Marketing is about brand building. It requires a huge commitment and establishing and never-ending stream of awareness with your target audience. Professional photography isn't just about capturing great images, but creating an experience with each client. It's about exceeding their expectations and, as I've written so many times, making yourself habit-forming.

Too many artists focus on pricing and promotional packages, putting less emphasis on everything else in their business. Building a strong brand needs to obviously include a technical skill set for capturing stunning images and telling a client's story, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. Trust, integrity, communication, and accessibility are all key components—all of which go beyond your logo, website design, etc.

​I chose the quotes in today's post because each one hits on a different aspect of building brand awareness. Take a few minutes to think about your brand.

How can you make yourself stand out from your competitors? What can you be doing to make sure people recognize your business as their very best choice? What are people saying about you when you're not around? What are they thinking when they see your name or hear about you from another consumer?

by Skip Cohen
​
It's Hump Day, and a great time to make a point - I apologize if this sounds like a rant.

I'm tired of all the noise in our lives. At the risk of sounding like the old fart that I am, I miss limited access because I wasn't near a phone; spam calls trying to rip us off, emails from the Geek Squad or Amazon looking for approval of massive charges that don't exist, and we've just about given up watching the news. Fortunately, we record the news and can catch what we want in 10-15 minutes.

A few years back, our son got me into fly fishing. The image above was captured with one of my favorite older cameras, a LUMIX FZ1000, f2.8 @ 1/160 ISO 200. It was taken at a park near Helen, GA, and it was incredibly peaceful. Years later, looking at this photograph, I can still feel the silence and the joy of just casting—it didn't matter if I hooked a trout or not—the benefit was in the silence.

I shared the quote below last year, and it's perfect for what so many of us need now: silence.

"In silence, we can hear our intuition speak. But it can be difficult to find silence in the age of hyperconnectivity. We must find the time to unplug and create silence at least once a day...A change happens when we learn to access stillness...In stillness we find our balance." -- Emily Silva 

"Stillness" is such a foreign concept these days! Most of us get so busy we rarely search out silence until the damage from the "noise" in our lives is well underway. Find a moment today and kick back and chill. Walk away from everything and appreciate the silence.

​Happy Hump Day!

Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly.
Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile.
Mark Twain

by Skip Cohen

Ever get sad news that pushed you into a period of reflection?

Here's the short backstory: A friend from high school, Art Healan, passed away this week, and while it was a surprise to us, news like this is coming more frequently as we get older. Art sent me an IM on Facebook wishing me a Happy Birthday back in May. Getting the email this morning about his passing hit me hard.

When I lived in Ohio, Art and I would catch up for lunch now and then. He was a great guy—easygoing—and we kept in touch sporadically over the years. 

Thinking about being surprised that Art had passed away got me thinking about the challenges we all face in living life to its fullest. I went searching for a few great quotes to share. 

There'll be two dates on your tombstone and all your friends will read 'em,
​but all that's gonna matter is that little dash between 'em!
Kevin Welch

Here's my point, life is simply too short and none of us can stop time. But as you get older, time seems to go by faster and faster. If you're unhappy with some aspect of your life, then start working to change it. Whatever dreams you have, figure out what you need to do to turn them into reality.

And to Art -  You will be missed buddy...we didn't keep in touch that often but thanks to social media, we kept the friendship going for a whole lot of years. "You have left some wonderful memories that will never fade from my heart."

by. Skip Cohen

One of the greatest benefits of attending any conference or convention is building your network and recharging your battery. While there were some early hands-on shoots yesterday, for me and most of the attendees, the event started with my keynote program last night.

If you haven't experienced the excitement of a conference, it's hard to explain. There's an electricity in the air fueled by anticipation, passion for the craft, creativity and the simplicity of people getting together who have many of the same goals. 

