by Skip Cohen

Sometimes the magic of Throwback Thursday comes in the hunt! A month ago, I stumbled across a box in storage, and it was packed to the top with disks, most of them not marked. Every couple of weeks, I take it down off the shelf and pull 4-6 disks to review. Well, this morning I hit the motherlode! 

The year is 2005, and it's WPPI. It was always too busy during the show to kick back and have a few drinks with friends. Plus, with so much going on I couldn't risk a hangover in the morning...but on the last night, all bets were off!

For some reason, no matter where the show was held, that last night was ALWAYS at Red Square the vodka bar at Mandalay Bay. For an absurd amount, when you bought a bottle, you could have a drink in the walk-in cooler toasting whatever made you smile, while wearing Russian attire and joined by a bust of Stalin covered in mock bird crap! 

Throwback Thursday photographs ALWAYS have a story - In honor of everyone's good friend Julianne Kost, we picked a bottle of vodka called "Tall Blonde." We paid $350 for it, and 6-8 of us went into the cooler to make a toast. A week later, my buddy Bob Rose, in the white hat in the back, saw it in the liquor concession at Rochester Airport for $14!

Whether you share your throwbacks on your blog, or enjoy privacy on your trip down Memory Lane, make it a habit on Thursdays to search for old photographs. You'll never be disappointed with their ability to throw you into the time-machine.

What you'll find is a fun change from the usual work you need to get done. You'll also be reminded of the importance of photography and capturing memories. Even a couple of blurry grab-shots serve a purpose in the fun of looking back at those priceless moments in our lives.

​And, to whoever gave me a disk marked "Red Square" in the spring of 2005 - thank you!

There's an incredible amount of helpful content on the WestcottU site. And it's all FREE.

It's "Wednesdays with Westcott," and I found the perfect piece of inspiration and support for a lot of you! Scrolling through, I found a topic that speaks to the help, so many of you need - product lighting. Now, before you roll your eyes, and suggest I don't know what I'm talking about because you don't do product shots and you're not a filmmaker.

Let's use wedding photographers as an example. I love going through the list of specialties to find out what everyone in each of my workshops is doing. When I ask about tabletop work, there are almost no hands that ever go up. Yet, wedding photographers have the toughest of all table-shots to get - the wedding take. And, what if the bride is using her great-grandmother's engraved cake knife and she wants the detail?

Then there are those of you who like to share product shots on your blogs as both still images and video. For example, coming up to this year's holiday season, you want to show a new frame line, albums or presentation boxes from a company like PhotoFlashDrive. (Note, I love their products to completely upgrade your client presentations!) You need to show these products with the same professional look you're working hard to achieve in all your work.

This video was inspired by seeing how some of our favorite content creators have been using Flex LED mats in their production workflows. Whether doing an unboxing or creating a cooking channel, compact Flex light are awesome for creating a professional set even in the tightest of spaces. For this setup, we used a few Flex LED lights along with a variety of modifiers to create multiple lighting setups for a standard tabletop b-roll shoot. But before we got started, there were a few things we needed to prepare…

1. We made sure the products that we were featuring were as clean as possible.
2. We made sure the environment we were shooting in was as clean as possible.
3. We picked a tabletop that was visually appealing, without dents or stratches.
4. We picked a background that wasn’t distracting. If you can’t find a simple wall, consider bringing in a fabric or paper backdrop.

After we got our environment ready, it was time to begin placing our lights. When shooting tabletop b-roll, there were a few questions we had to keep in mind while setting up.

1. How are the products are going to cast shadows on our tables surface and on the other products?
2. Will short lighting or broad lighting look better on the object?
3. Do we want natural and motivated lighting or more colorful and cinematic lighting?

​These things will typically be determined by the products that you’re shooting. If the items are extremely shiny, dark, or reflective, you’ll need to be aware of reflections as well. Shooting with a monitor is extremely helpful in this case, allowing you to see the finer details. Here, we were shooting on an A7III with HLG2 into an Atomos recorder using Kit and Gamma Assist.

Don't forget everything you buy, when connecting to any product from an SCU blog post or through the door to Westcott below puts 10% of your purchases in the funding for Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. As a Westcott affiliate, SCU keeps no commission but for the rest of this year, directs it to one of the industry's most recognized nonprofits.

Westcott never slows down on their efforts to help photographers raise the bar on their skill set and capture the very best in imaging. And, their YouTube channel is packed with great content plus a never-ending flow of inspiration on the WestcottU site!

by Skip Cohen

​If you've followed my posts for the last year or so, then the name Robert Vanelli won't be new to you. Attend just about any convention, and you'll find him walking the trade show, teaching or networking. He's a powerhouse and certainly not new to SCU. We've shared several of his images, and our adventures together have been highlighted in several blog posts.

He's an author, educator, podcaster, filmmaker, photographer and a good friend to so many of us in the industry. He's also one of those people who you meet, and a few months later you can't remember when he WASN'T in your life!  "Vanelli" needs to be on your radar. Click on his image above to link to his website, and if you're looking for his podcasts and articles, they're at Photofocus.com - just a click away.

