“Before the Internet I read five newspapers in the morning plus thumbed thru a few magazines or books on photography. Yes, it took a bit of time, usually about 90 minutes, but what a great way to supercharge the creative batteries! I preach this to all the young photographers who work with me and sadly I’ve found few, if any, do it and none do it daily. They’re always shocked when I say it only takes getting up an hour earlier to be inspired.”

I never really thought of it as a routine for inspiration, but that really is what more photographers need to do. You need a little breakfast to get things going every morning and feeding your mind for a little while is no different.  In GoingPro (the book, which starts shipping in a few weeks…sorry for the shameless promoting)  Ralph Romaguera makes a great point,

“So you want to go pro in the world’s greatest profession? First go to a baseball game, then go to a symphony! What happened before the game? What happened before the concert? They practiced infield, and batting basics; they played scales – the same thing they did the first day they picked up a bat or French horn!  I’ve made it for forty-two years as a photographer because of one daily routine – practice the basics.”

So what’s your routine? I do a lot of writing and in order to keep trying to build my skill set, I do a lot of reading, not of novels, but of various blogs and motivational material.  It’s the same as that ball player warming up before a game, except for you and me, there’s a new game virtually every morning. Every day is a new post, new email, new communications with different friends, associates and vendors.

For a professional photographer, it’s the potential for a new client, new files to work on, a new album or image to create virtually every morning. That means you need a warm-up routine and it should start with a little physical exercise just to get the blood flowing, followed by a little brain-food and then the start of your day.

• Start your day with something physical. Sheila and I started walking every morning and now it’s routine. I know a lot of you hit the health club or just jog, but whatever it is, you feel better after doing something more physical than just brushing your teeth.
• Isolate a few blogs from people who inspire you.  Some of my favorites in photography are Dane Sanders, Kevin Kubota, Matthew Jordan Smith, Joe McNally, Photofocus, Jerry Ghionis, Dustin Meyer, Bambi Cantrell, Roberto Valenzuela, Clay Blackmore, Doug Gordon, Jasmine Star,Joe Farace, David Ziser, Jose Villa,  Catherine Hall, and GoingPro, especially when Scott has a post, and the list goes on and on. These are just a few. Not everybody updates their blog every day, so it makes it easy to rotate through a fairly big list over a week of morning routines.
• Watch at least one video clip every morning! A number of publications have some great information being updated regularly. I mentioned RETV and Resource Magazine last week. Seriously, I can’t get enough of these short interviews, like Albert Watson from last week. I love content that brings great photographers right to my desktop! I’ve also mentioned just taking a trip through YouTube and searching for any photographer you enjoy by name. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll find that’s previously been published.
• Last step of the routine…open your email and see what’s going on. This is more of a screening process and doesn’t necessarily mean you have to start answering. However, if you start answering emails and actually putting in the time to respond, then do your best to handle each email the first time. The greatest advice I was ever given in my career was “Handle each piece of paper only one time!” Okay, I’m dating myself, but this was before the Internet. Well, the same principle still applies – make decisions and move on. Don’t hang on to emails taking hours or days to answer. 

It doesn’t matter how you set up your routine as long as you at least establish one. You don’t necessarily need to get up an hour earlier as Terry suggested in the beginning of this post, just develop a routine that works for you and don’t let yourself go too long between feedings…of your head!

So that puts me in a great position to hit on a topic near and dear to my heart and just have a little fun - helping photographers think about ways to give back…

This week we raised just over $3500, thanks to Jerry Ghionis (and Melissa too) helping us focus on Akron Children’s Hospital. That puts us over $10,000 since the Akron Photo Series started with Clay Blackmore, Doug Gordon, Bambi Cantrell and Jasmine Star. Thanks to a small group of photographers we raised a little money and everybody got the benefit of five outstanding programs that have helped each attendee be a stronger photographer and business owner.

While at Jerry’s program the other night, Bob Srdoch, a local photographer, asked if at the next program he could talk a little about NILMDTS, another great charity. I’m jumping the gun a little early, but they need help now and need photographers to get involved.  If you’re in the Akron/Cleveland area give Bob a call at 330-475-7166! Or, if you’re just looking for more information about NILMDTS and how to get involved in your community, Bob can get you to the right person at NILMDTS.