For me, it's been a special trip...catching up with old friends and making new ones. Kevin Gilligan came in from California, Matthew Jordan Smith came from Japan, and Chamira Young came from Michigan.  All three of them have been instrumental in helping me build my career over the years, and being together made the trip that much more special. It really was a reunion - Matthew lives in Japan, and we haven't caught up LIVE since before the pandemic. Kevin and I have been friends for ten years, yet this was only the second time we've been together in the same location. Chamira and I have done 150+ podcasts, yet we only met briefly at WPPI many years ago.

This was also my last official presentation, and I wanted to make it one of my best. For years, I've used the quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson, "I am a part of all that I have me!" My point was easy to understand - The average person meets 80,000 people in their lifetime (resourced from Google). Each person contributes to our life, and combined with events, creates the infrastructure of who we are, not much different than an architect's design for a building.

In my presentation, rather than just talking about marketing ideas, I wanted to share the back stories and the people/companies who blazed a trail in imaging based on creativity, technique, and marketing. We're all made up of stories. So, when focusing on ideas to help photographers grow their business, the presentation became one of the most fun I've ever shared at a convention.

Today was the first full day of programming, and as usual, ClickCon did not disappoint. The trade show was busy; the models, makeup artists, and hair stylists were all going almost nonstop, and the attendees were everywhere! At a moment mid-afternoon, when things had slowed down a little, I wandered into the models' room. With a dozen "stations," the stylists and makeup artists were ready for every request!

If you weren't able to make it to ClickCon, check out the next imaging conference coming your way. Nothing beats the energy of being with other artists, educators, business owners, and vendors. It's that energy that gives birth to new ideas and unlimited creativity!

Plus - one of the best ways to recharge your battery!

by Skip Cohen

Remember the old Westerns? At some point, there often was a "new sheriff in town." He was always one of the good guys, and everyone was excited that he was there to clean things up!  Well, whether you like old westerns or not, when it comes to print competition - there's a NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN!

Meet the AIBP's (Association of International Boudoir Photographers) new Visionary Awards.

The AIBP Visionary Awards are an inspirational and educational photography competition open to all professionals, novices, and hobbyists who photograph boudoir. All entrants have the opportunity to work toward the AIBP Artistry Excellence degree as a Member of AIBP.

I'm a huge fan of image competitions, which all started with entering my first print in a WPPI competition in the 90s. I became addicted to the process—it's one of the best educational experiences in imaging. Why? Listening to the feedback from the judges, combined with seeing the styles of other artists, along with lighting, posing and composition, helped me raise the bar on my own skill set. 
​
Building this new image competition from both the participants' and judges' perspectives, the Visionary Awards start with two broad categories: commissioned and uncommissioned work. With eleven different award sub-categories, AIBP's goal is to make sure images compete against similar photos. 

They've assembled a stellar cast of judges to date that includes Lindsay Adler, Gary Hill, Jacqueline Tobin, Rhea Berkley Lewis, Andrew Hiorth, Cate Scaglione, Hiram Trillo, and Shawn Black. Combined with the support of a solid group of sponsors, these new awards have the potential to elevate the experience of competing from previous competitions. Click on any picture or banner in this post for more information!

And to the AIBP team - Congrats! It's going to be a kick watching this competition grow, along with the skills of your members!​

by Skip Cohen

​The true fun of this industry has little to do with photography but the friendships that come out of everyone's love for the craft. It's these friendships that we all cherish the most, and Kayce Baker and Bob Rose are at the top of my list—not just because of our love for imaging but mutual friends, scuba, travel, and FOOD!

From Honduras to Mexico to Bonaire, Catalina and even the Disney Aquarium, just to name a few, the three of us, with a circle of additional friends, have repeatedly created memories with one dive trip after another. (Many of you know Kayce from her days at Fuji and Bob from the MAC Group.) 

We lost touch over the last couple of years until a phone call last week. That's when I learned about Kayce morphing into an author - but not just any author. She's written and created one of the most fun cookbooks I've ever seen...and being foodies, Sheila and I can't wait to try the recipes.

If you know anything about Kayce, she never does anything halfway. The Sea of Thieves Cookbook, themed after one of her favorite video games, is now part of a cooking channel series with another cookbook due in October. Click on Godzilla to the right to link to the Amazon page for your pre-order.

