by Skip Cohen

​If only there were a button on your keyboard for "seasonality" - you could just hit it and have everything in place. Unfortunately, there isn't one on your keyboard, but there is a seasonality button in your head and heart. We're down to the wire, but there's still a chance for some unique and eye-catching creativity in the days ahead.

It's Marketing Monday, and I'm just going to hit on ideas for Mother's Day because it's the big one up next!  The pandemic left us with a powerful renewed sense of family. But, as I've written before, what Grandma has missed most is her family. That leaves a list of opportunities for you to fill a gaping hole in capturing memory-making.

• Planting Seeds: Whether through your blog, social media, or direct mail, now is the time to remind Mom that it's time for a new family portrait. You have to be the one to plant the seed of the idea, and it's perfect for blog content. You don't have to wait for Throwback Thursday to share some old family portraits and get your audience thinking about the need for something new.
• Partnerships: Whether direct mail or cross-promotional, look for a couple of partners in your community to get the word out. For example, working together with a florist and a restaurant known for its Mother's Day brunch are perfect partners for an email blast or direct mail campaign. Plus, by working together, you're expanding your reach, and if direct mail, saving costs. Best of all, each partner becomes an ambassador for the other two.
• Cross-promoting with a Venue: Pick the best restaurant in the area popular for Mother's Day. Sit down with the restaurant and develop a way to offer a unique gift certificate for each other's products. You don't need to discount but create add-on value with each of your services.
• Legacy Programs: Whether it's doing a multi-generational family portrait or offering video support to help older family members share their stories - once again, it's the renewed sense of family playing a role. I'm a huge fan and believer that every portrait photographer should be offering recording time to senior family members. I look at my own short-sights - for example, I'd give just about anything to have recorded my Dad's stories from his childhood to how he met my mother, etc. - before he passed away.
• Mother's Day Special: This is the easiest of all to do, but you still have to get the word out. Call your lab and ask one simple question, "What's new?" Whether a new style album, canvas, or unique material for printing - find something to offer on your website. Put it in a bundle so the package has value without you eroding your pricing structure. And remember, while we're tired of something as simple as a canvas print, but it might be new for many of your clients.
• Outdoor Prints: I'm a huge fan of BayPhoto's Performance EXT metal prints, and I have three of them hanging outside by our pool. (Remember, I live in Florida, and there are thousands of homes with pools, and all of them are in the sun and rain all year long.) My prints have been outside in the sun and show no change in their quality. Performance EXT Metal won't hold up forever, but offering people something new with a fine art type print or family portrait on their porch or patio is definitely a show-stopper.

Here's the bottom line to today's post - there's still time for you to put a great Mother's Day promotion in play, but this is a you-snooze-you-lose scenario. You've got to step up and let your target audience know what you're doing because, unlike the illustration above - there is no seasonality button just to push!

by Skip Cohen
  
I'm staying with my usual Sunday Morning Reflections theme of running amuck from business and marketing and going with whatever's on my mind. Lately, as more of my friends retire, I've been thinking a lot about aging. I have yet to figure out why people refer to these as our "Golden Years," especially when everything starts to go like a car just out of warranty. LOL

We live in Sarasota County, which I've been told has the highest average age per capita of any county in the United States. And while that explains so many people driving around at 11mph with their left turn signal on, I don't really feel any older than I did twenty years ago. My body creaks for ten minutes in the morning, but according to Sheila, I have yet to mature!

But here's one thing I have noticed - as I've gotten older, I've become more aware of the importance of simply living life with a smile, not just on my face but in my heart. Life is simply too short and not worth losing time to those hockey pucks out there who would like nothing more than to create stress. Maybe that explains 80 yr olds driving at 11 mph - they know they'll get there, so they're savoring each mile of the drive!

Speaking at Skip's Summer School many years ago, my good buddy Scott Bourne reminded everybody to capture images as if each one was the last photograph anybody was going to see of your work. Well, at least for me, that's where the true quality of aging comes into the picture. As we get older, we get smarter and learn to pick our battles while appreciating each moment along the way.