Get a bunch of people together with a common interest and it’s like a bunch of friends at a party, when one person tells the first joke. It sparks a memory for another and another.  Within a few minutes there’s a volley going of new and old jokes, as each story ignites another chuckle. Well, photographers are no different and in this case, had time allowed the other night and had I known Bob was active with NILMDTS, we could have gotten that volley going over charitable ideas.

So, what are you doing to give back in your community? The importance here is to just be involved. There’s no such thing as any project that’s too small, as long as it raises awareness. This is about you giving back, and I’ve written about it a number of times.

For me personally, I love projects that involve kids and it all probably started at the Lake County YMCA when I was in my early teens, helping to teach swim classes, which lead to being a camp counselor in the summers, (I was Bill Murray in Meatballs, before he even read the script!)

Hey, I warned you in the beginning, I had no plan this morning except to have some fun with the blog. The point is that it doesn’t matter where you get your inspiration from, as long as you’re doing something to give back to your community. You’re looking for your community to be good to you, so you need to be good to them.

And, if you’re stumped in trying to find a charity to tie in with, when I started doing this there really wasn’t very much going on in the photographic industry itself. Now you’ve got NILMDTS, Thirst Relief, Special Kids Photography and the latest new non-profit on the scene and a personal favorite, Cameras For Kids Foundation. CFKF was founded by fine art photographer, Betsey Chesler who’s dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the abandoned children by exposing the teens to the process of creating art through a camera’s lens.

Remember, the importance is to just be involved in giving back. Look for opportunities to help raise awareness in your community. There’s that old line about life not being a spectator sport – you need to be involved.  When your head hits the pillow at the end of the day, after doing something to help your community, you just feel great!

I respect generosity in people, and I respect it in companies too, I don’t look at it as philanthropy; I see it as an investment in the community. Paul Newman

Commented Frank Stop, director of the department, “I know of no other field where those people involved just seem licensed to print money! People are willing to pay anything for their portraits. Most photographers right now are turning away business. They’re that busy!”

Other highlights around the industry:

• In an effort to better support the professional photographic community, the major camera manufacturers recently announced their high-end pro digital SLR’s will no longer be sold to anyone named Uncle Harry or Uncle Bob. Retailers will require all purchasers of these products to submit a urine specimen for analysis of their photographic skill level prior to purchase.
• The Supreme Court upheld all rulings in favor of photographers owning the rights to all their images and implemented a national ban on photographers giving away their work on disks unless adequately compensated for their work.
• The International Federation of Photo Albums announced black and burgundy as the two strongest colors of albums stating, “People just want their pictures in a black book. They don’t care about their album having a unique look.”
• The American Institute of Brides, the Bridezilla Division, announced their members will discontinue whining and complaining  and pay whatever is considered a fair price for full event coverage.
• Notsu Moronic, inventor of spell check, announced the recall of all spell check software stating, “Thnx 2 Twitter, togs can now publish anything w/out using R software! Accur8 spelling no longer matters.”
• In local news, Ohio photographer, Mattlock Price, who had earlier in the year written a letter blaming the decline in affiliate membership on Skip Cohen’s Akron Photo Series, commented,  “Wow, I guess it’s time we recognized these educational programs are helping photographers build their business and Children’s Hospital as well. Sure wish I had gone to Jasmine Star’s program!”

Along with the announcement putting photography at the very top of the most lucrative businesses in the U.S., the World Troll Council announced membership has dropped so low, they can no longer afford their headquarters within inner earth. Y. Gollum, spokesman for the Council, said in a press conference earlier today, “We apologize for those misguided members who tend to criticize without the facts. They’ve all dropped out of the various forums. All our members have agreed to step out from behind the anonymity of their computer screens and come out in the sunlight! Most of them are moving to the Orlando area, seeking a happier life and looking to be closer to Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Pluto, all while singing Put On a Happy Face.”

Really?

What can I say? It’s April Fools and I just couldn’t help myself this morning. Sadly, somewhere on the planet there’s just a little bit of truth in what prompted me to pick a few of the points.  The good news is, I watched 132 people the other night listen to Jasmine Star’s program. We all, included me, picked up some great ideas on how to keep it real and be unique.

