I knew these two photographers, a mom and pop studio. Very successful purveyors of traditional, classic portraits.
Problem is, many didn’t like what they were creating…
“Too much retouching”...I would hear all the time. Over and over. And indeed, their work was over the top retouched.
I didn’t like it either.
Never could figure out who did and why, so I assumed, wrongfully so, that
that was what traditional portraiture was all about.
“Every one has the same pose, background and lighting…..”…was another complaint I’d hear.
So, this begs the question. How were they so successful?
I think I figured it out. They were the proverbial big fish in a small pond.
Big mistake.
A pond big enough to prosper in, but not too big where competition
would nudge them out.
They operated in a bubble, so to speak. They lived in a vacuum.
Until everything changed. The bubble went away, fast.
And all the air rushed into their space completely removing the protective moat that surrounded them.
What happened, you ask? Digital of course. Film went away, digital took over and changed the landscape of photography forever.
Changed it for professionals and made everyone a photographer.
POOF! No more vacuum. No more business, literally. None.
Technology sucks sometimes, doesn’t it? Depends on your perspective I suppose.
Not braggin, but I saw it coming, and switched to digital very, very early. My studio was pumping out over 700 sessions a year, plus weddings.
I painted myself into a corner and figured it out.
I also quickly realized that marketing my photography business was going to be more important than ever before.
Why? Simple….no more vacuum. That, and, EVERYONE is a photographer.
The BIG question is: How do I stand out? What can I offer? Where is my market (who’s got my money???)??
What products and services will resonate with that market?
These are all questions that live in the magical realm of marketing. Notice? Nothing to do with technique, lighting, photoshop etc etc?
Marketing is everything.
Marketing is, was, and will forever be THE MOST IMPORTANT activity to your success, growth and profitability in your photography business.
By far, my most valued and favorite activity.
It’s also why I like following other successful photographers who get it. Photographers like Warne Noyce. A dude who defies the odds and kicks ass.
All because of marketing. Well, he is a solid photographer too. His work is stratospheric good.
But without marketing, he’d be nowhere.
In conclusion, we ALL need to create our own bubble. Our own vacuum. Never rely on it coming from external sources.
‘cuz everything can change. The bubble can and will burst. Be ready. Be smart. Be a marketer.
Join me tonight for a Marketing Mastermind meeting with Warne.
All are welcome.
REPLAY LINK FOR MEMBERS:
Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher
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