by Skip Cohen 

We're down to just over 130 days left of 2025. The fourth quarter is six weeks away and brings with it numerous opportunities to get involved in making a difference in the world.  If every photographer got engaged with one more charitable cause or event in the next four months, imagine the impact we could have.

I've written so much about fundraisers, charities, and simply being involved in your community, but there's no such thing as writing too much, ESPECIALLY NOW! This is the time of year when many nonprofits launch their most significant programs. For example, from United Way to the Alzheimer's Walk, to thousands of local nonprofits, now is the time to make sure you're involved.

Jay Conrad Levinson, best known for his expertise in marketing and for coining the phrase "Guerrilla Marketing," lists being involved in your community near the top of his list of 100 things guerrilla marketers need to do.

Why? Because people like buying products and services from companies they perceive as giving back, but it goes a lot deeper. You're looking for your community to be good to you. So, you need to be good to your community.

What amazes me is how many people can't find anything in their community. I've even heard photographers say, "There's really nothing going on around here to be involved with!"

Stuck for ideas? 

• Check out local organizations like Kiwanis, Exchange Club, Rotary, and others.
• Talk to the president of the local PTA, and don't forget there are usually several, with the elementary, middle, junior, and high schools.
• Got a local hospital? They're always looking for help.
• All of the sports teams, from soccer to Little League, the Boosters Clubs always need help. 
• How about talking to the guidance counselors at the high school and finding out about the school paper and yearbook? As a photographer, you can help build their stash of images, but even better is your ability to mentor more student photographers.
• Big Brother, Big Sister, local children's charities can't find enough help, ever!
• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find out where the greatest needs are in your community.
• Animal and pet shelters always need help.
• Retirement and senior citizen homes have an activity calendar of events that never slows down.
• Then there are all the usual national charities supporting the fight against Alzheimer's, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes – you name it, and there's an organization out there trying to make the world a better place.
• Check out your local food bank, especially in areas impacted by so many recent natural disasters.
• Food kitchens and efforts to help the homeless are abundant in most larger cities.
• Support for our military are everywhere, particularly in the form of photographers helping families with portraits before deployment and upon their return. And with the challenges in the world right now, who knows where or when the next wave of deployment is going to take place?
• Looking for something more photo-centric? Check out Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. It's a tough concept and not for everybody, but every artist I've ever spoken with talks about their experience as "life-changing."

The list goes on, with numerous opportunities for you to get involved. Most important of all, your camera doesn't need to be part of the equation in terms of people to learn that you believe in giving back. Sometimes it's fun to leave your photography skills out of the picture initially, bringing them into play when there's something to document or a project that you can help create, encompassing all aspects of imaging.

And when you do get involved, don't be embarrassed to crow a little! Utilize social media, whether through your blog or sharing on Facebook or Instagram, and become an ambassador for the causes you believe in most.

“I respect generosity in people, and I respect it in companies too.
I don’t look at it as philanthropy;
I see it as in investment in the community.”
Paul Newman

by Skip Cohen

It's Hump Day, and I try to keep my mid-week posts relatively short and to the point. When the quote above, from Shark Tank's Daymond John, came up on LinkedIn, it hit me pretty hard.

We all know too many photographers owners who have done everything they can to learn the craft in terms of their skill set, but then kick back and wait for clients to flock to their door, but nobody showed up.  They never really hustled. They didn't market themselves, get involved in their community, or build relationships.

No need for me to write anymore this morning, Daymond John said it all.

Happy Hump Day!

* iushakovsky from Adobe Stock

​by Skip Cohen

​It's my favorite day of the week, Throwback Thursday. But today I want to share a very different kind of throwback. I shared parts of this post a few years back. The summer is rapidly coming to a close and it's the perfect time for those of you procrastinators to get more aggressive with your marketing. Even those of you who have been actively marketing, might find some new ideas below.

Here's the short backstory, going back twenty-one years!