And here's my point - I'm still a work in progress, but I'm learning to stop worrying about where I'm going and appreciate each moment. We could make the world even better if more of us just enjoyed each other, accepted our differences, and stopped sweating all the small stuff.

Wishing all of you a wonderful day ahead, and whether you're celebrating Easter, Passover, or any other holiday, what an incredible time to be who we are, where we are and how we are. So go for those eleven-second hugs with those people most special to you - they're the ones who appreciate the "dance" and don't care where you're headed as long as they can come along for the ride.

by Skip Cohen

​I feel like I've been trapped in a Where's Waldo drawing. (Yes, I really did stick my headshot in with the group above!) It's the first time in many years I can remember only posting once in an entire week, but it's been incredibly busy. So posting daily wound up in the backseat for this week, but not without a few highlights.

Marathon Marketing Moments: Working together with Mark Weber at Marathon, we've launched a podcast series jam-packed with as much content at we can load into 15-20 minutes. There's a lot of great information we hope to be sharing in future podcasts.

​This new episode is in two parts and is all about blogging. There are more people online than at any time in Internet history, so while your website is about what you sell, your blog is about sharing what's in your heart. The two work together as key ingredients to help build your brand. Just click on the banner to the right to listen.

 
Platypod's NEW eXtreme: While the new campaign kicked off on August 6, the behind-the-scenes support has been incredible. As of today, 1250 photographers have backed the project.

The reviews have been remarkable, but with Scott Kelby's help, the reveal made last week's episode of The Grid one of the most fun I've ever participated in. It's worth watching, not just for the eXtreme launch, but being introduced to Lizzy Gadd and Kris Andres. 

And if you've got an interest in more information about the new eXtreme, here's the link to the Kickstarter page.

The Images of Kris Andres: As guests on The Grid and key Platypod ambassadors, Scott Kelby spent a lot of time talking with Lizzy and Kris about their images. Kris and I were sitting together on the sidelines as Lizzy was interviewed and shared her photographs. At one point, I could see the look on his face as he pondered how anything he was about to share would compare with Lizzy's. Well, his work was also stunning! 

That brings me right to my point - great artists create and often have no idea how much their work can impact their viewers. The Grid was especially sweet since Lizzy and Kris spent two days with me, Sheila, and the pups before the podcast. Getting to know them personally was a highlight and supported my ongoing feeling that the best thing about the industry isn't about imaging but friendships.

During the podcast, Scott challenged Kris to get his work out there more. I loved hearing his own print shop is now underway with a plan of early May for the grand opening!

Check out Kris's work with a click on any image below. I grabbed a few of my favorites, but it wasn't easy! And, while I've shared a lot of Lizzy's in the past, here's the link to her website and galleries. You won't be disappointed in any images these two share!

And there you have it - a crazy, hectic, and wonderful couple of weeks and the perfect time to break for a holiday weekend.

Wishing all of you a safe, healthy and blessed Easter and Passover. ​

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and while I'm usually off-topic from the business and marketing of photography, I'm very much focused on the past week's events. So while I'm going to share the link to Platypod's Kickstarter campaign and even the video - that's not what I want to write about. My focus isn't on the company, the product, or the launch - but on the friendships and support that made it all possible.

Nobody, except those who have actually done it, understand the number of people and the detail it takes for a successful campaign like this. It takes months of preparation, hundreds of suggestions, and tweaks to create a presentation, not to mention all the BTS detail it takes to make a new product in the first place. 

But all along the way, the two common denominators in EVERYTHING are friendship and trust. From the vision that Larry T. had in starting the company over six years ago, to the design, engineering, and manufacturing of the product to testing and presenting, it's an incredible journey.

There have been dozens of people involved who made last Wednesday, April 6 possible, when Larry T, Lizzy Gadd, and Kris Andres appeared on The Grid with Scott Kelby. As I sat at the KelbyOne guest table in the studio, I couldn't help but be proud to be a part of the team.

And there's my point this morning - just plain old pride at being in an industry I love and being blessed to be working with so many talented people. And while I finished the week exhausted after the birth of our new baby, I couldn't be more proud.

