https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/mind-your-own-business-podcast-with-scott-bourne-photofocus-podcast-september-14-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes. Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Today we chat with photographer, author, educator, Olympus visionary and President of Skylum, Scott Bourne about the following topics: Staying cutting edge in your technique, as well as how you run your business Fine-tuning your skillset The importance of education … [Read more...] about Mind Your Own Business Podcast with Scott Bourne | Photofocus Podcast September 14, 2018
marketing
Photography Marketing: Keeping your promotion going during the busy season
I'm about to enter my busy season — an entire month of shooting non-stop, sometimes with multiple events a day. Sometimes even multiple full days in a row! I wouldn't have it any other way. While having photoshoots lined up is great, and that ultimately means cash in your pocket, there can be a few unintended consequences. Things not related to your current photoshoots can fall by the wayside rather easily. If you have a plan in place in advance of your busy season starting, you can avoid this from happening, and keep your promotion going … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Keeping your promotion going during the busy season
How deliberate is your business model?
To be or not to be, and why hybrid doesn’t work These days, there’s a lot of discussion about “shooting and burning” vs. “boutique studios.” Photographers giving away all the digital files, while others guard them with their lives and would never part with anything less than a fine art print. Sessions ranging from 15 minutes to 24 hours, or even longer for destination shoots. Studio settings with a million props, or pure documentary catching toddlers in bathtubs. The range is as wide as an intergalactic highway, and way more busy on any given … [Read more...] about How deliberate is your business model?
Beyond Technique Podcast with Jamey Price | Photofocus Podcast August 15, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-with-jamey-price-photofocus-podcast-august-15-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes! Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level. Today we chat with motorsports and automotive photographer Jamey Price. We discuss in detail: the power of being able to leverage your network the benefit of being nice to people in the industry the role of … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast with Jamey Price | Photofocus Podcast August 15, 2018
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast with Jen Rozenbaum | Photofocus Podcast August 10, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-with-jen-rozenbaum-photofocus-podcast-august-10-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. [Editor's note: A word of caution: There is some strong language and topics in this episode. In an abundance of respect in our listeners, we've chosen to list this one episode as explicit.] In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with boudoir photographer and educator Jen Rozenbaum. We discuss in detail: How … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast with Jen Rozenbaum | Photofocus Podcast August 10, 2018
Showing up where it matters, part three
Building online visibility Visibility online is built with a bit of patience, a lot of care, good content and most of all… links. It takes a while to draw enough traffic to your website, and most of us would love to cut a corner or two and get there quicker. This week we look at a few more ways, besides blogging, to get the clicks going and the visitors flocking. Landing pages If you run an offer, a promotion, a presentation, a new project, or whatever else you want to explain in detail to potential clients, you will need a landing page. … [Read more...] about Showing up where it matters, part three
Photography Marketing: Facebook drops Lightroom share; a look at other options
You might not have noticed it, but when you went to set up a Facebook account to share to in Lightroom Classic or CC recently, you were greeted with the following message: "Facebook is Discontinuing Sharing from Desktop Applications: Starting on August 1st, 2018 Facebook will no longer allow applications like Lightroom Classic to post photos on your timeline. You can continue to use this feature until then, but after that date it will not be possible to share photos directly to Facebook from Lightroom Classic." So, what's this mean? Well, if … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Facebook drops Lightroom share; a look at other options
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast with Rudy Guttosch | Photofocus Podcast July 13, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-with-rudy-guttosch-photofocus-podcast-july-13-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with Rudy Guttosch from Illuminati Instrument Corp. We discuss in detail: how the process of creating an image is a mix of both art and science the process of launching a physical product the concept of released a minimum viable product the power of utilizing your network … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast with Rudy Guttosch | Photofocus Podcast July 13, 2018
It’s Not About You
Everyone clicks on the About page. Don’t you? That’s how I realized that About pages are not all the same, and some are way better than others. But what makes a good one, and how do we go about getting ours to be effective? The Most Important Page on Your Website If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing worse than browsing through a photographer’s website filled with images we like, and then ending up on a long and boring About page, usually devoid of images (‘cuz we don’t like to be photographed — that’s why we’re photographers, right?) … [Read more...] about It’s Not About You
The InFocus Interview Show with Jonathan Tilly | Photofocus Podcast June 29, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/infocus-interview-show-with-jonathan-tilley-june-29-2018/s-w7IJr In this episode: Personal Brand Strategist Jonathan Tilly shares how to build your brand on Instagram. Topics: Choosing a good name before setting up your profile The purpose of your Instagram What content should be on your Instagram Creating interaction with followers How to schedule Instagram post Building an Instagram scheduling day The benefits of Instagram Stories If you like these Infocus Interviews, please … [Read more...] about The InFocus Interview Show with Jonathan Tilly | Photofocus Podcast June 29, 2018
Your Homepage and the First Five Seconds in Your Clients’ Lives: Part 2