Besides great, easy-to-follow recipes, the fun of the book is seeing Kayce's creativity. From the photography to the writing to the layouts and many of the props, she's been the driving force, with a small group of amazing contributors helping her along the way.

Here's my point: besides being excited to share the creative success of one of my best friends and a photographer so many of you know - we're a relatively small industry. Still, the passion for the craft is endless. That passion comes out in so many different ways. As the author's bio in the book shares, Kayce is a photographer, chef, cookbook author, cat lover, scuba diver, angler, virtual pub owner, content creator, snowboarder, and tequila expert...what a kick!

Order your copy of Sea of Thieves the Cookbook - I can promise you won't be disappointed!

by Skip Cohen
 
At the last minute yesterday, I decided to head to IUSA next weekend. I keep in touch with dozens of photographers weekly, and I felt free of the need to be in Louisville for the convention. But the closer it got to the show, the more I questioned my decision.

So often, I forget to practice what I preach. In this case, I need to recharge my battery when it comes to imaging. With a home office and most interaction online, there is no replacement for being together with other photographers, vendors, and friends.

My anticipation is almost overwhelming! Just the decision to be at IUSA has created some great energy. So, if you're like me and had decided not to attend, I was surprised that I could lock in decent flights and the hotel this late. 

Why IUSA? Well, it's the first big show of the new year for most of you. Next, you need to spend time building your network, and there's no better place than a great convention. With nearly 150 exhibitors, it's an opportunity to check out new products, services, and technology. Plus, PPA's educational platform this year is one of their best yet - it's a chance for you to fine-tune your skill set.

Here are just a few reminders if you're heading to the show.

• Don't be a stormtrooper when it comes to the trade show. Start in one aisle and make it a point to walk the entire show. You'll be surprised at companies you don't know, along with services/products that will make life easier...and more profitable.
• Get to know at least one person at every company whose products you use.
• Take a few classes entirely outside your comfort zone...it's the only way you'll grow.
• Talk to people! I'm not just talking about just the educators but the people sitting on either side of you in any program. Introduce yourself and find out what they do, why they're there, and what their outlook on business is in the new year.
• Get your credit line before the show! If you're considering new gear, especially high-end, know how much you can spend in advance. And on costly items, check into leasing rather than buying. Leasing allows you to utilize somebody else's assets without depleting your own.
• Never eat a meal alone! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all opportunities to meet new people and expand your network.
• Set up social time in advance. Thinking about getting out to dinner with friends? Make some plans in advance. It's so hard to chase down people once you're in full swing at the show.
• Remember to check out the print exhibit. It's not just about seeing award-winning photography but checking out the trends in printing techniques and styles.
• WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! I know this sounds pretty basic, but working a show effectively isn't about fashion. You're going to be on your feet all day!​

I'd love to catch up with any of you headed to the show - look for me at the Platypod booth 1226,  Marathon booth 727 or just out and about on the trade show floor. ​

Sometimes you gotta take a break from all the noise
to appreciate the beauty of silence.
Robert Tew

by Skip Cohen

The other day, I shared a post about gathering your "tribe" and taking the time this week to catch up with those special people who make your life richer. I'm taking it one step further today, and attempting to practice what I preach.

You'd think at my age, I'd know what I wanted to be when I grew up. *sigh* Well, it just hasn't happened, and as 2023 winds down, my head is filled with project ideas for the new year, things I want to accomplish, and new goals. It's all positive, but even strategizing on what I'd like to be doing in the new year makes indecision an adversary, and it's time to simply take a break.

I'm stepping away from the noise and, like the quote above, appreciating the silence. Silence is one of those unique business tools we all forget to use much too often. I need a few days to simply chill, appreciate everything in my rearview mirror, and figure out the route for the 2024 "trip."

Being able to step away from business this week is a luxury not everyone has, but if you can, I highly recommend it. It's a critical step to avoid burnout and recharge your battery. If you can slow things down, start celebrating New Year's today, and meet me back in the "office" on Tuesday, January 2.