After a lifetime in this industry, I'm always amazed when my "been there done that" gene is challenged by the joy of another new project, new photographers to work with, and an application that challenges everything I've learned over the years.

And if you're ever thinking about launching your own crowd-funding campaign, pay attention to the elements on the Kickstarter page and the video below. There's a very special way to tell the story, and it takes more than just your eyes and heart - you need the trust of other people who understand your vision and have the skills to make it a reality!

Wishing everybody a fantastic day ahead! Take the time to appreciate those people in your life who you've trusted with your dreams. That trust is the mortar that holds all the bricks together and helps you each day to grow as a human being and artist. I'm also sending a BIG thanks to everyone who helped make this week's launch a success and, on a personal level, have helped me grow. To paraphrase the Beatles who said it years ago; we really do get by with a lot of help from our friends.

Happy Sunday or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

by Skip Cohen

We all have our bucket lists of people we'd like to meet, things we'd like to do, and places we'd like to travel. So, at a time in history when heroes are limited, meet one of mine...Joe McNally.

I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in imaging, having worked with and met so many great artists over the years. But in 2013, there was still one on my bucket list, which was to have dinner with Joe McNally someday. It was Skip's Summer School in Chicago, and Joe joined us as a speaker. We grabbed dinner together the night he arrived, and then after his keynote the following day, he stayed for the conference just so he could meet and talk with more photographers.

Since then, we've crossed paths so many times at different events and even projects. And when the power was down in a large area in Connecticut, I filled in for Joe when ClickCon did their online series during the pandemic. Of course, my presentation didn't compare to what Joe would have presented, but that didn't change my pride in filling in for him.

The bottom line - his new book is out. Just click on the link to Amazon and order yours today.

​This is a book that belongs in every photographer's library! I just ordered mine a few minutes ago - now I need to get him to stand still long enough to sign it!

He truly is the "real deal!"

by Skip Cohen

It's Marketing Monday, and as the "slow season" comes to a close, I want to hit a topic that people don't talk about very often...your ads and your logo. Over the years, I've repeatedly seen photographers and manufacturers change their advertising because they were tired of a specific ad. 

Often, a great ad gets dropped because the manufacturer was tired of looking at it. Everyone forgets how many times you have to hit a consumer before they remember your ad or product. Often there are still thousands of people out there who haven't seen the message.

While there are a lot of different opinions from various experts, this one below is representative:

​Years ago, there was a professional photographer who changed her logo three times over three years because "I'm tired of it!"  Meanwhile, every time she was starting to build up brand identity and a little momentum, she pulled the plug and essentially started over. All because she was tired of the logo - but her fans weren't, and neither were those who had never seen it before.

It's a great thought for those moments when you have a little downtime before ramping up for this year's spring seasonality: If you're thinking about creating a new look for branding, seriously consider how much exposure you've given your brand to date. Maybe it's time to change your approach to the market, but if you're doing it only because you're tired of it, remember you're not your target audience.

Remember too, this post is only referencing the look of your advertising and logo. Your brand includes everything consumers consider your business. You should have a consistent look and feel to not only your logo and advertising, but your website, blog, and the various pieces of social media real estate you control. With everything you do, related to your business, your goal is to build top-of-mind awareness. So, whenever somebody thinks about photography, your name is right there.

by Skip Cohen

Sunday Morning Reflections are all about me running amuck on topics other than business and marketing in imaging. I often wake up with an idea in my head and start typing. But this morning, I had too much on my mind, and unlike the gear we all use, selective focus wasn't working!

I went to Facebook and just started scrolling on the notification page. Looking for inspiration, I found posts by Wes Simpson, Tony Corbell, Glen Clark, Pepper Nix, Erik Cooper, Jim Garner, Carly Sullens, Michael Anthony, Melisa Albert, Deja Webster, Brent Watkins, and both Joe and Sheila Elario. The more I scrolled, the more friends I ran into.

Nothing compares with a great convention where you literally bump into old and new friends, but scrolling through Facebook just brought an outrageously stupid Alfred E. Neuman smile to my face. It was like playing the Kevin Bacon degrees of separation game. I was the link, or more appropriately, Facebook was.