Recently he was shooting with Tamron's SP 35mm lens. When I saw the image above, I knew it had to be shared on Tamron Tuesday.  He captured the image with a Nikon D810, the Tamron 35mm F/1.8 Di VC US lens. The exposure triad was f6.3 @ 1/50 ISO 800. It was all natural light and shot in aperture priority.
 
The model is Amber Intelisano, photographed at Tank America in Melbourne, Florida.

Tamron never slows down in the quality of their manufacturing and today is making some of the very finest optics in imaging! See the entire product line with a visit to the Tamron dealer nearest you.

​It's Marketing Monday and the perfect time to remind you of one of the greatest self-destruct actions you can create: SHOWING MEDIOCRE/BAD IMAGES on your website and blog.

While there are a few thoughts in today's post out of the archives, there are still too many of you who just don't get it! Your galleries aren't about how much you can photograph, but how good you are as an artist. 

Just for a second, pretend to be a business owner outside your own career. Would you expect to be successful selling inferior products? A dry cleaner couldn't survive with clients returning things only partially clean. A gas station wouldn't make it, short-changing customers with "almost a gallon" measurements. Your favorite restaurant wouldn't survive long with lousy food. I can see the tag line now, "Only a small chance you'll get sick!" 

It doesn't matter what the product or service; people have to believe you're the best. With photography, they get a sneak preview by visiting your online galleries. That's why you've got them - to show people what you can do! Knowing then how important your galleries are, why are some of you still not cleaning them up? Why show an image you wouldn't buy yourself?

Then there's the other extreme; showing images that aren't yours! Fortunately, it's happening less and less these days, but it's a madness that needs to stop. If it's not your work, then don't show it!

And one more level of madness that comes out of workshops and conferences - using images you've taken in a workshop. I'm not against working with models to build your portfolio. I'm also not against taking things you've learned in a workshop and creating new images for your galleries and portfolio. What I am against is using that shot you got as you stood behind the instructor, while he/she was teaching. You piggy-backed off of somebody else's expertise. It's not your work, even if you did click the shutter.

There's only one way to build your business, and it's all about building your skill set. It's about directing your passion for imaging into your quest for quality. So, here's a suggestion for your galleries. 

Take the time to review your website. Look at the images you're showing. Every photograph should be a "wow" print. That means if this was the only image you could show, you'd get hired!

This is a career field based on quality: Quality in your images, your relationships with your clients and the way you do business. Don't let yourself get caught up in the argument about showing lots of pictures just to fill up space. If an image isn't good enough, don't show it. Make visiting your galleries a great experience!
 
Vince Lombardi said it best, 

"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." 

Make your commitment to excellence and never compromise!

Cusi Taylor is a Panasonic LUMIX Ambassador and since it's "Mirrorless Monday," I was wandering through cyberspace when I came across this image. She wrote:

This composite was made using several images taken with both the GX8 and the G9 - my two favorite Lumix bodies. I love doing creative things with my photography!

(The Comicare volunteer goes by AZ_Spiderman on Instagram, if you'd like to see more of him in action!)

As much as "Mirrorless Monday" posts are about gear, they're also about raising awareness for community events. This photograph is of a Comicare volunteer, and up until this morning, I hadn't heard of Comicare.
Cusi also wrote:

Comicare is a group of volunteer cosplayers here in Arizona who collect donated comic books and deliver them (while in full costume) to kids in the hospital. It is a fantastic organization.

If you've followed me for even the shortest amount of time you know I'm a big fan of giving back to the community. I love it when photography and giving back combine forces and create an increased awareness of events, organizations, or simply people helping people. Find out more about Comicare with a click on the banner below.

Interested in finding out more about two of Cusi's favorite cameras? Just click on either thumbnail above. And, check out Cusi and the rest of the LUMIX Ambassador team. They're one of the most diverse groups of artists and educators in photography, and they're all just a click away!

Image copyright Will Cadena. All rights reserved.

When I started this series, it was to introduce you to some of the most talented and passionate artists in contemporary photography. However, with today's post, we're adding to that goal and introducing you to a wonderful nonprofit organization as well, HeartsApart.org.

Will Cadena is in the spotlight, and our growing friendship is a testimonial to social media and the importance of attending conferences. He's no stranger to SCU, and as a Westcott Pro, I shared one of his videos at the beginning of this month. Will needs to be on your radar. Just click the image above to link to his website.

We were both teaching at ClickCon August 5-7.  That's where we had a chance to meet in person, but I also got to watch him teach on the trade show floor in the Westcott booth. *Poof* and there it is, one of the most significant reasons to attend workshops, conferences and conventions - it's how you build your network; meeting other artists. Watching Will work you couldn't help but recognize his passion for the craft!

