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Archive
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September 2010/topic for discussion
"When on site at
a wedding, what do you consider appropriate dress attire to be?"
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- The real question is what does the individual
photographer want to be, a professional or a tradesman? How you
dress gives the impression of what you
are..........................................more
- Recently I attended an upscale wedding for a
college friend. The ceremony was beautiful and no expense was
spared..............................................more
- In our opinion, to dress
casually at someone's wedding is a sign of disrespect. When we
photograph a wedding we consider it to be a "Formal" as well as
a sacred occasion........................................more
- While this is specific for
weddings, we all do a mix of work, from seniors, executive
portraits, weddings, family gatherings, etc. I think the same
guideline applies in these various situations. Male and female
photographers can apply this appropriately.......more
- My goal is to NEVER dress Less than a guest. Sadly, some
guests don't know how to dress for a wedding.
I typically wear a tuxedo to all my weddings, unless the
Groomsmen are not wearing them, you don't want to out dress the
groom.................................more
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August 2010/topic for discussion:
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Last month we
received several questions about ways to promote and capture
business in these current economic times. One such submission is
below:
I have lowered my prices to compete in this market. I am offering
20% off my normal rate to capture jobs. Taking 80% of my regular pay
for a job beats sitting at home and getting 0%. What do u think?
We want to know what are you doing to promote and capture business.
What expert advice can you share to help other photographers?
Thank you for sharing your wisdom
Allan Tyndell | President
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- When I meet with a new engaged couple for a consultation I
always bring a bottle of Champaign. Couples meet so many
photographers during this process I believe this has helped me
stand out amongst my competition. If I can leave a lasting
impression I feel like I have a great chance at landing a
contract. A $15 bottle of Champaign can go a long way.
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July 2010/topic for discussion:
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With the onset of Facebook and
other social networking sites, students have used it for
exchanging photos and inviting friends to their open houses.
I have seen a large decrease of these sales due to this. The
process of giving Facebook ready photos is a double edged
sword. You get more exposure and free advertising in
exchange for fewer sales due to lack of interest in the
physical product. How do we increase sales?
John Engler,
Engler Images Photography
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- As new technology presents itself, it is our responsibility
as successful business men and women to embrace changes and use
them to our advantage. In other words, figure out how to make
money from Facebook instead of trying to figure out how to stop
our customers from using it. Many successful photographers are
using Facebook as a way to increase customers, sales, and
advertising. Here are several ways in which you can use Facebook
to your advantage............................................more
- I offer to create a Facebook slideshow for my senior
clients. I take my clients pictures and create a slideshow for
them that I upload to their Facebook page. It has been very
popular and has allowed me to up charge my basic packages.
- When I first joined my business with FB, I was so excited
about getting my pictures out there, that I often posted them as
soon as I took them. However, It didn't take me too long to
notice a dramatic drop in sales. My clients felt as though they
already had the pictures. So, now I take the order and then
offer a free FB post of the purchased images. This works so much
better. Now, I have noticed a HUGE sales increase. AND... my
clients are excited about getting the posting for FREE. I also
mark all FB pictures with my business name so that they cannot
print them.
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June 2010/topic for discussion:
- I am more frequently encountering
people saying that family will be taking still photography
because studios charge too much and that they can do just as
good a job because of digital.......It seems the small
studios are up against cheap digital technology and software
that is replacing the professional photographer. Do you think
that eventually only the big corporate studios such as FOX, Preseige,
etc., will be the "digital age survivors" of photography?
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- There will always be a place for a well run local studio.
Here are seven tips to help you become a survivor:
(1) Always strive to improve your
lighting and posing abilities.
(2) Remember you are in a service industry: Be Flexible!(3)
A photographer’s time is most profitable and best spent in
the camera................................more
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In
regards to the question of customers relying on doing their
own photography, the camera companies are making cameras
easier to use to sell cameras. Smaller studios (brick and
mortar locations) in my part of the state have closed due to
every excuse that they can come up with. Bad economy,
customers getting a camera for Christmas only to discover
they can take a good image, etc. So as a professional
photographer making a living at our craft, what do we
do?.........................................................more
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I agree. It's just too
easy now. Back in the days of film it cost money to take
pictures. You had to pay for film, pay to have the film
developed and proofed, only to find that something went
wrong. Professionals knew how to expose, pose, and light
their subjects, so they would get 20 out of 20. The amateur
kept away because it was too expensive to try...more
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May 2010/topic for discussion:
- I
have noticed a decline in Senior Wallet orders... How can I promote
and ultimately increase Senior Wallet Sales?
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- I have turned the seniors
wallet photos into "business cards" by having their name and
other pertinent information they request put on the back of the
photo card......................more
- I simply
include them in my packages for seniors. Minimum of 94 wallets (2 poses)
are ordered with each senior session. It's not an "option" to order
wallets or not unless they do the mini session and I have only had one
person do that session yet..........Carolyn Schneider,
Standing Stones Photography
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