Jerry Ghionis and Sandy Puc are on the road in Columbus today with their tour.  David Ziser always has great help on his site. Photoshop World Orlando is going on with great programming. Doug Gordon just announced his annual three day workshop. Eddie Tapp and Judy Host are coming to Akron in two weeks. Creative Live  offers photographers unique workshops, free when they first air and at reasonable prices if you want the download.   

CLIQ is putting together one of the largest education platforms in PMA history in September. Scott Bourne constantly has great information on Photofocus.com and our joint site, GoingPro2011.com is loaded with great marketing and business content and 35 different podcasts, all free. Skip’s Summer School is coming up with what some people are saying is the best faculty ever.  And Joe Farace is out there saving the world, one pixel at a time!

The list goes on and on, loaded with people and companies in our industry offering to help you find the solutions to the challenges, but you’ve got to be the one to take advantage of all the opportunities. The truth is, a few of my points in the post this morning could really be true if everybody in our industry did get more proactive on dealing with the challenges. 

Happy April 1st everybody and in the words of my favorite character from the old NYPD Blue show - “Let’s be careful out there!

Akron Photo Series: I’m making it the first on the list, but it’s only because last week’s programming was pretty remarkable. We got Bambi Cantrell to the Midwest and in her Monday night program and all day Tuesday, she demonstrated first hand what makes her one of the most sought after instructors in the industry! She’s a remarkable teacher.

Her all day hands-on workshop was terrific and a big thanks to Brent and Teri Ann Watkins of Sylvart in Barberton for the use of their studio. Splitting the day into classroom and hands-on shooting everybody walked away with new ideas on technique, learning to see the light and even diversity.

One of the challenges we all face is getting caught up in the day in day out challenges of business. It’s critical that every photographer stay focused on a personal project and Bambi demonstrated she practices what she preaches with images of Icelandic Horses, one of her many fine art projects.

There was even some time to share ideas on marketing, leaving everybody with a good solid battery recharge when they headed home after a full day workshop.

The next program in the series is Jasmine Star on Tuesday night, March 29. Eddie Tapp and Judy Host join us in April, Julieanne Kost in May and Jerry Ghionis in June. And remember, at least 10% of every workshop registration goes to Akron Children’s Hospital. More information is just a click away!

Power of Passion Tour: Sandy Puc and Jerry Ghionis  It’s a 32 city tour and this week this incredible duo is in Atlanta, Raleigh, Nashville and Phoenix. All it takes is a click to register and use code SPT11 for a $79 rate.  The combination of Jerry and Sandy simply makes this a not-to-miss program! Tune in tomorrow for Jerry Ghionis’ part 2 of his Anatomy of a Powerful Image!

Skip’s Summer School:It’s an all star cast this year and with a little help from the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, we’ve got a great room rate, $79/night and we held the price on the full program at $279. Plus, Pulitzer Prize winner Vince LaForet has joined the faculty this year. The new change in hands-on programming adds a much requested dimension to this years classes, giving attendees eight different instructors to choose from on the shooting day. One click and you’ve got all the information on this year’s program.

CLIQ: It used to be the annual PMA show, but this year the new venue is going to be a blow-out. It’s an incredible educational venue with the largest trade show in the industry. Workshops for professional and aspiring pros, retailers and even hobbyists, make this a not-to-miss program. Set up the link to check in once a week. There are new programs and speakers being announced regularly.

PhotoshopWorld Orlando and Las Vegas: Photoshop World Orlando is just around the corner, the end of this month. There’s no question this is the premier educational event for Photoshop. Each year the guest speakers get better and better and Scott Kelby and his crew develop the finest platform in the world!  Orlando is March  and Photoshop World Las Vegas overlaps with CLIQ, making Las Vegas a one-stop shopping destination in the Fall.

GoingPro:The first date for GoingPro Bootcamp that’s been announced is LasVegas in conjunction with CLIQ, September 10-11. But until then, we’re adding new content every day and three times a month new podcasts with new guests. Coming up over the next few weeks, Tamara Lackey and Kevin LaRue from Nik Software. GoingPro is about helping you focus, but not on your subjects! This is about helping you with the challenges of business and marketing! What good is creating the greatest images of your life if nobody knows who you are?