Thank you for all your support, feedback, and great ideas on how I can help you thrive in the new year. I wish you the best close to 2023 and, even more importantly, a great kickoff to the new year. New technology, products, great conferences, and new friends are all setting the stage for 2024 to be amazing.

See you on January 2 - Happy New Year!

I simply want to take a break and catch my breath.
But I also think that, sometimes, the bravest thing you can do
is deliberately keep some time free and see what the world throws at you.
Ruth Wilson

by Skip Cohen

No matter what holidays you celebrate or where your spirituality takes you, this time between Christmas and New Years is always strange. From the business side, it's about wrapping up loose ends, dealing with a few things on the Customer Service side of life, and winding down. But there's still a sense of urgency as we all wonder, "Okay, what do I still need to knock off for 2023?"

On the personal side, many of us are catching up with people we've not been in touch with as often as we'd like. From holiday cards to emails, phone calls, and social media, people we care about become more accessible. Just as the rush to get things done before the holidays, now is the time we tend to be more reflective.
​
I've written a lot about the routine Sheila and I have to read something inspirational each morning after breakfast. This morning's reading seemed particularly relevant to this time of year, when we are connecting with so many people in our lives.

​And here's my point - take advantage of the change in pace this week. Stay away from the "negators" in your life, but make an effort to reach out to the people who make your life better. There's an old line I've always loved, "Angels do exist, but sometimes they don't have wings and are called friends."

Go find your "angels." Take a minute and think about everybody in your life. Is there anybody you've missed you want to catch up with before the year ends? Everything we do, from close friends to supportive vendors, takes a village or a "tribe," as Emily Silva wrote above. 

And to my village/tribe...I'd be lost without you, including my readers. Thanks to your feedback and input, life just keeps getting better. It's not always easier, but it's ALWAYS better!

Happy Last Tuesday of 2023!

Weekends don't count, unless you spend them doing something completely pointless!
Bill Watterson

by Skip Cohen

Although there's still time to knock off a few business projects, this post has little to do with business. It's Friday, and while many of you are shooting this weekend, photographing weddings, holiday parties, and other events...it's still a perfect time to wish you a great weekend.

Never underestimate the importance of taking the time to recharge your battery, even in the middle of the chaos of the season.

And per the quote above - wishing you the luxury of simply wasting time.

Happy Friday!

by Skip Cohen

I thought I'd share some great gift ideas for the photographer in your life, or maybe these are ideas for you to give yourself this holiday season:

1.Tamron's got some outstanding instant savings on sixteen different lenses! Click on the banner below for more information.

3. Anything from Platypod! Check out the three newest products - the incredible Grip for your phone, the Handle and the eXtreme. All top quality and adding to your creativity!

4. Looking for outstanding inspiration and awesome adventures? Check out Joe McNally's workshop series. While several 2024 trips are already sold out, there are still a few spots open for Ireland in the Spring, Tuscany in September, and Greece in October. 

5. Moose Peterson has a full schedule of classes in 2024! Seven awesome adventures outdoors.

6. Bobbi Lane and Lee Varis are back with great programs in 2024. They're also teaching at Santa Fe Workshops, the Florida Birding Festival, and more. Follow their website for the latest schedule with this incredibly dynamic couple!

7. A membership in Kelby One! Nobody does it better when it comes to online education including conferences, podcasts and ongoing educational videos. 

There are so many unique gift ideas when it comes to imaging. From workshops to private classes and conventions, here's your chance to raise the bar on your skillset or the technique of a friend or family member! I've listed seven different programs, but there are so many more to consider. These are some of my favorites.

by Skip Cohen

​There are moments here and there when I don't get it...but the real issue is written correspondence is the hardest to express and the reader to interpret. 

Here's the scenario:

Yesterday, I posted a piece on FB about ClickCon's move to Detroit. I stated that "finally" the Midwest had a great convention in 2024. In my actual post, I explained my joy in more detail - I grew up in Northeast Ohio and lived there from 2009 to 2011. While it might be considered the Midwest, except for PPO, there was never much to choose from regarding great conventions. ClickCon's move east opens up doors for so many more photographers and includes cities like Toronto, Pittsburgh, Cleveland etc. All closer the Chicago.

