We had some interesting discussions last night during the Lighting Mastermind with Hark.
I made some revealing confessions which made him feel good. And talked about my flaws and short comings. But how, in the end, the only metric that really matters and should matter is how happy mny clients are and if I am making money.
Hark also commented:
“I’m in agreement with you regarding posing and being not too structured or rigid as I find families tend to by images that won’t win any awards but they’re happy to see a connection with siblings or an expression that shows them exactly who that kid really is so I don’t always try to stress about the perfect pose. The thing is with awards they never guarantee long term results. For some it does not end well.”
Have you ever noticed there are countless stories of winners who, after winning, are rarely or never heard from again.
I think the reason is we let our guard down and our egos inflate. We somehow think we’ve ‘made it.’
We see this in sailing and mountain climbing. Most accidents happen when descending the mountain or when the the boat is heading to port almost home.
We let our guard down. Thinking we’ve “made it.” Again, dangerous thinking.
The worst case example is those awful you tube videos showing competitors who ‘celebrate’ too soon.
Like the dude who, mere yards away from the finish line, throws his hands up. And his bike wipes out. Crashing to the ground as the guy behind him passes him and claims victory.
I saw this on our city years ago. I knew exactly what was happening when local hair salon was pitching for a major business award. She had expanded and everything looked amazing…..on paper.
She won. And within a year her hair salon closed for good.
I don’t know where she went. But I’m sure she brought her award with her.
I have a different opinion. I’d rather be top rated than award winning. Top rated means my clients’ opinion.
Don’t celebrate too soon. The only time you should throw your arms up in victory is when your clients not only places a nice big fat order, but she says amazing things about you and your studio.
And repeats that story to her friends and family and on your facebook reviews page.
That’s bankable.
Winning awards is alright. They do help. But you need to stay focused as well.
They are not the only pinnacle of success. Nice to have a feather in your cap and certificates adorning your walls.
Here is the replay for members from last nights presentation.
Enjoy….
Rob
Interesting! I have only read the above but heading to watch the video next.
I’ve leave my thoughts on “award winning”. I am a huge Maria Sampio fan (as well as a fan of yours Rob.) I signed up for an in person workshop at her studio a couple years ago. I am not one to rip the bandaid off and raise my prices but, I have been doing it incrementally. I just wrapped up my Santa sessions for the year and this year my average was around $1,200. with my lowest sale at $600. It’s a dog eat dog world and there is literally a photographer within a 30 second walk from my door who does Santa for $75 and includes file with her session. She delivers a lot of pictures of the backs of kids heads. Parents post them to facebook and friends go crazy over them. LOL. Regular people don’t know what good photography looks like.
This year I entered one of my Santa images from last year into the International Print Competition through PPA. It was accepted into the loan collection. (My first loan image and I did sob, yes I did) I may be learning pricing from Maria but what I learned from you is not to be shy about promoting myself! I posted the image in a local mom’s group as an Internationally award winning Santa photographer. I have already sold out 2 days of Santa in October for 2021. Sometimes you need to be a little more obvious why you charge so much more. I spell my out like this….award winning.
Were all of my 2020 Santa images award worthy? Of course not but I’m gonna get my miles out of that award!
Long time member, Always great stuff here!
Julie, thanks for posting. Good insights… Your comment: “Regular people don’t know what good photography looks like…” is true. It’s our responsibility to bring an experience and product that elevates our clients to a higher level. being in business is not easy. But so worth it. We all grow and prosper.
It’s so good to hear about your success! Maria, in my humble opinion, is the apex of selling. There are no equals….thanks Rob
Great webinar as usual and I totally agree, if the parents don’t love it who cares if the judges do. It’s the parents keeping the lights on.
Hey Rob
Talking about people that made it then disappeared….
A year or so ago you had a video with a photographer from Indiana with all kinds of SEO for photographers advice.
He was great, I signed up for his $100 course and learned a ton of very useful stuff that helped my websites greatly. The guy was rude and a bit of a jerk but really knew his stuff.
He seems to have totally disappeared of the web, any ideas what happened?
His name is Scott Crosby. he may have been moody because of serious back issues. I think he might of spoke on this topic in our last webinar. He had to get out of photography due to debilitating issues problems…then, one day…boom… all cleared up. Weird, but true….he’s into his bus these days….and his course infor was/in still valid….
https://www.facebook.com/scott.crosby1
thanks
R
So he’s out of photography completely then? Glad I took his SEO course when I did.