In 2004, I met Vicki and Jed Taufer for the first time. They were on vacation in California, and we had lunch together. That was when I was introduced to her calendar for memory-making. She showed me her holiday card for the previous year, 2003 - it was an accordion-style calendar with special themed events she had created for the entire year for photographing children. (I've included two of the pages in the four-panel card below) She even included a section about her travel in 2004, planting the seed for additional portrait sessions while she was on the road.  ​ ​

​​Our industry has always relied on the natural seasonality of demand, especially during the fall and winter holidays, which begin in October and extend into the new year. But everything has changed - for the better! Thanks in part to social media, you can create your own seasonality. With just a little creativity and organization, you can boost the demand for your services - all on your own.
​

• Legacy Events: The renewed sense of family that came out of the pandemic is alive and well, all these years later. My suggestion is to put together a package that includes a portrait session with a video piece to capture Grandma and Grandpa's backstories. Those stories will become a family's most cherished memories, but nothing happens if you don't plant the seed for the idea.
• Summer Memories: In many communities kids are back in school next week, so the concept of capturing summer memories is rapidly coming to a close. But the reality is that nothing can slow down how fast kids grow. You've got to remind Mom that her kids are a day older and changing every morning - they're growing up. It's time for a new family portrait, or at the very least a back-to-school session.
• Furry Friends: Are you offering pet portraits? The pet industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry. I know from my own household that Lucy and Belle are with us 24/7 and are important members of the family. We're convinced they know and understand just about everything we say. That's why pets are number three behind brides and babies when it comes to why people hire a professional photographer. From Google: Approximately 94 million households in the U.S. own at least one pet. This represents about 71% of all    U.S. households, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

• Food Photography and Restaurant Decor: The pandemic years, mostly from 2020 to the end of 2022, put every restaurant on notice that they needed high-quality photographs of their food, especially for their websites and carry-out services. And if they were serving outdoors, when they were only set up for indoor dining, they needed help decorating the side of the building where tables were now set up. The pandemic is behind us, but nothing has changed in the demand for food photography. 
• Throwback Thursday: I rarely miss a Thursday post sharing old throwbacks, mostly about friends in the industry. But for you, it's an opportunity to remind your clients that time never stands still. It's like the old SNL routine of Subliminal Man. You need to plant seeds with your clients to inspire ideas for capturing memory-making events. Whether in a blog post or just shared on your Facebook page, use Thursdays to turn back the clock and remind your clients that it's always time for a new portrait.
• Headshots: The market is enormous. Everyone in business needs to be seen in the very best light...pun intended. This is where owning your zip code comes into play. Get out and introduce yourself to every business in the community! They need to know you're the local expert regarding imaging. More to the point about headshots - how's your own headshot? There are few things sadder than professional photographers with headshots on their websites that look like kids set them up!

No one post could cover all the potential business out there, but it's a you-snooze-you-lose scenario. We're headed towards the biggest seasonality of the year, and you have the skillset to make it even stronger. But nothing happens if all your plans are for mañana! 

Like the old Nike tagline..."Just do it!"

By adding a side quest to your day, you create space for curiosity, exploration, and playfulness
and could discover something amazing and totally unexpected along the way.
Ali Abdaal

by Skip Cohen

The quote above is another gem from Lou Mitchell for today's "365 Daily Handpicked Reflections." It's the perfect thought for the day before the weekend. He went on to write:

In our busy lives, it's easy to get caught up in the routine and focus solely on our main objectives. However, adding a 'side quest' — a small, enjoyable activity outside of our regular tasks — can spark curiosity and lead to unexpected discoveries. These side quests can revitalize our minds and bring fresh perspectives, often unveiling hidden talents or passions.

But I want to take his thoughts a step further into our world of photography.

Tony Corbell, back in the film days, used to suggest to every photographer to save the last couple of frames of every roll of film and do something completely different from the way you usually shoot. His point was to make it a habit to think outside the box, or better yet, think like there was no box. And as Don Blair used to say, "Once you know all the rules, you can break them!" 

From exposure, to composition, to lighting in the studio, even posing - mix it up.

The same applies to your specialty. For example, most of you shy away from macro photography, but there's a whole world out there that most of us miss, simply because we never look close enough. Don Komarechka is one of the most recognized macro artists in the world, and he's built a career out of photographing things we never see, yet they're around us all the time.

So, to the point of this post...Take the time today or over the weekend and come up with your own side quest adventure into some aspect of life you've never visited. Growth only occurs outside your comfort zone, and there's no telling where your new quest might take you.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

And when it comes to mixing things up a little...
​
Don't let old "maps" limit your journey!
Unknown Author

by Skip Cohen

​Over the years, I've written a lot about the importance of reaching out to your target audience. For most of you, there's no such thing as too much contact. So, I jumped into Google and asked: How often do you need to reach your target audience for consumer recall?