A reader in another forum took me to task, feeling my wording on FB was unprofessional and passive-aggressive towards other conventions in the Midwest. I couldn't have been more sincere when I wrote back, "I'm sorry you feel that way." I explained how my FB piece could have been written better. IUSA is in Louisville this year and will be an outstanding show. I also used to speak at Shutterfest for six years and know how good the show can be. I modified what I had previously written and got back a compliment on the change, but she had to add one more line:

"Sorry you feel that way is a gaslight tactic."

Gaslight tactic? Seriously, there was no tactic or strategy to my statement, just sincerity, and it led me to read what I had written and change it.

Years ago, I had the honor of lunch with Senator Howard Baker at the Whitehouse. At the time, he was President Regan's Chief of Staff, but his passion for photography was the reason for the meeting. The key reason I was invited was just to hang out and talk about photography. I was relatively new as the president of Hasselblad, and he was a Nikon and Hasselblad shooter. 

I remember him talking about how difficult it is to write and he told me this story: "Years ago I had to send a memo to another Congressman and wrote, "Sorry this is so long; I didn't have time to make it shorter." It's so hard to be concise in as few words as possible.

Well, here I am 30 years later and still struggling with the written word. It's hard enough for me to be PC, let alone use words that don't come directly from my heart. So, if I've written something in a post that you didn't like or are unsure how to interpret it, let me know, but maybe call me instead of writing; then we've got a chance of getting our point across to each other that much better.

by Skip Cohen

Like so many of you, I'm enjoying the long weekend, but not without a quick post, thanks to author, Emily Silva...

Concentration can feel elusive when it feels as if all the tabs in your brain are open. We live in an endless loop of information. Although this is convenient and awesome, it take a toll on our nervous systems. To function at our highest capability, we need to take time for stillness. Start your day shutting down all the tabs in your brain and finding your center. Let peace enter if only for a moment. Breathe in the stillness.

Nothing more I need to add except to wish you a relaxing and outstanding Thanksgiving weekend. I hope you can find the time to follow her suggestion and "shut down all tabs in your brain," and can find your center.

Have a great weekend!

PS Photo shot on the iPhone 14 Pro at Hilton Head - this is right out of the camera. No manipulation except cropping to fit today's post.

by Skip Cohen

​For those of us in the US, there really is no Hump Day this week since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and many of us are off Friday as well. So, I'm turning today's post into a wish for all of you.

The world has become increasingly bizarre, from war to Mother Nature to fires, product recalls, and even Congress's inability to agree on much of anything...It's a mess. Sheila and I always watch the news early in the evening, so we're not left with the insanity in our minds just before going to sleep!

Despite it all - here we are, safe and sound, with Thanksgiving one day away. I know many of you have a tradition on the holiday of going around the table and sharing what you're thankful for in your life. Well, how about if we're all thankful for our ability this year (this is a BIG ask) to help change the world? How about if we're all grateful, not for what we have, but for what we can do to help slow down the ugliness?

I won't deny I'm thankful for my health, Sheila, the pups, and my life, but Thanksgiving should go deeper than that. Let's be grateful for our ability to help people who have nothing left to be thankful for except their health. Let's be grateful that we can reach out and help somebody else on the planet. 

It's hypocritical that I write about this stuff when, in my own family, we no longer talk to each other. Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday and a time for memory-making, but the pain and everyone's inability to forgive or even take the first step back to being what we once were is buried under tons of baggage too complicated to dig through. We're all at fault, and I know we're not unique, but it is sad to see that my family's ugliness is just a microcosm of the world stage.

When you go around the table this year at Thanksgiving, first give thanks that you have a table to sit around, both physically and figuratively. Then, give thanks for your ability to help change your little corner of the world. Think about it: if everyone would help make their community a better place, all those small communities would add up.