And here's my point, while the outside world often thinks of our industry as massive, with millions of professional artists and photographers, the truth is it's relatively small. Even more relevant is that we're all connected in our love for the craft. Sure, there are a few hockey pucks among us, but if we weren't just a little dysfunctional, we wouldn't be a family!

So, on those days when you might feel a little disconnected, take a scroll through cyberspace, and whether Facebook or Instagram or just your favorite manufacturer's blog posts, check out what everyone is working on. I guarantee ten minutes of scrolling through images; you'll feel inspired and, if nothing else, just smile about the career you chose.

I've spent my entire adult life in this industry, and at a time when most people my age have retired, I'm just not ready to slow down. I love it too much - and there are still so many of you to meet and get to know. 

Wishing everybody a day ahead with time to appreciate your friends in the industry. Things are slowly returning to normal, and with normalcy comes more contact and time to cherish the role we play in each other's lives. Go for those eleven-second hugs, with or without a mask - appreciate your bond with whoever's on the other end of that hug.
​
Happy Sunday...or Monday on the other side of the world!

When you dance your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor.
It's to enjoy each step along the way!
Wayne W. Dyer

by Skip Cohen

As we get older, we get wiser, but I'm not sure it's as much about gaining wisdom as learning to appreciate every part of life's journey. And while that might sound pretty lofty, here's what's on my mind.

It's thirteen years ago today that I resigned as president of Rangefinder Publishing and WPPI. It was 2009, and we were in a recession. Friends and family were convinced I'd lost my mind. Why I left isn't important except to say I disagreed with how the company was run and people were treated, including me. It was simply time to move on and see if, after living vicariously through so many of you, I could walk the talk as an entrepreneur. 

The strength of your dreams is only as good as your belief in yourself. I envisioned starting my own company and simply waking up happy every morning. It really was that simplistic, and I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. What I did have was Sheila, who believed in me and a network of friends who were there every step of the way.

As we go into one of the last weekends of the "slow season," here's my point. Take time to do an inventory of your dreams. That's right - look at every vision you have of how you want your life to be. Everything is achievable if you stay focused. True, some dreams take longer to accomplish, and the journey is filled with a lot of potholes in the road - but your "suspension," just like an off-road vehicle, is your heart and built to take it!

This is a short post this morning and perfect to close with a couple of my favorite quotes:

Follow your dreams. Or you'll spend the rest of you life working for someone who did.
Anonymous

If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough!
Anonymous

Wishing everybody a great weekend and time to think about the year ahead for the short term, and for the long term, what do you want to be when you grow up? LOL

by Skip Cohen
 
The fun of Throwback Thursday is definitely in the memories old photographs bring back. It's also worth recognizing how tastes and styles change - at the time, I thought that sweater was the best-looking piece of clothing I owned!

Here's the short backstory: Don Blair (red hat and sweater) taught a three-part class - indoors, then a live shoot outside in front of the MGM Lions that evening, and finally indoors the next day. So that's Tony Corbell on one end and Terry Deglau on the other. And while both Terry and Don have long since passed away, nothing changes the love I've got for those two, the memories, and the belief they're always around watching out for all their friends in the industry.

Don't let Throwback Thursday go by without a few minutes break from whatever you have to do, replaced by something you need to do - find a couple of old photographs. Hopefully, they'll make your heart soar just a little and remind you why you fell in love with photography in the first place.

Nothing compares to the friendships we all share in this industry!

by Skip Cohen

Over my career, I've been involved in so many different projects. Here's one I couldn't be more proud of, and it's part of the reason I've loved this industry so much and for so long.

The inventor, founder, owner and CEO of Platypod is Larry Tiefenbrunn, often called "Dr. T" because he's a full-time pediatrician when not involved in imaging. Fortunately for the industry, his love for photography matches his passion for medicine.  From the original Platypod to Platyball, he's never slowed down on creating solutions to help give artists a new perspective.

Well, here comes another new great product:

Circle the Date: Coming up on April 6th on "The Grid" it's the launch of a new Kickstarter program! Joining Scott Kelby will be "Dr. T," and photographers Lizzy Gadd and Kris Andres. They'll be talking about a new member of the family and giving you the first look at a tripod alternative that will give you an entirely new perspective.