Editor’s Note: Fabrizia Costa is a portrait and wedding photographer who also helps photographers raise the level of their work and their business through workshops and personal coaching. Her work is all about deep shifts in perspective, seeing things with new eyes, and thinking outside the box. If you’re a professional wedding or portrait photographer, you can join her free Outside the Box Evolution group on Facebook. You have your homepage set up, the logo looks good, the colors match and you’re on a roll. Making a website has never been … [Read more...] about Your Homepage and the First Five Seconds in Your Clients’ Lives: Part 2
Your Homepage and the First Five Seconds in Your Clients’ Lives
Editor’s Note: Fabrizia Costa is a portrait and wedding photographer who also helps photographers raise the level of their work and their business through workshops and personal coaching. Her work is all about deep shifts in perspective, seeing things with new eyes, and thinking outside the box. If you’re a professional wedding or portrait photographer, you can join her free Outside the Box Evolution group on Facebook. You may have heard how important it is to make a good first impression and how quickly that happens when we meet someone, … [Read more...] about Your Homepage and the First Five Seconds in Your Clients’ Lives
Beyond Technique Podcast with Bob Coates | Photofocus Podcast June 20, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-with-bob-coates-photofocus-podcast-june-20-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes. Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level! We discuss in detail: How being diverse in your photography skillset can be a strong asset, and how it can actually enrich your work The multiple types of photography that goes into a single wedding gig The important role that … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast with Bob Coates | Photofocus Podcast June 20, 2018
Why Your Story is the Center of the Universe
Very few products can stand on the strength of their packaging without an identifying brand. The opening image above is a good example. This article takes a hard look at branding and differentiates it from marketing, advertising, and public relations. Editor's Note: Fabrizia Costa is a portrait and wedding photographer who also helps photographers raise the level of their work and their business through workshops and personal coaching. Her work is all about deep shifts in perspective, seeing things with new eyes, and thinking outside the … [Read more...] about Why Your Story is the Center of the Universe
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast with David Schonauer | Photofocus Podcast June 8, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-with-david-schonauer-photofocus-podcast-june-8-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with Pro Photo Daily Editor and Motion Arts Pro David Schonauer about getting your photographs published! We discuss in detail: The art of getting your work published The criteria he used to pick certain images as an editor The value of authentic networking and relationship building … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast with David Schonauer | Photofocus Podcast June 8, 2018
Get Out of the Shark Pool
Editor's Note: Fabrizia Costa is a portrait and wedding photographer who also helps photographers raise the level of their work and their business through workshops and personal coaching. Her work is all about deep shifts in perspective, seeing things with new eyes, and thinking outside the box. If you’re a professional wedding or portrait photographer, you can join her free Outside the Box Evolution group on Facebook. Why the Business of Photography Can Only Go One Way — UP I hear it all the time. On social media. At meetups, networking … [Read more...] about Get Out of the Shark Pool
Portrait Tips: Make Special Day Portraits
We are so lucky! We get to be present for the most memorable and special days in people's lives. In fact, most of the time our pictures end up being the memory people keep from the day, the image in their mind is one of the photos we made. This is true for weddings, reunions, birthday parties and even funerals. But you can do a little more for your clients and subjects. You can remind them to make pictures on the anniversary of those days, and offer to do it for them. B-days and Anniversaries Birthdays and anniversaries are the simplest to … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: Make Special Day Portraits
Photography Marketing: Make Sure You Have a Headshot Too!
As photographers, we often put the focus on our client's image, rather than our own. But having something as simple as a professional headshot shouldn't be something we only recommend for clients — after all, we're professionals too. A headshot is often the first impression someone has of you, so be sure to have a professional yet engaging portrait to show your network. Make it Clear and Professional Just like your clientele, you want your headshot to look professional. This means staying away from a busy background. I personally opted for … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Make Sure You Have a Headshot Too!
Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast April 18, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-photofocus-podcast-april-18-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes. Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level! In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young dive deep into a discussion with fashion, advertising, and portrait photographer Kristina Varaksina. We discuss in detail: being your own "art director" developing your own unique style the other … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast April 18, 2018
Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 21, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/beyond-technique-podcast-photofocus-podcast-february-21-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes. Welcome to Beyond Technique, a podcast empowering photographers to bring their businesses to the next level! In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young dive deep into a discussion about food photography with Christina Peters. We discuss in detail: how food photography ties into product, still life, headshot, and livestock photography accommodating … [Read more...] about Beyond Technique Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 21, 2018
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 9, 2018
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-february-9-2018 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with photographer and marketing expert Sarah Petty. We discuss in detail: Common marketing mistakes many photographers make tips on pricing the difficulty of being a "shoot and burn" photographers picking a business model early on the strategic things smart photographers do ways to build … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast February 9, 2018
Photography Marketing: What’s Your Story?