Now, let's go one step further - the importance of giving back. I've got a particular soft spot for anything dealing with the military, but regardless, the connection and respect we should all share is without question. I've shared the link back to HeartsApart.org many times in the past, but here it is again. Just click on their banner at the bottom of the page.

Regardless of what nonprofit you choose to support, it's important to give back. Will comments about how important that is in the podcast. 

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."
Muhammad Ali

Meanwhile, a big thanks to Westcott for the unofficial introduction to Will through WestcottU; ClickCon for creating a venue where I could meet Will along with hundreds of other photographers; and HeartsApart.org for helping our servicemen and women stay connected to what they're fighting for - their families and our freedom.

Technology never slows down, especially when it comes to communication. Texting is growing at an incredible rate and with it your ability to reach potential clients faster, and often with the information they're looking for.  Texting technology is expanding your ability as a professional photographer to build relationships with more potential customers, your current base of clients and increase revenue. 

​It's Sunday morning and if you've followed me for even the shortest amount of time you know "Reflections" is all about going off-track from business, marketing and technique. I love that time you've allowed me to take to share what's bouncing around in my head, no matter what the topic.

This morning I'm in one of those how-did-I-get-here moments. Every day we're given choices of doors to walk through. Each door comes in the form of emails, phone calls, text messages, forum threads on Facebook with other photographers and conferences/workshops we can attend. 

If I look back on my life, it's always been without very much direction. I've never known what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I was a kid, if you asked me, I thought it was clever to say "Peter Pan" and never grow up. We all have to grow up - but that doesn't mean we can't have fun in the process. My vote is walk through every door you can find time to open, and you'll be amazed at where each new path takes you!

Here's are some examples:

• I hadn't talked with Gareth Rockliffe for a couple of years. We lost track of each other. Over a couple of days, my name kept popping up on his screen. He told me he thought it was destiny to give me a call. With his help, we relaunched "Beyond Techniques," and we're working on another project together.
• Kevin Kuster came into my life because he was a keynote speaker at ClickCon. He and I talked one day when I called him after he shared a nice comment on Facebook about something I was doing.
• Paolo Cascio came to one of my programs at ClickCon...I ran his video about the survivors of the USS Arizona earlier this week and have talked to him a couple of times since then. 
• Will Cadena and I are trying to connect for a podcast this weekend. It's just a short one, but again, it's thanks to Westcott and ClickCon for actually being able to meet and talk for a minute.
• Suzette Allen and husband Jonny will launch the 13,000 mile, Ms. Bubble Trailer Tour in a few weeks. While Suzette and I have known each other for years, it's pretty much thanks to Panasonic, the four of us have become such good friends.
• "Vanelli" and I met thanks to being at a Skylum dinner together at PhotoShop World almost two years ago. We knew each other, but the friendship really kicked off when we both decided it was time to do lunch together instead of just talking about.
• Last but not least, on the list is Kevin A. Gilligan - we met online because of Tamron. However, we finally met in person when we hit Los Angeles for a few days following WPPI this year.

Here's my point - we all have a choice to make every day - be involved or be a couch potato, or I suppose more accurately put - an office/studio potato. You can't grow as an artist or for that matter a member of the human race if you don't get out of the house! 

You need to attend every event you possibly can. Build your network of associates and friends. You never know when that person you're talking to on the elevator needs a little help or is going to help you. You need to be at every conference you possibly can attend: PPE in New York, IUSA in Nashville, SYNC in Florida, WPPI in Las Vegas, PhotoShop World in Orlando and Las Vegas, ShutterFest in St. Louis and ClickCon in Chicago. (Note: 2020 dates are not announced yet for all of these shows.) Then there are state and regional shows all year long.  

And, for those of you who think you can't afford to go to so many shows - you can't afford NOT to! With each conference you attend you're going to experience a growth spurt and you never know what door might open next.

If over the next twelve months, you met new people at each conference and took at least one class outside your comfort zone - think about how much you'd raise the bar on your skillset. As your skillset and network grow - your life changes. It becomes richer and opportunities you never thought about become a part of your life.

So, how did I get here? It's a long list of events and great people. I wake up smiling every morning, never knowing what the day ahead is going to bring. In that group of great people are all of you, my readership. As I've written dozens of times in the past - the best thing about this industry is the friendships. The second best thing is where those friendships have the potential to take us.

Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday. I hope the day is one of peace, love, and friendships. Go for those eleven-second hugs and take a minute to think about the people most important to you - how did they come into your life?

Happy Sunday or Monday if you're hanging out on the other side of the planet!

In January 2018 we kicked off the year with a great podcast series, sharing insight into the business and marketing of photography with some of the most respected artists in the world. The sponsor for the series, while liking the concept, decided they wanted to do something different on their own in 2019, and the series was put on the back-burner.

Working together with my co-host Chamira Young, we decided recently it was time to bring back the series and "Beyond Technique" is off the back-burner.  And the heats turned up to HIGH with great guests and insights that go well beyond the business of photography.