PhotoFocus: Started by good buddy Scott Bourne, the site is an incredible resource of information with guest posts, product reviews, podcasts and information to keep you up to date on the latest products and techniques! Plus, follow Scott on Twitter to really stay up to the minute on what’s going on in the industry!

These programs are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of great resources available. Best of all, they all share a common denominator, they’re all staffed by people who care about helping you grow. Check out the speaker list for all these events and over and over again you’ll find photographers who do their best to answer all your questions all year long – not just when you’re at their programs!

See you in Orlando or Vegas or Columbus or…

February 28: An Evening With Bambi Cantrell

Here’s a chance to step inside Bambi Cantrell’s head for a three hour program on Monday night starting at 6:30 pm. Having written three books with her over the years, I can promise you a program filled with diversity and plenty of practical tips on wedding and portraits. She’s even stepped into the fine art arena  recently with some spectacular images she’s sold.  Registration is just a click away!

March 1: An All Day Shoot With Bambi Cantrell

A few weeks ago I announced that we’ve moved the program to Brent Watkins studio in Barberton. If you’ve never photographed with Bambi, here’s a program that will be proof that hyper-active kids grow up and get jobs! There’s no stopping her energy level when she’s shooting, especially in a studio like Brent’s. There’s an old building next door with exposed brick walls, old plaster – lots of texture and terrific light. Bambi will be pulling out all stops as she shares ideas on bridal, seniors and her unique way of interacting with her clients.  Registration is just a click away!

March 29: An Evening with Jasmine Star

Jasmine is a branding phenomenon and nobody does it better. This is about how you market yourself, utilize social media, build brand recognition. In marketing and promotion today it’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you and Jasmine has set a pace unlike any new photographer in history. Last year PDN magazine ran a reader survey on the 30 most influential photographers of the decade. Jasmine made the list and she wasn’t here as a photographer for most of the decade!  Not only is she unmatched in her branding and marketing expertise, but she’s an outstanding presenter!  Registration is just a click away!

July 31 – August 3: Skip’s Summer School 2011

I couldn’t be more proud to be involved with a third program. Each year Summer School gets a little better. This year we modified the program to include not only great programming, but some hands-on/demonstration time. On Tuesday, August 2 you’ll have a chance to participate directly or just watch and absorb as eight different instructors actually photograph models utilizing their own unique styles and skill sets. You’ll have a chance to pick three out of the eight for the day.  All of the information about this year’s workshop is on the site, with an all star lineup! Check it out!

I’m headed to WPPI today and for all of you headed in the same direction, safe travels!  See you in Vegas

1) The Hilton Akron/Fairlawn is the new location for all events.  It’s much more accessible, since it’s only a mile or so off route 77, making it a piece of cake to get to, from virtually any direction.

2) Clay Blackmore’s bringing PhotoFusion Revolution to Akron on October 10 from 2:00 – 7:00 pm.  Use discount code SSS2010 and receive a $15 discount! Ten percent of every registration goes to Akron Children’s Hospital.

3) Here are the next two programs for this year:

Wedding and Portrait genius, Doug Gordon on November 9!   This is a not to be missed program – (who am I kidding, they’re all NOT TO BE MISSED!)  Doug is donating a major portion of the proceeds from his educational product sales plus 20% of your ticket price to Akron Children’s Hospital.  He’s out to make this a record-breaker in donations to help the kids at the hospital!

The King of Lighting himself, Tony Corbell, joins us on December 6 and 7.  There will be two different programs.  Join us on December 6 for Tony’s classroom program.   Then, join Tony (limited to just 20 photographers) for some hands-on fine tuning of your skill set, shooting with Tony and his models for some great in depth lighting education all day on December 7.   Registration information, times and program costs will be posted in registration next week.