​And stay tuned for surprises - they'll be giving away a 16x24 Lizzy Gadd limited edition print to one lucky member of the online audience!

Click on any image below to visit Lizzy's galleries. I've picked a few of my favorites, but it wasn't easy!

by Skip Cohen

​Now and then, a great sale comes along you need to know about. There are six lenses in Tamron's new "Flash Sale," but it's only active for two weeks, and it kicked off yesterday. So with Mother's Day, graduation, and Father's Day all around the corner, here's an opportunity for saving on some of Tamron's best for the perfect gift - better yet, maybe it's time to expand what's in your own camera bag.

With better weather just around the corner and more of you shooting outdoors, I grabbed the video on the 150-500mm lens. Plus, a few of Ken Hubbard's images, (Click to view in the SCU lightbox.) But this is only one of six focal lengths for you to check out at your nearest Tamron dealer!

Over the last decade, Tamron's manufactured some of the finest glass in imaging! Time to add a few to your camera gear.

by Skip Cohen

Procrastination - we all do it, and sometimes it's even necessary just to recharge a little. Whatever the reason, it's not a skillset, and spring seasonality is right around the corner. Mother's Day, graduation, proms, and Father's Day are all coming up. Sadly, too many of you will let the opportunities slip by, and the look in your rearview mirror won't be pretty.

Consider this a Marketing Monday reminder of ideas for a bit of target marketing:

• Multi-generation Portraiture: At IUSA, Michele Celentano, Myron Fields, and I did an evening program. Michele talked a lot about multi-generational family portraits. Think about the last couple of years. I'm not sure the importance of family has ever been this important. Now ask yourself - what do grandparents miss the most? The answer is family, and now's the time for you to be promoting your skills as a portrait artist ready to capture and create the perfect Mother's Day gift for Grandma...with her in the photograph.
• Legacy Programs: At that same program, Myron and I both talked about creating images and capturing the stories of older generations. All of you have the gear to capture video pieces giving older generations the opportunity to tell their stories and preserve them for future generations.
• Cross-promotions: From the local florist to restaurants, limo companies, gown shops, and tux places, with Mother's Day and proms around the corner, build brand awareness with other partners. Whether it's just sharing the cost of a mailing or cross-promoting each other's products - you don't have to fly solo! Partnerships help extend your reach and reduce your cost.
• Grad-cards: Marathon Press has its BOGO program going on right now. Taking advantage of the program reduces your cost by half! Or, better put, increase your revenue stream.
• Graduation: Think about what the class of 2022 has gone through over the last couple of years. A year ago, there were very few traditional graduations. While we're still not out of the throws of the pandemic, things have opened up. That's your cue to take action.
• Your Community: You're looking for your community to be good to you - so you better be good to your community! Now is the time to volunteer and make people aware you're not just another retailer in the area. Parts of the country might have been hit with winter weather last week, but April 1 is Friday, and with it comes a long list of events that need support. And don't worry about it if it doesn't involve your skills as a photographer. This is about people knowing you believe in giving back!
• Relationship Builders: I've written about this many times over the last few years. Start checking in on your past customers. A phone call to not sell anything but check on how they're doing will go a long way. After all, they became a client because they trusted you - now's the time to extend that trust further and let them know you care. Again, you don't need to pitch anything but friendship.
• Putting Rocks to Sleep? Check out everything you offer. Is some of it boring? It might be time to call your lab and ask, "What's new?" Then look at products you might want to feature that are exciting instead of the same old things.
• Use Your Blog: Your website is about what you sell, but your blog is about what's in your heart. Use your blog to talk about the importance of capturing those special memories. Share gift ideas involving imaging. Talk about the renewed sense of family and some of your own experiences in missing important moments in your own family.​

The bottom line - stop wasting time. And if you need a sounding board or a little help, you know where to find me. Make this a spring season of no regrets!

I don't regret the things I've done. I regret the things I didn't do when I had the chance!
Anonymous

by Skip Cohen

​What I love most about writing this Sunday morning series is the complete lack of predictability about whatever's on my mind to write about. As I've talked about before, doing a brain dump is therapeutic. So today's more of a confession as I attempt to share the not-so-major events of the last week.

