their clients (realtors and insurance brokers), design a certificate for a discount or free goods on a future purchase of your services. For example, realtors always have new clients who they've sold a home. Instead of the usual gift basket they usually do, include a certificate for a free portrait sitting and position it as a gift from the realtor. The value of the certificate adds to their basket, and it also insulates you from eroding your pricing.
• Pick Up The Phone: It's the perfect time of year to check in with your clients. You don't have to be selling anything; just checking on their well-being, family, kids that might be graduating, etc. The subtitle to Scott Stratten's book Unmarketing is "Stop marketing and start engaging!"
• Review EVERYTHING You Offer: There's an old line that goes something like, "If you do what you've always done, you'll never get any more than you ever got!" So, if you review your products and services, are they exciting, or would they put a rock to sleep? 
• Look For Partnerships: Whether sharing the cost of a joint mailing or cross-promoting with each other's products/services, you don't need to fly solo. Look for partners with companies who have the same demographics as the target audience.

Here's the bottom line - this is an exciting time to be involved in any aspect of imaging. There's never been a greater sense of family in the world, but if you sit and wait for business to knock on your door, you'll miss so many opportunities.

Intro by Skip Cohen

​I've run this guest post by my good buddy, Scott Bourne, numerous times over the years, First because it's so relevant, and second, we're right on the edge of graduation season.

While his original target was the new artist entering the workforce and starting out in the business of imaging - everything he wrote is even more relevant to the seasoned professional today. His advice is the perfect reminder of what we need to focus on, like marketing, business, technology, and social media...not just to survive but thrive!

And, to Scott's point about relationships - Relationship building is your most valuable marketing tool!

But there's one more thing I want to add, and Scott's the perfect example - he's never slowed down on raising the bar on his skill set. From wildlife to toy photography to images on his iPhone and everything in between, he never compromises on quality. Often his photographs leave the viewer in awe, wondering how he got the shot.

by Skip Cohen​

During a business crisis, we all do things differently. Often, the things we do are things that should have been done all along, but business was so good. Who cared if the expenses were out of line, you were overstaffed, etc. Well, the pandemic, business-wise, is behind us. The potential for 2023 to be a strong year is looking good for most photographers. So what would happen if you made some of those reactionary things you did a few years ago part of your standard operating procedures?

Whether you've got an active blog or just a Facebook page where you're sharing ideas - see if this list makes sense:

• ​Coloring Books for Kids: Convert your images to line art and send them to your clients for their kids to use as coloring book pages. Think about the last family portrait you did - how cool would it be for a kid to have a customized coloring book of their own family?
• Build a Community Calendar: Be a clearing house for non-profit activities in your community. Remember that each event you share also puts you in the spotlight for that organization.
• Share the Joy! This one came from Anne Geddes years ago. She started requesting images from people that meant JOY. You can do the same in your community and on your blog, Instagram page, and Facebook.
• Photo Tips: There are things you do daily that can help Mom and Dad become better photographers. Share a different idea in each post about exposure, composition, posing, fill-flash, etc.
• Great Places to Photograph: Share places you like to photograph in your community. 
• Gift Ideas: You might be tired of canvas prints, but your clients aren't. Call your lab and ask, "What's new?" I love Bay Photo's Performance EXT Metal prints. 
• Technology Updates: Be a resource to your readers. What's new they might enjoy hearing about that relates to capturing their own memories. With the quality of the cameras in today's cell phones, everyone can capture great images - and don't worry about them stealing business from you. 
• Your Favorite Charity: Highlight an upcoming event. And attend the event as a journalist and share the images with your readers and the non-profit organization as well.
• Important Camera Gear: This is a little more for the advanced reader, but you're the expert again.
• Profiles In Your Community: Share stories about people in your community.
• Pets of the Community: Pets are always a strong subject, and people love sharing and talking about them.
• Photo Tips for Kids: Give kids ideas on things to photograph. You might even want to set up a photo contest. 
• Holiday Cards and Stationery: It's early, but is it really? Now's a good time to get Mom thinking about images for her family cards this holiday season, but don't stop there. How about helping with pictures to use for thank-you notes and stationery?
• How to Be a Storyteller: Share ideas on how to tell a story with images.
• Slideshows: Pick a topic that's current now - it could be something as simple as cooking a family dinner with the first barbecue of Spring! (Okay, I live in Florida, and my grill is ready to go all year long, but I haven't forgotten my days of winter in Ohio!) 
• Throwback Thursday: I love Throwback images. They're a great way to remind Mom it's time for an updated family portrait. Easter, Mother's Day, graduation, and Father's Day are all around the corner. It's up to you to plant the seed!