Back in my Polaroid days in the 80s, that number was 2-3 times for any campaign. But ramp up the noise in our lives to today, and the number is substantially higher! Here's what Google A.I. shared:

The reality of the challenge is that most small business owners don't have the time or the resources to ramp up to 3-5 impressions a week via email or "snail" mail blasts. But those are only two of the tools you have, and there's plenty of help out there if you know where to look.

The recipe for success is a combination of direct mail, email blasts, and several components from the target on the right. This is where community involvement, editorial, advertising, publicity, and social media, just to name a few all play a role.

Marathon's "Power of Three" marketing programs: Whether your target audience is high school seniors or family portraiture, Marathon's got support for photographers down to a science.

Family Marketing: Most of you involved in family portraiture typically operate as one-person businesses. You're working hard to capture and create beautiful portraits, but you're spread too thin to complete everything. You're doing as much as you can find the time for, but getting the word out to your target audience isn't always strong enough. Well, Marathon has the answer for you - their Family Marketing program.

They give you three mailings to your target audience with an optional fourth. They'll help you design an effective marketing piece, ranging from accordion-style to gift cards to postcards. They'll work with you to set the dates for each mailing. They'll even help you fine-tune the mailing list and mail each series of marketing pieces for you.  With the 1st Mailing: Create Awareness, 2nd Mailing: Present Your Offer, 3rd Mailing: Book Now, and the optional 4th mailing: Last Chance reminder.

These 3-part promotions (with the optional fourth) are limited to only one studio per marketing area, so call (800) 228.0629 NOW to make sure your preferred ZIP Codes are available! ZIP Codes are protected on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Senior Marketing: They follow the same formula with high school seniors and their "Power of Three" program. And again, you have exclusivity within your marketing area! You've nothing to lose by making a phone call to Marathon for more information and an opportunity to expand your reach and raise the bar on your marketing efforts.

Over and over, I've seen photographers discuss how hard they're working to elevate their skill set. They've got the passion to capture and create stunning family portraits - but so often, they're missing the traffic at their door! Combine Marathon's expertise with your own ability to increase brand awareness through targeted marketing and enhanced consumer recall!

by Skip Cohen

​It's Marketing Monday, rolling in right after a holiday weekend. It's a great time to consider ways to grow your business, notably by expanding to new products and a new target audience.

While wandering through the SCU archives, the artwork above came to light. It's a powerful statement and excellent advice for any entrepreneur.

As I thought about how many photographers need to diversify and expand their target audience, I thought back to ideas that came out of the pandemic. Back then, I shared a post about JP Elario doing Facetime portraits for clients as he worked through a small part of the challenge with physical distancing. In contrast, Steven Gotz's idea of converting family portraits to coloring book pages for young children provides an easy way to keep in touch with clients while utilizing archived images from your files.
 
Well, here's another one and the need is still enormous - outdoor seating at restaurants!

One ingredient to bring back business following the pandemic was outdoor seating, but most restaurants, especially those that didn't offer table service outside, needed help in the decorating department. Well, it's summertime, and the pandemic is in the past, but the need is even greater today! 

It's a perfect application for Bay Photo's Performance EXT Metal prints. I wrote about my own experience many years ago.

The original EXT Metal print on the right, was physically damaged by a contractor working on the house. However, it was reprinted, and the image has been outdoors for at least five years. While under a microscope, there may be some deterioration; there's nothing visible to the naked eye. It's been outside the entire time, exposed to the sun, heat, and rain of South Florida.

The two smaller images have also been outside for approximately the same time, and with even less shelter from the elements. They's just as beautiful today as when they were hung, and have only been brought in during hurricanes!

Two Additional Markets to Consider

Restaurants: With or without outdoor seating, the demand for food photography has never been higher. It may have started with the pandemic, but it has continued to grow with the Internet and online marketing. Additionally, carry-out ordering remains a popular option. Check out any of your favorite restaurants, and most often, you'll find a massive need for better photography.

Consumer Marketing: Take the idea of outdoor prints one step further, and instead of thinking outside the box, let's think like there's no box. Just about every client you've photographed over the years has a back porch or patio, some area outside their home or apartment. Let's encourage people to appreciate artwork outside their own homes. 