Two weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of knowing when to "unplug." I'm a work in progress, and understanding when I need to shut off the business side of my brain is still a skill set I'm lacking. I love this industry and love what I do for a living. But, between my computer, my phone, and having a home office, it's so hard to shut things down and just relax with Sheila, the pups, and friends.

So, I unplugged, and we headed up to St. Augustine, FL. So, what did I learn? First, never go to a tourist destination during both "season" and spring break. It was a madhouse. Traffic was incredible, whether it was in the car or on foot. But here's a better thing to have learned - Sheila and I had a blast. We acted like tourists and just spent time together - no phone calls, no computer, no business.

Unplugging was tough, but plugging back in has been almost impossible. The last week was one of the busiest I can remember. Between phone calls, emails, and various projects, trying to write a blog post has been impossible. It's been a balancing act with posting finishing in last place. The week reminded me of an old video of Lucille Ball.

​And there's my point - we can only do as much as we can do. Simplistic? Yes, but there's a point we all reach in life where we realize there are only so many hats we can wear at one time. For me, it's a reminder of the importance of prioritizing, which I did. But the challenge is doing it without guilt and letting go of that monkey on your back.

What's funny about being preoccupied with the various challenges in business is that we often forget all the things we've accomplished. Instead, we become obsessed with what we didn't do and miss everything we did get done.

I'm back to better than normal. I'm learning to go cold turkey and unplug when I need to, and then, even harder, plug back in and stay focused. It accomplishes nothing to keep looking in the rearview mirror at the turn in the road you missed. But it does make sense when it's important to find another route or make the u-turn and go back. No regrets, just another lesson learned, and something to laugh about later.

Wishing everybody a day ahead with no regrets and time with family and friends who are most important to you. Never lose sight of those things that simply make your heart soar. If there's a monkey on your back, feed him a banana and disappear while he's chowing down.

Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world!

by Skip Cohen

​I know I shared this image a long time ago, but that's the fun of Throwback Thursday. Nothing you enjoy really has an expiration date!

So, why share it again? First, the fun of throwbacks is often in the hunt. While searching through folders of old images, this one came up and made me smile. Second, while it's bittersweet having lost at least four of the people in the photograph over the last thirteen years, it's a testimonial to the great friendships that are the foundation of this industry.

And third, which gets its own paragraph, this was a party to honor our good friend Terry Deglau. Terry passed away 2 1/2 years ago, but there isn't a day that goes by that something doesn't come up reminding me of his influence, friendship, and how we all loved him. For me, he was my "partner in crime" as we went from one adventure to another.

From photographing Yosemite while driving around in Ansel Adams' '77 Cadillac to snowmobile trips to snorkeling for manatees here in Florida, we did it. We were two of the four musketeers, with Tony Corbell and Don Blair being the other members of the team. And when the four of us all got together, there was no way of knowing what kind of "trouble" we were about to get into! LOL

If you're not on the hunt for throwbacks, you're missing a golden opportunity. It's a way to stay in touch with the pure joy of what brought you into this industry in the first place.

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and I'm running amuck...LOL. Reflections is almost always miles away from marketing and business, and while there's a slight connection this morning, this is about how we all got to be who we are today. 

For years, I've been using Alfred Lord Tennyson's quote above, most recently at a close friend's funeral. Everyone who touches our life becomes a part of us. Of course, some people have a more significant impact than others, but I've been reading a book about why we do things the way we do. While many things go back to childhood, all along the way, we connect with other people. Friends, foes, everybody who crosses our path becomes an influence in developing who we are.

The most obvious is your style of shooting as a photographer. You've been influenced by other work you've seen and artists who you've met, online workshops, or heard speak at a convention. While you've developed your own style, along the way, there are elements you've picked up that have contributed to your signature.
 
Now, think about who you are today. Think about things you like, hate, feelings that you have when doing something different...the list goes on and on. In every case, you'll find you can trace it back to something or someone in your past.