This list is hardly all-inclusive, but each idea has the potential to blossom into other aspects of the business. They all center around your expertise as an artist in the community. Successful marketing is all about building relationships. Nothing builds relationships faster than being helpful to your readers!

by Skip Cohen

So often, you get tired of some of the best ideas to offer your target audience. You need to remember how many people have never received them as a gift. A great example is slideshows for your clients. 

Mother's Day and Father's Day are right around the corner. In a way, they mark the start of Spring seasonality in professional photography, especially if you're a family artist. Slideshows are the ideal product to have in your mix of client offerings. 

Photodex closed its doors several years ago, but the value of the ideas they shared over the years still remains. And they're all still out there for your viewing in the Photodex archives on YouTube.

Check out the two videos below from their archives. Being a successful photographer is all about exceeding client expectations. I can't imagine any client not being ecstatic to have a presentation like these loaded with your professional quality images.

Don't let 2023 go by without adding slideshows to your list of products and services. With today's technology, you can combine short video clips with still images and great music to create a never-ending stream of "show-stoppers" for your clients. 

Think about the renewed sense of family in the world today. It came about at an incredible price as everyone hunkered down through the pandemic. And even though things today are far better than they were last year, there are still challenges in travel and often families being together. Now, think about what Grandma has missed the most...her family.  

If the idea is old school for you because you've been doing it all along, then use the slideshow concept to help you plant a few idea seeds with your audience for this year's Mother's Day and Father's Day offerings. Add in a legacy program offering videos of the most senior family members telling their stories, and you've got a great way to start getting clients excited about working with you.

You snooze - you lose! Take the time now and start creating a game plan to capture more sales this spring and make the 2023 busy season begin with the explosion it deserves.

You've got to listen to the voice in your gut. It is individual. It is unique. It is yours.
It's called being authentic.
Meredith Vieira

by Skip Cohen

If only a button on our keyboards reminded us to listen to our inner voice! *sigh* There is no button, but that shouldn't slow you down.

We're only five weeks from April, typically the start of spring seasonality. So, regardless of your specialty, what are you planning for your business?  

Several times over the years, I lacked the confidence to tackle a new project. I'd ask just about everybody I knew for their opinion, afraid to decide on my own. But as I got older, I still needed advice, but I learned to trust my gut and listen to my heart.

So, take some time NOW and think through your short-term plans for your business. The clock isn't going to slow down, but there's time to change plans if something just doesn't feel right. You need to focus on the long term too, but for now, with Mother's Day, prom, graduation, and Father's Day all coming up, you need to be ready.

Proofread your ideas and plans like you'd spell-check something you're writing. There's something unique that happens when you "proofread" one more time - you catch things you might do better. It's not about fixing things that might be wrong but discovering better ways to tackle a project.

As always, you know where to find me if you need a sounding board!

A business without a path to profit isn't a business - it's a hobby! 
Jason Fried

by Skip Cohen

It's Marketing Monday and the end of January. Your ideas for building your brand and marketing in your community should already be in full swing, but there's one topic nobody ever talks about enough - PRICING!

But for today's episode of Brain Dump - I want to hit on your costs. Most photographers only know if they made money for the year once they do their taxes! And while it's sad to be in that position, I get it; you're right-brain artists, not left-brain accountants. However, the point of left-brain and right-brain analysis is to recognize that you need support from both to build your business.