This week Kevin Kuster joined us with some incredible insight into how his career has progressed and the importance of giving back. "Watt's of Love" is changing people's lives, and in the process Kevin Kuster's ability to be a phenomenal storyteller is in the spotlight.  As I said in my intro on the podcast - "He's changing the world one light at a time!"

by Skip Cohen 

In February last year, I had an idea - a weekly series to help you fine-tune your business and marketing skills. I chose to write them fresh each week to give you content that was based on things I had noticed during the previous week. Well, here we are eighteen months later, and I think I've only missed two to three Fridays in the series. 

There's a never-ending flow of topics all thanks to interactions I have with so many of you throughout the week via the Internet, phone and here and there in person. Each post in the series has hit on a topic most of you need to pay more attention to.

As I've written many times in the past, as right-brain artists, so many of you ignore the operational and marketing side of the business. Well, there are no Success Fairies who are going to come into your business in the middle of the night and boost sales, clients, or revenue. It's strictly up to you! Take a scroll through all the past "blue-plate" specials from the SCU Diner, and you'll find ideas to help you thrive in 2019 and not just survive!

The chefs in the kitchen today have put together an incredibly filling lunch special, critical to your success - the care and feeding of your network!

I hate quoting politicians, but Hillary Clinton gets credit for the "It takes a village" line. Your network is one of your most valuable tools for success. Sadly, too many of you meet somebody, talk for a few minutes, exchange business cards or transmit data to each other and then *poof* you do nothing to keep in touch! ​

​I know it sounds hokey, but the analogy here is no different than a plant in your home. It needs water, light, fertilizer, and a pot big enough so it can grow. Your network is no different. There are so many ways to keep in touch and invest the necessary time to build relationships.

Building relationships is your greatest marketing tool! And as Scott Stratten says in his book "UnMarketing," stop marketing and start engaging!

• Define levels in your network: Whether you physically sketch this out or not, think of your network looking like a target. You're at the center, and the smallest first ring is those people you trust the most. It's going to be made up of family and your very closest friends. Then move out from there. The next ring will be friends and associates who you feel comfortable talking to regularly and might even see often. The next ring might be people you've met, friends of friends and with skillsets that compliment yours. Another ring might be only vendors and staff from the companies whose products and services you use.
• Each ring of your network has three qualifiers: confidentiality, expertise, and reach. For example, your innermost circle is based almost entirely on confidentiality. It's probably made up of loved ones and your closest friends. As you move out into your network, each qualifier changes.

​Now let's hit a few ideas to help you care for your network!

• Connect at conventions/workshops: 
  • Never eat a meal or drink alone!
  • Plan time to get together in advance
  • Get grab-shots you can use for blog posts later
    
• Be active in FB forums/groups
• Join the local photographer's guild or PPA affiliate
  
• Retweet and share each other's tweets and posts
• Track birthdays, anniversaries, events in each other's lives - I love Facebook for this, and the birthday list is my first stop every morning. 
  • Linkedin helps keep track of business anniversaries and job changes - stay involved!
• PICK UP THE PHONE: What a concept - the telephone! Seriously, keeping in touch through social media is excellent, but there are times when a phone call is going to set the stage for an even stronger relationship. I'm not suggesting you call everybody in your network all the time, just when something special has been shared, or you want to thank somebody for their support.
• Organize a networking luncheon in your community: This is a few rings out from the center of your networking and would include any vendor working on hitting the same target you are. A wedding photographer might invite florists, wedding planners, venue managers, caterers, bridal salons, tux shops, entertainment managers, travel agents, etc. Find a simple place like a diner with a private or semi-private room and just talk about the community. You'll be amazed at how much you'll find you can do together.
• Share content for your blogs: You don't have to write everything yourself, but you do need to be consistent and if you're not posting at least twice a week, same day, same time, then stop blogging. Sharing content with another member of your network helps you create great content to share with your readers and both of you benefit.

A strong network needs to be more than just a fully loaded roll-a-dex. (I admit it - I'm an old fart and proud of it! Right about now there are too many of you who don't know what a roll-a-dex is/was. Before cell phones and email addresses, it's how we kept track of everybody in our networks!)
 
I'm right back to where I started this post, "It takes a village!" So, give your village the support it needs and be there to help people in your network because they're going to your best resource when you need help! 

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.
African Proverb

It's the first anniversary of my first Performance EXT Metal print! It's been outside in the sun, heat, and rain for a solid year. It's been bumped by friends with backpacks and even knocked off the wall a couple of times, and it hasn't shown one sign of aging or fading. (Note: what might look like fading in the photograph above is strictly the reflection of furniture and the frame of the pool cage.)

And besides loving Bay Photo's products and quality, there's a more significant reason for me to be sharing this today. All of you are looking for ways to make your work different. You're looking for ways to be a stronger competitor and always in need of products that are different. 

I'm pretty proud of my sunset image from Nokomis Beach. Having a print like this outside makes it a conversation piece. Now, think about all your clients - everybody has a porch, patio or lanai.