4. Going into next year and all coming to Akron are:

 Bambi Cantrell: February 28 and March 1

Jasmine Star:  March – date to be confirmed

Eddie Tapp and Judy Host: April 11/12

Julieanne Kost: May 23

Jerry Ghionis: June 13/14

Akron Children’s Hospital: At least 10% of each ticket sold to every program goes to Akron Children’s Hospital!  I got to know Akron Children’s Hospital because Sheila (my wife) works in Admin there.  It’s an amazing place and unlike adult hospitals it’s filled with so much hope, love and appreciation.    I know it sounds pretty hokey, but it really is very different from any hospital I’ve ever been in. 

My favorite example, when describing the hospital, is to talk about the hallway on the way to Administration.  Most hospitals have all the portraits of the executives, both current and past.  Not at Children’s.  They’ve got the portraits of the all the pups in the Doggie Brigade!

Please join us for all of the Akron Photo Series programs.  Here’s your chance to not only improve your skill set and pick up new ideas about marketing, but in a small way you’ll be helping Akron Children’s Hospital!  Plus, aren’t you tired of having to drive or fly to another part of the country to attend great programs?  Isn’t it time somebody brought the talent here?  

Thanks for your support.  See you at the Akron Photo Series!

Copyright Clay Blackmore – All Rights Reserved

Being back in Akron for over a year now, I’m so tired of seeing so much talent in our industry always going to NYC or Chicago, so often missing the Cleveland/Akron area.  Yet, we’re only a short drive from Pittsburgh, Detroit and Columbus, not to mention having two great airports, Cleveland Hopkins and Akron Canton!   So, here’s what we’re going to do, Skip’s Photo Network is launching Skip’s Akron Photo Series.

Following Clay, I’m working on bringing in a different industry icon to the Akron/Cleveland area each month, starting with the King of Lighting, Tony Corbell, here in November.  Then we’ll leave December and January alone, ramping back up in February.  We’re working on bringing to Akron:  Jerry Ghionis, Scott Bourne, Bambi Cantrell, Jasmine Star, Adobe’s Julieanne Kost, Photoshop Hall of Famer Eddie Tapp and Judy Host, just to name a few.   At least once a month, throughout most of the year, we’ll have another great instructor helping you to fine-tune your skill set. 

And here’s a fun aspect, near and dear to my heart – starting with Clay Blackmore, $6 of every registration fee will be donated to Akron Children’s Hospital!  In fact, every program in Skip’s Akron Photo Series will be giving back a percentage of the sales to Children’s. 

If you don’t know about Akron Children’s Hospital, it’s simply an amazing place, having been actively supporting children’s health for 120 years!   They serve half a million patients each year and they are one of only two pediatric hospitals in the country who operate a burn center for children and adults.   Here’s our chance to elevate photography and at the same time help to support a wonderful institution dedicated to helping kids and families.

Circle the date for October 10 and stay tuned for all the program specifics for Clay, as well as the full series, to be officially announced on August 2!

Well, here we are a year later and while the government would like us to think we’re headed for recovery, it’s sure hard to see.  The challenges for families in the Gulf, unemployment, health care and home foreclosures all being at the forefront of topics in our lives on a daily basis. 

I’m not minimizing the challenges with the economy, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel and I’m seeing it because of photographers who are doing well, but let’s define the word well.   Well means they’re trying new things. It means they’re holding their own and still making a decent enough living to support their family.  Well means they’re exhausted, but in a great zone about how they feel about themselves and the future.  Lastly, it means they still wake up every morning smiling.

If you want a dose of optimism and new ideas check out any program Tony Corbell is doing, talking about his favorite topics, lighting and Nik.  Check out Jim Garner, Scott Bourne, Jerry Ghionis, Yervant, Doug Gordon, David Ziser, Kevin Kubota, Dawn Shields, Jasmine Star, Dane Sanders, Sandy Puc,  Becker, Kirk Voclain, Judy Host and Kay Eskridge, just to name a few.

(Call it a plug and shameless promoting, but most of these industry icons will be teaching at Summer School in a few weeks.  And if you’re not signed up you’re going to miss all of them sharing ideas and new answers to helping you grow your business.)

Kay’s in Phoenix and while traditional business has been slow she’s tested the water on Golden Age Seniors, Pets and Boudoir – all having an impact on her business.  Vicki Taufer, who did the first big pet promotion, at least the one everyone talks about, has added to her reputation.  She’s now considered one of the best known pet photographers in her area of Illinois.