And for me, a big thanks to all of you, my readers. I appreciate your support far more than a blog post can ever show. Your feedback is so important, and together, we're all helping to make a difference in an industry near and dear to each of us.

Wishing everyone a beautiful day tomorrow with plenty of time to think about your corner of the world. Give "love" top billing and, most importantly, be thankful for all those people in your life who together help make a difference.

Happy Thanksgiving!

​by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday, and I never write about business and marketing, but instead, I like to run amuck on just about any other topic. This morning, I started by looking at images and illustrations I've bought over the years from Adobe Stock. The first image was the one above, followed by the image below.

As kids, our imaginations ran wild. We'd lie on the grass and look at the clouds, finding all kinds of hidden critters. We'd build spaceships out of refrigerator boxes, forts out of blankets draped over the dining room table, and entire scenes of great battles with a bag of army men. There was no limit to what could be accomplished in creating our own virtual world - and we did it without one single electronic device.

But we got older and lazier - why create a virtual event in our mind when we could do it on the computer? And we stopped lying in the grass because of fire ants and pesticides. And refrigerator boxes for spaceships and clubhouses - NOT - If we get a large appliance delivered, the box is immediately taken away by the delivery company for recycling.

But that old line about "you can never go back" just isn't true. When it comes to your imagination and daydreaming, you can always turn back the clock. All that creativity is still there, screaming for an opportunity to be cut loose. The challenge is silencing the day-in-day-out noise, keeping stress at a distance, and allowing yourself to waste a little time and ponder some of the "what-ifs" in your life.

If you need to build a spaceship out of a cardboard box - go for it! Who's stopping you? We're all victims of our own sense of propriety - we're grown-ups and supposed to act like it. Whatever happened to the spirit of Peter Pan, who lived in each of us? We said we'd never grow up, but we gave in. We sold out - Now it's time to turn back the clock a little.

And there's my point - take the time to daydream. Find a way to block out all the noise, lock up all the stress, and start staring at the clouds. If necessary, build a fort or, better yet, a castle with a wide moat - pull up the drawbridge and don't let anything interrupt your creative spirit.

Wishing you a day ahead with time to let your spirit fly and daydream a little. Challenge all the daily paradigms and let your creativity juices flow. Life doesn't always have to get in the way of our dreams. Take the time to appreciate the people you love the most. Go for those long therapeutic hugs I always write about and, in the process, share some of those dreams you need to get back to chasing.
​
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world!

The business of life is the acquisition of memories!
"Mr. Carson"
Downton Abbey

by Skip Cohen

It's Friday and I'm keeping it light - As you head into the weekend, take a minute here and there and create a special memory.

If there's one thing we all realize as we get older, it's simply that life is too short. That means - stop wasting time on things that don't matter. Focus on your business when you need to, but don't forget about the face in the mirror, your family and friends.

The image with today's post is a perfect example. It was captured on a sunset cruise. We recently went to Hilton Head for a few days - not because we needed a vacation, but because we wanted to catch up to friends who were there. Considering the laughs, fun and the memories we "acquired." we could have been anywhere!

Wishing everybody a terrific weekend ahead and time to appreciate the things most important in your life. 

​by Skip Cohen

You've only got sixty days to make a difference in your business. And while some of the things I will suggest are definitely last-minute rushes – they can still have an impact!
 