Justin and Mary Marantz refer to that one incredibly unique image they always try and get at a wedding as "Shooting for the silver frame." Well, I'm suggesting with each family sitting you consider shooting for an outdoor print. In terms of your own images, how about a print on your back porch from that last vacation? Photography doesn't have to be exclusive to the indoor environment!

Need to see more prints and learn more about Performance EXT Metal prints? Suzzette Allen and husband Jonny are about to hit the road for an educational tour that's going to top the charts in programming and Bay Photo is a partner. Just click on the link below for more information: so that you can catch up to them during their travels.  

​I've written a lot over the years about being one of the luckiest guys in the industry. Part of that feeling comes from the talented friends I have who are some of the most skilled artists in the world.

Helen Yancy created the image above, and we're rolling back the clock to around 2002. It's my grandson and me on a beach in New England, and the water was cold. What better gift to get your grandson than his first wetsuit? I was never big on the watercolor look - that was until Helen took a 4x6 CVS print and turned into one of my most favorite pieces of art. Matted and framed it became a never-ending favorite in our home for many years.

The second image is by Bambi Cantrell and would have been around 2003. We were living in California when Bambi spent some time photographing my family. I found this 4x6 tucked between the pages of a book recently, which points out my need to do a better job of practicing what I preach. Photographs are everywhere and I need to get organized.

​I have no excuse, except to point out that being in the industry with so many friends who have captured images of my life over the years, plus my own images - they're everywhere! Pull any box out of storage, regardless of what it says on the outside, and odds are you'll find a couple of stray photographs.

Sadly, I'm not close to my kids these days, but that doesn't change the value of the great memories and the fun of taking a stroll down Memory Lane. But there's another sidebar here...the importance of printing images. Both were initially captured on film and without these prints who knows where my memories would be stashed!

Six years ago Michele Celentano wrote "I Believe," and shared it with everybody at Skip's Summer School, that year in Chicago. Consider this a bonus this morning in a sort of triple throwback as I share Michele's "I Believe" statement together with two of my favorite old photographs. And, she's given all of you the rights to plagiarize away and use it with your own client presentations.

Why? First, because she's Michele Celentano and that's what she does. LOL Second, and more important is the need for everyone to educate their clients on the importance of printed images. While some of you will think I'm an alarmist, the truth is we have no idea what technology is going to do to our ability to look at photographs in the future. 

​Happy Throwback Thursday!

by Skip Cohen 

It's "Wednesdays with Westcott," and I love the creativity/inspiration shared non-stop on Westcott's YouTube channel and on the WestcottU website. This one I particularly like because it's tied in a DIY level of creativity, and gives you complete control over the results depending on the textures you add to the plexiglass and the way you set up your lights.

Westcott never slows down in their efforts to help you raise the bar on the quality of your images. In this under two-minute video they take you through each step in the process, planting the seed for an infinite number of ways you can change the look of your portraits, starting with a piece of plexiglass. Just click on the banner below to watch the video. 

And remember, everything you purchase through the SCU Gateway to Westcott's website helps one of the industry's most respected non-profits, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. SCU is a Westcott affiliate but we do not keep the 10% commission - it's all going to NILMDTS through the end of this year.

​So, need lighting gear or accessories? Check out Westcott's extensive product line through the door below!

I'm a big believer in the role fate plays in this industry. We all share a love for various aspects of the craft and as our paths cross, we grow, fed by each other's enthusiasm and love for imaging, people and memories. I've shared one of my favorite quotes many times over the years:

"I am a part of all that I have met!"
Alfred Lord Tennyson

​Everybody we meet and talk with becomes a part of who we are. That's the story behind my growing friendship with Paolo Cascio. We met at ClickCon earlier this month when he sat in on my "Midnight Madness" class. We talked briefly that night and just seemed to hit it off. His passion for the craft is infectious. He's one of those people who the minute he starts talking about photography; you know you want to hang out with him.

Yesterday we caught up to each other for a long phone conversation about a project he's working on. He wants to capture the stories of the remaining survivors of the USS Arizona, which was sunk at Pearl Harbor, taking with it almost half of the fatalities that horrible day. With my Dad being a member of "the greatest generation," and serving in the Asia/Pacific, the events at Pearl Harbor are what pulled him and thousands of others into the war.

I wanted to share Paolo's story because it hits on so many important topics. First, the friendship that's kicked off for the two of us is a perfect example of why you should attend every possible conference you can work into your schedule. You never know what's going to come out of a chance meeting and talking with somebody new. 

Second, most of you are developing your skillset to be more than just photographers - you're working to be artists and storytellers. There's a difference between capturing images and learning how to put them together to tell a story. And, there's even more skill involved in developing a story people want to watch, talk about, or listen to.

Third, no matter what your specialty in photography is, special projects are critical to your growth and creativity. You need to pick up your camera now and then for something other than paying your mortgage. You need to capture images you're passionate about just to feed your soul. It sounds a little exaggerated, but it's the best way to keep your flame of passion for the craft on high! 