Here's an opportunity to offer something different and exciting to your existing audience. Let's start to plant a few marketing seeds with a new audience. The concept is also ideal for creating engaging content for your blog. So, from restaurants needing a more substantial presence outdoors to photography for their websites to helping clients bring photography to a new location in their home - most of you are sitting on an untapped market.

You're the only one who can plant the seed for new ideas with your target audience...but you also need to follow through and take action. You need to be an innovator!

by Skip Cohen

If your website isn't working the way you planned, there's no way your target audience is going to understand why. It's not like road construction with plenty of warnings, cones, barriers, detours and signage! If a consumer can't get to where they want to go on your website, they're simply going to leave and go somewhere else.

​Spring seasonality is over. We're into summer business, and for those of you outside the bridal world, it might even seem a little quiet at times...but that doesn't mean there aren't things you should be doing to keep your business going strong.

Here's a topic that should be at the top of everybody's list: Is your website working properly?

We all have the same challenge: getting our website to look the way we want it, work the way it should, and get the support we need when we need it. The reality is that it's not a perfect world, and every website should be regularly checked and on different devices. 

If your website isn't working and creating a great experience for visitors, it's the equivalent of not unlocking the front door of a brick-and-mortar building. Customers can't get in, but you forgot to open the door and are wondering why business is so slow!

​Years ago, I received a great suggestion from an attendee at a marketing presentation I gave at the IPI Summer Convention.

"We have six people in the company.  Every morning, when they boot up, their landing page is a different page on our website.  That's six different pages that get checked first thing before we even start the day!"

Your website should be checked on different browsers, viewed on your phone as well as your computer, and links checked to ensure people get to where you want them to go. It's not rocket science—just good business. And according to the latest stats from Google via Statista.com, mobile devices account for almost 63% of global Internet traffic.

Many years ago, there was a TV campaign with one line:  "It's 11:00 PM. Do you know where your kids are?"  Well, it's time to modify and bring that line into business, and 2025...

"It's the start of another business day - do you know if your site's working?"

If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito!
Dali Lama

"The future of marketing is not just getting attention, but keeping someone's attention."
Tagline from a Spotify webinar ad

by Skip Cohen

​When I saw the quote above in an ad format, it made so much sense. It's the ongoing challenge of marketing, especially for small business owners. Plus, we're through Spring seasonality with Father's Day batting cleanup. So, what can you do to continue building momentum and increasing brand recognition for your business?

Just like Subliminal Man on an old SNL routine, you've got to maintain a presence with your target audience. It doesn't always have to be direct contact, but a continual flow of branding is necessary to build recognition and top-of-mind awareness. 

• Community Involvement: People like buying from companies they perceive as giving back to the community. You're looking for the community to be good to you, so you need to be good to your community. There are numerous ways to get involved, from major national events and fundraisers to local school, church, and Chamber of Commerce activities. And while finding ways to stand out as a photographer, it's more important to be involved, whether or not you're clicking the shutter.
• Partnerships: I've written so much over the years about partnerships. Partners help you reduce your costs and expand your reach. 
• Direct Mail: Think about how much noise is in our lives. A well-designed postcard mailing to your target audience can help you cut through the noise and increase brand recognition. It's also a perfect vehicle for partnerships.
• Email blasts: A good email blast has to be targeted. While some people feel strongly that you need big lists and shotgunning the market because you're bound to hit something, I'm just the opposite. I'd rather invest in smaller more defined target lists that hit the right demographics.
• Follow-up phone calls: Calling a past client doesn't need to be intrusive; it just needs to be helpful. Your past clients, unless you've behaved like a complete idiot, are your best ambassadors. Just an occasional phone call to check in on how they're doing can help build the relationship.
• Own Your Zip Code: This is old school and involves pounding the pavement. It's all about getting to know the businesses in your area, but more importantly, they need to know you. And you don't need to be selling anything; just introduce yourself with something like, "I just wanted to meet you guys. My specialty is ____, but I've got an incredible network. If I can ever help with any of your photographic needs, just give me a shout." Leave your business card, and that's it - soft sell and simple.
• Social Media: Whether you're a blogger or just active on Facebook, you need to maintain a helpful presence. For example, if you're working with a non-profit on a specific event, then write about it on your blog or social media sites. Be an ambassador for associations and causes you believe in.
• Photographer Guilds: Get involved! This is about building your network so you always have solutions, even when you might not have the specific skills for the task.