Where so many artists miss the correct numbers is not looking at ALL their costs. Today's short podcast hits on the list of most things you need to consider to accurately get to price points for your products and services that get you beyond eating macaroni and cheese every night!

by Skip Cohen

​Field of Dreams is one of my favorite all-time feel-good movies. Being at IUSA this past week, I was thinking about the incredible spirit and excitement of the crowd. People were pumped to be there - all looking for ideas for the new year and answers to the big questions, "What do I need to grow my business? What do I need to build?"

Well, that took me to both sides of my title above.​

There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Steve Jobs

​First, you've got to get the fear of failure out of your system and go for it. Follow your heart to start, and you can modify the journey as you go along. But sadly, too many of you live in a state of fear. You're dominated by overthinking the challenges with a side order of worrying about the outcome. So, you procrastinate your next steps and ponder the meaning of life until you've missed window after window of opportunities.

Second, what if you build it and they don't come?

When I left Rangefinder/WPPI in 2009 to go out on my own, Sheila said to me, "What are you afraid of?" My answer was instant, "Failing!" Her response was, "So what?" The more we talked, the more I realized that if things didn't work out going in one direction, nothing was cast in concrete. I'd rethink things and take a different route.

Ironically, what I wanted was what I respected in so many of you - your passion as entrepreneurs. It was easy for most of my career to work for other companies, but when it's your own business, it's a true test of your focus and dedication.

It's Friday, and perfect to leave you with one more thought:

"The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They're there to stop the other people."
Randy Pausch

The bottom line - Build your dreams, and if they don't come, take a closer look. Figure out what you missed and then stay focused on the next "turn in the road." And if you hit a wall - build a door, knock it down, or climb over it!

by Skip Cohen

​Near the end of 2012, my good buddy Scott Bourne asked me a simple question, "What do you think you could accomplish if you were working on just one thing?" At the time, I was working on two different blogs, writing for two magazines, speaking at a convention or two each year, consulting for one large client, and running Skip's Summer School. So I was spread pretty thin, especially when it came to writing.

My first blog, the Photo Resource Hub, was doing okay but needed more traction. It morphed into Skip's Photo Network, although I hadn't done a very good job promoting it. But at a time when blogging was the next big thing - I at least had a presence.

I took Scott's question to heart and started thinking about consolidating everything I was writing. I wanted to give it a generic title, but Scott argued, "Through most of your career, you've been known for your support of education - It needs to have your name on it!"  SkipCohenUniversity.com was born with the first post ten years ago today, on January 19, 2013.

But Scott's encouragement didn't end there: "Just trust me before you publish your first post!" He wouldn't reveal his game plan, but a week or so later, I was blown away by his approach.

​He published one single tweet to his then 100,000 followers, "Skip Cohen is back!" The response was remarkable, even filled with a bit of humor here and there. I remember one friend, I think it was Scott Kelby, tweeting in reply, "Where's he been? I just talked to him yesterday."

Well, here I am ten years later, with thousands of original posts, guest posts, videos, and podcasts. After four summer programs, we ran one last Skip's Summer School in 2013 in Chicago. We decided to discontinue it only because there was so much going on in education at that point, and it had become so labor-intensive.

But through all of these years, I never anticipated the support from all of you and the community. It's thanks to all of you that I wake up every morning smiling. It's a ten-year celebration in business, but more important is the gratitude I feel for so many people who have played a role. From sponsors to guest writers to so many friends in the industry and at the various associations to my muse, my wife Sheila - I could never have done it alone!
​
Whether "It takes a village" or "I get by with a little help from my friends," no matter how you cut it, my last ten years have all been thanks to all of you!

Murphy's Second Law
"Murphy was an optimist!"

by Skip Cohen

​Michele Celentano and her husband, Paul, were here in early December. We haven't all been together since before the pandemic, but that didn't stop the laughs. We've been friends for a lot of years, and with great friends, even a one-night stay-over is time to cherish.  