I hope you'll watch this video about Paolo's journey. Anton Lorimer is no stranger to SCU and the way he's worked with SmugMug Films to tell Paolo's story is remarkable.  Pay close attention to Paolo's narrative; the images and video clips chosen, and especially the way it all comes together in a project that's become a big part of Paolo's heart. 

And to Paolo and SmugMug Films - thanks making this story available and even better - my Dad passed away four years ago. Thanks for the smile you're putting on his face right now, telling a piece of his story.

Images copyright Voortex Productions. All rights reserved.

“Two or three things I know for sure, and one of them is that to go on living I have to tell stories,
​that stories are the one sure way I know to touch the heart and change the world.”
Dorothy Allison

by Skip Cohen
 
I love starting each Tamron Recipe with a quote that points out some unique characteristic of our "Chef." Well, it only took a few minutes to find a statement that describes Chef Charley Voorhis. He's a passionate storyteller, explorer, and adventurer. He's always focused on finding ways to expand the viewer's understanding of a subject via his filmmaking and still images. And, like the quote above he touches our hearts and changes the world one frame at a time.

A few weeks ago, I was able to sit in on one of Charley's workshops at ClickCon in Chicago. As he talked about the essential elements of a story, I couldn't help but notice that distinctive look you see on an artist's face when they're in the groove. Talking about filmmaking is all part of Charley's persona, and as an educator, he's entirely focused on the importance of the power of a great story when told in a film.

The short video below about Charley's company, Voortex Productions, says it all...
                                                             
​                                                             "We believe in the power of stories!"

​Besides his love for imaging and storytelling, another quality immediately comes out in any conversation with Charley - he's a team player. While the videos he shares are deeply rooted in his visions, it's his crew that helps him turn them into reality. Together they've written some of the best stories in imaging!

And check out the entire Tamron family of outstanding glass with a visit to your Authorized USA Dealer. Just click on the banner above to find the dealer nearest you!

While most of the work shared in the Voortex Productions portfolio are video projects and campaigns, their Instagram and Facebook pages show more about their diversity and expertise. I pulled a few of my favorite still images, but check out their videos and pay close attention to the way they tell each client's story! Click on any image below to visit Voortex Productions.

All images copyright Voortex Productions. All rights reserved.

​It's Marketing Monday and while the topic might seem more appropriate for a photographer just getting started, the challenge of "analysis paralysis" hits all of us at different times, and for various reasons! New technology, keeping up with the trends in social media and consumer communication can be just as overwhelming to a veteran in business as they are to a rookie!

There's a growing, incredibly active new Facebook community following the successful launch of ClickCon in Chicago this month. The excitement combined with a perpetual state of "where-the-hell-do-I-start syndrome is definitely bogging a few of you down. In fact, after every conference, people seem to get stressed over how much they need to learn or change.

At the same time, there are a lot of confused artists who simply don't know where to start. And, instead of jumping in with both feet, they're caught in the confusion of what to do next. They procrastinate, and all the excitement of what they learned at the conference gets put in that imaginary shoebox of ideas and kicked under the bed!

It's time to put an end to analysis paralysis and take action. It's not that difficult if you follow my lead:
​

• Start by Making a List: Personally, I think every small business owner should have a whiteboard. Yeah, I know I'm challenging all the tech weenies out there who want me to put things on my computer or in my phone. Sorry, I'm a visual guy and having my "to do" list in front of me all day every day in my office is the only way I stay on course! So, however you store the information, make a list of each class you took at the conference and the key things you learned.
• Low-hanging Fruit: by definition, it's fruit that's easy to pick. By business interpretation, it's things you can quickly and easily implement. You've got to isolate short-term and long-term activities.
• Long-term Projects: Everything that's NOT low-hanging fruit is in this category. But even things you need to improve long-term have benefits. So, categorize the long-term items by their benefit to your bottom line and growth.
• Time to Get in the Groove: You're only one person, and you can't do it all at once. Start with the low-hanging fruit that's easiest for you to implement. For example, if you were in any of my programs at ClickCon, maybe it's time to update your headshot, bio or galleries. 
• Develop a Routine: I've got a specific routine I go through every day and it rarely changes. Develop a schedule so you can check email, phone messages etc. first thing and then find time EVERY day to work on your list, one item at a time.

​Here's my point this morning...stop procrastinating, because the longer you ponder on where you should start, the more you're letting the stress of change build a wall between you and your dreams!

​There is no "Success Fairy" who's going to come in the middle of the night, put a little magic under your pillow, and raise the bar on your skill set. You're the only one who can focus on what steps to take next.

"If you wait for all the lights to turn green, you'll never get started on your journey!"
Zig Ziglar

When I was asked to speak at ClickCon months ago, I suggested doing something a little different. For everyone who was in any of my programs, I'm doing a follow-up online on September 9 at 8:00 - 9:00 PM CST. How to access will be announced in the "ClickCon Social" forum on Facebook.