Here's the bottom line: Summer is here, and you need to maintain your presence in a way that is supportive without being overly aggressive. It's about keeping that top-of-mind awareness I mentioned earlier.

It's no good running a pig farm badly for 30 years while saying,
'Really, I was meant to be a ballet dancer.'
By then, pigs will be your style.
Quentin Crisp

by Skip Cohen

Over the years, I've met many photographers who have shared their regrets about the direction their career path took. However, the revenue stream was substantial, and it was too risky to consider a change. Yet, they still have a passion for another specialty and a chance to be more creative.

Senior photography is one of those areas that people have found it was hard to break into. So, they gave up chasing the idea. My point isn't so much about what a great direction it can be for a career, but if you're going to take that path, then do it right!

If you're interested in the senior market, the first thing you need to ensure is that you've the right skill set, not just with your camera. You need excellent communication skills and the ability to establish a strong relationship with your subject.

For many seniors, this may be their first time working with a professional photographer. They're as nervous about getting a portrait done as they are in dealing with some of their own self-esteem issues. That means your listening and conversational skills must be as good as your understanding of exposure, composition, and lighting!

But here's the real point of today's post - you don't have to develop the senior market alone. Check out Marathon's "Power of 3" Senior Marketing program. It's direct mail at its best, with the expertise of the Marathon staff to watch your back and help you develop an effective program.

For example, check out the strategy and timing below of their 3-point program, as well as the optional fourth "last chance" piece.

• Mailing 1: Introduce yourself and create awareness that it's time to think about senior portraits and become a part of the class of 2026.
• Mailing 2: Give seniors a chance to take a second look at your photography and recognize your studio as the best choice for their senior portraits.
• Mailing 3: One more chance to convince seniors that your studio stands out from the rest and that you offer the creativity they expect for their senior portrait experience.
• Optional Mailing 4: For only 96¢ per name, you can add another "last chance" card to let seniors know they must call now or they will miss out. Custom design is an additional $65 for this card.

At the very least, finding out more about the program should be a no-brainer. It costs nothing for you to get more information. There's an unlimited combination of design components for you to choose from, but everything starts with your interest in expanding your expertise into the community.

Even better, to help you build your brand as a senior photographer, the available design for each 3-part mailing is limited to only one studio per marketing area. It only takes a phone call to find out what's being done in your area.

You can't create images that tug at people's heartstring if your own heart isn't in it!
Skip Cohen

If the senior market is something you've considered, then pick up the phone and give the Marathon team a call! Click below to find out how to get your Senior Power of 3 sample pack or call (800) 228.0629 to speak to an Account Representative.

by Skip Cohen

​It's been a crazy week regarding special projects, eating up the clock, and finding time to post. It was so busy that I even missed my favorite day of the week...Throwback Thursday. I'm writing today as a reminder that we're down to the wire, and if you missed doing anything for the first "race in the trifecta," Mother's Day in the US this weekend, you've still got graduation and Father's Day over the next five weeks!  

Too many of you still consider active marketing something you only need to do when business is slow. You procrastinate and wait for your ship to come in, but when it does, you find yourself at the airport! I'm here to remind you that it's time to wake up and aggressively go after Spring Seasonality!

by Skip Cohen

Ever think about the impression you make when a potential client walks through the door...of your website?

A future client wandering through cyberspace is like shopping for your mother's birthday present. You know you need to get her something, but you don't know what. The solution is to wander through the stores in the mall looking for ideas. So many of you don't realize your website is one of those stores.

In the United States, an estimated 273 million people, or about 80.4% of the population, shop online.This number is projected to increase to almost 289.91 million by 2027. (Google A.I.) 

When people come to your site, are they walking through Nordstroms, where everything is easy to find and nicely displayed, or is your site the equivalent of Macy's the day after Christmas? Your website needs to be an experience and have a look and feel that connects with the shopper.

We didn't realize we were making memories.
We just knew we were having fun.
Anon

by Skip Cohen

​Throwback Thursday is my favorite day of the week, and between my archives and new material, I'm jumping into the time machine for one more round of well-respected professional photographers when they were seniors. Not everyone had access to their formal senior headshot, but all the images are from that time in everyone's life when they were launched into adulthood.