There's an expression in psychology, "Hysterical is historical," which means things that upset you can be traced back to something in your past. I'm not here to play amateur shrink, but it is interesting when you start thinking about how you approach the challenges in business today.

Think of everybody you've ever met, and everything you've ever done as another piece of the puzzle - put them all together, and there you are. For example, when my good friend Frank passed away recently, I spoke at his memorial service and quoted Tennyson. Frank had become the older brother I never had and frequently spending time with him over the last few years, I admired his style and how much I was able to learn just by knowing him.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead. Take the time and think about the people in your life going back to when you were a kid. You'll find you can connect so many of the dots that make you who you are today. As always, go for those eleven-second therapeutic hugs with the people who mean most to you.

And thanks for being a part of my Sunday morning "aha" moment as I analyze my own journey.

​Happy Sunday!

by Skip Cohen

Last year I shared a post about Lizzy Gadd and the launch of her fine art print collection. Sheila and I loved her work so much that we bought a print for our dining room.  But that was only part of the fun. Thanks to her relationship with Platypod, we've gotten to know Lizzy better, not to mention the growing excitement of seeing her new catalog.  

Lizzy's taken portraiture to an entirely new level.  Each image leaves the viewer with their own interpretation of the photograph. This is fine art portraiture at its best, bringing in the environment, her vision and style, along with her reputation for quality.

Click on any image in this post to link to the pdf for her new limited edition catalog. Purchase any limited edition print within the first 24 hours of the launch for a 50% discount. Then, make sure you click on the banner below and sign up for her FREE newsletter and the Print Giveaway on March 24!

From stunning images to part of the proceeds going toward nature conservation initiatives, regardless of your specialty, Lizzy needs to be on your radar. And tune in to The Grid on April 6, when Lizzy and Kris Andres join Scott Kelby and the Platypod team on the air live.

by Skip Cohen

It's Throwback Thursday, and while I know I shared this a long time ago, it now qualifies as a second-generation throwback! LOL

Here's the short backstory - it was the opening program at WPPI in 2008. Each artist above was a "young gun," setting the standard for some amazing creativity in imaging and business. While a few have disappeared from the active photography scene over the years, most of the group is still setting the standard for excellence in business, education, and art.

My favorite moment was Mike Larson doing his then state-of-the-art risk-taking moment...he'd put his Canon on the self-timer and toss it 12-15 feet in the air, capture an image and catch the camera on the way down. Hopefully, today he's using a drone! Back then, it was a bold and risky move but what a kick to watch.

So, how many artists do you recognize in the shot?

Wishing everybody a terrific Throwback Thursday and time to go off searching for memory-making moments that make you smile!

​Note: Photo Credit - I'm pretty sure it was thanks to Kenny Kim

by Skip Cohen
 
It's Sunday, and as always, I'm off track from business and marketing, but not from a lesson I can't seem to learn as well as many of my friends have. Supposedly with age comes wisdom, but when it comes to learning when to step away from the business and take a break, I'm still a work in progress.

This is a very short post this morning because I'm unplugging for a few days - not because I'm overburdened with any projects or aspect of business I can't handle, but simply because I want to take a break. Yesterday was Sheila's birthday, and we're headed out for a few days. We've got great puppy coverage thanks to our daughter-in-law and nothing to worry about. No schedule to keep and time just to enjoy each other.

And there's my point - learn to recognize when you should unplug before you really need to. It's a lesson I've NEVER mastered. I once said to somebody with pride, "It's been over a year since I took a real vacation!" As if working hard and consistently deserved an award. An hour later, I was embarrassed to have even suggested it was merit-worthy!

So, those eleven-second hugs I always write about? They need to run for days at a time with that one person or people who are the most special in your life. You need time to step away from the business for them and yourself. You need to either step outside your usual environment or pull up the drawbridge and not let anything into your world that takes away your peace.

We're packed - I'm taking a camera and a Platypod - my computer is being left at home, and the car is gassed up. See you Wednesday!

Wishing everybody a great day ahead and the start of a terrific week. The world is a long way from normal, but hopefully, that little piece of it that's yours is giving you time with the people you love the most!