​And, if we need to go longer, I'll be there. My goal is to help you stay on point on things you need to do to grow your business, but I'm also going to touch on a new topic - becoming your own publicity machine. Stay tuned to the Facebook ClickCon Social group for information as we get closer.

And, if this goes well and there's interest, we'll looking at opening it up to everyone and expanding on the topic list.

It's "Mirrorless Monday," and Shiv Verma is no stranger to SCU. We've shared a lot of his images over the last few years, but there's something about the beautiful softness of this image he posted a few months back that I wanted to share today.

It's called "Echoing Curves," and it was captured with the new full-frame mirrorless, S1R and 24-105mm lens.

One of the things I love about the way Shiv shares many of his images is each photograph is a mini-lesson in technique. With this image, he added: A Benro filter holder with a 3 stop ND, a polarizer and a 3 stop soft edge grad was used for this image. The lens was at 35mm and the exposure triad: f/8, 8 sec, ISO 100.

If Shiv isn't already on your radar, he should be. Follow him and the entire US LUMIX Ambassador team. You'll find them speaking/teaching at LUMIX retailers and conventions all over the U.S.  They're one of the most diverse and creative teams in professional photography. You'll be surprised at how much great content they share.

Check out the complete S1R and LUMIX S 24-105mm lens with a click on either of the very short videos  below. 

​I'm back in Florida, and it's a typical Sunday morning. I'm up early and Sheila's still asleep, and I'm in a strange mood trying to find the words to express a particular kind of sadness. Remember, "Sunday Morning Reflections" are always off the topic of photography, and this morning I'm a long way away from marketing and business.

Friday night the phone rang and a good buddy was calling me to tell me his wife had passed away that morning. I started to tear up, but did my best to try and console him. I hung up the phone and cried, not just for the loss of a great lady, but for the pain he's going through and I'm too far away to do very much.

I hate when people post things that are personal, but this is "Reflections." So, I'm going into forbidden territory, but I'll keep it brief.

I met Bob Thompson when I joined Hasselblad in 1987. Our friendship has been one adventure after another, and his wife Cindy supported all of it. We used to laugh every time we did a scuba trip, because Cindy wouldn't let him go until he cleaned his office! She wasn't big on traveling but the two photographs I found of them were on a trip to Sweden in 1998.

There's no better caption for the photographs in this post today, than Jodi Picoult's quote I've used so often:

                                                         "This what I like about photographs.
                            They're proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect."

Wishing everybody a day filled with the people most important in your life and time to appreciate them. Those eleven-second hugs are always important, but this morning when Sheila wakes up I'm going bump them up to longer. Life is just too short!

Happy Sunday everybody.

Going back twenty years ago, these letters were a lot more fun to receive via snail mail. Always from Nigeria, and if nothing else the stamps were fun to collect. The letters always went home with somebody from the office for their kids.

Well, there's simply no place we can hide. Sooner or later they find us, but at least it was in my spam folder. This morning's email below could be one of my most favorites, and certainly deserves points for creativity!

I NEVER respond, but if I was, Sheila suggested the following:

Dear Mr. Braunwalder, Mrs. Virgie Brown is correct. I died in a car accident last week. Please send her all funds that were due me!

Just keeping it light on a rainy Saturday morning in Florida. Wishing everybody a great weekend!

​Every time we think we're out of new "blue-plate" specials in the SCU kitchen, another topic comes along. This one is all thanks to questions that came up at ClickCon earlier this month from new professional photographers. It starts with developing your skillset, but then comes the biggest challenge of all - building brand awareness, or quite simply getting your name out there!

Remember why I started this series - to give you ideas to build a stronger business! Most of you are right-brain creative types with too little focus on growing your business. Many of you don't think of yourselves as small business owners. Even if you're working for another studio, imaging is a career choice that lends itself to freelance assignments, and you're ALWAYS building your brand.

These days, it's not who YOU know, but WHO knows you! So, I've put together a list of ideas to help you get recognized.