From top left: Gary Box, Chuck Arlund, Michele Celentano, Vanelli, David Beckham, Kevin Gilligan, Gustavo Fernandez, Bruce Hudson, Joe Buissink, Dawn Davis, Joy Vertz, Judy Host, Matt Meiers, Bryan Caporicci, Melanie Anderson.

In last week's post I included both my senior headshot with my Mom's. Here's mine with my Dad's, thirty years apart. At the time, hand-coloring was the rage.

Senior photography continues to be one of the fastest-growing specialties and has never slowed down in terms of popularity and recognition. It's a special time in everyone's life, and that awkward time as we all headed into independence. Yet, we were still very much tied to our families and homes, but ggraduation has always been a celebration.

Senior photography today is much more focused on storytelling and different presentations of their images. For example, I'm using the shot from Marathon Press again to show just one aspect of what's available today, grad cards. There was no such thing as grad cards years ago. The wallet-size shots in the packages our parents bought were the most popular. That's what we all shared. 

​Marathon has 75 different Grad Card Design Collections.​ I grabbed the screen shot below to share a small taste of the variety of what you have to choose from. And, their free gold foil on 5x7 cards is going on until May 31.

Marketing to seniors, if done right, can be an incredibly rewarding part of your business. But don't underestimate the skills required to be successful. It requires a different skill set than when so many of us were seniors.

You need great communication skills. Success today is all about relationship-building, connecting with the subject, capturing their personality, and combining it with maximum creativity. Sure, understanding lighting, posing, and composition is a necessity, but telling the story of a senior today is such a strong part of imaging. It's well beyond just knowing when to click the shutter.

Meanwhile, congrats to the class of 2025, and a BIG thanks to everyone who's been sending me their senior shots, regardless of how far back they go!

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

Never forget how to take care of yourself because others won't forget how to use you.
Unknown

by Skip Cohen

​It's Hump Day, and I try it keep it relatively light, but depending on your state of mind, today's topic could be just a quiet reminder or a critical point to help you focus.

Now and then, I share a point from Lou Mitchell's book, Mastering Positive Thinking. A few days ago, he shared the quote above and then went on to write:

Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. In a world where demands and expectations are constant, and burnout is one of the most prevalent illnesses, it's easy to prioritize others' needs over our own. However, neglecting self-care can leave us vulnerable to being taken advantage of, as people often remember how to use our strengths and resources for their benefit. Learning to say no to preserve yourself is key.

The world is nuts right now. From pissing off Mother Nature to the economy to the political arena, we're flooded with fake news from all sides. On any given day, most of us are fighting off some level of anxiety over the future. With the exception of the weather report, we don't know what to believe. 

At the same time, it's so easy to forget about self-care and help friends and worthy causes, putting our own needs on the back burner. I'm not suggesting anybody become selfish, but being just a little self-centered isn't a bad thing. Caregivers for family members with Alzheimer's learn early on that they can't take care of their loved one if they're not taking care of themselves first. It's no different than a flight attendant speech reminding you that if you're flying with a child, put on your oxygen mask before putting on your kid's.

Lou Mitchell went on to write: Are you taking adequate care of yourself, or are you constantly catering to others' needs? What boundaries can you set to ensure you prioritize your well-being? How can you integrate self-care practices into your daily routine to maintain a healthy balance?

And there's my point - you need to set some boundaries. For me, one area that needs my attention is what I read. I've stopped scrolling through all the bullshit on Facebook. There's one post after another that's fake news, and it's from all sides, as more and more people think their opinion is the only one. Sheila and I have even developed our own technique for watching the news - we pre-record and can get through Lester Holt and David Muir, both 30-minute news broadcasts, in less than 15 minutes!

This doesn't mean we accept the craziness in the world; it's just that our own sanity comes before allowing us to get upset over reports that are yet to be proven true! So, whether it's more sleep, exercise, eating better, setting boundaries on input to your life, or just taking time to smell the roses - you know how to hold focus with you camera, but what about YOU?

Wishing everybody a day when you can focus on what you need most!

​Happy Hump Day!

by Skip Cohen

We're into Spring seasonality, but there are still too many of you who instead of taking action to build your business, are waiting for the sales or marketing fairy to come in and sprinkle success dust on your career! The result is endless procrastination, and soon it'll be too late to have any serious positive impact...so, STOP PROCRASTINATING!

