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!
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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
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast October 13, 2017
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-october-13-2017 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 Bryan Caporicci about the concept of "Experience Design," also known as creating great experiences for your clients. We discuss in detail: The various shifts the photography industry is going through The concept of having empathy for your clients, and putting yourself in their shoes Shifting your … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast October 13, 2017
Photography Marketing: Less Is More With Website Content
With my website design background, I've occasionally helped other photographers with website critiques. It's important to cater your website to your client base, and write effective content that will complement your photos. And more often than not, I see a lot of text. There's nothing wrong with the text — it might be well-written, truthful and effective. But the fact of the matter is, by telling your prospective client everything on your website, you lessen the chance of that lead turning into a customer. Split Up Your Content Say you're … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Less Is More With Website Content
Photography Marketing: Boosting Your Online Brand with Adobe Spark
I wrote a few weeks ago about why I'm against using watermarks in photographs for marketing purposes. Since then, I've explored with a few different graphical ways to promote your images through branding. One of the tools I've found recently is Adobe Spark — which recently added the ability to add your branding to the graphics you create. Simply put, Adobe Spark lets you create graphics, videos, web pages and other layouts to share across social channels. It's like a simple version of Photoshop — but made specifically for social … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Boosting Your Online Brand with Adobe Spark
Live Webinar: Fundy Software with Andrew Funderburg
You gotta join us live for our next Live Webinar, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Wednesday, September 13th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show … [Read more...] about Live Webinar: Fundy Software with Andrew Funderburg
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast September 8, 2017
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-september-8-2017 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. In this episode, we chat with Lori Nordstrom about promoting your photography business. Specifically, we chat about: The importance of doing your research before reaching out to prospective clients The concept of "owning your zipcode" Picking up the phone for reaching out to businesses Using emails to reach out to individuals Building your network … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast September 8, 2017
Live Webinar: Fundy Software with Andrew Funderburg
You gotta join us live for our next Live Webinar, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We'll be giving away a copy of Perfectly Clear from Athentech. Plus you never know what else. We kick off Wednesday, September 13th at 1:00 pm Eastern, 12:00 pm Central, 11:00 am Mountain, and 10:00 am Pacific. 2 pm in the Virgin Islands. Check out the YouTube event here and it'll show … [Read more...] about Live Webinar: Fundy Software with Andrew Funderburg
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast August 11, 2017
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-august-11-2017 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please post a review on iTunes. In this episode, we chat with wedding photographers Justin and Mary Marantz about: the element of timeless storytelling through images building trust and connecting with each couple in a unique way repelling the wrong clients and attracting the right clients the value of printed, physical products putting together a great album for your clients … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast August 11, 2017
Photography Marketing: Take Your Website to the People
I've talked about ways to design and develop a great online photography portfolio. Regardless of the platform you choose, one thing reigns true — your website should be catered to your clientele, not you. While you might have grand ideas and think having a large photo appear as the first thing people see is cool, your client might think otherwise. There's one easy way around this — and that is to ask for a website critique. Benefits of a Critique One of the biggest things you can learn from a critique is whether there's something that's … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Take Your Website to the People
Photography Marketing: The Benefit of Having a Specialty
There's a plethora of different types of photographers out there. Some of us shoot corporate work. Others focus on portraiture and weddings. And while being a jack of all trades might sound like it'll help you get more work, having a specialty is actually more beneficial in the long run. A Back Story When I first started out approaching photography as a profession, I accepted any job out there. I said "yes" to weddings, family photos, corporate events, newborn shoots and more. It was soon that I realized that I was really only good at one … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: The Benefit of Having a Specialty
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast July 14, 2017
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-july-14-2017 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. In this episode, we chat with renowned fashion photographer Lindsay Adler about: The pivotal moments in her life that influenced her career The importance of studying business in addition to photography Seeking wise council from others Knowing the technical reasons behind why an image is "good" or "bad" Finding your own style and seeing … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast July 14, 2017
Photography Marketing: You’re Always Marketing, Even When You’re Not
Last winter, I was out on a photowalk downtown, to see the city's Christmas tree and the holiday lights. But the photowalk's not what's important here — it's all about the marketing that occurred. As we were wrapping up, a group of about eight people came over and asked me to take their picture. Usually this means they want it taken on their iPhone, but I knew I could get a much better photo with the gear I had on me. I posed them next to the Christmas tree, took a few shots with different angles and then handed them my business … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: You’re Always Marketing, Even When You’re Not
Photography Marketing: Is an Art Fair for You?
Art fairs are a terrific way for potential customers to view your work up close and personal. However, before jumping into this type of self-marketing scenario, there are a number of variables you should consider before committing to an art fair. Are you getting your work out there? We all have thousands of images these days. Hopefully, you’re starting to print them and put them in books or albums so they don’t get lost as time passes; the family vacations, the momentous events and even just the silly and fun family photos that are lurking … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Is an Art Fair for You?
Portrait Tips: The Secret To Making Better Portraits
This shouldn't be a secret. There's only one way to make better portraits, and it's simply a procedure. Let me give it to you, and I'll give you some examples I've used to get it done, and an important warning. The Secret to Making Better Portraits... ...is making more portraits. That's really it. Most photographers just aren't shooting enough to become good at what they do. Let's say for instance that you're doing portraits in the evenings after work and you shoot one or two sessions a week--whether for fun or pay, that's quite a lot of … [Read more...] about Portrait Tips: The Secret To Making Better Portraits
Photography Marketing: Knock Doors For New Clients
Bryan Esler has been doing a great job with this column, and I'm honored he's letting me have a go it this week. Scott Bourne has been teaching us for years to "Own Your Own Zip Code." This means that everyone in your area should know that you're the photographer. I've tried several means of doing this, but there's one way that's been exponentially more productive. What Hasn't Worked Well Your community probably has at least one magazine that comes free each month, and it's really just a marketing piece. It's full of ads from various … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Knock Doors For New Clients
Photography Marketing: Regularly Prompting Your Clients
Once we have acquired a few regular clients, it's common to "expect" them to reach out to us when they need photography services. But by relying on the client to contact us, instead of us prompting them, we may lose the opportunity to serve them in different and unique ways. For instance, I work with several local companies shooting different events throughout the year. And every once in a while I'm asked about things like headshots, team photos, board member photographs--the list goes on. When it comes to prompting clients, there are a … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Regularly Prompting Your Clients
The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast June 2, 2017
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mind-your-own-business-podcast-photofocus-podcast-june-2-2017 Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. In this episode, we chat with celebrity fashion and beauty photographer Matthew Jordan Smith about: How making connections brings lifelong clients The importance of relationship building Doing your homework and preparing prior to the photo shoot Doing your research and knowing your client The convergence of various hard and soft skills The … [Read more...] about The Mind Your Own Business Podcast | Photofocus Podcast June 2, 2017
Photography Marketing: Mastering the Art of a Proposal
I receive a lot of requests for proposals. Whether it be through word of mouth clientele, or through a website like Thumbtack.com, I see several requests come through my inbox each day. While not all of these are applicable to what I offer, a number of them I do follow up on. To Bid, or Not to Bid? I have a set of principles when it comes to deciding whether or not to follow up and complete an RFP. For one, the gig has to be something that I get excited about, and it has to be something in the genre of photography I specialize in. I pay … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: Mastering the Art of a Proposal
