Growth Only Occurs Outside Your Comfort Zone!

​ I started Fast Food Friday to remind you of things you need to do to make your business stronger, market yourself better, and build your brand. Just like fast food consumed during those on the run lunch breaks we took for granted before the pandemic, they're just filling enough to get you through the day, but not meant to be your ONLY source of nourishment!

Today's blue-plate special in the SCU diner is diversity. The key buzzword lately is "pivot," and while we're all tired of hearing about its importance, it doesn't change the significance of having some backup skills to pivot to. The pandemic has changed everything in the demands typically put on photographers, and if you're a one-trick pony, you're in trouble.

So, let's change that! I don't know where I heard the line about growth and your comfort zone, but it's so true. And right now, as an artist, most of you are struggling with business, leaving you no choice but to diversify, and step into new skills and specialties in imaging.

Here's the cool thing about this industry - we have a history of watching each other's backs and helping each other get through the challenges. But, it all starts with your willingness to expand your vision and with it your skills.
 
Here are some suggestions:
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• Right now, you have something you've never had before - TIME. Use it to keep building your skill set so you can handle the majority of needs from your clients. Keep learning how to do EVERYTHING. For example, a wedding photographer who learns more about macro is likely to be more creative when it comes to ring shots, the detail in the wedding gown, and the flowers. It doesn't matter that so many weddings are on hold for the moment - work to be the best.
• Learn lighting: We all know what it means when a photographer describes themselves as a "natural light specialist." It means they're afraid of studio lighting. Now is the perfect time to expand your skills so you can hit the ground running when the world around you starts to get back to some level of normalcy.
• What's in your archives? As I've written several times previously, it's holiday time, and photography is a hot product. Take advantage of those great images you have of past clients and events. And if you're stuck on ideas, just call your lab and ask, "So, what's new?" Even a canvas print may be an old application for you, but it might be terrific for a client in sharing an image they've forgotten about.
• Moving outside with prints: I've written a lot about Bay Photo's Performance EXT Metal Prints and have three of them outside my home around the pool. (Remember, I live in Florida.) So, clients with porches and patios, restaurants serving outside - they all need your expertise to help decorate.
• There's a very thin line sometimes between stunning fine art images and your skill set. Follow a few fine art photographers you know and pay attention to how they're framing their work for final sale. The key is often in the presentation, not just the quality of the print. 
• Social distancing: Hunkering down is about your health, NOT your business. Start expanding your skill set by shooting outdoors. Learn to capture landscapes, wildlife, macro/closeup of flowers, bugs, etc. - anything that reminds people what you do for a living - even if it's tough to make a living right now. 
• Diversity in capture and post-processing is important to share, but do it with some logic. For example, add black and white images to your gallery, but not just for the sake of changing, but because the image you've chosen to share really has more impact in B&W.
• Learn video: Just about every digital camera now can capture video as well as still images. It's another expansion of your skill set and also a key to your marketing. There's very little that beats a video of you talking about your business with still images, video, and great music combined.
• USE YOUR BLOG: Okay, it's last on the list, but only because I just realized I almost missed it. Your website is about what you sell, but your blog is about what's in your heart! These are scary times - use what's in your heart to help your clients. Give them gift ideas using photography, share tips on capturing better images this holiday season, and be helpful. 

Remember, even in the pandemic, what you show is what you want to sell. Shakespeare said it best,

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"To thine own self be true!"

Stay true to your love for photography and imaging and start to show more diversity on your website in logically connected specialties. ​And you know where to find me if I can help!