• Community Involvement: People like buying products/services from companies they perceive as giving back. What's great about being involved in your community is it can start at any time, regardless of whether or not you're officially open for business as a photographer. And it doesn't have to include a camera in your hands. This is about giving back and can be as simple as working with the Booster Club at the high school, filling ketchup and mustard bottles at the Friday night games!
• Own Your Zip Code: Draw a circle around where you're based and start knocking on doors! Introduce yourself to the other businesses in the community...and IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR SPECIALTY IS! My favorite example is a wedding photographer walking into a real estate office. Once you've introduced yourself, all you need to say is, "My specialty is wedding photography, but I've got an incredible network. If you ever need any help with anything photo-related, give me a call. If I can't help you directly, I'm sure I know somebody who can." 
• Use Your Blog: Your website is about what you sell, and your blog is about what's in your heart. Post at least twice a week, same days, same times. Share stories/ideas relatable to your readership. Remember you're building a community.
• Teach a Class: Just about all of you, unless you started yesterday, have enough expertise to help the community raise the bar on better photographs, even if they're only shooting with a cell phone. Share tips on composition, lighting, fill flash, posing, exposure, and storytelling. For most of you, your target audience is "Mom," so help make her a better photographer. Whether it's a program through a community center or a youth group at your church, share your knowledge.
• Partnerships: You don't have to fly solo all the time! Look for opportunities to cross-promote with other vendors. A postcard mailer, for example, with two other partners, brings your cost down to a third. Best of all, all three partners become ambassadors for each other.
• Social Media: In the portrait/social categories of photography that means being primarily involved on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. But remember, there are no erasers on the Internet. Stay relevant to your audience. Don't engage trolls! And stay focused on your passion for people and your art. You know how to hold focus on your subjects with your camera - so hold focus on the needs of your audience.
• Show Your Work: Years ago, Bambi Cantrell had a display of her images in a local Starbucks. Helen Yancy, a past president of PPA started out showing her work in a local diner. Offer to decorate your doctor's office. Think about it - almost every doctor's office is the same - BORING! Let's get some good photographs on the wall, and all you're asking is to leave a stack of your business cards on the magazine table.
• Send out Press Releases: Doing a press release is a topic all it's own. Remember though, if you don't put the word out about things you're working on, nobody else well. P.T.Barnum wrote: "Without publicity, a terrible thing happens...NOTHING!" Here's an old post and it's a little outdated, but it's worth your time to read. You'll get the idea if you need a little more help.
• Put Together a Networking Luncheon: It's an incredibly easy concept: find a restaurant in town that has a private or semi-private room. Keep it simple and casual in a diner kind of environment. Invite vendors who are targeting the same audience. For example, a wedding photographer would want to invite florists, bridal salons, band promoters, tux shops, limo companies, caterers, bakers, wedding planners, travel agents, makeup artists, etc. You're all getting together to talk about the business, trends, and anything that comes up. Imagine the power of being a photographer, and sitting in between a florist and a bridal salon owner. You're not selling anything but your personality and building relationships.
• Career Day at ANY School: If we've learned nothing else from the toy manufacturers - the way to get to Mom and Dad is through their kids. Every school needs help on special programming. Offer to do a career day presentation and talk about what it's like being a photographer, but bring samples of cool products with you. Don't be boring and just talk - show photographs, special techniques, and things they can do with their cell phones! 
• Build a Community Calendar: Everyone is always looking for new blog content. So, keep a calendar on your blog of upcoming community events, especially non-profit fundraisers. And with each event you personally attend, share the story with a paragraph or two and photographs. It's a great way to build up your reputation as a supporter of the community and be more recognized.
• Join Community Groups: From PPA affiliates to photography guilds to organizations like Kiwanis, Exchange Club, Rotary, and business networking groups, be involved. You're building a network of relationships!

Too many of you think there's nothing you can do to build your brand until you're open for business. Relationship building is your strongest marketing tool - so, set up time every week to be building your foundation of awareness -  beyond your skill set.

Tony Corbell, one of the most recognized photographers in the industry once told a story about when he first got started. "I might not have been the best photographer in town, but I was determined to be the nicest!" Tony's never strayed from that practice!

It's Throwback Thursday, and I'm having fun with a couple of throwbacks, starting with one that takes us back to line art versus photography, and a few additional fun elements. 

First, the actual watch in the top left was my grandfather's. He died of ALS a couple of years before my parents were married, but I'm named after him and cherish his watch. Almost fifty years later, to the day, Don Blair's wife Donna died of ALS as well. And, I'm not sure there's been very much progress in beating this disease today.

Second, you can find anything on the Internet. A few years back I went hunting on eBay until I found somebody who had the Gruen ad for the watch from 1927. I think I spent ten dollars for the page.

I know it's hard to read, but take a look at the copy and think about how a watch is advertised today, along with the pricing. I love the way the ad kicks off: "Wisely, for the graduation gift you will select a good watch. This has always been the favored gift for graduation." Then, there's the push about what's hot and what's not: "For young men, the trend is decidedly away from the round watch."

I have the watch and ad framed in a shadow box on the wall in my office.  Unlike most of today's watches that will more than likely not be running 90+ years from now, the watch still keeps perfect time!
 
"The Gruen Watch Company was formerly one of the largest watch manufacturers in the United States. It was in business from about 1894 to 1958 and was based in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded in 1908 by German-born watchmaker Dietrich Grün, who changed the spelling of his name to "Gruen" because the letter ü does not exist in English."  From Wikipedia

Since the ad was a graduation theme, I went looking through an old album and found my Dad's high school senior shot. Hand-colored thanks to Olan Mills in Springfield, Ohio! It would have been around 1940. I wonder if he got a watch for graduation?

Between the ad and my Dad's portrait, it's a fun look back, and a testimonial to the fact that most of the time you can find anything you want on the Internet!

​Happy Throwback Thursday!