Here’s what I’ve learned from these incredible photographers as the key to beating the media and ignoring the economy, at least enough to keep your business strong:

It all starts with your attitude.  Stay away from self-fulfilling prophecies.  There’s that old statement – If you define a situation as hopeless, then it will be!  You’ve got to stay focused on the importance of your contribution as a professional photographer.

Diversity in your skill set:  Okay, you’re a commercial photographer and you really hate shooting weddings, but do you at least know how to do it right if a client asks?  Or, you’re a wedding photographer and your brides from the last few years are all starting families – they loved your work the first time around.  So, are you going to contact them and do the first portrait of the new baby or sit back and give the work to another photographer? 

Listen to your vendors!  This one is critical, because every photographer I mentioned earlier is working closely with several vendors.  WHCC has a full line of great products Vicki Taufer sells to her clients, right down to custom made holiday cards.  Tony is doing some of the most beautiful work in his life utilizing Nik Software and ProPhoto Lighting.  Kevin Kubota is constantly fine-tuning his Image Tools to give you more creativity.  Judy Host is finding new ways to use Graphic Authority’s templates and turn her images into fine art.  Kirk Voclain is utilizing new programs from H&H Color Lab for his finished packages with the senior market.  Marathon Press, who everybody used to think of as a printing company, offers a full line of marketing initiatives to help you not only define your business better, but develop a stronger target strategy for growth and success.  Pictage is ramping up for another outstanding Partner Con in New Orleans in November.  

Come on – notice a pattern here?  The vendors are all putting their efforts into finding new tools for their clients to help find new business.  They’re investing time and money into ways to help you!  Is it philanthropic?  Of course not – but they know that if they can help you build your business you’re going to need their products and services and everybody wins as the economy within photography at least, starts to improve. 

Utilize your network!  Every single photographer I mentioned is involved in something outside their direct business. They’re blogging, guest blogging, shooting with other photographers, attending other workshops, reading every newsletter and article they can find and they’re never slowing down.  They’re involved in forums like DWF because they believe in working together to find more solutions.

When I ask anybody the question, “How’s business this year?”  Those who say they’re holding their own always finish with the same comment, “But I’ve never worked so hard in my life!”   Nobody said it was easy, but nobody is afraid of hard work either.

I’ve been accused a lot of being overly optimistic.  People have told me I’m too much of a cheerleader.  But here’s the view that I get to see, which you don’t – I’m talking to hundreds of photographers every week.  I have an advantage of a front row seat looking at the big picture.  I’m getting feedback on new ideas, the economy and technology.  I’m seeing guys like Clay Blackmore jumping into fusion technology and creating new products for his clients – it’s not about still images anymore, but about your creativity in telling the story.

If necessity is the mother of invention then all of our survival is based on the necessity to continue to be part of the industry we love so much and find new ways to make it stronger.  The media keeps telling us things are getting worse and from their perspective they are, but we’ve all got the opportunity to make changes and best of all as photographers, to make a difference!

Two great quotes from Zig Ziglar that really bring it all together:

You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.

It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.

We’ve got to start with the definition of “jump start”.  Let’s look at jump starting a business that’s already established and stalled.  If we had twenty, fifty or even a hundred photographers in the room right now and they had all been in business for a few years, the room would be split right down the middle between people having a great year and those referring to 2010 as the year from hell!  Based on their experiences both groups would be right in their perception, but are there things the half having the harder time could do to change their year-end outcome?

It all begins with getting focused on what it is you want to do. You’ve got to get yourself psyched up and be not only excited, but really motivated and proud of your career choice in photography.   So, as simple as it sounds, it starts with your attitude.  Photography is about your heart – and you can’t create images that grab people’s hearts if your own heart isn’t in it.

This is about recharging your battery and right off the bat I’m going to plug Skip’s Summer School next month.  You need to get yourself out of the rut and get a good dose of optimism with lots of good ideas on how to change things.  And if you can’t make it to Summer School then look for programs by some of the industry’s leading icons to help get you pumped.  Jim Garner, Joe Buissink, Matthew Jordan Smith, Dane Sanders, Dawn Shields, Jasmine Star, Kirk Voclain, Kevin Kubota, Jerry Ghionis, Yervant, Bambi Cantrell, Tony Corbell and dozens I’ve missed are all on the speaking tour from time to time and you need to tap into their energy.