As photographers, we're visual storytellers. But we often forget how to tell our own stories. It's important, not only for self-development and improvement, but also for marketing purposes, that we have a story. A pitch. An introduction. What Makes a Good Story? A good story is one that's memorable. We might not think our stories are anything special, but it's important to make them special to us. What we show passion for will ultimately be noticed by a perspective client. For me, my focus is on corporate events. My story entails showing … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: What’s Your Story?
Photography Marketing: Responding to Negativity on Social Media
This past summer, I had a first-time experience in dealing with negativity on social media. I had contacted someone via email that had used my photograph without asking, in an article that was bashing the client for whom I made the photograph. After reaching out to the infringer, I was attacked on Facebook for photographing for my client. The negativity piled up on that post by a few of his friends, so eventually, I addressed it. What came next was unexpected. It actually ended up benefiting me rather than the person who attacked … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Responding to Negativity on Social Media
Photography Marketing: Be Everywhere — But Only Where it Counts
With the marketing and social marketplace changing on what seems like a daily basis, it's easy to get overwhelmed and think you have to be active on every platform imaginable. It's great to have profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus, Flickr, Instagram, 500px, LinkedIn, MySpace (wait, MySpace?!?)... You get the idea. There are a ton of networks out there that can help achieve your marketing goals. But you should only be active on those networks that positively impact you and your business. A Case Study: Google Plus Back in … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Be Everywhere — But Only Where it Counts
Photography Marketing: Start 2018 Right with These Marketing Quick Tips
A new year brings new opportunities to make tweaks to your business as a whole. You might add new services, evaluate your pricing structure, revamp your website and more. There are tons of new marketing tips you can start using right away. I talked to a few different professionals to get their take on the new year with some marketing quick tips. James Maher, Street & Portrait Photographer (New York) "Everyone should start out by embracing their personal connections. Particularly for photography, everyone needs a photographer of … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Start 2018 Right with These Marketing Quick Tips
How to Boost Your Portfolio and Build Credibility
One of the predicaments many new photographers find themselves in is quite painful - they don't have a robust portfolio of images to get new clients. Yet, they need new clients in order to fill their portfolio. It's kind of a chicken and the egg type of situation, isn't it? In this post, I'd like to share a few ways to get high-quality, targeted images in your portfolio without having to bang your head on the wall. Be Strategic About Your "Free Work" In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with doing a limited number of free … [Read more...] about How to Boost Your Portfolio and Build Credibility
How to Generate Buzz as a Photographer in Your Community
When I first started my photography business, one of the biggest things I struggled with was figuring out how I would stand out within my community. It's no secret that photographers seem to be a dime a dozen (sorry), meaning we tend to lurk around practically every corner. Do a quick Google search in your area, and I'm fairly certain you will find quite a few photographers within just a few miles of you. However, the good news is that there are practical ways you can begin to stand out. You don't have to automatically price yourself as the … [Read more...] about How to Generate Buzz as a Photographer in Your Community
Photography Marketing: Take Advantage of the Influx of Wedding Proposals
The time between Christmas and New Year's is the biggest time of year for wedding proposals. So, with Christmas upon us, now's the time to get ready and push packages to newly-engaged couples in your area. Here's a few tips to get you going: Prep Social Media in Advance With the holidays, you probably won't be 100% able to monitor and post to social media as you choose. So now's the time to start using a system like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule out your social media posts. Because you're going after weddings and engagements, try to post … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Take Advantage of the Influx of Wedding Proposals
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast December 8, 2017
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-december-8-2017 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. In this episode, Skip Cohen and Chamira Young chat with photographer and educator Tony Corbell about running a brick and mortar photography studio. We discuss in detail: - The in’s and out’s of having a studio space - The advantages and also challenges of running a brick and mortar studio - Work/life balance - Realistic pricing when running a physical … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast December 8, 2017
Get Current and Future Clients with a Strategic Portrait Party
A long-time photographer recently reached out to me and shared a painful dilemma. Long story short, she was moving to a different city where she essentially knew no one and needed to start her portrait photography business from scratch. No contacts. No leads. Nothing. Yikes. Interestingly enough, I had been in her exact shoes a couple short years before, so I was compelled to share with her the strategy I had used to find clients. Long story even shorter (I won't make you wait until the end!): I told her to throw a strategic, … [Read more...] about Get Current and Future Clients with a Strategic Portrait Party