Since starting this blog in 2013, I've done several series of posts to help small business owners, primarily photographers/videographers, build a stronger business. This current series, Business Breakthroughs, started at the end of January. There have been twelve different topics. From ending procrastination to keeping negative people out of your life, and everything in between, I've covered so many significant challenges you face.

The biggest challenge for every business is breaking through the noise—the chaos in your target audience's lives that distracts them from recognizing the importance of your role in the community. Many of you forget your value as a magician, helping people capture intangible moments and turning them into memories that last a lifetime!

Below are twelve links to past Business Breakthroughs. Spring seasonality is on your doorstep, with Mother's Day, prom season, graduation, and Father's Day all coming up over the next two months. All along the way, there will be opportunities for you to grow your business and increase revenue...but I can only help with ideas. 

You're the only one who can build your business and turn 2025 into one of your most successful years as an artist. Each banner below links to the original article. Think about where you need to fine-tune and then attack the challenge.

I have a few more topics to share, but if you're stuck and need more help, you know where to find me!

*Quote by Janet Dailey

by Skip Cohen

While this is a Marketing Monday post about the business of imaging, Steve Jobs's quote is good advice for just about everyone I know in today's opinionated, polarized political environment. However, I'm staying on point and sharing ideas related to being a photographer, videographer, and small business owner.

Photography is an art form that family members and friends often misunderstand. They don't understand your passion. They assume you're going to starve in the process. They may never have seen your work and question whether or not you're good enough. They don't understand why you can't just go out and get a "real job"!  Sound familiar?

On the old GoingPro podcasts, Scott Bourne and I talked a lot about surrounding yourself with people with positive attitudes. You need to block out the "Negators." It's not out of Greek mythology, but it should be.  Negators are people who are so unhappy in their own lives; their only joy in life is screwing with yours!

The result is most often serious damage to your self-confidence. So, here are a few suggestions to help you stay focused (pun intended) and give you a little reinforcement. You know how to focus your camera, but do you know how to hold the focus on your career path and your business?

• Surround yourself with positive people. While developing more positivity, it all starts by toning down the Negators in your life. Sooner or later, the Negators will hopefully come around, but for now, those people who are throwing up the roadblocks need to be kept on the sidelines. The only thing they're contributing to your life is stress!
• Look at old images. Go back and look at the images you captured early on in your career. It might have been a party you photographed, a landscape while on vacation, or maybe just a few shots of your kids. Now, compare them to where you are today. If you don't see a difference, you're in trouble, but most of you will see growth in the way you compose and expose today. As you get more experienced, there should be some serious changes seen in lighting, composition, depth of field, and your creativity.
• Roberto Valenzuela suggested a terrific tool for practicing the craft on a GoingPro podcast many years ago. He suggested you go back to the last wedding you photographed and look at all the bad images.  "Look for what you missed and learn to understand why each image wasn't good!"
• Enter some images in print competition. This is a personal favorite. Whether you enter prints or not, at least attend the judging at the next convention, where it's open to the public. Listen to what the judges are saying about each print. Use their suggestions as guidance for your own work.
• Find yourself a supportive Facebook forum. There are so many groups within photography, and while you'll occasionally run across a troll who doesn't like the images you share, just remember, "Beauty is in the eyes of the checkbook holder!"
• Join your local chapter or guild of professional photographers. Sooner or later, everyone shares the same frustrations. A local chapter of other artists becomes a support group and an essential part of your network. There's a lot of good comfort in knowing your peers share some of the same concerns and frustrations. 
• Don't respond to trolls! When you do step out into the public forums and get shot at by a troll, don't let yourself get caught up in the battle. Don't respond. They hide behind the anonymity of their computer screens. Your silence is far more effective at driving them mad!

Most important of all...Listen to your heart. It sounds hokey, but you know what you feel inside. You know what your gut instinct is saying about your passion for being an artist. You know what's a good fit, but negativity will slow you down. 

It's April, and the "busy season" is about to start picking up everywhere, in spite of everyone's fear of the unknown with the cost of living and the economy. But here's another way to look at all the challenges we're dealing with today—creating special memories with family and friends has become even more important. Nobody can take away great memories, and as an imaging artist, your skills in helping people capture them is even more valuable today.

​You've got the best part of the year ahead of you. It's time to really dig into your journey. And if you need a little help from one of the industry's biggest cheerleaders - you know where to find me!