Then there are specific things to do like launch your own publicity campaign, getting involved in the community, creating buzz for your business.   You’ve got be proactive and offense is always more fun to play than defense!

A children’s photographer should launch a new promotional opportunity.  We’re coming up to the fall and it’s perfect for themed sessions around harvest time, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.   A wedding photographer needs to do a mailing to past clients about “expanding”, new products e.g. albums etc. anything that creates a little noise.

Maybe it’s time for this same wedding photographer to expand and diversify into children’s photography.  How effective would it be to do a mailing to past brides who might be starting a new family and plant the idea for baby photography?  Or let’s say you’re a commercial photographer and it might be a great time to remind your clients about the need for a new headshot!  Something that goes beyond that old high school senior shot they’ve been using!

And let’s not forget the whole world of social media.  Are you using it to your advantage?  Are you active in Twitter and Facebook, using them as marketing tools.  Do you have a blog?  Are you consistent in maintaining a constant presence.

The point is your business stalled for a reason.  I’m not minimizing the challenges with the economy, but too often that’s become the scapegoat and if you look at businesses with challenges you’ll find there are things that could be done to turn things around.
Okay, so this is a blog and I’ve only got so much room before the statistics say you’ll lose interest and move on to reading something shorter.  The issue is, no business is over until you give up and if you’re worried and feel you need a jump start then get some help before you pull the plug.  There’s a lot of information on GoingPro2010.com.  Scott Bourne’s PhotoFocus site/blog has great information and both of us are here to help you and answer your questions, but we can’t help if you don’t ask.

Then there are some great blogs out there, starting with Jasmine’s.  In fact, read this week’s interview with good buddy George Varanakis at WPPI/Rangefinder.  Dane Sanders has a lot to say at Ask Dane.  The list goes on and on, but you have to do a little research to find those components that can help you the most.  Get yourself signed up for DWF and their forum.  You can search by topic or you might want to start your own string and ask the question haunting you the most, just to see what your counterparts have to say.

These are difficult times with the challenges of the economy and technology both playing a role, but here’s the best part!  You’re not alone in dealing with the challenges and there are lots of us out here willing to give you a hand!

I’m back down in Florida again dealing with some family health challenges with my folks. My Dad keeps telling me how he’s never seen me so happy. This isn’t earth-shaking, but I’m finally starting to understand how important it is for you to really love what you’re doing. That doesn’t mean every job has to make you smile all the time, but all of us do share the passion for the craft, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading my blog.

Mom and Dad photographed by Bambi Cantrell

 So, regardless of where you are in your career it’s important to have a plan. You don’t have to spend hours writing it all out, just take some time and day dream. Think about what it is you love to work on most and then set some goals on how to get there and do more of it. 

For me, when I launched the new company just over a year ago, I knew I loved to write and loved the marketing side of photography. I also knew I loved working with photographers.  I wanted to help develop some tools to help more photographers realize their true potential.

While I still have a long way to go, that’s what I’m doing now and yeah, it does make me happy.   But not until my folks started talking about how happy I am did I realize the significance of how important it all is. And, believe it or not, it’s really NOT about money – I don’t care how much money you’re making. It’ll never be enough if you’re losing yourself in the process. If you can’t take time to be with friends, because you’ve got to work, that sports car in the garage won’t mean a thing!

I said it in a post the other day. Photography is all about your heart. Whatever you’re feeling comes out in your images and even the expressions on your subjects. If you haven’t looked at them already, take a look at Kirk Voclain’s videos from last week. Kirk loves what he does and he’s one of the best in the country. Jasmine Star loves what she’s doing and it comes out in her narrative and video. Now look at the expressions on Kirk’s and Jasmine’s subjects. You don’t get natural fun expressions like those if you’re screaming “1-2-3 Smile” and then thinking “Thank God that’s over!”

Photography is from the heart, about the heart and your images need to grab the hearts of the people who look at them!

“A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety.”   Ansel Adams