• Say Thanks: Make a list of those people who truly helped make a difference in your business this year! From referrals to the sales manager at your favorite venue, think about unique ways to thank them for their support. It can be as simple as a holiday card with a sappy hand-written message to a wine and cheese basket, flowers, or taking them out to lunch. 
• Holiday Cards: No professional photographer should ever send a store-bought holiday card. Use one of your favorite images on the front, and on the back, put your contact information in the center at the bottom, just like a Hallmark card.
• Clean Up Your Database: If your database is out of date, it won't help you as much. So, it's time to clean it up. This shouldn't be a database of just past clients but opinion leaders in the community, non-profits you work with vendors, and businesses important to you.
• Talk With Your Accountant: Too many of you don't know if you made any money until you do your taxes! Look at your earnings and expenses year to date. If your earnings are high, this might be the perfect time to purchase higher ticket tax-deductible items to help offset your taxes.
• Conventions and Workshops: Are you headed to IUSA in January, WPPI in March, or any of the dozens of regional and state conventions/workshops during the first quarter? Make some of your plans now to get the most bang for your buck!
• Promotions: Even if you have yet to do any planning for the fourth quarter, here's your last chance to put something together for your target audience, but don't just promote to have something out there. Take the time to think through what you'd like to do. Next, define the target. Keep it simple and decide how best to contact your target consumers.
• Partnerships: Stop thinking you have to do everything alone! Partners reduce your costs and increase your reach. And while it's a little late now, kicking something off in the new year might be a terrific launch for 2024.
• Throwback Thursday: It's one of the best marketing tools you have! Throwbacks can help remind "Mom" that it's time to update the family portrait.  
• Gift Ideas: What are some of the hottest imaging products this year? Check with your lab and then start planting ideas with your readership and followers. 
• Service Organizations: Who's shooting the Kiwanis holiday party this year? Whether Kiwanis, Rotary, Exchange Club, the Chamber of Commerce, or dozens of other community groups, odds are they're having a holiday party. Whether it's event coverage in a photojournalistic style or portraits of each guest, you're the best one to suggest something a little different this year. And if you think it's too late, you'll never know if you don't ask.
• Kids in the Classroom: Every kid today is sharing pictures from their phones! It's time to contact the school and suggest a program for kids about taking better holiday pictures this year. I wouldn't go younger than 4th or 5th grade, but up to high school seniors there's an opportunity to help them capture better images. This is about publicity and getting your name out in the community.
• A Special Way to Say "Thanks:" Dean Collins used to contact the president/CEO of companies he'd worked for during the year for a family holiday portrait sitting. For example, let's assume you photographed the annual report for a company in your community. What a great way to say thanks by offering a holiday portrait of the company's senior executive. And David Ziser used to contact past bridal clients for a complimentary sitting on their anniversary. Imagine the goodwill with a past bride when contacted by her photographer who's calling to say "Happy Anniversary." 

This post is longer than usual and only begins to cover a few building blocks to make this year's holiday season the best. Remember, everything you do now also helps with a strong foundation for the upcoming new year.

And if you're stuck for ideas - you know where to find me!

by Skip Cohen

A few years back, I started a series of reminders to help you set the stage for holiday seasonality. I'm bringing back a few of my favorites. My goal is to help you build a better foundation to finish 2023 with great sales. There's one ingredient that tops the list and sets the stage for EVERYTHING you do in marketing, brand-building, and promotion - your ATTITUDE!

When I was in junior high, the basketball coach had a sign in his office, much like the Zig Ziglar quote above: Winning is 80% motivation and only 20% skill!

​Seasonality is already ramping up. But there's still time to capture and create more business for 2023; it all starts with your attitude. Here are some things to consider:

• Exciting Products: Are you offering exciting products that appeal to your audience? If you're not there yet, call your lab and ask, "What's new?"
• Holiday Cards: Are you taking full advantage of everyone's special offers? For example, Marathon Press has their BOGO promotion going on for holiday cards. That decreases your cost per card and adds to your bottom-line margins.
• Your Phone Persona: When you answer your phone, are you smiling? Yes, there's a difference, and it comes out in the tone of your voice. Be upbeat, positive, and helpful.
• Add-on Sales: When contacted for the price of a product, like prints, for example, ask qualifying questions. How many? What size? Do they need any special retouching or restoration? Do they know about the holiday specials you're offering? This is MacDonald's 101 - "Would you like fries with that?"
• Is working with you a great experience? If you follow Tim and Beverly Walden, you know their feelings about a portrait session. It's not just about creating a new family heirloom but an experience for the client.
• Community: Are you active in your community? From directly volunteering to sharing information about upcoming community events on your blog, Facebook page, Instagram, etc., you can become more than just another retailer in the area.
• Own Your Zip Code: Are you out knocking on doors and meeting every business in your community? Position yourself as the expert resource for everything within photography/imaging, not just your specialty. 
• Say "Thank You:" Have you made up your list of those exceptional people/companies who have helped you stay in business and build your brand? Whether taking them to lunch or sending a basket or flower arrangement, everybody has at least 2-3 special people/companies who have helped you along the way.
• Helping Your Readers: Build blog content to improve your readers' photography. They need to be reminded you're the expert. Help them capture better pictures this holiday season.
• Education for the Community: Teach a community class on the basics - help your clients raise the bar on the images they'll be capturing through the holidays!​ Share tips on exposure, composition, posing, and storytelling. There are things you do every time you pick up your camera, and teaching is a way to create top-of-mind awareness of your role as an artist in the community.