So, what happens when one of the industry's finest family photographers falls in love with your dogs? First, she threatens to steal them!  When Michele wanted to photograph our girls, I figured a couple of grab shots, not a complete series. But the fun of it all was watching her work with the puppies. There's are reasons she's one of the best - her love for the craft and her ability to communicate with her subjects, whether they've got two legs or four.

​For all of you younger artists, there's a lesson here. Michele's skill set is extensive. While she's not a pet photographer, she understands every aspect of composition and lighting. Moreover, she's never stopped learning and fine-tuning her skill set.

Lucy and Belle responded to the love they were being shown, the same as Michele's clients. When you wander through her galleries and look at her work, you can tell from the natural expressions of her subjects. It's a story of trust in the photographer combined with fun during the sitting.

Here's my point: As photographers, you've got an enormous responsibility to consistently deliver the best to your clients. They're trusting you to exceed their expectations. And when that happens you become habit-forming.

If you're at a convention and Michele is speaking or doing a demo on the trade show floor, run, don't walk to get a seat. She never disappoints and never compromises on the quality of what she delivers! Click on any of the images in today's post to link to her Facebook page, and then put her on your radar!

​In the hierarchy of why consumers hire a professional photographer, it goes to brides, babies, and pets. That's the top three from a Kodak study at least twenty-five years ago, and I don't believe it's moved a bit. The pandemic changed the ranking slightly, but not the top three. Now, add to that the incredible growth in households with pets worldwide!

Take it a step further and look at the size of the pet industry. I took a quick stroll through cyberspace, and PetKeen.com had one the most thorough sets of statistics. Click on the banner below to link to the complete article. It's the top line you need to appreciate - the global market for pets is worth $261 billion, and pet owners in the US are spending over $100 billion on the furry members of the household. But one more statistic made me smile: Americans spent an estimated $490 million on Halloween costumes for their pets!
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Here's the bottom line - pet photography can be an incredibly lucrative business, but don't underestimate the need for a great skill set. The standards for a great portrait and the experience of a fun sitting don't change just because the subject's got four legs!

by Skip Cohen

Most of you have taken advantage of the typical business slowness in the first couple weeks of the new year, and if you need more time to recharge, go for it. But, it's only the "slow season" for regular customer purchases - NOT for business owners who need to fine-tune their presence, marketing, and brand awareness.

I'm going to start this new series by hitting on three easy projects that are no-brainers in terms of raising the bar on your Internet presence:
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• Clean up your online galleries! The presentation of your work online is all under that old line of "less is more." You don't need quantity, but you do need quality. Look at your galleries right now. Are there images that anybody's Uncle Harry could have captured? Are you showing diversity in your skill set, or does every image look the same? Every image needs to be a "wow" print. That means each photograph is so good you'd only need to show one image to get hired! You know which photos don't deserve to be in your galleries - so let's dump them!
• Does your "About" page tell people who you really are? Too many of you share information the "Mom" doesn't care about. Why Mom? Because in the portrait/social categories, women make 95% of the decisions to hire a professional photographer. She doesn't care about awards you've won (unless it's a Pulitzer). And she's not interested in what gear you use or how you got started in photography. What she needs to know is why you're a photographer, why you love working with your clients: and can you be trusted to deliver the kind of images of her family she wants most.
• Time to update your headshot! Instead of a portrait that could put a rock to sleep, let's remind people what you do for a living. Create a shot that shows you working with a client with a camera close by or in your hands. Be creative and consider a 2-3 image collage that tells more of your story. So many of you have personal portraits that could be better and instill more confidence. I'm sharing this shot of Kay Eskridge again because it's one example of what I'm suggesting.

Remember, today's post is just the beginning of your "house-cleaning" for the new year. It might be the slow season, but that's not for you. Now is the time to do everything you can to ensure the new year is one of growth, and your website is a great place to start.

​Over the next few weeks, I'll share a few more "homework assignments" to help you stay focused on the task at hand - strengthening your business and making your website the very best it can be!