Happy Sunday...or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.

by Skip Cohen

​To people outside the photography, it seems like a huge industry - after all, everybody knows a photographer or two. But inside the industry, it's a relatively small "family." We've all been to the same rubber chicken dinners together, been stuck in airports hanging out because of bad weather, waited in long lines at hotel check-in when the computers were down, and most important of all - we share so many mutual friends.

Well, it's time for you to get to know Scott Detweiler a little better. Scott started as an artist and painter and brought his style and skills into photography just a few years ago. Based in Milwaukee, he's now focused primarily on commercial and fashion work, being a noted educator and friend to so many other photographers in the industry.

And there's my favorite point - friendships. Scott and I talked before the podcast and discovered a bunch of mutual friends in the industry, as well as both of us teaching at Shutterfest over the years - but we'd never had the time to really talk. And extending the friendship theme even further, he joined Chamira and me for this new podcast on a suggestion from friends at Zenfolio.

Think about your website. The number of people on the Internet grows more and more every day, with over 90% of Americans having Internet access and over 313 million users nationwide. As a result, your website has the same impact as a bricks-and-mortar storefront twenty years ago. That's where Zenfolio came into the conversation as Scott shared his insight into his cyberspace "real estate."

You'll find more of Scott's work with a click on any of the images below. He's one of the most diverse artists in the industry. From his seniors, to fine art portraiture to his whimsical doll project and everything in between, he always exceeds expectations.

​And check out Zenfolio for ideas on how to raise the bar on your website and give your "bricks and mortar" online presence the impact it deserves. Your blog is about what's in your heart, but your website is about what you sell. You've got to give your clients the same experience they enjoy when shopping at their favorite store. Zenfolio's just a click away on the banner below.

by Skip Cohen

​We're down to the last month of the "slow season," and if nothing else, you should be thinking about everything you can do to make 2022 one of your best years ever. While the pandemic brought an incredible level of stress and a collection of challenges for every business owner, it also created opportunities to demonstrate leadership.

I admit it's like the expression about banging your head against the wall because it feels so good when you stop, but out of the difficulties of the last couple of years came a renewed sense of family. As a result, there's a new focus on imaging and your ability to help people capture and cherish their most important memories. As I've written so many times in the past - photographers are the magicians of the world, turning intangible moments into tangible memories people can appreciate for a lifetime.

So, here's my favorite place to start when building success into the year ahead - exceed expectations! Start with a look at your entire business, not just your skill set in creating beautiful images, but how you communicate, the functionality of your website, the strength of your brand in the community, and the experience clients have when working with you. Exceeding expectations isn't a policy but a lifestyle that should be built into everything you do!

• Don't just deliver on time - deliver early, whenever possible.
• Be a relationship-builder - your most incredible tool for marketing is relationship building with your clients and your community.
  • Keep in touch with your clients with a phone call here and there - you don't have to sell anything, just check in on how they are.
  • Follow clients and associates on social media - pay attention to birthdays and anniversaries.
  • Be involved in your community - this is about giving back. You want the community to be good to you, so you have to be good to your community.
• Make working with you a great experience.
• Return calls and emails as fast as you possibly can - not just with customers in your database, but with everyone who contacts you.
• Always follow up with questions from your clients - even when you think the challenge has already been resolved.
• Be early for appointments and meetings.
• Be helpful in person, online, and in your blog.

As I was thinking about 2022 and my optimism for this new year, I started thinking about the role excellent service will play for every business. Your success is about going the extra step and staying in touch with your clients, even when you don't have to. Excellent service isn't just about solving problems. It's about being proactive and creating top-of-mind-awareness with your audience - so whenever they think about photography, your name is right on top.

I shared this video a while back - it's from Shep Hyken. I'm a huge fan of Shep's and his focus on Customer Service. Shep's a Hall of Fame Speaker, NY Times Best Selling Author, and a Customer Service and Experience Expert. He walks the talk with his regular closing line of "Always be amazing."

The short version of our friendship is I shared a quote of his on Twitter. He responded; I called him, and he took the call. Since then, we've been on each other's podcasts and even caught breakfast together in St. Louis several years ago.

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.
Roger Staubach