I'm not minimizing how tricky business is these days. However, with the renewed sense of family that came out of the pandemic, you have so many opportunities to capture more business. 
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Remember, you can't create images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it! And, if you're overwhelmed and don't know what you can still do, you know where to find me!

by Skip Cohen

​It's Marketing Monday, and after a week-long break, I'm back and fired up about one of my most favorite topics: holiday cards. There are two perspectives - your own card and the cards you should offer your clients.

"Snail mail" is alive and well at holiday time. As email and social media have taken over our lives, holiday cards are an memorable break from the monotony of cyberspace seasonal wishes! A holiday card, done right, is one of your most effective marketing tools.
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Your Personal Holiday Card

It amazes me that so many of you miss the boat on using your own images for holiday cards! A holiday card is a perfect way to show your work and remind people what you do for a living. NONE OF YOU should be sending out store-bought cards. Using one of your own photographs for a card is so soft-sell that it's hard-sell without aggravating anybody! 

The process is so easy - Create a few hundred cards to send to clients and influencers in your community. Put your image on the front of the card and a pre-printed message inside. Then, add a hand-written note for special clients/influencers to personalize it even more. On the back of the card, it's your contact information. Only, instead of the "Hallmark" label, in the center at the bottom of the card, it's the name of your business, your phone number, email address, and URL for your website. 
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At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, Marathon Press has its annual BOGO going on right now. That means you're decreasing the cost per card and increasing your potential for more revenue this season. Most important of all, you're reinforcing your career path and boosting brand awareness.

​Holiday Cards for Clients

Let's get holiday cards into your mix of client-based services. This is about increasing revenue. After the last few years of challenges in life, this has the potential to be another remarkable holiday season. It's your work on the front of the card, but this time, a portrait you've captured. And you're working with each client to help make their card unique.

​Again, Marathon comes through with a substantial boost to your revenue with its annual BOGO program. They even offer a holiday sales kit with samples to help you share the idea with your audience. And a mailing to your database right now, and you only need to ask a straightforward question, "What are you doing for this year's holiday card?"

There are so many ways to tie in holiday cards with a portrait session. They're the perfect add-on for everything from canvas prints to metal and even stationery (thank-you cards) and short videos. The point is that you're a storyteller, and here are more ways for you to help you and your clients tell their stories.

This is going to be another record-breaker for holiday messages this year. Think about it for a second: We're at a point in history where we're all trying harder than ever to stay in touch. What better way than spreading holiday wishes this season?
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by Skip Cohen

​This is one of the shortest posts I've written, but the topic doesn't need a lot of words to make a point. For most of us, looking back on 9/11 is a vivid memory. We all remember where we were, what we were doing, and how we felt. The sadness borders on overwhelming.

For me, we were living in NJ at the time. Data shared a couple of months later suggested if you lived within an hour of NYC, there were no more than 2 degrees of separation between you and knowing somebody who lost family or friends in the tragedy. 

There's only one way I can look back at that time - a period of sitting in silence. I went outside a few minutes ago, just sat, and thought back to that day. The tagline we see and hear repeatedly regarding today is "Never Forget." How could we...nor should we.

Wishing you a day of peace and quiet reflection.